Bluff City, TN

Tennessee · Metropolitan Area

Bluff City is a small town in Tennessee with a population of 2,268. Residents earn $59,783 per year, which is 20% below the national average.

2.9 /5.0
C+ Fair
2,268 Population 1,296/sq mi density
$59,783 Median Income $29,049 per capita
$147,400 Home Value $258,904 Zillow
$889 Median Rent
57°F Avg Temperature
636 Violent Crime/100K 2,140 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.9 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.6 / 5.0
$59,783 median income, 3.2% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$147,400 home value, $889/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
636 violent crimes/100K (67% above avg)
C
Education
2.2 / 5.0
14.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $59,783
20% lower than US avg
Home Value $147,400
48% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 636/100K
67% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 14.8%
56% lower than US avg
Median Rent $889
24% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 36.7%
14% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.2%
11% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 14.5%
17% higher than US avg

How Bluff City Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population2,268
Median Age34.3 yrs
Density1,296/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 98%

Economy

B+
Median Income$59,783
Per Capita$29,049
Unemployment3.2%
Poverty14.5%
County GDP$11,880M
Commute26 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$147,400
Rent$889
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$258,904

Crime

F
Violent636/100K
Property2,140/100K
Murder57.8/100K
Assault521/100K
Burglary925/100K

Health

Obesity36.7%
UninsuredN/A
Depression32.4%
Heart Disease5.9%

Climate

Avg Temp57°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain44.0 in/yr
Elevation1,543 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+14.8%
High School+90.6%
School Score5.08

Community

2024 VoteR 77% / D 22%
Commute26 min
Libraries7

Is Bluff City a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Bluff City receives an overall livability score of 2.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates. Bluff City has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Bluff City is $59,783, 20% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.2%, indicating a healthy job market. 14.5% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Bluff City is $147,400, 48% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $889 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.5x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

With 636 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, public safety is a notable concern — this is significantly above the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 2,140 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

14.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 90.6% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.1/10.

Climate & Weather

Bluff City enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 57°F. Winters average 36°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 44.0 inches, including 9.2 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Bluff City has a population of 2,268 with a density of 1,296 people per square mile. The median age is 34.3 years, 12% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (98.2%), with 1.4% Hispanic.

Population

2,268
Total Population
1,296
People / sq mi
34.3yrs
Median Age
12% below US avg
1.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.2%
Female 52.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Bluff City vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.8%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.2%
99% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Bluff City vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Bluff City is $59,783, which is 20% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.2% (below the 3.6% US average). 14.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Income: Bluff City vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$59,783
20% below US avg
Per Capita Income$29,049
Avg Weekly Wage$1,193
IRS Avg AGI$68,374

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.2%
11% below US avg
Poverty Rate14.5%
17% above US avg
Establishments (County)4,219
County GDP$11,880M

Business (County)

Restaurants355
Healthcare462
Retail558
Manufacturing131

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,964
13% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.69%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time25.9 min
Work from Home13.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Bluff City is $147,400, 48% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $889 (24% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $258,904.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$147,400
48% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$258,904
Median List Price$335,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$335,000
$/Sq Ft$145
Homes Sold2
Sale-to-List Ratio127.2%
Price Drops37.5%
Inventory8

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$889
24% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$882
1 Bedroom$924
2 Bedrooms$1,118
3 Bedrooms$1,445
4 Bedrooms$1,644

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied58.2%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,964
13% above US avg
Effective Rate2.69%
In Bluff City, 36.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 32.4% report depression. 25.9% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Bluff City vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity36.7%
14% above US avg
Diabetes11.3%
Heart Disease5.9%
High Blood Pressure34.4%
Asthma11.4%
COPD7.8%
Stroke3.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking15.2%
Physical Inactivity25.9%
Depression32.4%
Mental Distress21.3%
Physical Distress14.7%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate85.5%
Checkup Rate76.1%
Premature Death12,612/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.8/10
Exercise Access58.9%
Healthcare Facilities462
Bluff City has a violent crime rate of 636 per 100,000 residents, 67% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 2,140 per 100,000 (9% above US avg). The murder rate is 57.8 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Bluff City vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent636.2/100K
67% above US avg
Murder57.8/100K
818% above US avg
Rape57.8/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault520.5/100K

Property Crime

Total Property2,140.0/100K
9% above US avg
Burglary925.4/100K
Theft1,156.7/100K
Vehicle Theft57.8/100K
Arson57.8/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)24

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Bluff City has an average annual temperature of 57°F (14°C). Winters average 36°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation is 44.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

36°F Jan (2°C) 76°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average56.6°F
5% above US avg
January Average36°F (2°C)
July Average76°F (24°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall44.0 inches
16% above US avg
Snowfall9.2 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,543 ft (470 m)
Area1.8 sq mi (4.5 km²)
Population Density1,296/sq mi
Coordinates36.4595°N, 82.2779°W
County FIPS47163
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 14.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (56% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 55-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 77%
D 22%

Winner: Republican by 55 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+14.8%
56% below US avg
High School+90.6%
School Test Score5.08
C Education Grade (2.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density1,296/sq mi
Total Area1.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries7
Healthcare Facilities462
Restaurants355
Retail Stores558

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)24
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute25.9 min
Work from Home13.0%

Nearby Cities

Compare Bluff City with another city: