Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2024 population estimates and 2024 Gazetteer. Rankings among the 50 states.
Historical data
Pick an indicator to see its long-run evolution.
Population
1800–2024U.S. Census (decennial), 1800–2020 + estimates.
Population pyramid
Tennessee's civilian population by sex and five-year age group. Choose a year to see how the age structure has changed.
Tap an age group in the pyramid to see its detail.
Under 15
1,295,349 (18.0%)
15 to 64
4,634,205 (64.3%)
65 and older
1,277,959 (17.7%)
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, SC-EST2020 and SC-EST2024 age and sex estimates (civilian population, July 1).
Age, sex and longevity
The main indicators describing Tennessee's age structure, sex distribution and life expectancy.
| Median age | 39.3 years | |
| Female | 51.0% | |
| Male | 49.0% | |
| Under 18 | 22.1% | |
| 65 and older | 17.6% | |
| Life expectancy | 73.8 years |
Population, households and density
How many people and households live in Tennessee, how concentrated they are and how the population is changing.
| Total population | 7.23 M | 15th in the U.S. |
| Density | 66 /km² | |
| Households | 2.8 M | |
| Urban population | 66.4% | |
| Largest metro | Nashville–Davidson (≈ 2.10 M) | |
| Growth | +1.1%/yr | 2020–2024 |
Race, ethnicity and origin
Tennessee has a large African American population concentrated in Memphis and Nashville, and a Hispanic population that has more than tripled since 2000, though it remains below the national share.
| White (non-Hispanic) | 70.9% | |
| Black or African American | 16.7% | |
| Hispanic or Latino | 6.9% | ≈ 500,000 |
| Asian | 2.1% | |
| Two or more races | 2.9% | |
| Native American | 0.3% | |
| Pacific Islander | 0.1% | |
| Mexican origin | ≈ 4.2% | Largest Hispanic subgroup |
| Memphis Black population | ≈ 63% | City of Memphis |