Whitwell, TN

Tennessee · Metropolitan Area

Whitwell is a small town in Tennessee with a population of 1,863. Residents earn $62,500 per year, which is 17% below the national average.

2.9 /5.0
C+ Fair
1,863 Population 531/sq mi density
$62,500 Median Income $27,068 per capita
$121,700 Home Value $218,676 Zillow
$834 Median Rent
55°F Avg Temperature
469 Violent Crime/100K 1,816 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.9 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.1 / 5.0
$62,500 median income, 2.7% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$121,700 home value, $834/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
469 violent crimes/100K (23% above avg)
D
Education
1.6 / 5.0
7.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $62,500
17% lower than US avg
Home Value $121,700
57% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 469/100K
23% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 7.2%
79% lower than US avg
Median Rent $834
28% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 41.0%
28% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.7%
25% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 6.4%
48% lower than US avg

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

People

Population1,863
Median Age44.7 yrs
Density531/mi²
Male / Female52% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 95%

Economy

A
Median Income$62,500
Per Capita$27,068
Unemployment2.7%
Poverty6.4%
County GDP$1,192M
Commute38 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$121,700
Rent$834
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$218,676

Crime

F
Violent469/100K
Property1,816/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault410/100K
Burglary176/100K

Health

Obesity41.0%
UninsuredN/A
Depression33.1%
Heart Disease7.2%

Climate

Avg Temp55°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain63.2 in/yr
Elevation650 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+7.2%
High School+78.5%
School Score5.08

Community

2024 VoteR 77% / D 22%
Commute38 min
Libraries4

Is Whitwell a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Whitwell receives an overall livability score of 2.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include long commute times, high obesity rates. Whitwell has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Whitwell is $62,500, 17% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.7%. Only 6.4% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 38 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Whitwell is $121,700, 57% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $834 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.9x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

The violent crime rate of 469 per 100,000 is above the national average of 380 — something for prospective residents to consider. Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,816 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

7.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 78.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.1/10.

Climate & Weather

Whitwell experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 55°F. Winters average 35°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 63.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Whitwell has a population of 1,863 with a density of 531 people per square mile. The median age is 44.7 years, 15% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (94.8%), with 2% Hispanic.

Population

1,863
Total Population
531
People / sq mi
44.7yrs
Median Age
15% above US avg
3.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 51.5%
Female 48.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Whitwell vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.8%
26% above US avg
Spanish1.2%
91% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Whitwell vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Whitwell is $62,500, which is 17% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.7% (below the 3.6% US average). 6.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 38 minutes.

Income: Whitwell vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$62,500
17% below US avg
Per Capita Income$27,068
Avg Weekly Wage$979
IRS Avg AGI$67,226

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.7%
25% below US avg
Poverty Rate6.4%
48% below US avg
Establishments (County)588
County GDP$1,192M

Business (County)

Restaurants62
Healthcare46
Retail104
Manufacturing29

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,759
7% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.09%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time38.4 min
Work from Home11.9%

Walkability

The median home value in Whitwell is $121,700, 57% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $834 (28% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $218,676.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$121,700
57% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$218,676

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$834
28% 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-Occupied71.6%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,759
7% above US avg
Effective Rate3.09%
In Whitwell, 41.0% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 33.1% report depression. 31.1% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity41.0%
28% above US avg
Diabetes13.1%
Heart Disease7.2%
High Blood Pressure38.0%
Asthma11.9%
COPD10.7%
Stroke3.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking15.3%
Physical Inactivity31.1%
Depression33.1%
Mental Distress23.3%
Physical Distress17.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate89.1%
Checkup Rate74.4%
Premature Death13,069/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.2/10
Exercise Access71.0%
Healthcare Facilities46
Whitwell has a violent crime rate of 469 per 100,000 residents, 23% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,816 per 100,000 (7% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent468.7/100K
23% above US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape58.6/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault410.1/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,816.1/100K
7% below US avg
Burglary175.8/100K
Theft1,406.0/100K
Vehicle Theft234.3/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)9

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Whitwell has an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 35°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 63.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

35°F Jan (2°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average54.9°F
2% above US avg
January Average35°F (2°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall63.2 inches
66% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation650 ft (198 m)
Area3.5 sq mi (9.1 km²)
Population Density531/sq mi
Coordinates35.1924°N, 85.5215°W
County FIPS47115
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 55.7-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 77.4%
D 21.7%

Winner: Republican by 55.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+7.2%
79% below US avg
High School+78.5%
School Test Score5.08
D Education Grade (1.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density531/sq mi
Total Area3.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities46
Restaurants62
Retail Stores104

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)9
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute38.4 min
Work from Home11.9%

Nearby Cities

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