Tennessee
“The Volunteer State”
What Makes Tennessee Beautiful
Tennessee stretches from the misty Great Smoky Mountains, the most visited national park in America, to the bluffs overlooking the mighty Mississippi at Memphis. In between lie the rolling hills of Middle Tennessee, the rugged Cumberland Plateau with its gorges and waterfalls, and the lush beauty of the Cherokee National Forest.
Key Metrics
7.1M
Population
$462.5B
GDP
+7.2%
GDP Growth (5yr)
$61.1K
Median Income
6.3%
Tax Burden
History
Admitted as the 16th state
Battle of Shiloh, one of the bloodiest Civil War engagements
Scopes Monkey Trial in Dayton debates evolution in schools
Tennessee Valley Authority created, transforming the region
Martin Luther King Jr. assassinated in Memphis
Top Cities
Nashville
690K
State capital; Music City; healthcare industry hub
Memphis
628K
Birthplace of rock and roll; Beale Street blues; FedEx HQ
Knoxville
192K
University of Tennessee; gateway to the Smokies
Chattanooga
182K
Scenic City; fastest internet in America
Clarksville
167K
Fort Campbell; fastest-growing Tennessee city
Economy & Industry
Core Industries
Natural Resources
Energy Portfolio
Budget & Fiscal Health
$52.5B
State Budget
$50.8B
State Revenue
$-1.7B
Fiscal Balance
Social Indicators
13%
Poverty Rate
29.5%
College Degree
9.5%
Uninsured
672/100K
Crime Rate
Where is Tennessee Headed?
GDP Projections ($B)
| Scenario | 1yr | 5yr | 10yr | 25yr | 50yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optimistic | $471B | $507B | $557B | $735B | $1169B |
| Baseline | $469B | $497B | $534B | $661B | $945B |
| Pessimistic | $466B | $483B | $504B | $573B | $711B |
Political Landscape
R+14