Tellico Plains, TN

Tennessee

Tellico Plains is a small town in Tennessee with a population of 1,124. Residents earn $43,859 per year, which is 42% below the national average.

2.6 /5.0
C+ Fair
1,124 Population 576/sq mi density
$43,859 Median Income $21,932 per capita
$168,000 Home Value $241,655 Zillow
$613 Median Rent
59°F Avg Temperature
223 Violent Crime/100K 3,010 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.6 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.8 / 5.0
$43,859 median income, 4.6% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.5 / 5.0
$168,000 home value, $613/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
223 violent crimes/100K (41% below avg)
C
Education
2.3 / 5.0
15.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $43,859
42% lower than US avg
Home Value $168,000
40% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 223/100K
41% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 15.9%
53% lower than US avg
Median Rent $613
47% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.1%
22% higher than US avg
Unemployment 4.6%
28% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 18.5%
49% higher than US avg

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

People

Population1,124
Median Age35.0 yrs
Density576/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 91%

Economy

C+
Median Income$43,859
Per Capita$21,932
Unemployment4.6%
Poverty18.5%
County GDP$2,217M
Commute32 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$168,000
Rent$613
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$241,655

Crime

F
Violent223/100K
Property3,010/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault111/100K
Burglary892/100K

Health

Obesity39.1%
UninsuredN/A
Depression34.4%
Heart Disease6.7%

Climate

Avg Temp59°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain55.3 in/yr
Elevation865 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+15.9%
High School+84.2%
School Score5.08

Community

2024 VoteR 83% / D 16%
Commute32 min
Libraries4

Is Tellico Plains a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Tellico Plains receives an overall livability score of 2.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low crime rates, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Tellico Plains has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Tellico Plains is $43,859, 42% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.6%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 18.5% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 32 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Tellico Plains is $168,000, 40% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $613 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.8x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Tellico Plains is below the national average at 223 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,010 per 100,000, 54% above the national average.

Education

15.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 84.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.1/10.

Climate & Weather

Tellico Plains enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F. Winters average 39°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 55.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Tellico Plains has a population of 1,124 with a density of 576 people per square mile. The median age is 35.0 years, 10% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (91.3%), with 2.1% Hispanic.

Population

1,124
Total Population
576
People / sq mi
35.0yrs
Median Age
10% below US avg
2.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48%
Female 52%

Race & Ethnicity

Tellico Plains vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.4%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.6%
96% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Tellico Plains vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Tellico Plains is $43,859, which is 42% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.6% (above the 3.6% US average). 18.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 32 minutes.

Income: Tellico Plains vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$43,859
42% below US avg
Per Capita Income$21,932
Avg Weekly Wage$949
IRS Avg AGI$64,837

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.6%
28% above US avg
Poverty Rate18.5%
49% above US avg
Establishments (County)958
County GDP$2,217M

Business (County)

Restaurants96
Healthcare82
Retail150
Manufacturing56

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,437
2% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.05%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time32.1 min
Work from Home5.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Tellico Plains is $168,000, 40% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $613 (47% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $241,655.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$168,000
40% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$241,655

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$613
47% 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-Occupied73.0%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,437
2% below US avg
Effective Rate2.05%
In Tellico Plains, 39.1% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 34.4% report depression. 29.7% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Tellico Plains vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.1%
22% above US avg
Diabetes12.1%
Heart Disease6.7%
High Blood Pressure37.7%
Asthma11.9%
COPD9.9%
Stroke3.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking15.6%
Physical Inactivity29.7%
Depression34.4%
Mental Distress23.6%
Physical Distress17.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate88.1%
Checkup Rate75.1%
Premature Death15,494/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.1/10
Exercise Access58.2%
Healthcare Facilities82
Tellico Plains has a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, 41% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 3,010 per 100,000 (54% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent223.0/100K
41% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery111.5/100K
Assault111.5/100K

Property Crime

Total Property3,010.0/100K
54% above US avg
Burglary891.9/100K
Theft1,783.7/100K
Vehicle Theft334.5/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)16

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Tellico Plains has an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 39°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation is 55.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

39°F Jan (4°C) 78°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average59.2°F
10% above US avg
January Average39°F (4°C)
July Average78°F (26°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall55.3 inches
45% above US avg
Snowfall2.8 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation865 ft (264 m)
Area2.0 sq mi (5.1 km²)
Population Density576/sq mi
Coordinates35.3665°N, 84.2981°W
County FIPS47123
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 15.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (53% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 66.8-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 83%
D 16.2%

Winner: Republican by 66.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+15.9%
53% below US avg
High School+84.2%
School Test Score5.08
C Education Grade (2.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density576/sq mi
Total Area2.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities82
Restaurants96
Retail Stores150

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)16
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute32.1 min
Work from Home5.1%

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