Living in Watauga, Tennessee
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Watauga · Census data 2020–2024
Watauga has 644 residents with a median age of 43. The median household income is $62,917 (10% lower than the Tennessee median), the median home value is $156,900, the median rent is $588/month.
Watauga is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Watauga at a glance
- Population
- 644
- Median age
- 43State: 38.9
- Median household income
- $62,917State: $69,595
- Median home value
- $156,900State: $286,700
- Median rent
- $588/moState: $1,189
- Homeowners
- 94.6%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 29.8%
- Average commute
- 19 min
Is Watauga a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 45% lower than the state median; an average commute of 19 minutes; a poverty rate of 10.9%.
Cons: Median household income 10% lower than the Tennessee median; unemployment of 13%.
The weather is best in May–June and September–October.
Cost of living in Watauga
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Watauga the median home value is $156,900, 53% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $588 per month, which is 25.6% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,094 a month in housing costs.
Watauga median household income
The median household income in Watauga is $62,917 and the income per person is $34,384. 10.9% of residents live below the poverty line (Tennessee: 13.8%).
Housing in Watauga: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 299
- Owner-occupied
- 94.6%
- Renter-occupied
- 5.4%
- Vacant
- 7%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1986
- Average household size
- 2.32
Watauga demographics
- Population
- 644
- Median age
- 43
- Under 18
- 23%
- 65 and older
- 19.9%
- Households
- 278
- Foreign-born
- 6.4%
- Veterans
- 6%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Watauga ›
Education in Watauga
29.8% of adults 25 and older in Watauga have a bachelor's degree or higher (Tennessee: 31.1%), and 12.5% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Watauga
- Unemployment rate
- 13%State: 4.7%
- Average commute
- 19 minState: 26 min
- Work from home
- 6.4%
- Drive alone
- 91.1%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 0%
- Homes with broadband
- 93.9%
Watauga vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Watauga | 644 | $62,917 | $156,900 | $588 |
| Central | 1,938 | $37,444 | $151,800 | $952 |
| Elizabethton | 14,374 | $46,975 | $172,900 | $740 |
| Biltmore | 1,846 | $52,917 | $125,300 | $781 |
| Johnson City | 72,222 | $57,254 | $268,200 | $1,023 |
| Pine Crest | 2,029 | $53,537 | $196,600 | $700 |
| Bluff City | 2,225 | $61,059 | $157,400 | $931 |
| Valley Forge | 2,136 | $54,631 | $158,100 | $699 |
| Hunter | 1,918 | $51,815 | $169,500 | $756 |
More for people moving to Watauga
Watauga ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Watauga: FAQ
What is the median household income in Watauga, TN?
The median household income in Watauga is $62,917, 10% lower than the Tennessee median of $69,595 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Watauga?
The median home value in Watauga is $156,900, compared with $286,700 in Tennessee.
How much is rent in Watauga?
The median gross rent in Watauga is $588 per month, about 25.6% of household income.
Is Watauga, TN a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 45% lower than the state median; an average commute of 19 minutes; a poverty rate of 10.9%. Minuses: median household income 10% lower than the Tennessee median; unemployment of 13%.
What is the median age in Watauga?
The median age in Watauga is 43 years (Tennessee: 38.9).
How long is the commute in Watauga?
The average commute to work in Watauga is 19 minutes; 6.4% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Watauga?
The unemployment rate in Watauga is 13% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Watauga?
29.8% of adults in Watauga have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
Last updated: