Baxter ZIP Codes — Putnam County, TN

There is one unique ZIP code in Baxter, Tennessee and it is 38544. Area code: 931.

ZIP codes

79.22

sq mi land

3.05

sq mi water

931

area code

Baxter, TN ZIP code map

About Baxter, TN

Baxter is a charming city located in Tennessee, nestled within the scenic Putnam County. Known for its small-town atmosphere, Baxter offers residents and visitors a peaceful rural setting with a close-knit community feel. Surrounded by natural beauty and rich local culture, this city captures the essence of quintessential Tennessee living.

Location & geography

Baxter, TN, spans a land area of 79.22 square miles and features a water area of 3.05 square miles, making it a spacious and scenic locale. It is conveniently located near several cities, including Cookeville, which is about 12 miles to the northwest, and Monterrey approximately 9 miles to the southeast. The terrain is characterized by rolling hills and lush landscapes, providing a picturesque rural environment.

Community & economy

The community in Baxter is known for its warm hospitality and strong sense of belonging. Predominantly supported by local businesses and agriculture, residents enjoy a slower pace of life while cherishing their connections with one another. Daily life here reflects a mix of traditional values and modern conveniences, with various local events that foster community spirit.

Transportation

Baxter is accessible via Interstate 40, which connects it to larger metropolitan areas and neighboring cities. The nearest major airport is the Upper Cumberland Regional Airport, located approximately 15 miles away in Silver Point. Public transportation options are limited, but the highway accessibility makes commuting straightforward for residents.

History

Founded in the late 19th century, Baxter has developed its identity through agriculture and local commerce as key pillars of its economy. Over the years, the town has seen gradual growth while preserving its rural character, making it a desirable place for families and retirees. Notable events in Baxter's history often center around community celebrations and local festivals that highlight its cultural heritage.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Baxter is that it is home to a vibrant local antique shop scene, where collectors can find rare treasures. Additionally, Baxter has been recognized for its scenic landscapes that draw visitors seeking a tranquil escape from city life.

ZIP codes for Baxter, TN (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
38544	Baxter	Putnam	View map

Demographics & statistics

7,283

Population

39.7

Median age

$62,557

Median household income

$28,295

Per capita income

$196,800

Median home value

$783

Median monthly rent

82.2%

Home ownership

11.7%

Poverty rate

5.8%

Unemployment

2,777

Housing units

13.9%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

299

Under 5

333

283

5–9

315

230

10–14

257

173

15–19

192

164

20–24

182

353

25–34

393

481

35–44

535

499

45–54

556

179

55–59

200

233

60–64

260

347

65–74

386

153

75–84

171

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	1,936	26.6%
18 and over	5,347	73.4%
65 and over	1,166	16.0%
Median age	39.7 years

Race & ethnicity

White 94.1%

Two or more races 3.6%

Hispanic or Latino 1.5%

Black or African American 0.6%

Other race 0.2%

Group	Count	%
White	6,955	94.1%
Two or more races	264	3.6%
Hispanic or Latino	112	1.5%
Black or African American	45	0.6%
Other race	18	0.2%

Household income

Under $10k 3.5%

$10k–$15k 3.6%

$15k–$25k 11.3%

$25k–$35k 9.5%

$35k–$50k 12.0%

$50k–$75k 19.3%

$75k–$100k 14.0%

$100k–$150k 17.9%

$150k–$200k 4.9%

$200k+ 3.9%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	3.5%
$10k–$15k	3.6%
$15k–$25k	11.3%
$25k–$35k	9.5%
$35k–$50k	12.0%
$50k–$75k	19.3%
$75k–$100k	14.0%
$100k–$150k	17.9%
$150k–$200k	4.9%
$200k+	3.9%
Median income	$62,557

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 4.6%

$50k–$100k 13.6%

$100k–$150k 16.2%

$150k–$200k 17.3%

$200k–$300k 25.2%

$300k–$500k 18.7%

$500k–$1M 2.5%

$1M+ 1.9%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$196,800
Median rent / month	$783
Owner occupied	82.2%
Renter occupied	17.8%
Vacant	17.3%
Single-family detached	74.5%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	21.2%
Median rooms	5.9
Avg household size (owned)	2.82

