Cowan, TN

Tennessee

Cowan is a small town in Tennessee with a population of 1,777. Residents earn $37,295 per year, which is 50% below the national average.

2.4 /5.0
C Fair
1,777 Population 842/sq mi density
$37,295 Median Income $19,627 per capita
$122,500 Home Value $182,943 Zillow
$716 Median Rent
59°F Avg Temperature
409 Violent Crime/100K 759 property/100K
C
Overall
2.4 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.0 / 5.0
$37,295 median income, 5.9% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.8 / 5.0
$122,500 home value, $716/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
409 violent crimes/100K (8% above avg)
D
Education
1.9 / 5.0
11.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $37,295
50% lower than US avg
Home Value $122,500
57% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 409/100K
8% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 11.7%
65% lower than US avg
Median Rent $716
38% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 38.7%
21% higher than US avg
Unemployment 5.9%
64% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 31.0%
150% higher than US avg

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

People

Population1,777
Median Age36.8 yrs
Density842/mi²
Male / Female46% / 54%
Largest GroupWhite 85%

Economy

C
Median Income$37,295
Per Capita$19,627
Unemployment5.9%
Poverty31.0%
County GDP$1,833M
Commute27 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$122,500
Rent$716
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$182,943

Crime

F
Violent409/100K
Property759/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault409/100K
Burglary58/100K

Health

Obesity38.7%
UninsuredN/A
Depression32.8%
Heart Disease6.9%

Climate

Avg Temp59°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain57.7 in/yr
Elevation985 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+11.7%
High School+80.8%
School Score5.08

Community

2024 VoteR 76% / D 23%
Commute27 min
Libraries1

Is Cowan a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Cowan 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 above-average unemployment, an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Cowan has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Cowan is $37,295, 50% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 5.9% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. The poverty rate of 31.0% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 27 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Cowan is $122,500, 57% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $716 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.3x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

The violent crime rate of 409 per 100,000 is above the national average of 380 — something for prospective residents to consider. Property crime occurs at a rate of 759 per 100,000, 61% below the national average.

Education

11.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 80.8% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.1/10.

Climate & Weather

Cowan enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F. Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 57.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Cowan has a population of 1,777 with a density of 842 people per square mile. The median age is 36.8 years, 5% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (85.4%), with 1.4% Hispanic, 9.3% Black.

Population

1,777
Total Population
842
People / sq mi
36.8yrs
Median Age
5% below US avg
2.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 45.7%
Female 54.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Cowan vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.5%
25% above US avg
Spanish1.5%
89% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Cowan vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Cowan is $37,295, which is 50% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 5.9% (above the 3.6% US average). 31.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 27 minutes.

Income: Cowan vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$37,295
50% below US avg
Per Capita Income$19,627
Avg Weekly Wage$1,019
IRS Avg AGI$67,053

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment5.9%
64% above US avg
Poverty Rate31.0%
150% above US avg
Establishments (County)1,017
County GDP$1,833M

Business (County)

Restaurants70
Healthcare91
Retail139
Manufacturing43

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,464
1% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.83%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time27.4 min
Work from Home6.3%

Walkability

The median home value in Cowan is $122,500, 57% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $716 (38% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $182,943.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$122,500
57% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$182,943

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$716
38% 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-Occupied56.0%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,464
1% below US avg
Effective Rate2.83%
In Cowan, 38.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 32.8% report depression. 32.3% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity38.7%
21% above US avg
Diabetes13.3%
Heart Disease6.9%
High Blood Pressure39.1%
Asthma11.9%
COPD10.1%
Stroke3.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking15.0%
Physical Inactivity32.3%
Depression32.8%
Mental Distress23.0%
Physical Distress16.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate88.3%
Checkup Rate75.9%
Premature Death10,893/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.4/10
Exercise Access38.3%
Healthcare Facilities91
Cowan has a violent crime rate of 409 per 100,000 residents, 8% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 759 per 100,000 (61% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent408.9/100K
8% above US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault408.9/100K

Property Crime

Total Property759.4/100K
61% below US avg
Burglary58.4/100K
Theft584.1/100K
Vehicle Theft116.8/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)8

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Cowan has an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation is 57.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

40°F Jan (4°C) 78°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average59.2°F
10% above US avg
January Average40°F (4°C)
July Average78°F (25°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall57.7 inches
52% above US avg
Snowfall4.1 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation985 ft (300 m)
Area2.1 sq mi (5.5 km²)
Population Density842/sq mi
Coordinates35.1630°N, 86.0141°W
County FIPS47051
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 11.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (65% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 53.2-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 76.1%
D 23%

Winner: Republican by 53.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+11.7%
65% below US avg
High School+80.8%
School Test Score5.08
D Education Grade (1.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density842/sq mi
Total Area2.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities91
Restaurants70
Retail Stores139

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)8
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute27.4 min
Work from Home6.3%

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