Jamestown, a small town in East Tennessee with a population of about 2,000, has been named the poorest town in the state. This designation comes from several recent analyses, including a report by 24/7 Wall St. that used U.S. Census Bureau data to compare towns with populations between 1,000 and 25,000 by median household income.
Economic Profile
- Median Household Income: Jamestown’s median household income is just $18,000, dramatically lower than Tennessee’s statewide median of $58,516. Some sources cite slightly higher recent figures, but all remain far below state and national averages.
- Poverty Rate: Nearly half of Jamestown’s residents live below the poverty line, with estimates ranging from 43% to 47%-more than triple the statewide poverty rate of 14.3%.
- Home Values: The median home value in Jamestown is $68,100, compared to the state average of $193,7001.
- SNAP Benefits: Around 41–47% of households in Jamestown receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, indicating high reliance on food assistance programs.
Historical and Social Context
Jamestown was once a thriving hub with active coal mines and garment factories, employing hundreds of locals. However, the closure of these industries-partly blamed on trade agreements like NAFTA-led to decades of economic decline. Efforts to revitalize the town through new industries and infrastructure have largely failed to reverse the trend.
The town’s unemployment rate has fluctuated above state and national averages, and many residents rely on welfare payments. The closure of small businesses, in part due to competition from large retailers like Walmart, has further eroded the local economy.
Demographics
Jamestown is predominantly white (over 95%) and has an aging population, with a median age around 44–50 years. The town has a high proportion of residents under 18 and over 65 living in poverty.
Signs of Hope
Despite these challenges, there are small signs of optimism. Some local businesses have recently added jobs, and community leaders hope that new investments or policies could help reverse the decades-long economic decline. However, attracting new industries remains a significant challenge.
Jamestown’s story is a stark example of rural economic hardship in Tennessee, shaped by industrial decline, low wages, and persistent poverty. If you’d like to know more about what’s being done to address poverty in Jamestown or similar communities, feel free to ask!
Sources:
- https://www.iheart.com/content/2023-11-10-tennessee-town-named-the-poorest-in-the-state/
- https://datausa.io/profile/geo/jamestown-tn
- https://www.point2homes.com/US/Neighborhood/TN/Jamestown-Demographics.html
- https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-40686613
- https://www.tn.gov/humanservices/for-families/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap.html
