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Tennessee Population Overview (2026 Projection)
Tennessee is a state located in the Southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Kentucky to the north, Virginia to the northeast, North Carolina to the east, Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi to the south, Arkansas to the southwest, and Missouri to the northwest.
Tennessee is the 16th most populous U.S. state. It has a total land area of 41,217 square miles (106,846 square kilometers) and an average population density of 168 people per square mile, ranking it as the 20th most densely populated state in the United States.
According to the 2020 U.S. Census, Tennessee’s population was 6,910,840 (6.9 million). As of July 1, 2024, the estimated population of Tennessee is 7,227,750, reflecting steady population growth over the past decade.
Projected Population of Tennessee (2030): ~7.7 million
Tennessee Population Growth (2010–2020)
Tennessee has a population growth rate of 8.9% during 2010-2020. It has population increase of 564,735 since 2010. The median age in the state of Tennessee is approximately 38.5 years of age. When examining the ratio of females to males, the current statistics show females at 51.3% and males at 48.7%.
Tennessee Census Snapshot (2020)
| Indicators | Data |
| Total Population | 6,910,840 (6.9 million) |
| Median Age | 38.5 years |
| Population Rank | 1st |
| Total Land Area | 41,217 sq mi (106,846 km2) |
| Area Rank | 36th |
| Population Density | 167.8/sq mi (64.8/km2) |
| Capital and Largest City | Nashville |
Tennessee Historical Population
Tennessee’s population has steadily grown over the past century, increasing from 2.18 million in 1910 to 6.91 million in 2020. The state experienced particularly strong growth during the 1980s and early 2000s, with double-digit percentage increases, making it one of the faster-growing states in the Southeastern U.S.
Decadal Population Change (1910–2020)
| Year | Population | % Change |
| 1910 | 2,184,789 | 8.1% |
| 1920 | 2,337,885 | 7% |
| 1930 | 2,616,556 | 11.9% |
| 1940 | 2,915,841 | 11.4% |
| 1950 | 3,291,718 | 12.9% |
| 1960 | 3,567,089 | 8.4% |
| 1970 | 3,923,687 | 10% |
| 1980 | 4,591,120 | 17% |
| 1990 | 4,877,185 | 6.2% |
| 2000 | 5,689,283 | 16.7% |
| 2010 | 6,346,105 | 11.5% |
| 2020 | 6,910,840 | 8.9% |
Source: US Census 2020
Tennessee Demographics (Summary)
Religion in Tennessee (Overview)
Christianity is the dominant religious affiliation in Tennessee, with one of the highest Christian shares among U.S. states.
Christian: ~81%
Protestant: ~73%
Roman Catholic: ~6%
Mormon (LDS): ~1%
Jehovah’s Witnesses: ~1%
Unaffiliated: ~14% (People who do not identify with any religion)
Other Religions: ~3%
Hinduism
Buddhism
Judaism
Islam
Other smaller faiths
Read detailed data: Religion in Tennessee
Race and Ethnicity in Tennessee (Overview)
Tennessee’s population is predominantly White, with a significant African American community and growing Hispanic population.
White (Non-Hispanic): 70.91%
Black or African American: 15.68%
Hispanic or Latino: 6.93%
Two or More Races: 3.57%
Asian: 1.94%
Ancestry in Tennessee (Overview)
Tennessee’s ancestry patterns reflect deep American roots along with strong European influences. The largest ancestry groups include:
American
Irish
English
German
Italian
Read detailed data: Race and Ethnicity in Tennessee
Top Cities in and Counties Tennessee
As of 2022, Tennessee is divided into 95 counties. The most populous county in Tennessee is Shelby County with 1 million residents. Its followed by Davidson County (0.7 million) and Knox County (0.5 million)
The largest city in Tennessee is Nashville with 694,176 people followed by Memphis and Knoxville.
To know more about Cities and Counties in Tennessee
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