Dayton ZIP Codes — Rhea County, TN

There is one unique ZIP code in Dayton, Tennessee and it is 37321. Area code: 423.

ZIP codes

114.01

sq mi land

5.94

sq mi water

423

area code

Dayton, TN ZIP code map

About Dayton, TN

Dayton is a city located in Rhea County, Tennessee, known for its captivating history and picturesque landscapes. With its serene atmosphere and welcoming community, Dayton attracts both residents and visitors alike. The city serves as a peaceful retreat nestled in the scenic beauty of East Tennessee.

Location & geography

Dayton is situated in the southeastern part of Tennessee, approximately 40 miles northeast of Chattanooga and about 25 miles southwest of Athens. The city covers an expansive land area of 114.01 square miles, with an additional 5.94 square miles of water features, including local lakes and rivers. The terrain is characterized by rolling hills and lush greenery, making it a beautiful setting for outdoor activities.

Community & economy

The character of Dayton is defined by its close-knit community and strong local pride. Agriculture and light manufacturing play significant roles in the local economy, creating a vibrant mix of industries that support daily life. Residents enjoy a relaxed pace of life, often participating in community events and exploring the natural beauty surrounding the city.

Transportation

Dayton is accessible via several major highways, including U.S. Route 27, which runs directly through the city, and State Route 30. The nearest major airport is Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport, located about 45 minutes away. Public transportation options are limited, making personal vehicles the primary mode of transit for residents.

History

Dayton was founded in the mid-19th century and quickly became a vital location for agriculture and trade in the region. The city is historically significant for being the site of the famous Scopes Trial in 1925, which debated the teaching of evolution in schools. This event brought national attention to Dayton and highlighted the cultural tensions of the time.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Dayton is that it hosts the annual Rhea County Fair, a local event that celebrates agriculture and community spirit. Additionally, Dayton is known for its connection to the Scopes Trial, drawing visitors interested in American cultural history.

ZIP codes for Dayton, TN (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
37321	Dayton	Rhea	View map

Demographics & statistics

20,672

Population

37.3

Median age

$56,844

Median household income

$25,060

Per capita income

$152,000

Median home value

$775

Median monthly rent

70.2%

Home ownership

16.0%

Poverty rate

8.1%

Unemployment

6,521

Housing units

17.1%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

650

Under 5

654

610

5–9

614

714

10–14

719

742

15–19

747

853

20–24

859

1,272

25–34

1,279

1,270

35–44

1,277

1,203

45–54

1,210

577

55–59

580

670

60–64

674

1,079

65–74

1,085

560

75–84

564

105

85+

105

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	4,889	23.7%
18 and over	15,783	76.3%
65 and over	3,498	16.9%
Median age	37.3 years

Race & ethnicity

White 82.5%

Hispanic or Latino 6.3%

Two or more races 4.9%

Other race 3.5%

Asian 1.4%

Black or African American 1.4%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.1%

Group	Count	%
White	18,191	82.5%
Hispanic or Latino	1,382	6.3%
Two or more races	1,073	4.9%
Other race	764	3.5%
Asian	312	1.4%
Black or African American	299	1.4%
American Indian / Alaska Native	33	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 6.0%

$10k–$15k 5.4%

$15k–$25k 6.8%

$25k–$35k 8.2%

$35k–$50k 13.9%

$50k–$75k 24.2%

$75k–$100k 16.1%

$100k–$150k 12.5%

$150k–$200k 4.0%

$200k+ 2.9%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	6.0%
$10k–$15k	5.4%
$15k–$25k	6.8%
$25k–$35k	8.2%
$35k–$50k	13.9%
$50k–$75k	24.2%
$75k–$100k	16.1%
$100k–$150k	12.5%
$150k–$200k	4.0%
$200k+	2.9%
Median income	$56,844

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 9.8%

$50k–$100k 21.0%

$100k–$150k 18.4%

$150k–$200k 17.0%

$200k–$300k 22.2%

$300k–$500k 8.3%

$500k–$1M 3.2%

$1M+ 0.3%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$152,000
Median rent / month	$775
Owner occupied	70.2%
Renter occupied	29.8%
Vacant	13.8%
Single-family detached	66.5%
Large apartment buildings	0.6%
Mobile homes	18.8%
Median rooms	5.5
Avg household size (owned)	2.63

