Rocky Top, Anderson County, TN demographics:
population, income, and more

Total population
1,607
-12.2% year-over-year change
Median household income
$32,868/yr
9.1% year-over-year change
Housing units
772
-13.9% year-over-year change

Rocky Top population

How many people live in Rocky Top

Rocky Top is home to 1,607 residents, according to the most recent Census data. Gender-wise, 49% of Rocky Top locals are male, and 51% are female.

Total population
1,607
-12.2% year-over-year change
Gender ratio
Male
49%
787
Female
51%
820
Value Percent YoY change
Male 787 49% -12.4%
Female 820 51% -12.0%
A higher population often means more rental variety and livelier areas. The gender balance—how many men live here compared to women—can reveal a lot about the community and the lifestyles of its residents. Use this info to get a sense of the area's pace and personality.

Age demographics

The median age in Rocky Top is 27, with the population distributed as follows: about 21.3% are children under 15, then 22.1% are in the 15 to 24 age group. Adults between 25 and 44 make up 21.6% of the population, while another 19.6% fall into the 45 to 64 bracket. Finally, around 15.4% are 65 or older.

Median age
27.4
Age breakdown
Under 15
21.3%
15 to 24
22.1%
25 to 44
21.6%
45 to 64
19.6%
Over 65
15.4%
Value Percent YoY change
Under 15 342 21.3% -8.6%
15 to 24 355 22.1% -4.6%
25 to 44 347 21.6% -18.9%
45 to 64 315 19.6% -13.5%
Over 65 248 15.4% -15.1%
The age composition helps you get insight into who lives in the area. A younger population might mean a more active, fast-paced vibe, while an older one could suggest a quieter, slower lifestyle. If there's a balanced makeup, you’re likely to find a variety of services, housing types, and community spaces that cater to different life stages.

Racial makeup

At the same time, 2.6% of residents are non-citizens. As for race, 87.2% of locals are Caucasian, 2.8% are African American and 2.6% have Asian roots. There’s also a share of 6.9% that includes residents with two or more races.

Citizenship
U.S.-born citizens
97.4%
Non-U.S.-born citizens
0%
Non-citizens
2.6%
Value Percent YoY change
U.S.-born citizens 1,566 97.4% -12.3%
Non-citizens 41 2.6% -8.9%
Racial breakdown
White
87.2%
Black or African American
2.8%
American Indian and Alaska Native
0%
Asian
2.6%
Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander
0%
Two or more races
6.9%
Other
0.6%
Value Percent
White 1,401 87.2%
Black or African American 45 2.8%
Asian 41 2.6%
Two or more races 111 6.9%
Other 9 0.6%

Households in Rocky Top

A peek inside Rocky Top households

Rocky Top has 637 households, with an average of 2 members in each. Of these, 55.4% are families, while the remaining 44.6% are made up of individuals living alone or with non-relatives, such as roommates.

Households stats

Total households
637
-13.7% year-over-year change
Average people per household
2
Non-family households
284
Family households
353
Value Percent YoY change
Non-family households 284 44.6% -11.0%
Family households 353 55.4% -15.8%
The mix between family and non-family households gives a glimpse into daily life. A higher percentage of families might mean more parks and schools, while more non-family setups can mean flexible housing and diverse living styles. For renters, this can signal what kinds of homes are common and can help you figure out if the area matches your lifestyle.

Housing in Rocky Top

The housing landscape of Rocky Top

Rocky Top's housing consists of 772 units, with 47.7% being detached single-family homes ideal for those wanting space. Attached options, including duplexes and townhouses, make up 3.5% and offer a more compact, shared living style. Then there are the multifamily buildings in the area, and for those seeking flexibility, non-traditional options like mobile homes account for 7.6% of the housing landscape.

Housing units
772
-13.9% year-over-year change
Housing types
Value Percent
1 unit, detached 368 47.7%
1 unit, attached 27 3.5%
2 units 145 18.8%
3 or 4 units 39 5%
5 to 9 units 122 15.8%
10 to 19 units 8 1%
50 or more units 4 0.5%
Mobile home 59 7.6%
Homes built since 2020
9
-10.0% year-over-year change

The age of buildings in Rocky Top

In Rocky Top, the median construction year is 1972. About 10.4% of homes were built before the 1940s, with another 9.5% going up by 1949. Most development happened in the second half of the 20th century. Then, 7.8% of homes were added from 2000 to 2009, 3.6% between 2010 and 2019, and 1.2% are part of the newest wave of development.

