Poverty and living standards in Knoxville, Tennessee: official figures
20.2% of residents of Knoxville (37,419 people) had incomes below the federal poverty line in the 2020-2024 American Community Survey, 120th highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 12.5%; Tennessee: 13.8%).
How many children live in poverty in Knoxville?
23.9% of children under 18 in Knoxville lived below the poverty line in 2020-2024 (8,136 children), 164th highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 16.1%; Tennessee: 18.8%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat is the poverty rate for older people in Knoxville?
By age, the poverty rate in Knoxville was 25.2% for children under 6 and 14.9% for residents aged 60 and over in 2020-2024 (US: 17.2% and 11.0%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many people in Knoxville live in deep poverty?
18,681 people in Knoxville, 10.1% of residents, had incomes below half the poverty line in 2020-2024, 115th highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 6.0%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many renters in Knoxville are cost-burdened?
53.8% of renting households in Knoxville spent 30% or more of their income on rent and utilities in 2020-2024 (23,158 households), 358th highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 51.1%; Tennessee: 48.8%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many households in Knoxville spend half their income on rent?
26.5% of renting households in Knoxville spent half or more of their income on rent and utilities, 400th highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 25.9%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Knoxville compares with other cities in the United States
Residents below the poverty line (2020-2024)
Knoxville ranks 120 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Residents below the poverty line |
|---|---|---|
| 117 | North Little Rock | 20.3% |
| 118 | Johnson City | 20.3% |
| 119 | Perth Amboy | 20.2% |
| 120 | Knoxville | 20.2% |
| 121 | St. Cloud | 20.2% |
| 122 | Lansing | 20.1% |
| 123 | Fresno | 20.1% |
Children under 18 below the poverty line (2020-2024)
Knoxville ranks 164 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Children under 18 below the poverty line |
|---|---|---|
| 161 | Kokomo | 24.1% |
| 162 | New Britain | 24.0% |
| 163 | New York | 23.9% |
| 164 | Knoxville | 23.9% |
| 165 | San Antonio | 23.9% |
| 166 | Victoria | 23.8% |
| 167 | Odessa | 23.8% |
Residents with incomes below half the poverty line (2020-2024)
Knoxville ranks 115 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Residents with incomes below half the poverty line |
|---|---|---|
| 112 | Johnson City | 10.2% |
| 113 | Lubbock | 10.1% |
| 114 | Fresno | 10.1% |
| 115 | Knoxville | 10.1% |
| 116 | Fall River | 10.0% |
| 117 | Kingsport | 10.0% |
| 118 | Hamilton | 9.9% |
Renting households spending 30% or more of income on rent (2020-2024)
Knoxville ranks 358 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Renting households spending 30% or more of income on rent |
|---|---|---|
| 355 | Santa Cruz | 54.0% |
| 356 | Allen | 53.9% |
| 357 | Renton | 53.9% |
| 358 | Knoxville | 53.8% |
| 359 | Nashville | 53.8% |
| 360 | Akron | 53.8% |
| 361 | Lawrence | 53.7% |
More on Knoxville: overview · economy and jobs · health · education and schools · government budget · all cities in the United States
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B17020: Poverty Status in the Past 12 Months by Age (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 e79a292f34605560506b7f4b5c8ea242c9d6e203c8e95ba675565ddb7758571e), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 41bab025d213…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table C17002: Ratio of Income to Poverty Level in the Past 12 Months (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 dc3dc675113683ec3ff2a0e29a840f43e03268151d7f14b922658d7306da5187), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 31aa364bfddf…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B25070: Gross Rent as a Percentage of Household Income in the Past 12 Months (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 862ccc17d913305d11e6f802ce4518d76b30585ea0b05b251cd8cf21f8661386), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 4f8d499d9e95…)
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