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Carter County, TN
9 cities and towns and 6 ZIP codes in Carter County, Tennessee.
Population
56,712
Land area
341sq mi
People per sq mi
166
ZIP codes
6
Cities and towns in Carter County
Carter County at a glance
- Households here earn a median of $50,135 a year, 28% less than the Tennessee figure of $69,595.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $168,200 (41% below Tennessee) and median rent is $739 a month.
- The biggest population centers are Elizabethton (14,374), Valley Forge (2,136) and Pine Crest (2,029).
Local data for Carter County, TN
Counts from official public data
- Hospitals1
- Emergency Rooms1
- Nursing Homes6
- Schools20
- Colleges2
- Libraries1
- Banks13
- Post Offices5
- Parks23
- Grocery Stores15
- Restaurants119
- Affordable Housing7
- Home Health Agencies1
- Hospice Care1
- Dialysis Centers1
- Community Health Centers1
- Mental Health & Addiction Treatment3
- Private Schools1
- Community Colleges & Trade Schools1
- Toxic Release Facilities5
- Historic Places6
Housing and community stats
Carter County, TN, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$50,135
Poverty rate
17.1%
Median home value
$168,200
Prices +3.7% in a year
Median rent
$739/mo
Homeownership
75.2%
Bachelor's or higher
20.6%
Median age
45.9
Average commute
24.3 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: German Americans (5,652), Irish Americans (4,751), Scottish Americans (1,595).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, income, federal spending and pandemic loans
Unemployment rate
3.5%
Sep 2026, -0.4 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$52,412
12,639 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$45,463
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$406M
FY 2026, $7,195 per person
PPP loans
$144M
1,507 loans, 17,094 jobs reported
Campaign donations
$237K
Itemized, 2026 cycle
How people get to work
Carter County, TN, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone82.7%
- Carpooled7.4%
- Public transit0.4%
- Walked1.2%
- Bicycle0.0%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other1.1%
- Worked from home7.2%
Average one-way commute: 24.3 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Carter County, TN, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Low
Top: landslide
Storm events since 1996
349
Most often thunderstorm wind
Flood insurance policies
361
1.4% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
86° / 26°F
48.0 inches of rain a year
Hazards, floods and storm historyCheck a flood zone6 historic places
Health statistics
Share of adults in Carter County, TN, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
37.9%
U.S. 33.3% +4.6 pts
Diabetes
15.9%
U.S. 12.1% +3.8 pts
Smoking
20.5%
U.S. 12.8% +7.7 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
11.9%
U.S. 11.1% +0.8 pts
Cities, towns and ZIP codes in Carter County
Population shown
Frequently asked questions
- What is the largest city in Carter County, TN?
- Elizabethton is the largest city or town in Carter County, with about 14,374 residents.
- How many ZIP codes are in Carter County?
- Carter County includes 6 ZIP Code Tabulation Areas, including 37601, 37643, 37658, 37682, 37687.
- What is the population of Carter County, TN?
- About 56,712 people live in Carter County, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What counties border Carter County?
- Carter County borders Sullivan County, Washington County, Johnson County, Unicoi County, Avery County, NC, Mitchell County, NC.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023