Rank #16 by Population · Updated April 2026
Tennessee Population 2026
The population of Tennessee is 6,986,082 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 16th-most populous state in the United States. The median household income is $67,097, the median home value is $256,800, and the median age is 38.9.
Tennessee's population has grown 230.8% since 1910 (2,184,789 → 7,227,750).
6,986,082
Population
169
People / sq mi
$67,097
Median Income
38.9
Median Age
Tennessee covers 41,224 sq mi of land at a density of 169.5 people per square mile.
About Tennessee
What sets Tennessee apart is money: median household income runs $67,097, below the US median of $78,538. Tennessee is a US state with a population of 6,986,082. It ranks #16 among US states by population.
Incomes run on the lower side: a median household income of $67,097, below the US median of $78,538. Poverty sits at 9.9%, below the national 12.4%. The typical home is valued at $256,800, with typical rent around $1,122.
Fewer adults hold degrees here than in most comparable places — 30.4%, below the national 35.0%. Around 11.4% of workers work from home, below the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 26 minutes each way.
Tennessee, #16 by population
Tennessee Population History (1910-2024)
The state of Tennessee had a population of 2,184,789 in 1910 and 7,227,750 in 2024, a 3.3× growth over 114 years. The peak was 7,227,750 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 1.06%.
7,227,750
Population (2024)
2,184,789
Population (1910)
7,227,750
Peak (2024)
1.06%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1910 | 2,184,789 |
| 1920 | 2,337,885 |
| 1930 | 2,616,556 |
| 1940 | 2,915,841 |
| 1950 | 3,291,718 |
| 1960 | 3,567,089 |
| 1970 | 3,923,687 |
| 1980 | 4,591,120 |
| 1990 | 4,877,185 |
| 2000 | 5,689,283 |
| 2010 | 6,346,105 |
| 2020 | 6,910,840 |
| 2020 | 6,927,904 |
| 2021 | 6,965,740 |
| 2022 | 7,062,217 |
| 2023 | 7,148,304 |
| 2024 | 7,227,750 |
Age Distribution
Male: 49.1% · Female: 50.9%
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 73.5% |
| Black or African American | 15.9% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| American Indian & Alaska Native | 0.2% |
| Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander | 0.1% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.3% |
Economy & Income
$67,097
Median Household Income
$37,866
Per Capita Income
9.9%
Poverty Rate
2.9%
Unemployment Rate
$93,479
Mean Household Income
58.8%
Employment Rate
Cost of Living
Tennessee's overall price level is 91.9 on the BEA Regional Price Parity index (US average = 100), meaning prices are 8.1% lower the US average. Adjusting for cost of living, Tennessee's median household income of $67,097 has the buying power of $73,035 in average-priced areas.
91.9
Price Level (US = 100)
$73,035
COL-Adjusted Median Income
$67,097
Nominal Median Income
Education
89.6%
High School Graduate+
30.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Births & Fertility
82,265
Live Births (2022)
11.8
Birth Rate (per 1,000)
57.6%
Births to Married Mothers
Births by Mother's Age
Births by Mother's Race
| White | 75.6% |
| Black or African American | 18.6% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 13.4% |
Housing
$256,800
Median Home Value
$1,122
Median Rent
3,095,472
Total Housing Units
67.0%
Owner-Occupied
33.0%
Renter-Occupied
10.6%
Vacant
Languages Spoken at Home
91.7% of Tennessee residents age 5+ speak only English at home. The most common non-English languages spoken at home in Tennessee:
| # | Language | Speakers | % of pop. 5+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spanish | 159,399 | 2.42% |
| 2 | Arabic | 13,867 | 0.21% |
| 3 | Chinese (incl. Mandarin, Cantonese) | 6,830 | 0.10% |
| 4 | Vietnamese | 5,395 | 0.08% |
| 5 | Amharic, Somali, or other Afro-Asiatic | 3,587 | 0.05% |
| 6 | Swahili or other Bantu | 3,519 | 0.05% |
| 7 | Korean | 3,492 | 0.05% |
| 8 | Thai, Lao, or other Tai-Kadai | 3,423 | 0.05% |
| 9 | Other Asian/Pacific | 3,198 | 0.05% |
