Rutledge ZIP Codes — Grainger County, TN

There is one unique ZIP code in Rutledge, Tennessee and it is 37861. Area code: 865.

ZIP codes

98.58

sq mi land

8.19

sq mi water

865

area code

Rutledge, TN ZIP code map

About Rutledge, TN

Rutledge is a small city located in Grainger County, Tennessee. Nestled in the picturesque landscape of East Tennessee, it offers a serene setting for its residents and visitors alike. Known for its tight-knit community atmosphere, Rutledge combines rural charm with easy access to modern amenities.

Location & geography

Rutledge covers a land area of 98.58 square miles, with an additional 8.19 square miles of water. The city sits in the eastern part of Tennessee, surrounded by scenic hills and green spaces. Neighbors include the cities of Jefferson City, located approximately 20 miles to the southwest, Morristown about 25 miles to the south, and Knoxville, which lies roughly 40 miles to the west.

Community & economy

Rutledge possesses a welcoming and friendly character, with local businesses and community events fostering a strong sense of belonging. Its economy predominantly revolves around agriculture, small-scale manufacturing, and service industries, reflecting its rural roots. Daily life in Rutledge typically includes community gatherings, outdoor activities, and enjoying the beautiful natural surroundings.

Transportation

Main transportation routes include US Highway 11W and TN Highway 375, which connect Rutledge to larger nearby towns. The nearest major airport is McGhee Tyson Airport, situated approximately 36 miles away in Knoxville, providing both domestic and limited international flights.

History

Founded in the early 19th century, Rutledge was named after the 2nd Governor of Tennessee, John Rutledge. Historically, the city has supported agriculture and timber industries, which have played significant roles in its development. Notable events in Rutledge's past include its incorporation in 1822, which marked the beginning of its growth as a community.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Rutledge is its close proximity to the beautiful Cherokee Lake, which attracts fishing and boating enthusiasts alike. Additionally, the city is known for its active participation in local fairs and festivals that celebrate its rich agricultural heritage.

ZIP codes for Rutledge, TN (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
37861	Rutledge	Grainger	View map

Demographics & statistics

8,256

Population

45.4

Median age

$47,326

Median household income

$24,927

Per capita income

$158,200

Median home value

$579

Median monthly rent

80.7%

Home ownership

18.0%

Poverty rate

6.7%

Unemployment

3,711

Housing units

11.4%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

170

Under 5

172

280

5–9

282

237

10–14

239

231

15–19

233

294

20–24

296

366

25–34

370

437

35–44

441

655

45–54

662

241

55–59

243

288

60–64

291

650

65–74

657

219

75–84

222

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	1,658	20.1%
18 and over	6,598	79.9%
65 and over	1,828	22.1%
Median age	45.4 years

Race & ethnicity

White 96.9%

Two or more races 2%

Hispanic or Latino 0.6%

Black or African American 0.3%

Asian 0.1%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.1%

Other race 0.1%

Group	Count	%
White	8,045	96.9%
Two or more races	164	2%
Hispanic or Latino	46	0.6%
Black or African American	21	0.3%
Asian	10	0.1%
American Indian / Alaska Native	8	0.1%
Other race	8	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 6.4%

$10k–$15k 8.9%

$15k–$25k 15.6%

$25k–$35k 10.7%

$35k–$50k 11.9%

$50k–$75k 21.2%

$75k–$100k 9.4%

$100k–$150k 11.3%

$150k–$200k 3.2%

$200k+ 1.6%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	6.4%
$10k–$15k	8.9%
$15k–$25k	15.6%
$25k–$35k	10.7%
$35k–$50k	11.9%
$50k–$75k	21.2%
$75k–$100k	9.4%
$100k–$150k	11.3%
$150k–$200k	3.2%
$200k+	1.6%
Median income	$47,326

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 19.9%

$50k–$100k 15.6%

$100k–$150k 12.0%

$150k–$200k 10.3%

$200k–$300k 15.5%

$300k–$500k 18.6%

$500k–$1M 7.0%

$1M+ 1.2%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$158,200
Median rent / month	$579
Owner occupied	80.7%
Renter occupied	19.3%
Vacant	22.0%
Single-family detached	56.0%
Large apartment buildings	0.3%
Mobile homes	38.3%
Median rooms	5.2
Avg household size (owned)	2.42

