In 2023, 14 percent of Tennessee's population lived below the poverty line. This was an increase from the previous year, when about 13.3 percent of Tennessee residents lived below the poverty line. The poverty rate of the United States since 1990 can be accessed here.

Graph and download economic data for Estimated Percent of People of All Ages in Poverty for Tennessee (PPAATN47000A156NCEN) from 1989 to 2023 about TN, child, poverty, percent, and USA.

Graph and download economic data for Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Grundy County, TN (S1701ACS047061) from 2012 to 2023 about Grundy County, TN; TN; poverty; percent; 5-year; population; and USA.

Graph and download economic data for Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Davidson County, TN (S1701ACS047037) from 2012 to 2023 about Davidson County, TN; Nashville; TN; poverty; percent; 5-year; population; and USA.

Graph and download economic data for Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Williamson County, TN (S1701ACS047187) from 2012 to 2023 about Williamson County, TN; Nashville; TN; poverty; percent; 5-year; population; and USA.

Graph and download economic data for Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Knox County, TN (S1701ACS047093) from 2012 to 2023 about Knox County, TN; Knoxville; TN; poverty; percent; 5-year; population; and USA.

Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Hardeman County, TN was 17.30% in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Hardeman County, TN reached a record high of 25.90 in January of 2014 and a record low of 16.10 in January of 2022. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Hardeman County, TN - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on October of 2025.

De Kalb County, TN - Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in DeKalb County, TN was 21.40% in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, De Kalb County, TN - Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in DeKalb County, TN reached a record high of 22.20 in January of 2016 and a record low of 17.50 in January of 2018. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for De Kalb County, TN - Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in DeKalb County, TN - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on September of 2025.

Graph and download economic data for Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Shelby County, TN (S1701ACS047157) from 2012 to 2023 about Shelby County, TN; Memphis; TN; poverty; percent; 5-year; population; and USA.

Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Lake County, TN was 32.30% in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Lake County, TN reached a record high of 32.30 in January of 2023 and a record low of 26.90 in January of 2018. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Lake County, TN - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on September of 2025.

Graph and download economic data for Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in White County, TN (S1701ACS047185) from 2012 to 2023 about White County, TN; TN; poverty; percent; 5-year; population; and USA.

Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Sequatchie County, TN was 23.60% in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Sequatchie County, TN reached a record high of 23.60 in January of 2023 and a record low of 14.40 in January of 2017. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Sequatchie County, TN - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on September of 2025.

Tunisia TN: Poverty Headcount Ratio at $1.90 a Day: 2011 PPP: % of Population data was reported at 2.000 % in 2010. This records a decrease from the previous number of 3.100 % for 2005. Tunisia TN: Poverty Headcount Ratio at $1.90 a Day: 2011 PPP: % of Population data is updated yearly, averaging 7.550 % from Dec 1985 (Median) to 2010, with 6 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 13.900 % in 1985 and a record low of 2.000 % in 2010. Tunisia TN: Poverty Headcount Ratio at $1.90 a Day: 2011 PPP: % of Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Tunisia – Table TN.World Bank: Poverty. Poverty headcount ratio at $1.90 a day is the percentage of the population living on less than $1.90 a day at 2011 international prices. As a result of revisions in PPP exchange rates, poverty rates for individual countries cannot be compared with poverty rates reported in earlier editions.; ; World Bank, Development Research Group. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income economies are from the Luxembourg Income Study database. For more information and methodology, please see PovcalNet (http://iresearch.worldbank.org/PovcalNet/index.htm).; ; The World Bank’s internationally comparable poverty monitoring database now draws on income or detailed consumption data from more than one thousand six hundred household surveys across 164 countries in six regions and 25 other high income countries (industrialized economies). While income distribution data are published for all countries with data available, poverty data are published for low- and middle-income countries and countries eligible to receive loans from the World Bank (such as Chile) and recently graduated countries (such as Estonia) only. The aggregated numbers for low- and middle-income countries correspond to the totals of 6 regions in PovcalNet, which include low- and middle-income countries and countries eligible to receive loans from the World Bank (such as Chile) and recently graduated countries (such as Estonia). See PovcalNet (http://iresearch.worldbank.org/PovcalNet/WhatIsNew.aspx) for definitions of geographical regions and industrialized countries.

Graph and download economic data for Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Greene County, TN (S1701ACS047059) from 2012 to 2023 about Greene County, TN; TN; poverty; percent; 5-year; population; and USA.

Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Rutherford County, TN was 9.20% in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Rutherford County, TN reached a record high of 13.30 in January of 2014 and a record low of 9.20 in January of 2023. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Rutherford County, TN - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on September of 2025.

