Tennessee
Capital: Nashville · South · Volunteer State
State Statistics
| Population | 6.91M |
| GDP | $432.0B |
| Area | 109,153 km² |
| Capital | Nashville |
| Largest City | Memphis |
| Political Lean | Unknown |
About Tennessee
Tennessee occupies a pivotal place in American music, history, and culture: Nashville is the global capital of country music and a booming 'It City' attracting transplants from across the country, while Memphis gave birth to the blues, soul, and rock and roll on Beale Street and in Sun Studio. The state produces more whiskey brands than any other — Jack Daniel's and George Dickel among them — with the notable irony that many distilleries operate in dry counties where local alcohol sales are prohibited. Tennessee's economy is anchored by healthcare (HCA Healthcare, Vanderbilt Medical Center), automotive manufacturing (Volkswagen in Chattanooga, Nissan in Smyrna, GM in Spring Hill), and a surging technology sector, all enhanced by the complete absence of a state income tax — Tennessee repealed its last income tax in 2021, leaving residents with no tax on wages or investment income.
Major Cities
Memphis
Memphis, on the Mississippi River bluffs, is the birthplace of the blues, soul, and rock and roll — Beale Street, Sun Studio (where Elvis, Johnny Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis first recorded), and Grac...
Knoxville
Knoxville anchors eastern Tennessee at the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains, serving as the region's commercial and educational hub. Home to the University of Tennessee and its legendary Neylan...
Chattanooga
Chattanooga, perched in a dramatic river bend flanked by Lookout Mountain and Signal Mountain, has undergone one of America's most remarkable urban revivals — once ranked among the most polluted ci...
Key Industries
Healthcare & Medical Services 15.2% GDP
Manufacturing (automotive, chemicals) 14.8% GDP
Finance, Insurance & Real Estate 13.5% GDP
Trade, Transportation & Utilities 12.4% GDP
Music, Entertainment & Tourism 5.8% GDP
Notable Universities
| University | City | Type | Founded | Students |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville | Private research university | 1873 | 14K |
| University of Tennessee, Knoxville | Knoxville | Public research university (flagship) | 1794 | 34K |
| University of Memphis | Memphis | Public research university | 1912 | 22K |
| Tennessee State University | Nashville | Public HBCU (land-grant) | 1912 | 8K |