Ripley, TN

Tennessee

Ripley is a small city in Tennessee with a population of 7,718. Residents earn $39,047 per year, which is 48% below the national average.

2.5 /5.0
C+ Fair
7,718 Population 600/sq mi density
$39,047 Median Income $22,927 per capita
$152,200 Home Value $134,400 Zillow
$745 Median Rent
59°F Avg Temperature
1,871 Violent Crime/100K 4,528 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.5 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.5 / 5.0
$39,047 median income, 4.0% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.5 / 5.0
$152,200 home value, $745/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
1,871 violent crimes/100K (392% above avg)
C
Education
2.1 / 5.0
13.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $39,047
48% lower than US avg
Home Value $152,200
46% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 1,871/100K
392% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 13.5%
60% lower than US avg
Median Rent $745
36% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 51.0%
59% higher than US avg
Unemployment 4.0%
11% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 25.9%
109% higher than US avg

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

People

Population7,718
Median Age36.3 yrs
Density600/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 39%

Economy

C+
Median Income$39,047
Per Capita$22,927
Unemployment4.0%
Poverty25.9%
County GDP$954M
Commute23 min

Housing

A
Home Value$152,200
Rent$745
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$134,400

Crime

F
Violent1,871/100K
Property4,528/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault1,621/100K
Burglary1,918/100K

Health

Obesity51.0%
UninsuredN/A
Depression28.0%
Heart Disease7.4%

Climate

Avg Temp59°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain55.8 in/yr
Elevation392 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+13.5%
High School+82.3%
School Score5.08

Community

2024 VoteR 68% / D 31%
Commute23 min
Libraries2

Is Ripley a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Ripley 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. Ripley has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Ripley is $39,047, 48% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.0%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 25.9% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Ripley is $152,200, 46% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $745 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.9x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

With 1,871 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 4,528 per 100,000, 131% above the national average.

Education

13.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 82.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.1/10.

Climate & Weather

Ripley enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F. Winters average 37°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 55.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Ripley has a population of 7,718 with a density of 600 people per square mile. The median age is 36.3 years, 7% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly Black (54.9%), with 38.7% White, 1.1% Hispanic.

Population

7,718
Total Population
600
People / sq mi
36.3yrs
Median Age
7% below US avg
12.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.3%
Female 50.7%

Race & Ethnicity

Ripley vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.1%
25% above US avg
Spanish1.9%
86% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Ripley vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Ripley is $39,047, which is 48% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.0% (above the 3.6% US average). 25.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Income: Ripley vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$39,047
48% below US avg
Per Capita Income$22,927
Avg Weekly Wage$937
IRS Avg AGI$51,201

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.0%
11% above US avg
Poverty Rate25.9%
109% above US avg
Establishments (County)377
County GDP$954M

Business (County)

Restaurants25
Healthcare32
Retail62
Manufacturing14

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$1,969
44% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.29%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time22.5 min
Work from Home2.7%

Walkability

The median home value in Ripley is $152,200, 46% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $745 (36% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $134,400.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$152,200
46% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$134,400

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$745
36% 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-Occupied43.8%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$1,969
44% below US avg
Effective Rate1.29%
In Ripley, 51.0% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 28.0% report depression. 37.7% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity51.0%
59% above US avg
Diabetes17.5%
Heart Disease7.4%
High Blood Pressure45.8%
Asthma13.1%
COPD10.8%
Stroke5.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking11.5%
Physical Inactivity37.7%
Depression28.0%
Mental Distress23.9%
Physical Distress18.1%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate89.7%
Checkup Rate79.1%
Premature Death14,551/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.4/10
Exercise Access48.6%
Healthcare Facilities32
Ripley has a violent crime rate of 1,871 per 100,000 residents, 392% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 4,528 per 100,000 (131% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent1,870.8/100K
392% above US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape35.8/100K
Robbery214.5/100K
Assault1,620.6/100K

Property Crime

Total Property4,528.1/100K
131% above US avg
Burglary1,918.5/100K
Theft2,466.6/100K
Vehicle Theft143.0/100K
Arson35.8/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)6

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Ripley has an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 37°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation is 55.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

37°F Jan (3°C) 79°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average59.2°F
10% above US avg
January Average37°F (3°C)
July Average79°F (26°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall55.8 inches
47% above US avg
Snowfall2.4 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation392 ft (119 m)
Area12.9 sq mi (33.3 km²)
Population Density600/sq mi
Coordinates35.7461°N, 89.5341°W
County FIPS47097
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 13.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (60% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 37.1-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 68.2%
D 31.1%

Winner: Republican by 37.1 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+13.5%
60% below US avg
High School+82.3%
School Test Score5.08
C Education Grade (2.1/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density600/sq mi
Total Area12.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities32
Restaurants25
Retail Stores62

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)6
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute22.5 min
Work from Home2.7%

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