Tennessee's oldest courthouse, first newspaper, and first post office are each located in Rogersville. Much of the Town is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The population was 4,240 at the 2000 census and is 5,100 according to a 2004 estimate by the Chamber of Commerce.
Rogersville is the county seat of Hawkins County. It is part of the Kingsport–Bristol (TN)–Bristol (VA) Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is a component of the Johnson City–Kingsport–Bristol, TN-VA Combined Statistical Area – commonly known as the "Tri-Cities" region.
As of the census of 2000, there were 4,240 people, 2,060 households, and 1,155 families residing in the town. In 2004, the Chamber of Commerce estimated there were 5,100 people living in Rogersville.
The population density was 1,277.0 people per square mile (493.1/km²). There were 2,268 housing units at an average density of 683.1/sq mi (263.8/km²).
Though not recognized by the U.S. Census Bureau as such, the population growth patterns around Rogersville are a classic example of the micropolitan region.
In addition to the 2000 Census figures for the population within the city limits of Rogersville (4,240), there are 4,836 people immediately adjacent to Rogersville (in areas defined by the State of Tennessee as precincts 3904 and 3897 -- Rogersville North Outside and Rogersville South Outside). Adding half of the populations of precincts 3864 and 3860 (Choptack and Cherokee), the population for the Rogersville Micropolitan Area is 11,507.
Thus within a four-mile (6 km) radius of the Rogersville city limits live the majority of Rogersville's residents.
The racial makeup of the town was 94.13% White, 4.06% African American, 0.14% Native American, 0.31% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.66% from other races, and 0.68% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.06% of the population.
There were 2,060 households out of which 21.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.9% were married couples living together, 14.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.9% were non-families. 40.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 21.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.97 and the average family size was 2.63.
In the town the population was spread out with 17.8% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 23.2% from 25 to 44, 24.8% from 45 to 64, and 26.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females there were 76.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 72.1 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $23,275, and the median income for a family was $32,236. Males had a median income of $30,226 versus $22,482 for females. The per capita income for the town was $16,940. About 14.9% of families and 21.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.0% of those under age 18 and 15.8% of those age 65 or over.