Population
Tennessee has a population of 7,185,000 as of 2026, making it the #16 most populous state in the United States.
Tennessee Rankings
Where Tennessee places in every state-level dataset StatsPanda tracks. Each row opens the full ranking.
Tennessee Population Clock
These statistics show the estimated changes to Tennessee's population based on birth rates, death rates, and migration patterns from US Census Bureau data.
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One death every — seconds
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| Tennessee Population (as of 7/14/2026) | 7,185,000 |
| Births per day | 220 |
| Deaths per day | 190 |
| Net migrations per day | 95 |
| Net population change per day | +125 |
| Population change since Jan 1st | — |
Demographics
The racial composition of Tennessee includes 74.85% White, 16.27% Black or African American, 1.86% Asian, 2.02% other race, and smaller percentages for Native American, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander and multiracial populations.
Population by Race
Why is Hispanic separate? Following U.S. Census methodology, Hispanic or Latino origin is an ethnicity, not a race — people of Hispanic origin may be of any race. “All” shows the racial breakdown; the Hispanic and Non-Hispanic views show ethnicity, so the two groupings overlap rather than adding up to 100%.
| Race | Population ↓ | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White | 5,378,276 | 74.85% |
| Black or African American | 1,169,329 | 16.27% |
| Two or more races | 339,183 | 4.72% |
| Other race | 145,218 | 2.02% |
| Asian | 133,483 | 1.86% |
| Native American | 14,651 | 0.20% |
| Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander | 4,861 | 0.07% |
Tennessee Marital Status
Population by Age and Gender
Median Age
Geography
Tennessee has seen steady population growth in recent years. According to the latest census data from 2020, Tennessee had a population of 6,910,840, representing a growth rate of 6.7% since the last census in 2010. At that time, the population was recorded at 6,346,105 people. Tennessee's current growth rate outpaces the national average and ranks 11th highest in the United States. Key factors contributing to the population increase include domestic migration and job growth in major Tennessee cities. The state will likely continue to see its population rise in the coming years.
Economics and Income Statistics
Tennessee's average per capita income is $36,040. Household income levels show a median of $64,035. The poverty rate stands at 13.96%.
Families: A family includes the owner or renter of the home along with everyone related to them - whether through birth, marriage, or adoption. This includes relatives like spouses, children, parents, siblings, grandparents, and any other family members.
Households: A household includes all the people who occupy a housing unit (such as a house or apartment) as their usual place of residence.
Non Families: A nonfamily household is either someone living alone or when the owner/renter lives with people they aren't related to, like roommates.
| Name | Median ↓ | Mean |
|---|---|---|
| Married Families | $80,258 | $102,730 |
| Families | $80,258 | $105,941 |
| Households | $64,035 | — |
| Non Families | $38,491 | $54,657 |
Income & Poverty
Largest Cities in Tennessee
The largest city in Tennessee is Nashville with a population of 689,447.
| Rank | City | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nashville | 689,447 |
| 2 | Memphis | 628,127 |
| 3 | Knoxville | 190,740 |
| 4 | Chattanooga | 181,099 |
| 5 | Clarksville | 166,722 |
| 6 | Murfreesboro | 152,769 |
| 7 | Franklin | 83,454 |
| 8 | Jackson | 68,205 |
| 9 | Johnson City | 71,046 |
| 10 | Bartlett | 59,440 |
Population by County
Tennessee's population shows distinct regional patterns, with the most populous counties concentrated in metropolitan areas. The most dramatic growth is occurring in suburban areas, while rural and some urban areas show more mixed trends.
Counties in Tennessee →Population by County
Population Growth by County
Population Density by County
Research Papers Related to Tennessee
Sources
Most recent state estimates from the Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program.
Detailed demographic and economic data for Tennessee.
Quick access to state-level statistics and comparisons.
Data Methodology
Population totals are sourced from the latest available US Census Bureau data. Totals for the current year are projected using each state's USCB data and previous year population growth rate. Growth rates are calculated based on births, deaths, and net migration estimates.