Knox County, TN

County

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Population

465,289

0.742% 1-year growth

US Senator

Marsha Blackburn

Republican Party

US Senator

Bill Hagerty

Republican Party

Median Age

37.4

Poverty Rate

15.2%

Median Household Income

$55,632

0.662% 1-year growth

Median Property Value

$191,300

6.16% 1-year growth

Number of Employees

233,590

0.925% 1-year decline

About

In 2018, Knox County, TN had a population of 465k people with a median age of 37.4 and a median household income of $55,632. Between 2017 and 2018 the population of Knox County, TN grew from 461,860 to 465,289, a 0.742% increase and its median household income grew from $55,266 to $55,632, a 0.662% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Knox County, TN are White (Non-Hispanic) (82.2%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (8.72%), White (Hispanic) (3.13%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (2.17%), and Asian (Non-Hispanic) (2.15%). NaNk% of the people in Knox County, TN speak a non-English language, and 97.4% are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Knox County, TN are The University of Tennessee-Knoxville (7,103 degrees awarded in 2017), Pellissippi State Community College (2,282 degrees), and Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Knoxville (921 degrees).

The median property value in Knox County, TN is $191,300, and the homeownership rate is 64.2%. Most people in Knox County, TN commute by Drove Alone, and the average commute time is 21 minutes. The average car ownership in Knox County, TN is 2 cars per household.

Knox County, TN borders Anderson County, TN, Blount County, TN, Grainger County, TN, Jefferson County, TN, Loudon County, TN, Roane County, TN, Sevier County, TN, and Union County, TN.

About the photo: World's Fair Park, Knoxville, TN

Photo by Brent Moore

United States Tennessee Knoxville, TN

COVID-19

Daily New Cases by Date

Showing data at the state level for Tennessee. Hospitalization data for some states may be delayed or not reported.

This chart shows the number of COVID-19 daily new cases by date in Tennessee, as a 7-day rolling average, compared with the four states with the most similar number of confirmed cases.

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Impact on Employment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Tennessee.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Tennessee (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Community Mobility

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Tennessee.

This chart presents movement trends over time in the state of Tennessee across different categories of places such as retail and recreation, groceries and pharmacies, parks, transit stations, workplaces, and residential.

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Civics

In the 2016 presidential election, the popular vote in Knox County, TN went to Donald J. Trump with 58.5% of the vote. The runner-up was Hillary Rodham Clinton (34.8%), followed by Other (6.67%). The most partisan county was Wayne County, TN with 86% of the vote going to Donald J. Trump running for the Republican Party.

Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty are the senators currently representing the state of Tennessee. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Tennessee is currently represented by 9 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Showing data up to the 2016 election. Updated election results are currently being processed, and will be released in the coming months.

2016 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (58.5%)
Republican Party
Hillary Rodham Clinton (34.8%)
Democratic Party
Other (6.67%)
Other Party

In the 2016 presidential election, the popular vote in Tennessee went to Donald J. Trump with 58.5% of the vote. The runner-up was Hillary Rodham Clinton (34.8%), followed by Other (6.67%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Tennessee for each registered party from 1976 to 2016.

Presidential Popular Vote by County

Presidential voting results are only available at the county level. Showing data for the counties inside of Tennessee.

Showing data up to the 2016 election. Updated election results are currently being processed, and will be released in the coming months.

Donald J. Trump

Popular Vote for Knox County, TN

58.5% for the Republican Party

Most Partisan Counties in Tennessee

Wayne County, TN
86% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Scott County, TN
84.9% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Macon County, TN
83.5% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)

In the 2016 presidential election, the most partisan county in Tennessee was Wayne County, TN with 86% of the vote going to Donald J. Trump running for the Republican Party.

The following map shows the counties in Tennessee colored by their party leaning.

US Senators from Tennessee

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Tennessee.

Marsha Blackburn

Senator from Tennessee

Assumed office on January 3, 2019

Bill Hagerty

Senator from Tennessee

Assumed office on January 3, 2021

Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty are the senators currently representing Tennessee.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Tennessee over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representatives from Tennessee

Tennessee is currently represented by 9 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Tennessee have changed over time starting in 2008.

Diversity

Knox County, TN is home to a population of 465k people, from which 97.4% are citizens. As of 2018, 4.82% of Knox County, TN residents were born outside of the country (22.4k people).

