La Follette, TN

Tennessee · Metropolitan Area

La Follette is a small city in Tennessee with a population of 7,308. Residents earn $34,678 per year, which is 54% below the national average.

2.5 /5.0
C+ Fair
7,308 Population 1,488/sq mi density
$34,678 Median Income $22,540 per capita
$106,000 Home Value
$690 Median Rent
56°F Avg Temperature
1,000 Violent Crime/100K 6,345 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.5 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.4 / 5.0
$34,678 median income, 3.6% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$106,000 home value, $690/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
1,000 violent crimes/100K (163% above avg)
D
Education
1.6 / 5.0
7.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $34,678
54% lower than US avg
Home Value $106,000
62% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 1,000/100K
163% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 7.2%
79% lower than US avg
Median Rent $690
41% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 44.7%
39% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.6%
0% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 26.7%
115% higher than US avg

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

People

Population7,308
Median Age40.1 yrs
Density1,488/mi²
Male / Female44% / 56%
Largest GroupWhite 94%

Economy

C
Median Income$34,678
Per Capita$22,540
Unemployment3.6%
Poverty26.7%
County GDP$1,449M
Commute26 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$106,000
Rent$690
OwnershipN/A

Crime

F
Violent1,000/100K
Property6,345/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault777/100K
Burglary1,597/100K

Health

Obesity44.7%
UninsuredN/A
Depression34.0%
Heart Disease8.0%

Climate

Avg Temp56°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain57.7 in/yr
Elevation1,293 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+7.2%
High School+79.7%
School Score5.08

Community

2024 VoteR 84% / D 15%
Commute26 min
EV Stations1
Libraries4

Is La Follette a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, La Follette receives an overall livability score of 2.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. La Follette has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in La Follette is $34,678, 54% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.6%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 26.7% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in La Follette is $106,000, 62% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $690 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.1x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

With 1,000 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 6,345 per 100,000, 224% above the national average.

Education

7.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 79.7% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.1/10.

Climate & Weather

La Follette enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F. Winters average 35°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 57.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

La Follette has a population of 7,308 with a density of 1,488 people per square mile. The median age is 40.1 years, 3% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (93.8%), with 1.7% Hispanic.

Population

7,308
Total Population
1,488
People / sq mi
40.1yrs
Median Age
3% above US avg
4.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 44.2%
Female 55.8%

Race & Ethnicity

La Follette vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.4%
25% above US avg
Spanish1.6%
88% below US avg

Social Characteristics

La Follette vs U.S. Average

The median household income in La Follette is $34,678, which is 54% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.6% (below the 3.6% US average). 26.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Income: La Follette vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$34,678
54% below US avg
Per Capita Income$22,540
Avg Weekly Wage$846
IRS Avg AGI$58,604

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.6%
0% below US avg
Poverty Rate26.7%
115% above US avg
Establishments (County)748
County GDP$1,449M

Business (County)

Restaurants64
Healthcare62
Retail118
Manufacturing37

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,081
12% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.91%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time25.5 min
Work from Home6.8%

Walkability

The median home value in La Follette is $106,000, 62% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $690 (41% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$106,000
62% below US avg
Median List Price$120,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$120,000
$/Sq Ft$178
Homes Sold3
Sale-to-List Ratio86.9%
Price Drops45.5%
Inventory22

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$690
41% 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-Occupied40.0%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,081
12% below US avg
Effective Rate2.91%
In La Follette, 44.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 34.0% report depression. 34.8% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: La Follette vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity44.7%
39% above US avg
Diabetes14.3%
Heart Disease8.0%
High Blood Pressure39.9%
Asthma12.2%
COPD12.6%
Stroke4.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking14.7%
Physical Inactivity34.8%
Depression34.0%
Mental Distress25.2%
Physical Distress19.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate90.7%
Checkup Rate74.5%
Premature Death18,369/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.4/10
Exercise Access45.1%
Healthcare Facilities62
La Follette has a violent crime rate of 1,000 per 100,000 residents, 163% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 6,345 per 100,000 (224% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent999.6/100K
163% above US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape27.8/100K
Robbery194.4/100K
Assault777.5/100K

Property Crime

Total Property6,344.6/100K
224% above US avg
Burglary1,596.6/100K
Theft4,512.0/100K
Vehicle Theft236.0/100K
Arson27.8/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)10

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
La Follette has an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 35°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 57.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

35°F Jan (2°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average55.6°F
3% above US avg
January Average35°F (2°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall57.7 inches
52% above US avg
Snowfall3.1 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,293 ft (394 m)
Area4.9 sq mi (12.7 km²)
Population Density1,488/sq mi
Coordinates36.3717°N, 84.1256°W
County FIPS47013
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 7.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (79% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 69.6-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 84.5%
D 14.8%

Winner: Republican by 69.6 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+7.2%
79% below US avg
High School+79.7%
School Test Score5.08
D Education Grade (1.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density1,488/sq mi
Total Area4.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities62
Restaurants64
Retail Stores118

Safety & Disasters

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

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute25.5 min
Work from Home6.8%

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