Tennessee: government, population and official figures

Tennessee is a state of the United States, number 15 of 51 by population. Tennessee had an estimated 7,315,076 residents on 1 July 2025, 2.1% of the population of the 50 states and DC; 15th largest of 51. In the year to 1 July 2025 the population grew by 0.88%, 10th fastest-growing of 51.

Who runs Tennessee?

The governor is Bill Lee. Governor's office. Phone: 1-615-741-2001. Address: 1st Floor, State Capitol Nashville , TN 37243.

In depth

• Economy, jobs and prices in Tennessee: The economy of Tennessee (gross domestic product) was worth $586.2 billion in 2025 at current prices, 1.9% of the US total of $30.86 trillion; 16th largest of 51. In current dollars it was up 4.9% on 2024.
• Health in Tennessee: Life expectancy at birth in Tennessee was 73.8 years in 2022, 6th shortest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 77.5 years), according to NCHS state life tables.
• Education in Tennessee: 90.4% of public high school students in Tennessee graduated within four years of starting ninth grade in the 2021-22 school year (the adjusted cohort graduation rate); 2nd highest among the 49 states (including DC) with data (U.S.: 86.6%).
• Poverty and living standards in Tennessee: The Census Bureau estimates that 13.3% of people in Tennessee lived below the federal poverty line in 2024, about 942,730 people; joint 13th highest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 12.1%).
• Government budget and revenue in Tennessee: Tennessee's state government took in $49.5 billion in fiscal year 2024, $6,833 per resident, 4th lowest of 50 states per person (all states: $9,318 per person). The total includes taxes, federal funds, charges and pension-fund investment income.

Official bodies in Tennessee

• Tennessee
• Department of Agriculture
• Department of Human Services
• Division of Consumer Affairs
• Department of Correction
• Local governments
• District Attorneys General Conference
• Department of Education
• Elections
• Emergency Management Agency
• Department of Health
• Motor Vehicles
• Office of the Attorney General

Largest cities in Tennessee

1. Nashville 721,074 (2025)
2. Memphis 609,647 (2025)
3. Knoxville 202,021 (2025)
4. Chattanooga 194,144 (2025)
5. Clarksville 188,829 (2025)
6. Murfreesboro 171,178 (2025)
7. Franklin 90,226 (2025)
8. Johnson City 74,943 (2025)
9. Jackson 69,339 (2025)
10. Hendersonville 64,266 (2025)
11. Smyrna 63,321 (2025)
12. Spring Hill 61,336 (2025)
13. Kingsport 57,530 (2025)
14. Bartlett 56,416 (2025)
15. Gallatin 54,590 (2025)
16. Lebanon 53,412 (2025)
17. Collierville 51,909 (2025)
18. Cleveland 51,172 (2025)
19. Columbia 50,072 (2025)

How states are governed in the United States

States (50). Governor and state legislature directly elected. Hold all powers not given to the federal government (10th Amendment); create and control local governments.

Every tier of government in the United States

Other states of the United States

• California 39,355,309
• Texas 31,709,821
• Florida 23,462,518
• New York 20,002,427
• Pennsylvania 13,059,432
• Illinois 12,719,141
• Ohio 11,900,510
• Georgia 11,302,748
• North Carolina 11,197,968
• Michigan 10,127,884
• New Jersey 9,548,215
• Virginia 8,880,107
• Washington 8,001,020
• Arizona 7,623,818
• Massachusetts 7,154,084
• Indiana 6,973,333
• Missouri 6,270,541
• Maryland 6,265,347
• Colorado 6,012,561
• Wisconsin 5,972,787
• Minnesota 5,830,405
• South Carolina 5,570,274
• Alabama 5,193,088
• Louisiana 4,618,189
• Kentucky 4,606,864
• Oregon 4,273,586
• Oklahoma 4,123,288
• Connecticut 3,688,496
• Utah 3,538,904
• Nevada 3,282,188
• Iowa 3,238,387
• Arkansas 3,114,791
• Kansas 2,977,220
• Mississippi 2,954,160
• New Mexico 2,125,498
• Idaho 2,029,733
• Nebraska 2,018,006
• West Virginia 1,766,147
• Hawaii 1,432,820
• New Hampshire 1,415,342
• Maine 1,414,874
• Montana 1,144,694
• Rhode Island 1,114,521
• Delaware 1,059,952
• South Dakota 935,094
• North Dakota 799,358
• Alaska 737,270
• District of Columbia 693,645
• Vermont 644,663
• Wyoming 588,753

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Sources

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