In 2018, there were 9.44 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (383k people) in Knox County, TN than any other race or ethnicity. There were 40.6k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 14.6k White (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Knox County, TN

White (Non-Hispanic)
383k ± 172
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
40.6k ± 2.02k
White (Hispanic)
14.6k ± 1.91k

4.39%

Hispanic Population

20.4k people

4.39% of the people in Knox County, TN are hispanic (20.4k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Knox County, TN as a share of the total population.

Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

4.82%

2018 Foreign-Born Population

22.4k people

4.87%

2017 Foreign-Born Population

22.5k people

As of 2018, 4.82% of Knox County, TN residents (22.4k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.7%. In 2017, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Knox County, TN was 4.87%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Knox County, TN compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Age by Nativity

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.4

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 2

In 2018, the median age of all people in Knox County, TN was 37.4. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 37, were generally younger than than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 38. But people in Knox County, TN are getting getting younger. In 2017, the average age of all Knox County, TN residents was 38.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Tennessee.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
84,132 ± 7,077 people
India
18,226 ± 3,310 people
Honduras
14,274 ± 2,930 people

In 2018, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Tennessee was Mexico, the natal country of 84,132 Tennessee residents, followed by India with 18,226 and Honduras with 14,274.

Citizenship

97.4%

2018 Citizenship

96.6%

2017 Citizenship

As of 2018, 97.4% of Knox County, TN residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2017, the percentage of US citizens in Knox County, TN was 96.6%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Knox County, TN compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
9,955 ± 1,281
Gulf War (2001-)
7,943 ± 1,468
Gulf War (1990s)
4,429 ± 1,217

Knox County, TN has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.25 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

Median household income in Knox County, TN is $55,632. In 2018, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Knox County, TN was Census Tract 57.10 with a value of $149,417, followed by Census Tract 58.10 and Census Tract 58.12, with respective values of $138,512 and $138,438.

Males in Tennessee have an average income that is 1.37 times higher than the average income of females, which is $44,237. The income inequality in Tennessee (measured using the Gini index) is 0.464, which is lower than than the national average.

The economy of Knox County, TN employs 234k people. The largest industries in Knox County, TN are Health Care & Social Assistance (34,048 people), Retail Trade (34,009 people), and Educational Services (26,401 people), and the highest paying industries are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($71,184), Management of Companies & Enterprises ($60,304), and Utilities ($58,764).

Wages

Median Household Income

$55,632

2018 value

± $2,280

0.662%

1 Year Growth

± 5.15%

Households in Knox County, TN have a median annual income of $55,632, which is less than the median annual income of $61,937 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $55,266 in 2017, which represents a 0.662% annual growth.

The following chart shows how the median household income in Knox County, TN compares to that of its neighboring and parent geographies.

Wage by Gender in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Tennessee.

$60,607

Average Male Salary in Tennessee

± $1,379

$44,237

Average Female Salary in Tennessee

± $1,006

In 2018, full-time male employees in Tennessee made 1.37 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the gender-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in Tennessee by number of full-time employees.

Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Tennessee.

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity in Tennessee

Asian
$56,380 ± $6,815
White
$49,129 ± $940
Two or More Races
$42,683 ± $7,409

In 2018 the highest paid race/ethnicity of Tennessee workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.15 times more than White workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity in Tennessee.

This chart shows the race- and ethnicity-based wage disparities in the 5 most common occupations in Tennessee by number of full-time employees.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Knox County, TN is from Tennessee.

0.464

2018 Wage GINI in Tennessee

0.466

2017 Wage GINI in Tennessee

In 2018, the income inequality in Tennessee was 0.464 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.388% decline from 2017 to 2018, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Tennessee was lower than than the national average of 0.479. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Tennessee in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Tennessee across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 57.10
Census Tract 58.10
Census Tract 58.12

In 2018, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Knox County, TN was Census Tract 57.10 with a value of $149,417, followed by Census Tract 58.10 and Census Tract 58.12, with respective values of $138,512 and $138,438.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Knox County, TN colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Poverty by Age and Gender

Females 18 - 24

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

15.2% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Knox County, TN (67.7k out of 445k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 13.1%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 18 - 24, followed by Males 18 - 24 and then Females 25 - 34.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

White
48,513 ± 1,663
Black
13,572 ± 848
Hispanic
5,056 ± 556

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Knox County, TN is White, followed by Black and Hispanic.

