Bolivar, TN

Tennessee · Metropolitan Area

Bolivar is a small city in Tennessee with a population of 5,171. Residents earn $38,575 per year, which is 49% below the national average.

2.4 /5.0
C Fair
5,171 Population 638/sq mi density
$38,575 Median Income $23,041 per capita
$136,000 Home Value $142,932 Zillow
$827 Median Rent
61°F Avg Temperature
1,327 Violent Crime/100K 3,943 property/100K
C
Overall
2.4 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.1 / 5.0
$38,575 median income, 10.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.7 / 5.0
$136,000 home value, $827/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
1,327 violent crimes/100K (249% above avg)
D
Education
2.0 / 5.0
11.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $38,575
49% lower than US avg
Home Value $136,000
52% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 1,327/100K
249% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 11.9%
65% lower than US avg
Median Rent $827
29% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 46.3%
44% higher than US avg
Unemployment 10.3%
186% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 15.0%
21% higher than US avg

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

People

Population5,171
Median Age35.9 yrs
Density638/mi²
Male / Female54% / 46%
Largest GroupWhite 26%

Economy

C
Median Income$38,575
Per Capita$23,041
Unemployment10.3%
Poverty15.0%
County GDP$2,044M
Commute31 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$136,000
Rent$827
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$142,932

Crime

F
Violent1,327/100K
Property3,943/100K
Murder19.2/100K
Assault1,135/100K
Burglary1,096/100K

Health

Obesity46.3%
UninsuredN/A
Depression26.0%
Heart Disease6.5%

Climate

Avg Temp61°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain57.8 in/yr
Elevation438 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+11.9%
High School+81.2%
School Score5.08

Community

2024 VoteR 71% / D 28%
Commute31 min
Libraries1

Is Bolivar a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Bolivar receives an overall livability score of 2.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C. Key strengths include affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, above-average unemployment, below-average incomes. Bolivar has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Bolivar is $38,575, 49% below the national average of $75,149. At 10.3%, unemployment is notably high. The poverty rate of 15.0% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 31 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Bolivar is $136,000, 52% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $827 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.5x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

With 1,327 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 3,943 per 100,000, 101% above the national average.

Education

11.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 81.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.1/10.

Climate & Weather

Bolivar enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 61°F. Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 57.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Bolivar has a population of 5,171 with a density of 638 people per square mile. The median age is 35.9 years, 8% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly Black (66.9%), with 26.2% White, 2.1% Hispanic.

Population

5,171
Total Population
638
People / sq mi
35.9yrs
Median Age
8% below US avg
8.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 54.2%
Female 45.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Bolivar vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.4%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.6%
96% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Bolivar vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Bolivar is $38,575, which is 49% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 10.3% (above the 3.6% US average). 15.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 31 minutes.

Income: Bolivar vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$38,575
49% below US avg
Per Capita Income$23,041
Avg Weekly Wage$1,098
IRS Avg AGI$90,011

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment10.3%
186% above US avg
Poverty Rate15.0%
21% above US avg
Establishments (County)823
County GDP$2,044M

Business (County)

Restaurants38
Healthcare45
Retail102
Manufacturing59

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,574
26% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.89%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time31.4 min
Work from Home7.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Bolivar is $136,000, 52% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $827 (29% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $142,932.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$136,000
52% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$142,932

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$827
29% 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-Occupied56.5%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,574
26% below US avg
Effective Rate1.89%
In Bolivar, 46.3% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 26.0% report depression. 34.9% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Bolivar vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity46.3%
44% above US avg
Diabetes16.2%
Heart Disease6.5%
High Blood Pressure44.2%
Asthma12.8%
COPD8.9%
Stroke4.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking11.6%
Physical Inactivity34.9%
Depression26.0%
Mental Distress22.5%
Physical Distress16.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate87.2%
Checkup Rate80.3%
Premature Death11,140/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.5/10
Exercise Access36.1%
Healthcare Facilities45
Bolivar has a violent crime rate of 1,327 per 100,000 residents, 249% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 3,943 per 100,000 (101% above US avg). The murder rate is 19.2 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent1,327.2/100K
249% above US avg
Murder19.2/100K
205% above US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery173.1/100K
Assault1,134.8/100K

Property Crime

Total Property3,943.1/100K
101% above US avg
Burglary1,096.4/100K
Theft2,750.5/100K
Vehicle Theft96.2/100K
Arson19.2/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)10
FEMA Disasters182

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Bolivar has an average annual temperature of 61°F (16°C). Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Annual precipitation is 57.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

40°F Jan (5°C) 81°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average61.2°F
13% above US avg
January Average40°F (5°C)
July Average81°F (27°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall57.8 inches
52% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation438 ft (134 m)
Area8.1 sq mi (21.0 km²)
Population Density638/sq mi
Coordinates35.2640°N, 89.0119°W
County FIPS47047
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 11.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (65% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 42.4-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 70.7%
D 28.4%

Winner: Republican by 42.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+11.9%
65% below US avg
High School+81.2%
School Test Score5.08
D Education Grade (2.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density638/sq mi
Total Area8.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities45
Restaurants38
Retail Stores102

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)10
FEMA Disaster Declarations182
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute31.4 min
Work from Home7.5%

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