Signal Mountain, TN

Tennessee · Metropolitan Area

Signal Mountain is a small city in Tennessee with a population of 8,861. Residents earn $139,714 per year, which is 86% above the national average.

4.1 /5.0
A Great
8,861 Population 1,059/sq mi density
$139,714 Median Income $77,758 per capita
$482,300 Home Value $605,541 Zillow
$1,843 Median Rent
57°F Avg Temperature
12 Violent Crime/100K 693 property/100K
A
Overall
4.1 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
5.0 / 5.0
$139,714 median income, 1.2% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.7 / 5.0
$482,300 home value, $1,843/mo rent
D
Safety
1.5 / 5.0
12 violent crimes/100K (97% below avg)
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
73.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $139,714
86% higher than US avg
Home Value $482,300
71% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 12/100K
97% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 73.7%
119% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,843
58% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 27.8%
13% lower than US avg
Unemployment 1.2%
67% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 1.8%
85% lower than US avg

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

People

Population8,861
Median Age43.3 yrs
Density1,059/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 94%

Economy

A+
Median Income$139,714
Per Capita$77,758
Unemployment1.2%
Poverty1.8%
County GDP$37,279M
Commute27 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$482,300
Rent$1,843
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$605,541

Crime

D
Violent12/100K
Property693/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault12/100K
Burglary282/100K

Health

Obesity27.8%
UninsuredN/A
Depression26.9%
Heart Disease4.0%

Climate

Avg Temp57°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain58.6 in/yr
Elevation1,753 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+73.7%
High School+99.3%
School Score5.08

Community

2024 VoteR 56% / D 43%
Commute27 min
Libraries8

Is Signal Mountain a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Signal Mountain receives an overall livability score of 4.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, low crime rates, a highly educated population. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. Signal Mountain stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Signal Mountain is $139,714, which is significantly higher than the national average — 86% above $75,149. This places Signal Mountain among higher-income communities. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.2%. Only 1.8% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 27 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Signal Mountain is $482,300, making it a premium housing market at 71% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,843 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. A price-to-income ratio of 3.5x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Signal Mountain is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 12 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 693 per 100,000, 65% below the national average.

Education

Signal Mountain is a highly educated community — 73.7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 99.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.1/10.

Climate & Weather

Signal Mountain enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 57°F. Winters average 37°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 58.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Signal Mountain has a population of 8,861 with a density of 1,059 people per square mile. The median age is 43.3 years, 11% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (94.2%).

Population

8,861
Total Population
1,059
People / sq mi
43.3yrs
Median Age
11% above US avg
8.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.6%
Female 50.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Signal Mountain vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.7%
26% above US avg
Spanish1.3%
90% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Signal Mountain vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Signal Mountain is $139,714, which is 86% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.2% (below the 3.6% US average). 1.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 27 minutes.

Income: Signal Mountain vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$139,714
86% above US avg
Per Capita Income$77,758
Avg Weekly Wage$1,269
IRS Avg AGI$92,573

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.2%
67% below US avg
Poverty Rate1.8%
85% below US avg
Establishments (County)13,611
County GDP$37,279M

Business (County)

Restaurants952
Healthcare1,188
Retail1,397
Manufacturing395

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,302
51% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.10%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time26.6 min
Work from Home24.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Signal Mountain is $482,300, 71% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,843 (58% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $605,541.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$482,300
71% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$605,541

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,843
58% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$2,667

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$882
1 Bedroom$924
2 Bedrooms$1,118
3 Bedrooms$1,445
4 Bedrooms$1,644

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied89.7%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,302
51% above US avg
Effective Rate1.10%
In Signal Mountain, 27.8% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 26.9% report depression. 13.0% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Signal Mountain vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity27.8%
13% below US avg
Diabetes7.2%
Heart Disease4.0%
High Blood Pressure27.9%
Asthma10.0%
COPD4.1%
Stroke2.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking18.5%
Physical Inactivity13.0%
Depression26.9%
Mental Distress15.4%
Physical Distress9.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate98.3%
Checkup Rate76.3%
Premature Death10,011/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.2/10
Exercise Access84.5%
Healthcare Facilities1,188
Signal Mountain has a violent crime rate of 12 per 100,000 residents, 97% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 693 per 100,000 (65% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent11.7/100K
97% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault11.7/100K

Property Crime

Total Property692.7/100K
65% below US avg
Burglary281.8/100K
Theft410.9/100K
Vehicle Theft0.0/100K
Arson23.5/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)45
FEMA Disasters182

Safety Score

Safety GradeD
Safety Score1.5 / 5.0
Signal Mountain has an average annual temperature of 57°F (14°C). Winters average 37°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation is 58.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

37°F Jan (3°C) 76°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average57.4°F
6% above US avg
January Average37°F (3°C)
July Average76°F (24°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall58.6 inches
54% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,753 ft (534 m)
Area8.4 sq mi (21.7 km²)
Population Density1,059/sq mi
Coordinates35.1439°N, 85.3415°W
County FIPS47065
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 73.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (119% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 13.1-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 55.7%
D 42.7%

Winner: Republican by 13.1 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+73.7%
119% above US avg
High School+99.3%
School Test Score5.08
A+ Education Grade (5.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density1,059/sq mi
Total Area8.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries8
Healthcare Facilities1,188
Restaurants952
Retail Stores1,397

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)45
FEMA Disaster Declarations182
D Safety Grade (1.5/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute26.6 min
Work from Home24.5%

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