Brownsville, TN

Tennessee

Brownsville is a small city in Tennessee with a population of 9,634. Residents earn $39,488 per year, which is 47% below the national average.

2.6 /5.0
C+ Fair
9,634 Population 977/sq mi density
$39,488 Median Income $21,811 per capita
$119,700 Home Value $162,228 Zillow
$737 Median Rent
61°F Avg Temperature
1,446 Violent Crime/100K 4,640 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.6 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.4 / 5.0
$39,488 median income, 5.1% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$119,700 home value, $737/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
1,446 violent crimes/100K (281% above avg)
D
Education
1.9 / 5.0
11.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $39,488
47% lower than US avg
Home Value $119,700
58% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 1,446/100K
281% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 11.8%
65% lower than US avg
Median Rent $737
37% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 49.9%
55% higher than US avg
Unemployment 5.1%
42% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 25.0%
102% higher than US avg

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

People

Population9,634
Median Age41.1 yrs
Density977/mi²
Male / Female46% / 54%
Largest GroupWhite 24%

Economy

C
Median Income$39,488
Per Capita$21,811
Unemployment5.1%
Poverty25.0%
County GDP$1,331M
Commute24 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$119,700
Rent$737
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$162,228

Crime

F
Violent1,446/100K
Property4,640/100K
Murder30.1/100K
Assault1,225/100K
Burglary1,125/100K

Health

Obesity49.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression27.4%
Heart Disease7.4%

Climate

Avg Temp61°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain56.1 in/yr
Elevation346 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+11.8%
High School+82.1%
School Score5.08

Community

2024 VoteR 49% / D 50%
Commute24 min
EV Stations4
Libraries1

Is Brownsville a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Brownsville receives an overall livability score of 2.6 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, an elevated poverty rate. Brownsville has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Brownsville is $39,488, 47% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 5.1% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. The poverty rate of 25.0% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Brownsville is $119,700, 58% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $737 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

With 1,446 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 4,640 per 100,000, 137% above the national average.

Education

11.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 82.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.1/10.

Climate & Weather

Brownsville enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 61°F. Winters average 39°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 56.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Brownsville has a population of 9,634 with a density of 977 people per square mile. The median age is 41.1 years, 6% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly Black (69.6%), with 24.2% White.

Population

9,634
Total Population
977
People / sq mi
41.1yrs
Median Age
6% above US avg
9.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 45.8%
Female 54.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Brownsville vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only96.1%
22% above US avg
Spanish3.9%
71% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Brownsville vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Brownsville is $39,488, which is 47% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 5.1% (above the 3.6% US average). 25.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Income: Brownsville vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$39,488
47% below US avg
Per Capita Income$21,811
Avg Weekly Wage$1,439
IRS Avg AGI$48,445

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment5.1%
42% above US avg
Poverty Rate25.0%
102% above US avg
Establishments (County)412
County GDP$1,331M

Business (County)

Restaurants38
Healthcare28
Retail51
Manufacturing14

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,547
27% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.13%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time23.7 min
Work from Home3.6%

Walkability

The median home value in Brownsville is $119,700, 58% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $737 (37% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $162,228.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$119,700
58% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$162,228
Median List Price$188,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$188,000
$/Sq Ft$114
Homes Sold4
Sale-to-List Ratio90.6%
Price Drops32.4%
Inventory37

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$737
37% 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-Occupied43.2%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,547
27% below US avg
Effective Rate2.13%
In Brownsville, 49.9% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 27.4% report depression. 40.5% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity49.9%
55% above US avg
Diabetes18.8%
Heart Disease7.4%
High Blood Pressure48.2%
Asthma13.2%
COPD10.6%
Stroke5.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking11.0%
Physical Inactivity40.5%
Depression27.4%
Mental Distress23.7%
Physical Distress18.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate89.4%
Checkup Rate79.4%
Premature Death16,656/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.6/10
Exercise Access49.5%
Healthcare Facilities28
Brownsville has a violent crime rate of 1,446 per 100,000 residents, 281% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 4,640 per 100,000 (137% above US avg). The murder rate is 30.1 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent1,446.2/100K
281% above US avg
Murder30.1/100K
378% above US avg
Rape60.3/100K
Robbery130.6/100K
Assault1,225.3/100K

Property Crime

Total Property4,640.0/100K
137% above US avg
Burglary1,124.8/100K
Theft3,123.4/100K
Vehicle Theft391.7/100K
Arson60.3/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)11

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Brownsville has an average annual temperature of 61°F (16°C). Winters average 39°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Annual precipitation is 56.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

39°F Jan (4°C) 81°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average61.0°F
13% above US avg
January Average39°F (4°C)
July Average81°F (27°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall56.1 inches
48% above US avg
Snowfall2.2 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation346 ft (105 m)
Area9.9 sq mi (25.5 km²)
Population Density977/sq mi
Coordinates35.5890°N, 89.2579°W
County FIPS47075
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 11.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (65% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 0.4-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 49.4%
D 49.8%

Winner: Democrat by 0.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+11.8%
65% below US avg
High School+82.1%
School Test Score5.08
D Education Grade (1.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density977/sq mi
Total Area9.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations4
Alt Fuel Stations4
Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities28
Restaurants38
Retail Stores51

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)11
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute23.7 min
Work from Home3.6%

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