Tennessee

Tennessee is a state in the Southeastern part of the United States. It is bordered by Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Missouri. Nashville, the capital, is also the largest city. Tennessee is known for its beautiful landscapes, including the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which is the most visited national park in the country.

The state has a rich history, starting with the Watauga Association, one of the first governments formed west of the Appalachian Mountains. Tennessee joined the United States in 1796 as the 16th state. During the American Civil War, the state was divided, with parts supporting the Confederacy and others remaining loyal to the Union.

Today, Tennessee has a strong economy with industries such as health care, music, finance, automotive, and tourism. The state is famous for its contributions to many kinds of popular music, including country, blues, rock and roll, soul, and gospel. Tennessee also grows important crops like cattle, soybeans, poultry, corn, and cotton.

Etymology

Main article: Name of Tennessee

Tennessee gets its name from an old Cherokee town called Tanasi. This town was located in what is now Monroe County, Tennessee, near the Little Tennessee River. Spanish explorers found a place called Tanasqui in the same area long ago, but we don’t know if it was the same town. The Cherokees may have taken the name from a Yuchi word meaning "brother-waters-place" or "where-the-waters-meet". The spelling "Tennessee" came from a governor of South Carolina in the 1700s. Later, in 1788, North Carolina made "Tennessee County", and in 1796, Tennessee became a state with that name.

History

Pre-European era

The first people in Tennessee were Paleo-Indians who arrived about 12,000 years ago. They were hunter-gatherers, and the land was rich with animals like mastodons. Over time, different cultures lived there, such as the Archaic, Woodland, and Mississippian peoples. They grew plants like squash and corn and built structures for ceremonies.

Exploration and colonization

Spanish explorers first entered the area in the 1500s, followed by English and French explorers. By the 1700s, French traders had set up settlements, and British settlers began arriving in the late 1700s. They formed their own small governments and later became part of the United States.

Statehood and antebellum era

Tennessee became a state in 1796. It played a role in the War of 1812 and later in the Texas Revolution. The state had both enslaved and free people, with East Tennessee often opposing slavery more than the rest of the state.

Civil War

When the Civil War began, Tennessee was split between those who wanted to stay in the Union and those who wanted to secede. It was a key state in the war, with many battles fought there. After the war, slavery was ended, and Tennessee was the first Southern state to join the Union again.

Reconstruction and late 19th century

After the Civil War, Tennessee faced challenges with racial tensions. It was one of the few Southern states not to have a military governor during Reconstruction. The state saw growth in cities like Chattanooga and Memphis, but also faced problems like epidemics and labor disputes.

Early 20th century

In the early 1900s, many African Americans moved north for better opportunities. Tennessee became known for producing illegal alcohol during Prohibition. The state also saw important events like the Scopes Trial, which debated teaching evolution in schools.

Mid-20th century to present

Tennessee played a role in World War II with the production of materials for atomic bombs. After the war, the state worked towards ending racial segregation in schools. Important court cases helped shape voting rights and environmental laws. The state also celebrated its history with events like the 1982 World's Fair in Knoxville.

Geography

Tennessee is located in the Southeastern United States. It covers an area of roughly 42,143 square miles (109,150 km²), with a small portion being water. Tennessee is bordered by eight states: Kentucky and Virginia to the north, North Carolina to the east, Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi to the south, and Arkansas and Missouri to the west. The state is divided into three regions: East Tennessee, Middle Tennessee, and West Tennessee.

The landscape of Tennessee is varied, featuring mountains, valleys, and plains. The highest point in the state is Kuwohi, reaching 6,643 feet (2,025 m) above sea level. Tennessee also has many caves, with over 10,000 documented. The state's climate is generally warm, with hot summers and mild winters, and it receives a fair amount of rain throughout the year.

Cities, towns, and counties

See also: List of municipalities in Tennessee and List of counties in Tennessee

Tennessee is divided into 95 counties, each with its own main town called a county seat. There are 340 municipalities in the state. The Office of Management and Budget identifies ten metropolitan areas in Tennessee, and four of these areas reach into nearby states.