Construction year breakdown by decade
Value Percent YoY change
Built in 1939 or earlier 80 10.4% -27.9%
Built between 1940 and 1949 73 9.5% -8.8%
Built between 1950 and 1959 137 17.8% 26.9%
Built between 1960 and 1969 63 8.2% 1.6%
Built between 1970 and 1979 142 18.4% -9.6%
Built between 1980 and 1989 119 15.4% -30.0%
Built between 1990 and 1999 61 7.9% -45.5%
Built between 2000 and 2009 60 7.8% 1.7%
Built between 2010 and 2019 28 3.6% 0.0%
Built in 2020 or later 9 1.2% -10.0%
As a renter, knowing when homes were built helps you understand the potential condition and design of rental units. Newer builds may have more contemporary layouts, while older homes can offer character or larger lots, depending on the area.

Rocky Top occupancy rates

Out of the 637 occupied housing units in Rocky Top, 31.7% are owner-occupied, while 68.3% are lived in by tenants. Meanwhile, 17.5% of all homes on the local market sit vacant.

Occupied housing units
637
-13.7% year-over-year change
Occupancy breakdown
Renter occupied
435
Owner occupied
202
Value Percent YoY
change
Renter occupied 435 68.3% -12.3%
Owner occupied 202 31.7% -16.5%
Unoccupied housing units
17.5%
Unoccupied housing units refer to homes that are currently without residents—whether they're waiting for renters or owners, used seasonally, or simply unclaimed. A higher share of empty homes may mean more housing availability, while a low number can reflect a tighter market with more competition. This, along with the renter-vs.-owner mix, helps paint a clearer picture of what types of housing and services are likely to be available in the area.

Rocky Top housing costs

Housing costs in Rocky Top come to a median of $672 per month, while tenants specifically pay a median gross rent of $690.

Median housing costs per month
$672/month
This figure sums up typical monthly housing costs for all households in the area. If you own, it includes mortgage payments in addition to property taxes, insurance and HOA fees. If you rent, it accounts for rent plus extras like utilities. It’s useful for seeing how local living expenses stack up compared to other places.
Median gross rent in Rocky Top
$690/month
Gross rent gives a more complete look at what renters actually pay, including not just base rent, but also utilities and fees. It’s a key number for evaluating rental affordability in your area of interest and understanding how it compares to nearby locations.

Education in Rocky Top

Rocky Top education at a glance

About 64.3% of the population in Rocky Top went to high school, while 21.6% pursued college studies. Another 4.6% earned an associate degree and 1.8% hold a bachelor’s. Meanwhile, 3.2% went even further, earning a master’s or doctorate.

Education level
Value Percent YoY change
No high school 54 4.4% -1.8%
High school diploma 781 64.3% -11.3%
College diploma 262 21.6% -6.1%
Associate degree 56 4.6% -26.3%
Bachelor's degree 22 1.8% -54.2%
Graduate degree 39 3.2% -25.0%
A community’s education mix can offer insights into the local economy and housing market. Higher levels of education often align with more job opportunities and stable incomes, which can increase demand for homes and influence both rent prices and rental availability.

Income in Rocky Top

How much people earn in Rocky Top

The average annual household income in Rocky Top was $47,180 in 2024, the most recent annual data available, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. This marked a +13% change from the previous year. At the same time, the median income stood at $32,868, reflecting a +9.1% shift over the same period.

Average household income in Rocky Top
$47,180/year
13.0% year-over-year change
Median household income in Rocky Top
$32,868/year
9.1% year-over-year change

Rocky Top income by age

In Rocky Top, households led by residents aged 25 to 44 — usually in the early to mid stages of their careers — have a median income of $39,018. Those with someone between 45 and 64 in charge, often well established professionally, earn $32,500 overall. Younger households, where the main provider is under 25 and just starting out, report a median income of $35,893, while those led by someone over 65, many of whom may be retired, have about $16,951 in earnings. Overall, 63.4% of the locals in this community live above the poverty line.

Income breakdown by age
Value YoY change
Under 25 $35,893 N/A
25 - 44 $39,018 1.5%
45 - 64 $32,500 30.5%
Over 65 $16,951 -2.3%
Above poverty level
998
Below poverty level
576
Value Percent YoY
change
Above poverty level 998 63.4% -0.3%
Below poverty level 576 36.6% -25.4%

Average renter income in Rocky Top

To get a better sense of what renters earn on average in Rocky Top, their median household income was $23,565 according to 2022 Census data. In addition, the rent-to-income ratio in the area, at 35.1%, shows what portion of their earnings goes toward housing expenses.

Renter median household income
$23,565
Rent-to-income ratio
35.1%
Understanding the rent-to-income ratio can help renters gauge if local housing costs align with their earnings. A ratio under 30% usually signals affordability, while exceeding this mark means rent is taking a larger-than-recommended bite out of income. That could make it harder for you to cover other costs like transportation, healthcare, or child care.

