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Population Review

Smith County, Tennessee Population 2026

Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 66th-largest in Tennessee

The population of Smith County, Tennessee is 20,196 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 66th-largest county in Tennessee. The median household income is $62,799, the median home value is $224,500, and the median age is 40.7.

The population of Smith County has grown 8.7% since 2010 (19,127 → 20,783), a +0.59% annualized rate.

Smith County within Tennessee · Source: US Census TIGER/Line via us-atlas

20,196

Population

+0.59%

Annual growth

64

People / sq mi

$62,799

Median Income

$224,500

Median Home Value

Smith County covers 314 sq mi of land at 64.3 people per square mile.

About Smith County, TN

Smith County is a county in Tennessee with a population of 20,196. It ranks #66 among counties in Tennessee by population. The median age is 40.7, older than the national median. The population is 50.6% male and 49.4% female.

The median household income in Smith County is $62,799, below the US median of $74,580. 10.4% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $224,500, with monthly rent averaging $877. The homeownership rate of 75.5% is higher than the national rate of 64.8%.

Educational attainment in Smith County reflects 17.9% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 7.7% of workers primarily work from home, below the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 32.0 minutes each way.

Smith County Population History (2010-2024)

The county of Smith County had a population of 19,127 in 2010 and 20,783 in 2024, a 8.7% growth over 14 years. The peak was 20,783 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 0.60%.

2024 · 21K20102024

20,783

Population (2024)

19,127

Population (2010)

20,783

Peak (2024)

0.60%

Avg Annual Growth

YearPopulation
201019,127
201119,211
201219,185
201319,123
201419,104
201519,316
201619,542
201719,743
201819,946
201920,115
202019,966
202120,166
202220,485
202320,545
202420,783

Race & Ethnicity

White90.8%
Black or African American1.9%
Asian0.0%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)1.2%
Two or More Races0.1%

Age & Sex

40.7

Median Age

49.4%

Female

50.6%

Male

16.4%

Age 65+

Age Distribution

Under 5
5.6%
5–9
5.6%
10–14
7.1%
15–19
6.1%
20–24
5.4%
25–34
12.9%
35–44
12.1%
45–54
13.7%
55–59
7.8%
60–64
7.3%
65–74
10.2%
75–84
4.7%
85+
1.5%

Children (under 15): 18.3% · Seniors (65+): 16.4%

Income & Poverty

Median household income$62,799$-4,298 vs state
Mean household income$85,700
Per-capita income$32,720
Poverty rate10.4%+0.5% vs state
Unemployment rate1.9%
Employment-to-population58.0%

Top Industries by Employment

Professional & business services
20.9%
Manufacturing
15.9%
Construction
10.3%
Finance & real estate
8.9%
Retail trade
7.0%
Public administration
5.4%
Education & health care
5.1%
Arts, entertainment & food
3.8%

The largest employment sector in Smith County is professional & business services, accounting for 20.9% of workers.

How residents commute

0.0%

Drive alone

0.2%

Carpool

81.7%

Public transit

7.7%

Work from home

32.0 min

Avg commute

Housing

$224,500$-32,300 vs state

Median home value

$877

Median rent

75.5%

Homeownership rate

8,649

Total housing units

88.1%

Occupied

11.9%

Vacant

24.5%

Renter-occupied

Social & access

91.5%

With health insurance

92.3%

With broadband internet

25.1%

Foreign-born

6.4%

Veterans (18+)

17.2%

With a disability

96.5%

Speak language other than English at home

Education

87.3%

High School+

17.9%

Bachelor's+

Largest cities in Tennessee

Other counties in Tennessee

Part of Tennessee

Metro areas in Tennessee

County rankings

Frequently Asked Questions

Smith County, Tennessee has a population of 20,196 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 66th-largest county in Tennessee. Population density is 64 people per square mile.

The population of Smith County has grown 8.7% since 2010 (19,127 → 20,783), a +0.59% annualized rate.

The median household income in Smith County, Tennessee is $62,799, with mean (average) household income of $85,700 and per-capita income of $32,720. 10.4% of residents live below the federal poverty level.

In Smith County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (90.8%), Black or African American (1.9%), Hispanic or Latino (1.2%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.

The median age in Smith County, Tennessee is 40.7 years. Residents are 49.4% female and 50.6% male.

The median home value in Smith County is $224,500 and median monthly rent is $877. 75.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 8,649 total housing units, 11.9% of which are vacant.

The largest employment sector in Smith County, Tennessee is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 20.9% of workers. The unemployment rate is 1.9%.

Nashville-Davidson is among the largest cities associated with Smith County, Tennessee, with a population of 684,298.

Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.