Nashville is the capital and largest city in Tennessee, home to nearly 700,000 people. Its 13-county metropolitan area has been the biggest in the state since the early 1990s and is growing quickly, with about 2 million people. Memphis used to be the largest city until 2016 when Nashville became bigger. Memphis, with over 630,000 people, is located in Shelby County, the largest county in Tennessee by both population and size. Other important cities include Knoxville with about 190,000 people, Chattanooga with about 180,000, Clarksville with about 170,000, and Murfreesboro, the largest suburb of Nashville, with over 150,000 residents. The Tri-Cities area, made up of Kingsport, Bristol, and Johnson City, is also a notable population center.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Tennessee

In 2020, Tennessee had a population of 6,910,840 people, which was an increase of 564,735 people compared to 2010. Between 2010 and 2019, the state saw more births than deaths and many people moved there from other places. People have been moving to Tennessee from places like California, the Northeast, and the Midwest because it has a low cost of living and many job opportunities.

In 2020, about 5.7% of people in Tennessee were under age 5, 22.1% were under 18, and 17.1% were 65 or older. In 2019, about 5.5% of the population was born outside the United States. The most common countries people came from were Mexico, India, Honduras, China, and Egypt.

Ethnicity

In 2020, 6.9% of Tennessee’s population was of Hispanic or Latino origin. Most people in Tennessee are Non-Hispanic or Latino Whites, making up 70.9% of the population.

Religion

Since its early days, Tennessee has had many Christian people. About 81% of the population identifies as Christian, with many being Protestants. Other groups include Roman Catholics, Mormons, and small numbers of Muslims and Jews. About 14% of people in Tennessee are non-religious.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Tennessee

See also: List of Tennessee locations by per capita income

In 2025, Tennessee had a large economy with a value of $589.8 billion. The average income for a person was $69,131, and the average household made $54,833. About 13.6% of people lived below the poverty line. In 2019, there were over 2.7 million jobs and around 140,000 businesses in the state. Tennessee is known for having lower taxes than many other states and is often considered one of the best states for its financial health. It does not collect general income tax, relying instead on sales tax to fund government services. Property taxes are the main source of money for local governments.

Taxation

See also: State income tax

Tennessee is famous for having low taxes. It is one of only nine states without a general income tax. Instead, it collects sales tax as its main source of government funding. The sales tax rate is 7% for most items, which is among the highest in the country. Local areas add extra sales tax, making the total rate even higher. Property taxes are the primary way local governments raise money.

Agriculture

Tennessee has many farms, covering over 40% of the state’s land. The main farming products include beef cattle, broilers, poultry, soybeans, corn, and cotton. Tennessee is also known for growing tobacco, especially burley tobacco, as well as tomatoes and other plants. The state is a top producer of hardwood and has a famous horse breed called the Tennessee Walking Horse. Other important farm products include hay, wheat, eggs, snap beans, mules, goat meat, and timber.

Industry

Before World War II, Tennessee was mostly a farming state. However, with help from government projects in the 1930s and 1940s, it grew into an industrial state. Today, Tennessee has many factories making goods worth over $29 billion each year. The automotive industry is very important, with large factories from Nissan, General Motors, Volkswagen, and Ford. Other key industries include food and drink products, chemicals, metals, electrical equipment, and consumer electronics.

Business and technology

Tennessee has many different kinds of businesses. Big companies include FedEx, AutoZone, International Paper, and others. Most businesses in Tennessee are small. Since the 1990s, the area around Oak Ridge and Knoxville has become a center for technology companies. Oak Ridge National Laboratory does important research in many areas, including energy and materials science. Tennessee is also becoming a place for advanced nuclear power technology and technology companies, especially around Nashville.

Energy and mineral production

Further information: List of power stations in Tennessee and List of power stations operated by the Tennessee Valley Authority

Most of Tennessee’s electricity comes from the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). Nuclear power is the biggest source, followed by coal, natural gas, and hydroelectric power. Tennessee was an early leader in hydroelectric power and is still one of the top states for it. The state has small amounts of coal and oil, but it is a major producer of ball clay and other minerals like sand, gravel, and marble. In the past, Tennessee was known for copper mining, which caused environmental damage.

Tourism

Tennessee is a popular place to visit, welcoming over 126 million tourists in 2019. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the United States. Other top attractions include Dollywood, the Tennessee State Museum, Graceland, Lookout Mountain, and many historic sites. The state also has beautiful parks, rivers, and scenic byways that attract visitors from around the world.

Culture

Further information: Literature of Tennessee

Tennessee has a rich culture that mixes influences from Appalachian and Southern traditions. These traditions come from the state's history with English, Scotch-Irish, and African roots. The state's three main areas, called Grand Divisions, each have their own cultural flavors. East Tennessee is known for its Appalachian heritage, while Middle and West Tennessee are linked to Upland Southern culture, and sometimes even Deep Southern culture. Memphis in West Tennessee is often thought of as part of the Deep South.

