Census ACS · #61 MSA
Knoxville Metro Area
The Knoxville, Tn Metropolitan Statistical Area has 919,553 residents. The median household income is $69,734 and the median home value is $255,300.
919,553
Population
263
People / sq mi
$69,734
Median Income
$255,300
Median Home Value
The Knoxville CBSA covers 3,501 sq mi of land at 262.7 people per square mile.
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 85.8% |
| Black or African American | 5.4% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.2% |
Economy & Income
$69,734
Median Household Income
$39,184
Per Capita Income
8.3%
Poverty Rate
2.3%
Unemployment
Cost of Living
The Knoxville metro's price level is 92.6 on the BEA Regional Price Parity index (US average = 100), meaning prices are 7.4% lower the US average. The local median income of $69,734 has the buying power of $75,332 in average-priced US metros.
92.6
Price Level (US = 100)
$75,332
COL-Adjusted Median Income
$69,734
Nominal Median Income
Housing
$255,300
Median Home Value
$1,080
Median Rent
70.2%
Homeownership
Education
90.5%
High School+
31.9%
Bachelor's+
Commute
0.3%
Drive Alone
11.6%
Work From Home
24.4 min
Avg Commute
35.1%
Foreign Born
Knoxville spans this state
Nearby metros
Largest cities in Tennessee
Largest counties in Tennessee
Part of Tennessee
Other metros
Metro areas in Tennessee
Metro rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
The Knoxville, Tn Metropolitan Statistical Area has a population of 919,553 according to Census ACS 5-Year estimates, making it the #61 largest CBSA in the US.
The median household income in the Knoxville metro area is $69,734, with a per capita income of $39,184.
The Knoxville, Tn CBSA spans the state of Tennessee.
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More from Tennessee
Data for the Knoxville, Tn CBSA (28940) from the American Community Survey 5-Year estimates. Core-Based Statistical Areas combine cities, suburbs, and surrounding counties tied together by commuting patterns.
What distinguishes Knoxville is density: among the most densely settled of US metro areas, around 263 people per square mile. Knoxville is a metro area in TN with a population of 919,553.
The typical household here earns about $69,734, below the US median of $78,538. About 8.3% of residents live below the federal poverty level, below the national 12.4%. A typical home is worth $255,300, with typical rent around $1,080.
Educational attainment is on the higher side for US metro areas — 31.9% of adults hold a four-year degree, below the national 35.0%.
That density explains much of the rest of the profile in Knoxville: denser places lean toward renting, shorter commutes by transit, and a younger working-age mix.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.