What is Tennessee?

Tennessee is a landlocked state in the southeastern United States, bordered by eight states — more than any other in the nation. Stretching 440 miles from east to west, it spans three distinct geographic regions: the Appalachian Mountains in the east, the rolling hills of Middle Tennessee, and the Mississippi Delta lowlands in the west. This diversity in landscape mirrors the diversity in its people, its culture, and its economy.

Tennessee became the 16th state in the union on June 1, 1796, making it one of the oldest states in the South. Its nickname, the Volunteer State, dates to the War of 1812, when Governor Willie Blount called for 3,500 volunteers and over 30,000 men answered.

Geography & Landscape

Few states can claim such dramatic geographic variety. Eastern Tennessee is dominated by the Great Smoky Mountains, the most-visited national park in the United States, drawing over 12 million visitors annually. The region includes the highest peak east of the Mississippi, Clingmans Dome at 6,643 feet.

Middle Tennessee is home to the Nashville Basin, a fertile limestone plain that made this region the agricultural and political heart of the state. To the south, the Tennessee Valley — carved by the Tennessee River — provides some of the most scenic and historically significant landscapes in the country.

In the west, Memphis sits on the bluffs above the Mississippi River, a city shaped by the Delta and the birthplace of the blues, rock and roll, and a barbecue tradition that rivals any in the world.

People & Demographics

Tennessee’s population surpassed 7.1 million residents and has been growing rapidly. The state is among the top five fastest-growing in the nation, driven by domestic migration from higher-tax states, a strong job market, and a quality of life that blends urban amenities with outdoor access. Nashville alone adds roughly 100 people per day.

Tennessee’s population is approximately 75% white, 17% Black or African American, 6% Hispanic or Latino, and 2% Asian — a demographic profile that reflects its Deep South heritage alongside its growing cosmopolitan profile in its major cities.

Why People Move to Tennessee

Tennessee consistently ranks among the most popular destination states in the country for domestic migrants. The reasons are straightforward: no state income tax, a cost of living well below the national average, a warm climate, world-class outdoor recreation, and cities that punch above their weight in culture, food, and music. Nashville, Knoxville, and Chattanooga all rank among the most livable mid-sized cities in the US.