Tennessee is famous for its music. The state helped shape many kinds of popular music, especially country. Well-known writers from Tennessee include Cormac McCarthy, Peter Taylor, James Agee, Frances Hodgson Burnett, Thomas S. Stribling, Ida B. Wells, Nikki Giovanni, Shelby Foote, Ann Patchett, Ishmael Reed, and Randall Jarrell. Tennessee foods that many people love are Memphis-style barbecue, Nashville hot chicken, and Tennessee whiskey.

Music

Main articles: Music of Tennessee and Music of East Tennessee

Tennessee has been very important for many types of American music, like blues, country, rock and roll, rockabilly, soul, bluegrass, Contemporary Christian, and gospel. Many think of Memphis's Beale Street as a key place for the blues, where musicians such as W. C. Handy performed long ago. Memphis was home to Sun Records, where famous musicians such as Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison, and Charlie Rich started their careers. This is where rock and roll began in the 1950s. Stax Records in Memphis became a top label for soul music, and a special kind of soul music called Memphis soul grew there. The 1927 Victor recording sessions in Bristol are thought to be the start of country music, and the Grand Ole Opry helped make Nashville famous as the heart of country music.

Many museums and historic sites in Tennessee show the state's role in music. These include Sun Studio, Memphis Rock N' Soul Museum, Stax Museum of American Soul Music, and Blues Hall of Fame in Memphis, the Ryman Auditorium, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum, National Museum of African American Music, and Music Row in Nashville, the International Rock-A-Billy Museum in Jackson, the Mountain Music Museum in Kingsport, and the Birthplace of Country Music Museum in Bristol. The Rockabilly Hall of Fame, an online museum, is also in Nashville. Tennessee hosts many music festivals, with big ones like the Beale Street Music Festival in Memphis, the CMA Music Festival in Nashville, Bonnaroo in Manchester, and Riverbend in Chattanooga.

Education

See also: List of school districts in Tennessee and List of high schools in Tennessee

Education in Tennessee is managed by the Tennessee Department of Education. The state Board of Education has 11 members, including one from each Congressional district, a student member, and the executive director of the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, who helps guide the system.

Public schools are run by local districts in counties and cities, and they follow rules set by the state. About 1 million students in grades K–12 go to school across 137 districts. In 2021, about 89% of high school students graduated, which was a little lower than the year before. Tennessee spends around $9,544 for each student each year, which is among the lower amounts in the country.

Colleges and universities

Main article: List of colleges and universities in Tennessee

The Tennessee Higher Education Commission helps manage public colleges and universities. The University of Tennessee system has main campuses in Knoxville, Chattanooga, Martin, and Pulaski, plus special centers in Memphis and Tullahoma. The Tennessee Board of Regents runs many community colleges and technical schools across the state.

In 2014, Tennessee started the Tennessee Promise. This program lets local high school graduates attend community colleges or trade schools for free, paying for it with money from the state lottery. This was part of a plan by Governor Bill Haslam to help more people earn college degrees. Many other states have started similar programs because of this idea.

Tennessee has many private colleges, including Vanderbilt University in Nashville, which is known for its research work. The state also has several important historic colleges that focus on supporting Black students. Nashville is sometimes called the "Athens of the South" because of its many schools and universities.

Media

See also: List of television stations in Tennessee, List of newspapers in Tennessee, and List of radio stations in Tennessee

Tennessee has over 120 newspapers. Some of the biggest ones include The Tennessean in Nashville, The Commercial Appeal in Memphis, and The Knoxville News Sentinel. There are also many television stations and more than 450 radio stations across the state. One famous radio show, the Grand Ole Opry, has been on the air in Nashville since 1925.

Transportation

The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) is in charge of keeping Tennessee's roads, airports, railroads, and waterways in good condition. Tennessee is one of only five states without any debts related to transportation.

Tennessee has many miles of roads, including 96,167 miles in total. About 14,109 miles of these roads are kept up by the state. One thousand two hundred thirty-three miles are part of the Interstate Highway System. While Tennessee has no roads or bridges that charge fees, it has many lanes for cars with many passengers, especially around Nashville and Memphis. The state sees a lot of traffic, especially from trucks, which causes congestion in some areas.