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	1.0%
2010–2019	9.4%
2000–2009	14.9%
1990–1999	29.1%
1980–1989	12.0%
1970–1979	12.0%
1960–1969	6.5%
1950–1959	3.4%
1940–1949	5.3%
1939 or earlier	6.4%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.9%
1 bedroom	9.7%
2 bedrooms	27.4%
3 bedrooms	49.6%
4 bedrooms	10.6%
5+ bedrooms	2.0%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	8.6%
1 vehicle	26.1%
2 vehicles	28.6%
3 or more	36.7%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	1.9%
Electricity	85.9%
Propane / LP gas	5.5%
Fuel oil	0.3%
Wood	5.4%
No fuel used	0.4%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	1,816	53.2%
Cohabiting couple	159	4.7%
Male householder, no spouse	691	20.3%
Female householder, no spouse	745	21.8%
Households with children under 18	826	24.2%
Households with seniors (65+)	1,194	35.0%
Average household size	2.38

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	18.8%	14.8%
Married	55.4%	54.6%
Separated	0.8%	2.1%
Widowed	8.4%	11.2%
Divorced	16.6%	17.4%

Education

Less than 9th grade 5.2%

Some HS, no diploma 11.8%

HS graduate 40.0%

Some college, no degree 24.3%

Associate's degree 7.4%

Bachelor's degree 6.4%

Graduate / professional 5.0%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	83.0%
Bachelor's or higher	11.4%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	42	2.6%
Kindergarten	245	15.3%
Elementary school	687	42.9%
High school	395	24.7%
College / grad school	233	14.5%

Employment

Industry of employment

Manufacturing 21.8%

Education & healthcare 16.4%

Retail trade 11.8%

Construction 9.3%

Arts, food & hospitality 6.7%

Professional & management 6.5%

Transportation & utilities 6.2%

Other services 5.4%

Finance & real estate 4.6%

Agriculture & mining 3.9%

Wholesale trade 3.4%

Information 2.3%

Public administration 1.8%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	27.0%
Service	13.1%
Sales & office	17.7%
Natural resources & construction	15.0%
Production & transportation	27.1%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	75.1%
Government	10.6%
Self-employed	14.3%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	72.0%
Carpool	13.9%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	0.1%
Other means	1.8%
Avg commute (minutes)	31.6

Poverty

All people 18.0%

Under 18 years 23.4%

18 and over 16.6%

Married-couple families 10.5%

Female-led households 18.5%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	46.5%
Retirement income	24.3%
Supplemental Security	7.9%
Cash public assistance	1.7%
Food stamps / SNAP	13.0%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	41.1%
High cholesterol	38.3%
Heart disease	8.7%
Stroke	4.1%
Asthma	10.8%
Arthritis	33.2%
Kidney disease	3.5%
Pulmonary disease	11.4%
Cancer	7.4%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	13.7%
No physical activity	29.6%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	35.5%
Fair or poor health	20.3%
Poor mental health	17.8%
Poor physical health	14.0%
No health insurance	19.0%
Visited doctor (checkup)	75.0%
Visited dentist	50.3%
Cholesterol screening	89.6%
Teeth loss	22.0%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	487	7.4%

Disability	%
Any disability	23.5%
Under 18	6.5%
18–64 years	23.2%
65 and over	40.5%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	54.4%
Public insurance	42.3%
Uninsured under 19	5.9%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	7,914	95.9%
Spanish	68	0.9%
Other Indo-European	66	0.8%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	2	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	8,030	97.3%
Born in same state	7,942	96.2%
Born in different state	5,204	63.0%
Foreign born	88	1.1%
Naturalized citizen	226	2.7%
Not a US citizen	79	35.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	1,586	19.2%
Italian	999	12.1%
French	946	11.5%
English	103	1.2%

Ancestry	Count	%
German	39	0.5%
Polish	32	0.4%
Irish	29	0.4%
Dutch	18	0.2%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	41.3%
Internet access	85.9%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Rutledge, TN have?

Rutledge, TN has one ZIP code: 37861. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.