Watauga ZIP Codes — Carter County, TN

There is one unique ZIP code in Watauga, Tennessee and it is 37694. Area code: 423.

ZIP codes

12.64

sq mi land

0.13

sq mi water

423

area code

Watauga, TN ZIP code map

About Watauga, TN

Watauga, Tennessee, is a charming city nestled in Carter County. Known for its serene landscapes and close-knit community, Watauga exudes a welcoming atmosphere. This quaint town is a hidden gem in the beautiful region of East Tennessee.

Location & geography

Watauga is located in the northeastern part of Tennessee, bordered by beautiful natural surroundings. The city is situated approximately 10 miles northwest of Elizabethton and about 16 miles southeast of Johnson City, making it accessible to larger urban centers. Covering a land area of 12.64 square miles and a water area of 0.13 square miles, Watauga features a mix of rolling hills and picturesque waterways.

Community & economy

The community in Watauga is characterized by its friendly residents and strong community ties, representing a blend of rural charm and modern convenience. Local industries include small businesses and agriculture, contributing to the economy and offering job opportunities for residents. Daily life is often centered around community events, which foster camaraderie among neighbors.

Transportation

Watauga is served by several local roads that connect to larger highways, including U.S. Route 321. The nearest major airport is the Tri-Cities Regional Airport, located about 20 miles from Watauga, providing convenient access for travelers. Public transit options are limited, but the city is easily navigable by personal vehicle.

History

Watauga was established as a small community that has grown over the years while maintaining its quaint character. Historically, it has been centered around agriculture and small-scale businesses that support the local population. The town has seen numerous developments and events that have contributed to its growth, including the establishment of local parks and community centers.

Did you know?

One little-known fact about Watauga is its proximity to Boone Lake, which provides recreational opportunities like fishing and boating. Additionally, the town holds annual events that celebrate its culture and community spirit, drawing residents and visitors alike.

ZIP codes for Watauga, TN (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
37694	Watauga	Carter	View map

Demographics & statistics

2,069

Population

48.7

Median age

$56,375

Median household income

$40,674

Per capita income

$146,900

Median home value

$751

Median monthly rent

88.8%

Home ownership

17.8%

Poverty rate

11.6%

Unemployment

893

Housing units

22.2%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

5–9

10–14

15–19

20–24

25–34

195

35–44

180

165

45–54

152

116

55–59

107

60–64

141

65–74

130

75–84

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	335	16.2%
18 and over	1,734	83.8%
65 and over	422	20.4%
Median age	48.7 years

Race & ethnicity

White 89.6%

Two or more races 4.3%

Hispanic or Latino 3.9%

Black or African American 2%

Other race 0.3%

Group	Count	%
White	1,928	89.6%
Two or more races	93	4.3%
Hispanic or Latino	83	3.9%
Black or African American	42	2%
Other race	6	0.3%

Household income

Under $10k 3.0%

$10k–$15k 6.3%

$15k–$25k 13.9%

$25k–$35k 7.6%

$35k–$50k 6.6%

$50k–$75k 20.9%

$75k–$100k 9.3%

$100k–$150k 19.7%

$150k–$200k 1.0%

$200k+ 11.6%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	3.0%
$10k–$15k	6.3%
$15k–$25k	13.9%
$25k–$35k	7.6%
$35k–$50k	6.6%
$50k–$75k	20.9%
$75k–$100k	9.3%
$100k–$150k	19.7%
$150k–$200k	1.0%
$200k+	11.6%
Median income	$56,375

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 11.7%

$50k–$100k 16.0%

$100k–$150k 24.9%

$150k–$200k 9.1%

$200k–$300k 14.8%

$300k–$500k 11.0%

$500k–$1M 12.6%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$146,900
Median rent / month	$751
Owner occupied	88.8%
Renter occupied	11.2%
Vacant	12.3%
Single-family detached	76.4%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	18.4%
Median rooms	5.9
Avg household size (owned)	2.24