Employment in Rocky Top

Workforce and job types in Rocky Top

The job market in Rocky Top is powered by 610 working residents, spread across a range of industries and roles. 57.2% of the working population are employed in professional or administrative positions, while 42.8% are in hands-on or service-based jobs. Also, 9.5% run their own businesses, 76.9% are employed by private companies, and 8% work in the public sector.

Workforce demographics

Working population
610
-6.7% year-over-year change
White collar
349
Blue collar
261
Value Percent YoY change
White collar 349 57.2% -7.2%
Blue collar 261 42.8% -6.1%
Employer type
Self employees
9.5%
Private companies
76.9%
Governmental workers
8%
Not for profit companies
5.6%
Value Percent YoY change
Self employees 58 9.5% 18.4%
Private companies 469 76.9% -12.8%
Governmental workers 49 8% 40.0%
Not for profit companies 34 5.6% 6.2%
Unemployment rate
10.6%
-36.8% year-over-year change

Available workforce

The unemployment rate in Rocky Top stands at 10.6%, representing the share of the workforce currently without a job and actively looking for one.

For renters, the unemployment rate helps paint a picture of job security and financial stability in the area. Rates around 4% to 5% are considered typical. A lower-than-average rate might suggest strong job prospects and a thriving local economy, while a higher rate could hint at fewer opportunities—both useful to consider when planning a move.

Transportation in Rocky Top

How people get around in Rocky Top

Commuting methods vary: 95.8% of residents travel by personal vehicle and 0.5% prefer to walk, while the remaining share relies on public transit or on two wheelers to get from A to B.

Means of transportation
Value Percent YoY change
Car 575 95.8% -6.5%
Walk 3 0.5% -40.0%
Understanding how locals get to work can help you plan your own routine. High car usage might mean you’ll need a vehicle, while strong public transit or walkability could save you the hassle. Commute times also play a big role in quality of life—shorter trips can give you more time for the things you enjoy.

What is the median and average household income in Rocky Top by zipcode?

Zipcode Population Number of households Median income Average income
37769 5,848 2,433 $61,250 $66,115

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FAQs about Rocky Top demographics 

What is the total population of Rocky Top?

Rocky Top has a total population of 1,607 residents, according to the latest release from the U.S. Census Bureau: the 2019-2023 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates. This figure changed by -12.2% compared to a year ago.

What is the gender ratio in Rocky Top?

The gender ratio in Rocky Top is as follows:
  • 49% males (787 residents)
  • 51% females (820 residents)

What is the median age in Rocky Top?

The median age in Rocky Top is 27.4.

What is the age distribution of the population in Rocky Top?

The age distribution in Rocky Top is as follows:
  • Under 15: 21.3% (342 residents)
  • Ages 15-24: 22.1% (355 residents)
  • Ages 25-44: 21.6% (347 residents)
  • Ages 45-64: 19.6% (315 residents)
  • Over 65: 15.4% (248 residents)

What is the racial and ethnic makeup of Rocky Top?

The racial and ethnic makeup of Rocky Top is as follows:
  • White: 87.2% (1,401 residents)
  • Black or African American: 2.8% (45 residents)
  • American Indian and Alaska Native: 0% (0 residents)
  • Asian: 2.6% (41 residents)
  • Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander: 0% (0 residents)
  • Two or More Races: 6.9% (111 residents)
  • Other: 0.6% (9 residents)

What percentage of the population in Rocky Top are U.S.-born citizens?

U.S.-born citizens represent 97.4% of the population in Rocky Top.

How many housing units are there in Rocky Top?

There are 772 housing units in Rocky Top, reflecting a -13.9% change compared to the previous year, according to the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

How many households are in Rocky Top and what is the average household size?

Rocky Top has a total of 637 households, with an average of 2 people in each.

What is the median household income in Rocky Top?

Rocky Top has a median household income of $32,868, representing a +9.1% shift from the previous year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

What is the employment rate and job market overview for Rocky Top?

The employment rate is 89.4% in Rocky Top, with a workforce of 610 residents. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the local job market:

Job types:
  • White-collar workers: 57.2% (349 residents)
  • Blue-collar workers: 42.8% (261 residents)

Places of employment:
  • Self-employed: 9.5% (58 residents)
  • Private companies: 76.9% (469 residents)
  • Governmental workers: 8% (49 residents)
  • Not-for-profit companies: 5.6% (34 residents)

Data source & methodology

The demographic data on this page was sourced from the latest U.S. Census Bureau release—the 2019–2023 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates.

The information, issued annually, is compiled and published by the Point2Homes Research Team as soon as new data becomes available.

No representation, guarantee, or warranty is made concerning the accuracy or completeness of modified or aggregated information for particular areas.

Page last updated: September 2025