ZIP 38320 vs ZIP 38221
Source:
Camden, TN – Big Sandy, TN
This side-by-side compares ZIP 38320 (Camden, TN) and ZIP 38221 (Big Sandy, TN) using the same Census ACS 5-Year table fields for both, no averages swapped in, no national proxies. ZIP 38320 has a population of 10,686 at 28 people per square mile, while ZIP 38221 has 3,308 at 12 per square mile. That difference in population size and density alone reshapes how every other metric should be interpreted, a higher-income ZIP with 1,200 residents behaves very differently from one with 45,000.
On income and education, ZIP 38320 reports a median household income of $56,096 against $52,714 in ZIP 38221, with per-capita income of $30,814 vs $28,742. The share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher is 14.5% in 38320 and 11.5% in 38221. Poverty rate reads 16.5% vs 19.0%, and unemployment 4.5% vs 8.4% - these four fields alone drive most of the difference in the scorecard grades you will see for each ZIP.
Housing separates these two ZIPs further: median home value sits at $157,800 in 38320 versus $139,100 in 38221, with median rent of $778 and $639 per month respectively. Homeownership rate is 75.1% vs 64.0%. When reading the comparison table below, focus on paired metrics rather than single winners, a ZIP with lower home values and lower income is not strictly "worse" if rent-to-income ratios and commute times land in the same zone. Every value is pulled from the exact same ACS table so the two columns are genuinely comparable.
Compare different ZIP codes:
| Metric | 38320 Camden, TN | 38221 Big Sandy, TN |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 10,686 | 3,308 |
| Median Household Income | $56,096 | $52,714 |
| Per Capita Income | $30,814 | $28,742 |
| Median Age | 43 | 52.8 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 14.5% | 11.5% |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 19.0% |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 8.4% |
| Median Home Value | $157,800 | $139,100 |
| Median Rent (monthly) | $778 | $639 |
| Homeownership Rate | 75.1% | 64.0% |
| Population Density (per sq mi) | 28 | 12 |
Values highlighted in green indicate the better metric where applicable. Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023.
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All data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2023).
PlainZIP is not affiliated with the U.S. Census Bureau or any government agency.