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.3%
2010–2019	10.7%
2000–2009	23.9%
1990–1999	17.5%
1980–1989	13.3%
1970–1979	15.7%
1960–1969	7.6%
1950–1959	4.5%
1940–1949	3.1%
1939 or earlier	3.3%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	1.3%
1 bedroom	2.8%
2 bedrooms	23.8%
3 bedrooms	53.9%
4 bedrooms	16.9%
5+ bedrooms	1.3%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	7.2%
1 vehicle	29.9%
2 vehicles	32.0%
3 or more	30.9%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	45.8%
Electricity	49.9%
Propane / LP gas	1.6%
Fuel oil	0.3%
Wood	1.7%
No fuel used	0.7%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	4,031	53.3%
Cohabiting couple	458	6.1%
Male householder, no spouse	1,075	14.2%
Female householder, no spouse	1,993	26.4%
Households with children under 18	2,514	33.3%
Households with seniors (65+)	2,504	33.1%
Average household size	2.65

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	31.6%	20.8%
Married	53.4%	51.1%
Separated	0.9%	3.8%
Widowed	2.4%	11.0%
Divorced	11.7%	13.3%

Education

Less than 9th grade 4.9%

Some HS, no diploma 11.7%

HS graduate 42.3%

Some college, no degree 18.4%

Associate's degree 5.8%

Bachelor's degree 11.4%

Graduate / professional 5.7%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	83.5%
Bachelor's or higher	17.1%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	276	5.5%
Kindergarten	276	5.5%
Elementary school	2,006	39.8%
High school	1,396	27.7%
College / grad school	1,087	21.6%

Employment

Industry of employment

Manufacturing 27.4%

Education & healthcare 18.7%

Retail trade 9.7%

Construction 8.5%

Arts, food & hospitality 6.7%

Transportation & utilities 5.9%

Professional & management 5.5%

Other services 4.7%

Public administration 4.3%

Finance & real estate 4.0%

Agriculture & mining 2.9%

Wholesale trade 1.6%

Information 0.2%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	23.2%
Service	16.4%
Sales & office	19.2%
Natural resources & construction	11.5%
Production & transportation	29.7%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	80.7%
Government	15.2%
Self-employed	4.1%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	85.3%
Carpool	10.2%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	1.0%
Other means	0.5%
Avg commute (minutes)	25.7

Poverty

All people 16.0%

Under 18 years 25.0%

18 and over 13.1%

Married-couple families 3.4%

Female-led households 29.9%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	37.7%
Retirement income	25.8%
Supplemental Security	7.5%
Cash public assistance	0.7%
Food stamps / SNAP	18.6%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	39.1%
High cholesterol	35.9%
Heart disease	8.2%
Stroke	4.1%
Asthma	11.3%
Arthritis	30.6%
Kidney disease	3.5%
Pulmonary disease	11.2%
Cancer	6.6%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	13.9%
No physical activity	29.0%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	35.0%
Fair or poor health	20.9%
Poor mental health	19.1%
Poor physical health	14.1%
No health insurance	19.7%
Visited doctor (checkup)	73.5%
Visited dentist	50.4%
Cholesterol screening	87.5%
Teeth loss	23.3%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	1,190	7.5%

Disability	%
Any disability	19.6%
Under 18	8.7%
18–64 years	17.0%
65 and over	44.7%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	61.8%
Public insurance	40.0%
Uninsured under 19	4.9%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	19,368	93.7%
Spanish	692	3.6%
Other Indo-European	558	2.9%
Asian & Pacific Islander	118	0.6%
Other languages	16	0.1%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	19,868	96.1%
Born in same state	19,767	95.6%
Born in different state	14,290	69.1%
Foreign born	101	0.5%
Naturalized citizen	804	3.9%
Not a US citizen	178	22.1%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	2,939	14.2%
French	2,191	10.6%
Arab	2,176	10.5%
English	439	2.1%

Ancestry	Count	%
German	30	0.1%
Dutch	25	0.1%
Irish	8	0%
Polish	4	0%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	36.6%
Internet access	94.5%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Dayton, TN have?

Dayton, TN has one ZIP code: 37321. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.