Tunisia TN: Income Share Held by Highest 20% data was reported at 42.900 % in 2010. This records a decrease from the previous number of 44.700 % for 2005. Tunisia TN: Income Share Held by Highest 20% data is updated yearly, averaging 46.800 % from Dec 1985 (Median) to 2010, with 6 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 49.600 % in 1985 and a record low of 42.900 % in 2010. Tunisia TN: Income Share Held by Highest 20% data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Tunisia – Table TN.World Bank: Poverty. Percentage share of income or consumption is the share that accrues to subgroups of population indicated by deciles or quintiles. Percentage shares by quintile may not sum to 100 because of rounding.; ; World Bank, Development Research Group. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income economies are from the Luxembourg Income Study database. For more information and methodology, please see PovcalNet (http://iresearch.worldbank.org/PovcalNet/index.htm).; ; The World Bank’s internationally comparable poverty monitoring database now draws on income or detailed consumption data from more than one thousand six hundred household surveys across 164 countries in six regions and 25 other high income countries (industrialized economies). While income distribution data are published for all countries with data available, poverty data are published for low- and middle-income countries and countries eligible to receive loans from the World Bank (such as Chile) and recently graduated countries (such as Estonia) only. See PovcalNet (http://iresearch.worldbank.org/PovcalNet/WhatIsNew.aspx) for definitions of geographical regions and industrialized countries.

Overview:

Living in a rural county, I have often felt the isolation many Tennesseans are forced to face when it comes to accessing medical care. While my family's average drive time ranges from 30 minutes to over an hour to access healthcare, many Tennesseans living in more remote counties are forced drive several times farther.

The story map, "Standing Alone," follows three individuals who have each been differently affected by the disparity in rural Tennessee healthcare. Through their stories, I wanted to peel back the layers of the Tennessee healthcare crisis with geospatial analysis, highlighting underserved counties and advocating for healthcare reform. When it comes to healthcare, no one deserves to be standing alone.

Methods:

Map Showing Rural and Urban Areas: The “USA Urban Areas” and the “USA Counties” layers, both feature layers created by Esri, were added to the map from the Living Atlas. The USA Counties layered was filtered to only counties inside Tennessee. The Derive New Locations analysis tool was then used to find “USA Urban Areas” that intersect the filtered “USA Counties” layer, producing the “Tennessee Urban Areas” layer. Additionally, the Derive New Locations analysis tool was used to find “USA Counties” that do not intersect “USA Urban Areas,” creating the “Tennessee Rural Areas” layer. Custom pop-ups were formatted for the layers. Map Showing Life Expectancy per Tennessee County: The layer, “County Health Rankings 2021” by esri_demographics, was added from the Living Atlas and filtered to show only Tennessee counties. The layer was styled with “Counts and Amounts (Color)” style to show the average life expectancy in years for individuals living in each Tennessee county. The layer “Tennessee Urban Areas”, mentioned above, was also added to the map, and custom pop-ups were created for both layers. Map Showing Percent of Population Living Below the Poverty Level: The layer, “ACS Poverty Status Variables – Boundaries, created by Esri, was added from the Living Atlas and filtered to show only Tennessee counties. This layer was then joined with the Life Expectancy layer created for the Map Showing Life Expectancy per Tennessee county using the Join Features analysis tool, and the resulting layer was styled using “Counts and Amounts (Color)” style to show the percent of population whose income in the past 12 months is below the poverty level. Lastly, the “Tennessee Urban Areas” layer was added to the map, and custom pop-ups were configured for the layers. Map Showing Dr. Copeland’s Office and the Cumberland River Hospital: Addresses and labels for each location were added to an ArcGIS StoryMaps Express Map. Map Showing Rural Counties with Medically Underserved Populations: Using data from the Health Resources Administration’s Find MUA/P (Medically Underserved Area/Population) tool, data showing rural counties with medically underserved populations was inserted in a custom .csv layer and uploaded as a layer. This layer was joined to “USA Counties” using the Join Features analysis tool, and the resulting layer was styled using the “Location (Single symbol)” style. Custom pop-ups were also added to this layer. Maps Showing Ms. Crouch’s Search for Emergency Medical Services: These maps were created by inserting addresses or cities of each location into an ArcGIS StoryMaps Express Map. Map Showing Fentress County Ambulance Station: This map was created by inserting the address of Fentress County Ambulance Service and the location of each city into an ArcGIS StoryMaps Express Map. Map Showing Sum of Ambulance Units per County: Using data from the Tennessee Health Department, a custom .csv layer with the total number of ambulances per EMS station was created and uploaded as a layer. This layer was joined to the “USA Counties Layer” using the Join Features analysis tool, and the resulting layer was styled using the “Counts and Amounts (Size)” style to show the sum of ambulances in each county. Custom pop-ups were added for this layer. Map Showing Hospitals That Have Closed Since 2010: A custom .csv file was created using data from a Tennessee Healthcare Campaign report, and this data was uploaded as a layer showing the location of each hospital that has closed since 2010. The “Tennessee Urban Areas” layer and the “Tennessee Rural Areas” layer were also added to this map. Lastly, custom pop-ups were configured for these layers. Map Showing Drive Time Areas to Trauma Hospitals: Using data from the Tennessee Health Department, a custom .csv file was uploaded as a layer showing the locations of Tennessee trauma hospitals. A drive time buffer was created using the Create Drive-Time Areas analysis tool to map locations 15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes away from a trauma hospital. The “USA Counties” layer was added from the Living Atlas, and the Derive New Locations analysis tool was used to find locations over 60 minutes away from a trauma hospital. Finally, custom pop-ups were added to the layers. Map Showing COVID-19 Case Rate per Hundred Thousand for Each State: Using data from the Centers for Disease Control, a custom .csv file was created and uploaded as a layer, which was joined to “USA Counties” using the Join Features analysis tool. The resulting layer was styled using the “Counts and Amounts (Color)” style to display the case rate per hundred thousand, and customized pop-ups were made for the layer. Map Showing COVID-19 Death Rate per Hundred Thousand for Each State: Using the same layer created in for the Map Showing COVID-19 Case Rate per Hundred Thousand for Each State, the layer was changed to show the death rate per hundred. Customized pop-ups were also added. Map Showing Percent of Deadly COVID-19 Cases in Tennessee: Using data from the Tennessee Health Department, a custom .csv was created, and the percentage of deadly COVID-19 was calculated. This file was uploaded as a layer, which was joined to “USA Counties” using the Join Features analysis tool and styled using “Counts and Amounts (Color)”. Finally, customized pop-ups were added to the map. Map Showing Percent Difference Between National Vaccination Average and County Rates: Using the same data as the Map Showing Percent of Deadly COVID-19 Cases in Tennessee, a custom attribute was created to show the percent difference between county vaccination rates and the national average. The map was styled using the “Counts and Amounts (Color)”, and customized pop-ups were created for the map.