Interstate 40 (I-40) is the longest interstate highway in Tennessee, stretching 455 miles. It connects major cities like Memphis, Nashville, and Knoxville. Other important interstate highways include I-24, I-26, I-55, I-65, I-75, and I-81, which help connect different parts of the state.

Airports

Main article: List of airports in Tennessee

Tennessee has several important airports, such as Nashville International Airport, Memphis International Airport, and McGhee Tyson Airport near Knoxville. Memphis International Airport is very busy for cargo flights because it is a major hub for FedEx. The state also has many smaller airports for private planes and 148 places where helicopters can land.

Railroads

Main article: List of Tennessee railroads

For train travel, Memphis and Newbern have service from Amtrak’s City of New Orleans line, which runs between Chicago and New Orleans. Nashville has its own commuter rail service called WeGo Star. Tennessee has many miles of tracks for freight trains, mostly owned by CSX Transportation, with Norfolk Southern Railway also operating in parts of the state. BNSF runs a big freight center in Memphis.

Waterways

Tennessee has 976 miles of rivers that can be used for boats, ranking 11th in the United States. These include the Mississippi, Tennessee, and Cumberland rivers. The Port of Memphis is one of the biggest ports in the country, and the second largest on the Mississippi River.

Law and government

Main article: Government of Tennessee

The Constitution of Tennessee was adopted in 1870. Before that, Tennessee had two earlier constitutions. The first was created in 1796 when Tennessee joined the United States, and the second in 1834. Since 1826, Nashville has been the capital of Tennessee. The capital was in other cities before that.

Tennessee’s government, like the national government, has three parts. The leader is the governor, who serves for four years and can be re-elected once. The current governor is Bill Lee, a Republican. The governor works with many departments to help run the state.

The state’s lawmakers are called the Tennessee General Assembly. It has two groups: the 33-member Senate and the 99-member House of Representatives. Senators serve four years, and House members serve two years. They meet for about 90 days every two years.

Tennessee’s highest court is the state Supreme Court. It has a chief justice and four other judges. The state has many courts to handle different types of cases.

Tennessee has several law enforcement groups, such as the Tennessee Highway Patrol for road safety and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation for solving crimes.

The state has 95 counties. Most cities and towns have their own local governments.

Tennessee sends nine representatives to the United States House of Representatives. The state’s U.S. senators are Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty, both Republicans.

The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians is Tennessee’s only federally recognized Native American tribe.

Politics

See also: Political party strength in Tennessee

The politics of Tennessee is mainly led by the Republican Party. Right now, Republicans hold both of the state's U.S. Senate seats, eight out of nine Congressional seats, 75 of 99 state House seats, and 27 of 33 state Senate seats. The Democratic Party has more support in cities like Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga, and Clarksville, as well as some suburban areas.

Tennessee is one of thirteen states that holds its presidential primaries on Super Tuesday. The state does not require voters to state their party when registering, but voters need to show a photo ID. Tennessee also has many people who cannot vote because of certain legal issues.

Historical political alignment

In the past, Tennessee was mostly Democratic, but it also had many Republicans. After the Civil War, many African Americans joined the Republican Party and held office. But later, laws were passed that made it harder for African Americans to vote. It wasn't until the Voting Rights Act of 1965 that African Americans got their voting rights back.

In the 20th century, Tennessee sometimes voted for Democratic and sometimes for Republican presidents. In recent years, Tennessee has become more strongly Republican, especially in rural areas.

State elections

See also: Elections in Tennessee

Republicans took full control of Tennessee's state government for the first time since the Civil War in 2008. Since then, they have kept strong control over the state legislature.

The current legislature, the 114th Tennessee General Assembly, started in January 2025 with Republicans holding most seats.

Federal elections

Tennessee used to be a state that could go either way in presidential elections, but it has voted Republican in every election since 2000. The Republican Party has become stronger in Tennessee over the past few decades.

Tennessee's two U.S. senators are in classes 1 and 2. Tennessee has nine U.S. House of Representatives seats since the 1980 census, and control has changed hands three times since then. Right now, eight representatives are Republican and one is a Democrat.

Sports

Tennessee has several popular sports teams and events. The state has four major professional teams: the Tennessee Titans in football, the Nashville Predators in hockey, the Memphis Grizzlies in basketball, and Nashville SC in soccer.

In addition to these, Tennessee has many smaller teams and college programs. The state also hosts exciting racing events, like those at the Bristol Motor Speedway, and a golf tournament in Memphis.