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	4.9%
2000–2009	18.2%
1990–1999	16.9%
1980–1989	9.1%
1970–1979	18.1%
1960–1969	3.7%
1950–1959	8.9%
1940–1949	7.6%
1939 or earlier	12.6%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.6%
1 bedroom	3.4%
2 bedrooms	18.3%
3 bedrooms	48.9%
4 bedrooms	26.8%
5+ bedrooms	2.0%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	7.4%
1 vehicle	16.1%
2 vehicles	48.8%
3 or more	27.6%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Electricity	75.8%
Propane / LP gas	11.1%
Fuel oil	0.7%
Wood	12.4%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	455	52.4%
Cohabiting couple	94	10.8%
Male householder, no spouse	147	16.9%
Female householder, no spouse	172	19.8%
Households with children under 18	256	29.5%
Households with seniors (65+)	305	35.1%
Average household size	2.38

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	24.9%	22.1%
Married	54.7%	44.5%
Separated	0.8%	3.2%
Widowed	2.0%	8.9%
Divorced	17.7%	21.4%

Education

Less than 9th grade 6.5%

Some HS, no diploma 6.0%

HS graduate 40.5%

Some college, no degree 14.2%

Associate's degree 10.6%

Bachelor's degree 7.4%

Graduate / professional 14.8%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	87.4%
Bachelor's or higher	22.2%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	4	1.2%
Kindergarten	23	6.8%
Elementary school	159	46.9%
High school	88	26.0%
College / grad school	65	19.2%

Employment

Industry of employment

Professional & management 21.5%

Manufacturing 21.1%

Education & healthcare 19.5%

Construction 10.3%

Retail trade 5.7%

Transportation & utilities 5.2%

Arts, food & hospitality 4.9%

Other services 4.1%

Finance & real estate 2.7%

Public administration 2.7%

Information 1.2%

Agriculture & mining 0.9%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	37.2%
Service	15.9%
Sales & office	16.7%
Natural resources & construction	11.6%
Production & transportation	18.6%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	77.8%
Government	13.4%
Self-employed	8.8%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	89.7%
Carpool	2.5%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	1.6%
Other means	0.0%
Avg commute (minutes)	22.8

Poverty

All people 17.8%

Under 18 years 23.7%

18 and over 16.7%

Married-couple families 4.6%

Female-led households 41.3%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	44.0%
Retirement income	26.4%
Supplemental Security	6.9%
Cash public assistance	3.0%
Food stamps / SNAP	20.5%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	43.4%
High cholesterol	38.8%
Heart disease	9.1%
Stroke	4.4%
Asthma	11.5%
Arthritis	34.4%
Kidney disease	3.7%
Pulmonary disease	12.8%
Cancer	7.0%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	13.7%
No physical activity	32.6%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	37.8%
Fair or poor health	23.2%
Poor mental health	18.9%
Poor physical health	15.7%
No health insurance	19.2%
Visited doctor (checkup)	75.7%
Visited dentist	46.1%
Cholesterol screening	88.9%
Teeth loss	24.0%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	197	11.4%

Disability	%
Any disability	22.9%
Under 18	14.0%
18–64 years	17.8%
65 and over	46.0%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	53.7%
Public insurance	43.9%
Uninsured under 19	5.7%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	1,990	96.2%
Spanish	0	0.0%
Other Indo-European	0	0.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	2,001	96.7%
Born in same state	1,983	95.8%
Born in different state	1,138	55.0%
Foreign born	18	0.9%
Naturalized citizen	68	3.3%
Not a US citizen	66	97.1%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	466	22.5%
Italian	313	15.1%
French	250	12.1%

Ancestry	Count	%
English	17	0.8%
Polish	3	0.1%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	42.0%
Internet access	85.6%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Watauga, TN have?

Watauga, TN has one ZIP code: 37694. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.