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.6%
2010–2019	14.5%
2000–2009	20.6%
1990–1999	12.1%
1980–1989	15.0%
1970–1979	14.7%
1960–1969	12.0%
1950–1959	5.9%
1940–1949	1.6%
1939 or earlier	3.0%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	1.0%
1 bedroom	3.2%
2 bedrooms	21.2%
3 bedrooms	59.9%
4 bedrooms	11.8%
5+ bedrooms	2.9%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	4.5%
1 vehicle	26.2%
2 vehicles	29.7%
3 or more	39.5%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	20.6%
Electricity	71.0%
Propane / LP gas	5.8%
Fuel oil	0.1%
Wood	2.2%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	1,498	55.6%
Cohabiting couple	210	7.8%
Male householder, no spouse	380	14.1%
Female householder, no spouse	607	22.5%
Households with children under 18	982	36.4%
Households with seniors (65+)	923	34.2%
Average household size	2.70

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	29.5%	21.0%
Married	57.5%	55.4%
Separated	1.8%	2.2%
Widowed	4.3%	12.2%
Divorced	6.9%	9.2%

Education

Less than 9th grade 4.3%

Some HS, no diploma 5.2%

HS graduate 52.2%

Some college, no degree 19.8%

Associate's degree 4.6%

Bachelor's degree 8.7%

Graduate / professional 5.2%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	90.5%
Bachelor's or higher	13.9%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	239	13.3%
Kindergarten	65	3.6%
Elementary school	890	49.6%
High school	334	18.6%
College / grad school	265	14.8%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 18.6%

Retail trade 16.5%

Manufacturing 12.7%

Transportation & utilities 11.2%

Construction 10.6%

Arts, food & hospitality 7.9%

Public administration 6.1%

Other services 5.9%

Professional & management 5.3%

Agriculture & mining 2.0%

Wholesale trade 2.0%

Finance & real estate 0.9%

Information 0.1%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	33.1%
Service	14.5%
Sales & office	18.9%
Natural resources & construction	10.2%
Production & transportation	23.3%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	73.6%
Government	17.0%
Self-employed	9.1%
Unpaid family workers	0.3%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	83.2%
Carpool	8.0%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	0.4%
Other means	0.3%
Avg commute (minutes)	23.9

Poverty

All people 11.7%

Under 18 years 18.1%

18 and over 9.5%

Married-couple families 5.8%

Female-led households 8.2%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	39.1%
Retirement income	24.4%
Supplemental Security	5.2%
Cash public assistance	2.3%
Food stamps / SNAP	8.8%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	41.9%
High cholesterol	37.4%
Heart disease	8.9%
Stroke	4.1%
Asthma	10.8%
Arthritis	32.5%
Kidney disease	3.6%
Pulmonary disease	11.3%
Cancer	7.2%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	13.9%
No physical activity	30.4%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	35.1%
Fair or poor health	20.2%
Poor mental health	17.7%
Poor physical health	13.8%
No health insurance	17.7%
Visited doctor (checkup)	76.9%
Visited dentist	53.8%
Cholesterol screening	89.4%
Teeth loss	21.4%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	466	8.8%

Disability	%
Any disability	19.4%
Under 18	4.9%
18–64 years	17.4%
65 and over	50.5%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	65.0%
Public insurance	43.8%
Uninsured under 19	0.8%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	6,651	91.3%
Spanish	20	0.3%
Other Indo-European	0	0.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander	19	0.3%
Other languages	1	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	7,222	99.2%
Born in same state	7,184	98.6%
Born in different state	5,181	71.1%
Foreign born	38	0.5%
Naturalized citizen	61	0.8%
Not a US citizen	49	80.3%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	1,740	23.9%
French	689	9.5%
Italian	498	6.8%

Ancestry	Count	%
English	216	3%
German	17	0.2%
Dutch	9	0.1%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	37.0%
Internet access	90.8%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Baxter, TN have?

Baxter, TN has one ZIP code: 38544. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.