Immigration in Tennessee

Foreign-born population, origins and migration flows.

Foreign-born residents
6.5%
2024 · Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates
Foreign-born residents who are naturalized citizens
39.6%
2024 · Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates
Total net migration
60,379
2025 · Census Bureau Population Estimates Program
Net international migration
17,990
2025 · Census Bureau Population Estimates Program
Net domestic migration
42,389
2025 · Census Bureau Population Estimates Program
Foreign-born
405,000
5.6%
Naturalized citizens
185,000
Non-citizen residents
220,000

Historical data

Pick an indicator to see its long-run evolution.

Foreign-born share

1900–2023
5.6%

Share of residents born outside the U.S.; Tennessee's rise begins in the 1990s.

Foreign-Born Population

Residents born abroad.

Foreign-born residents
6.5%
2024 · Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates
Foreign-born population
472,751
2024 · Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates
Share of population
5.6%
Naturalized citizens
185,000

Foreign-born residents

2006–2024
6.5%

Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, share of total population, B05002 (2020 not released).

Foreign-born population

2006–2024
472,751▲ 100%

Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, B05002 (2020 not released).

IndicatorTennesseeU.S.
Foreign-born share (%)5.613.9
  • •Nashville is home to the largest Kurdish community in the United States, about 15,000 people.

Countries of Origin

Where immigrants come from.

Foreign-born residents who are naturalized citizens
39.6%
2024 · Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates
1st origin
Mexico
2nd origin
India
3rd origin
Honduras

Foreign-born residents who are naturalized citizens

2006–2024
39.6%

Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, B05002 (2020 not released).

Migration Flows

Overall population movement.

Total net migration
60,379
2025 · Census Bureau Population Estimates Program
Net international migration
17,990
2025 · Census Bureau Population Estimates Program

Total net migration

2011–2025
60,379▲ 129%

Census Bureau Population Estimates Program, international plus domestic net migration, July–June years (2020 partial year omitted).

Net international migration

2011–2025
17,990▲ 92%

Census Bureau Population Estimates Program, net international migration, July–June years (2020 partial year omitted).

International Migration

Arrivals from abroad.

Net international migration
17,990
2025 · Census Bureau Population Estimates Program

Net international migration

2011–2025
17,990▲ 92%

Census Bureau Population Estimates Program, net international migration, July–June years (2020 partial year omitted).

Domestic Migration

Movement between states.

Net domestic migration
42,389
2025 · Census Bureau Population Estimates Program
Rank
6th in the U.S.
Top origin states
California, Illinois, New York

Net domestic migration

2011–2025
42,389▲ 150%

Census Bureau Population Estimates Program, net domestic migration to/from other states, July–June years (2020 partial year omitted).

More figures

Annual new immigrants
≈ 24,000
2023
Annual naturalizations
≈ 9,500
2023
Top origin
Mexico
2nd origin
India
3rd origin
Honduras
Undocumented residents
≈ 130,000
Est.
Refugee arrivals
≈ 2,000 /yr