Occupations

Employment by Occupations

234k

2018 Value

± 7,843

-0.925%

1 Year decline

± 4.8%

From 2017 to 2018, employment in Knox County, TN declined at a rate of -0.925%, from 236k employees to 234k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Knox County, TN, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (30,044 people), Sales & Related Occupations (27,369 people), and Management Occupations (24,634 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Knox County, TN.

Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Knox County, TN, by number of employees, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (30,044 people), Sales & Related Occupations (27,369 people), and Management Occupations (24,634 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Knox County, TN has an unusually high number of residents working as Life, Physical, & Social Science Occupations (2.09 times higher than expected), Health Diagnosing & Treating Practitioners & Other Technical Occupations (1.37 times), and Sales & Related Occupations (1.16 times).

Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Knox County, TN, by median earnings, are Architecture & Engineering Occupations ($71,596), Legal Occupations ($67,636), and Management Occupations ($62,073).

Industries

Employment by Industries

234k

2018 Value

± 7,843

-0.925%

1 Year decline

± 4.8%

From 2017 to 2018, employment in Knox County, TN declined at a rate of -0.925%, from 236k employees to 234k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Knox County, TN, are Health Care & Social Assistance (34,048 people), Retail Trade (34,009 people), and Educational Services (26,401 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Knox County, TN, though some of these residents may live in Knox County, TN and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Most Common

The most common industries in Knox County, TN, by number of employees, are Health Care & Social Assistance (34,048 people), Retail Trade (34,009 people), and Educational Services (26,401 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Knox County, TN has an unusually high number of Management of Companies & Enterprises (2.11 times higher than expected), Retail Trade (1.32 times), and Utilities (1.23 times) industries.

Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Knox County, TN, by median earnings, are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($71,184), Management of Companies & Enterprises ($60,304), and Utilities ($58,764).

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Tennessee to other states, or from other states to Tennessee.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2015, the top outbound Tennessee product (by dollars) was Pharmaceuticals with $33.7B, followed by Motorized vehicles ($31.1B) and Mixed freight ($26.9B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Tennessee products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Tennessee.

$333B

2015 Value in Tennessee

$525B

Projected 2045 Value in Tennessee

57.7% growth

In 2015, total outbound Tennessee trade was $333B. This is expected to increase 57.7% to $525B by 2045.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Tennessee trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Tennessee to other states, or from other states to Tennessee.

Most Common Trade Partners

Kentucky
$27.6B
Texas
$17.3B
Georgia
$16.7B

In 2015, the top outbound Tennessee domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Kentucky with $27.6B, followed by Texas with $17.3B and Georgia and $16.7B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Tennessee shares with each state (excluding itself).

Education

In 2017, universities in Knox County, TN awarded 11,961 degrees. The student population of Knox County, TN is skewed towards women, with 21,291 male students and 23,840 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Knox County, TN are White (9,559 and 82.3%), followed by Black or African American (743 and 6.4%), Hispanic or Latino (418 and 3.6%), and Asian (314 and 2.7%).

The largest universities in Knox County, TN by number of degrees awarded are The University of Tennessee-Knoxville (7,103 and 59.4%), Pellissippi State Community College (2,282 and 19.1%), and Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Knoxville (921 and 7.7%).

The most popular majors in Knox County, TN are Liberal Arts & Sciences (957 and 8%), General Business Administration & Management (442 and 3.7%), and Registered Nursing (405 and 3.39%).

The median tuition costs in Knox County, TN are $13,780 for private four year colleges, and $11,110 and $29,300 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Concentrations

Most Common

Logistics, Materials, & Supply Chain Management
325 degree-majorss awarded
General Psychology
275 degree-majorss awarded
General Biological Sciences
246 degree-majorss awarded

In 2015, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Knox County, TN was Logistics, Materials, & Supply Chain Management with 325 degree-majorss awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Knox County, TN according to their major.

Universities

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

The University of Tennessee-Knoxville
7,103 degrees awarded
Pellissippi State Community College
2,282 degrees awarded
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Knoxville
921 degrees awarded

$11,110

Median In-State Public

$13,780

Median Private

In 2017, the Knox County, TN institution with the largest number of graduating students was The University of Tennessee-Knoxville with 7,103 degrees awarded.

Student Gender for Common Institutions

5,347

Degrees Awarded to Men

6,614

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2017, 5,347 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Knox County, TN, which is 0.808 times less than the 6,614 female students who received degrees in the same year.

This chart displays the gender disparity between the top 5 institutions in Knox County, TN by degrees awarded.

Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

White
9,559 degrees awarded
Black or African American
743 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
418 degrees awarded

In 2017 the majority of degrees awarded at institutions in Knox County, TN were to White students. These 9,559 degrees mean that there were 12.9 times more White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 743 degrees awarded.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Knox County, TN was $191,300 in 2018, which is 0.833 times smaller than the national average of $229,700. Between 2017 and 2018 the median property value increased from $180,200 to $191,300, a 6.16% increase. The homeownership rate in Knox County, TN is 64.2%, which is higher than the national average of 63.9%. People in Knox County, TN have an average commute time of 21 minutes, and they commute by Drove Alone. Car ownership in Knox County, TN is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property Value

$191,300

2018 Median

± $5,141

$180,200

2017 Median

± $4,956

In 2018, the median property value in Knox County, TN grew to to $191,300 from the previous year's value of $180,200.

The following charts display, first, the property values in Knox County, TN compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies and, second, owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property value buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Knox County, TN the largest share of households have a property value in the $200k - $250k range.

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$55,632

Median Household Income

± $2,280

185k

Number of Households

± 6,440

In 2018, the median household income of the 185k households in Knox County, TN grew to $55,632 from the previous year's value of $55,266.

The following chart displays the households in Knox County, TN distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Property Taxes

$800 - $1,499

Average Range

This chart shows the households in Knox County, TN distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Knox County, TN the largest share of households pay taxes in the $800 - $1,499 range.

Rent vs Own

64.2%

2018 Homeownership

63.8%

2017 Homeownership

In 2018, 64.2% of the housing units in Knox County, TN were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 63.8%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is higher than the national average of 63.9%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Knox County, TN compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Commute Time

21 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Knox County, TN have a shorter commute time (21 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.7 minutes). Additionally, 1.36% of the workforce in Knox County, TN have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Knox County, TN compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Method of Travel

Drove Alone
83%
Carpooled
7.37%
Worked At Home
5.78%

In 2018, the most common method of travel for workers in Knox County, TN was Drove Alone (83%), followed by those who Carpooled (7.37%) and those who Worked At Home (5.78%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Transportation

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Knox County, TN distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Knox County, TN have 2 cars, followed by 3 cars.

Health

92.3% of the population of Knox County, TN has health coverage, with 53% on employee plans, 13.4% on Medicaid, 11.5% on Medicare, 12.9% on non-group plans, and 1.55% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in Tennessee was $7,372 in 2014. This is a 3.74% increase from the previous year ($7,106).

Primary care physicians in Knox County, TN see 881 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.452% decrease from the previous year (885 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1715 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 294 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Dyer County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (17.5%). Additionally, Hardeman County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (39.7%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

881 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Knox County, TN

Primary care physicians in Knox County, TN see an average of 881 patients per year. This represents a 0.452% decrease from the previous year (885 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Knox County, TN in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

West Virginia
8.26% of the population affected
Arkansas
8.13% of the population affected
New Hampshire
7.98% of the population affected

In 2016, West Virginia had the highest prevalence of adults with major depressive episode, with 8.26% of the population affected. The second highest is Arkansas (8.13%), followed by New Hampshire (7.98%).

The following map shows the percent of individuals with major depressive episode by state over multiple years.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

Mississippi
19.2% of adults
Texas
17.9% of adults
Louisiana
17.6% of adults

In 2016, Mississippi had the highest prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost, at 19.2%. It is followed by Texas (17.9%) and Louisiana (17.6%).

The following map shows the prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost by state over multiple years.

Health Care Spending

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Tennessee.

$7,372

Total Per Capita Spending on Personal Health Care in Tennessee

$4,680

Per Enrollee Private Health Insurance Spending on Personal Health Care

$5,677

Per Enrollee Medicaid Spending on Personal Health Care

$10,371

Per Enrollee Medicare Spending on Personal Health Care

Between 2013 and 2014, all personal health care spending per capita in Tennessee (including private, Medicare, and Medicaid) grew 3.74%, from $7,106 to $7,372.

The following chart shows how this spending changed over time in comparison to Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance spending, per enrollee.

Health Care Coverage

7.67%

Uninsured

53%

Employer Coverage

13.4%

Medicaid

11.5%

Medicare

12.9%

Non-Group

1.55%

Military or VA

Between 2016 and 2017, the percent of uninsured citizens in Knox County, TN grew by 3.14% from 7.43% to 7.67%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Knox County, TN changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.