The following methods were used to create the graphics in this story map.

Thumbnail of Clay County: This thumbnail was created using the "Blank White Vector Basemap" by j_nelson. Two copies of the "USA Counties" layer by Esri were added to the map, with one layer outlining all the counties in Tennessee and the other layer highlighting Clay County. A screen shot of this map was uploaded to the story map as an image.Thumbnail of Fentress County: This thumbnail was also created using the "Blank White Vector Basemap" by j_nelson. Two copies of the "USA Counties" layer by Esri were added to the map, with one layer outlining all the counties in Tennessee and the other layer highlighting Fentress County. Finally, a screen shot of this map was uploaded to the story map as an image.

All remaining graphics were custom images created in Microsoft PowerPoint.

Sources and Acknowledgements:

This map was created for the 2022 ArcGIS Online Competition for US High Schools.

I would like to give special thanks to my geomentor and my parents, whose help and guidance were invaluable during the creation of this story map.All sources for information, data, and photographs are included as links throughout the story map.

Tunisia TN: Income Share Held by Second 20% data was reported at 11.600 % in 2010. This records an increase from the previous number of 11.200 % for 2005. Tunisia TN: Income Share Held by Second 20% data is updated yearly, averaging 10.300 % from Dec 1985 (Median) to 2010, with 6 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 11.600 % in 2010 and a record low of 9.600 % in 1985. Tunisia TN: Income Share Held by Second 20% data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Tunisia – Table TN.World Bank: Poverty. Percentage share of income or consumption is the share that accrues to subgroups of population indicated by deciles or quintiles. Percentage shares by quintile may not sum to 100 because of rounding.; ; World Bank, Development Research Group. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income economies are from the Luxembourg Income Study database. For more information and methodology, please see PovcalNet (http://iresearch.worldbank.org/PovcalNet/index.htm).; ; The World Bank’s internationally comparable poverty monitoring database now draws on income or detailed consumption data from more than one thousand six hundred household surveys across 164 countries in six regions and 25 other high income countries (industrialized economies). While income distribution data are published for all countries with data available, poverty data are published for low- and middle-income countries and countries eligible to receive loans from the World Bank (such as Chile) and recently graduated countries (such as Estonia) only. See PovcalNet (http://iresearch.worldbank.org/PovcalNet/WhatIsNew.aspx) for definitions of geographical regions and industrialized countries.

Graph and download economic data for Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Crockett County, TN (S1701ACS047033) from 2012 to 2023 about Crockett County, TN; TN; poverty; percent; 5-year; population; and USA.

Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Hardin County, TN was 20.80% in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Hardin County, TN reached a record high of 23.30 in January of 2015 and a record low of 17.40 in January of 2020. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Hardin County, TN - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on September of 2025.