| 10 | Gujarati | 2,922 | 0.04% |
Commute
0.5%
Drive Alone
1.2%
Carpool
11.4%
Work From Home
25.7 min
Avg Commute
Largest Cities in Tennessee
| # | City | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nashville-Davidson | 684,298 |
| 2 | Memphis | 629,063 |
| 3 | Knoxville | 193,721 |
| 4 | Chattanooga | 182,832 |
| 5 | Clarksville | 171,897 |
| 6 | Murfreesboro | 157,547 |
| 7 | Franklin | 85,575 |
| 8 | Johnson City | 71,455 |
| 9 | Jackson | 68,098 |
| 10 | Hendersonville | 62,390 |
| 11 | Bartlett | 56,998 |
| 12 | Kingsport | 55,807 |
| 13 | Smyrna | 55,066 |
| 14 | Spring Hill | 53,585 |
| 15 | Collierville | 51,212 |
| 16 | Cleveland | 48,185 |
| 17 | Gallatin | 46,667 |
| 18 | Brentwood | 45,272 |
| 19 | Columbia | 43,971 |
| 20 | Lebanon | 41,951 |
Counties in Tennessee
| # | County | Population | Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shelby County | 922,195 | $62,337 |
| 2 | Davidson County | 709,846 | $75,664 |
| 3 | Knox County | 487,401 | $71,662 |
| 4 | Hamilton County | 370,913 | $72,568 |
| 5 | Rutherford County | 351,591 | $82,588 |
| 6 | Williamson County | 254,609 | $131,202 |
| 7 | Montgomery County | 227,957 | $72,365 |
| 8 | Sumner County | 200,553 | $86,005 |
| 9 | Sullivan County | 159,693 | $56,802 |
| 10 | Wilson County | 153,587 | $94,048 |
| 11 | Blount County | 137,747 | $74,607 |
| 12 | Washington County | 134,693 | $61,051 |
| 13 | Bradley County | 109,743 | $63,789 |
| 14 | Maury County | 104,855 | $74,162 |
| 15 | Madison County | 98,845 | $58,189 |
| 16 | Sevier County | 98,802 | $63,829 |
| 17 | Putnam County | 81,366 | $56,537 |
| 18 | Anderson County | 78,175 | $63,171 |
| 19 | Robertson County | 74,291 | $78,439 |
| 20 | Greene County | 70,919 | $54,071 |
Compare Tennessee
Rankings for Tennessee
Read more about Tennessee
A complete guide to Tennessee demographics — population, race & ethnicity breakdown, income, age, growth trends, and how the state compares nationally.
Tennessee Demographics 2026: Population, Income, Race & Trends Explained →Metro areas in Tennessee
Congressional districts in Tennessee
Largest school districts in Tennessee
Other states
State rankings
Common questions about Tennessee
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Frequently Asked Questions
Tennessee has a population of 6,986,082 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 16th-most populous state in the United States.
Tennessee is gaining population, with a +230.8% change over the available historical Census record. Tennessee's population has grown 230.8% since 1910 (2,184,789 → 7,227,750).
The median household income in Tennessee is $67,097, with a per capita income of $37,866. 9.9% of the population lives below the federal poverty level.
73.5% of Tennessee's population identifies as White (Census ACS 2023). 15.9% is Black or African American, 0.0% is Asian, and 1.3% is Hispanic or Latino (any race, counted separately under Census methodology).
Tennessee is 73.5% White, 15.9% Black or African American, 0.0% Asian, and 1.3% Hispanic or Latino (any race). Hispanic/Latino is counted as an ethnicity separate from race under Census methodology, so totals may exceed 100% in some breakdowns.
The median age in Tennessee is 38.9 years. The population is 49.1% male and 50.9% female.
Tennessee's population has grown 230.8% since 1910 (2,184,789 → 7,227,750).
Across recent Census Population Estimates, West Virginia, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Illinois have shown the largest sustained population declines. Tennessee's own trend is gaining. National state-by-state rankings are published annually by the Census Population Estimates Program.
Demographic data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates. Birth statistics from the CDC National Vital Statistics System via Data Commons. California does not report marital status on birth certificates. Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.
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Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.