Tennessee

Basic Information

Tennessee, located in the southeastern region of the United States, is known for its diverse geography spanning from the Appalachian Mountains in the east to the Mississippi River in the west, and for its pivotal role in American music history.

Capital

• Nashville

Largest City

• Memphis

Area

• 42,143 sq mi (36th largest)

Population

• 6.97 million (2020, 16th most populous state)

Demographics

Tennessee has a growing and increasingly diverse population, with significant urban centers as well as extensive rural communities.

Ethnic Composition

• White:77.6%
• Black:16.7%
• Hispanic:5.7%
• Asian:2.0%
• Multiracial:2.2%

Languages

• English:94.8%
• Spanish:3.5%
• Arabic:0.3%
• Other Languages:1.4%

Age Distribution

• Under 18:22.1%
• 18-64:61.9%
• 65+:16.0%

Population Growth

• Annual Rate:0.9%
• Natural Increase:12,000
• Migration:Significant influx from other states

Economy

Tennessee has a diverse economy with strengths in manufacturing, healthcare, music and entertainment, agriculture, and tourism. The state has actively recruited business investment with low taxes and business-friendly policies.

GDP

• $418.3 billion (2022)

Major Industries

• Healthcare
• Automotive Manufacturing
• Music & Entertainment
• Transportation & Logistics
• Agriculture

Employment Rate

• Employed:96.4%
• Unemployment:3.6%

Major Companies

• FedEx
• HCA Healthcare
• Dollar General
• Nissan North America
• Jack Daniel's

Climate

Tennessee has a humid subtropical climate with four distinct seasons, though variations exist between the higher elevations in the east and the lower areas in the west.

Eastern Mountains

• Avg. Summer:75-85°F
• Avg. Winter:30-45°F
• Rainfall:45-55 inches/year
• Snowfall:10-15+ inches/year in higher elevations

Middle Tennessee

• Avg. Summer:85-90°F
• Avg. Winter:30-50°F
• Rainfall:50-55 inches/year
• Snowfall:5-10 inches/year

Western Lowlands

• Avg. Summer:90-95°F
• Avg. Winter:35-55°F
• Rainfall:50-55 inches/year
• Snowfall:5 inches/year or less

Weather Patterns

• Thunderstorms common in spring and summer
• Tornado risk, particularly in western regions
• Occasional winter ice storms
• Fall foliage season in the mountains

Visiting Tennessee

Tennessee attracts millions of visitors annually with its music heritage, stunning natural beauty, historical sites, and Southern hospitality.

Best Time to Visit

• Spring:April-May (mild weather, festivals)
• Fall:September-October (foliage, pleasant temperatures)
• Summer:June-August (peak tourism, hot and humid)
• Winter:December-February (less crowded, occasional snow in mountains)

Transportation

• Major Airports:Nashville International, Memphis International, McGhee Tyson (Knoxville)
• Interstates:I-40, I-65, I-75, I-24, I-81, I-26
• Amtrak:Service in Memphis
• Regional bus services

Accommodation

• Hotels:1,800+
• Cabin Rentals:Popular in mountain regions
• Camping Sites:700+ across state parks and private facilities
• Average Hotel Rate:$130/night (higher in Nashville and tourist areas)

Tourist Information

• Visitor Centers:Located along major highways and in tourist destinations
• Tourism Website:TNVacation.com
• Info Hotline:1-800-GO2-TENN
• Regional tourism offices throughout the state

Popular Attractions

Tennessee offers diverse attractions from natural wonders to musical landmarks and historical sites.

Music & Entertainment

• Grand Ole Opry & Country Music Hall of Fame (Nashville)
• Graceland (Memphis)
• Beale Street (Memphis)
• Dollywood (Pigeon Forge)
• Bristol Birthplace of Country Music Museum

Natural Attractions

• Great Smoky Mountains National Park
• Fall Creek Falls State Park
• Cumberland Caverns
• Reelfoot Lake
• Ocoee River

Historical Sites

• The Hermitage (Andrew Jackson's Home)
• Civil War Battlefields (Shiloh, Franklin, Chattanooga)
• National Civil Rights Museum (Memphis)
• Tennessee State Capitol
• Jack Daniel's Distillery (Lynchburg)

Popular Cities & Regions

• Nashville
• Memphis
• Knoxville
• Chattanooga
• Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge

History

Tennessee's rich history spans from ancient Native American settlements through frontier development, Civil War division, and emergence as a cultural and industrial center.

Early History

• Indigenous Peoples:Cherokee, Chickasaw, Shawnee, Creek
• European Exploration:Spanish and French, 1500s-1600s
• British Control:1763-1776
• Watauga Association:1772 (first self-governing body)

18th-19th Century

• State of Franklin:1784-1788 (failed state)
• Southwest Territory:1790-1796
• Statehood:June 1, 1796 (16th state)
• Removal of Cherokee (Trail of Tears):1838
• Civil War:Seceded 1861, significant battlefield state

20th Century

• TVA Development:1930s
• Oak Ridge/Manhattan Project:1940s
• Civil Rights Movement
• Growth of Nashville Music Industry
• Industrial Development

Recent History

• Economic Diversification
• Urban Growth (Nashville, Memphis, Chattanooga)
• Tourism Expansion
• Technology Sector Development
• Population Growth from Migration

State Symbols

Tennessee has adopted various official state symbols that represent its cultural heritage, natural resources, and unique identity.

State Animals

• State Wild Animal:

  Raccoon
• State Bird:

  Mockingbird
• State Game Bird:

  Bobwhite Quail
• State Fish:

  Channel Catfish
• State Insects:

  Firefly and Lady Beetle

State Plants

• State Flower:

  Iris
• State Wildflower:

  Passion Flower
• State Tree:

  Tulip Poplar
• State Fruit:

  Tomato
• State Agricultural Insect:

  Honey Bee

Cultural Symbols

• State Songs:

  10 official songs including "Rocky Top"
• State Instrument:

  Tennessee-made Fiddle
• State Dance:

  Square Dance
• State Beverage:

  Milk
• State Poem:

  "Oh Tennessee, My Tennessee"

Other Symbols

• State Rocks:

  Limestone and Agate
• State Gem:

  Tennessee Pearl
• State Fossil:

  Pterotrigonia thoracica
• State Artifact:

  "Sandy" stone statue
• State Rifle:

  M1917 Enfield

State Facts

Interesting and unique facts about Tennessee that showcase its distinctive character and contributions.

Geographic Facts

• Highest Point:

  Clingmans Dome (6,643 ft)
• Lowest Point:

  Mississippi River (178 ft)
• Bordered by 8 states (tied for most in US)
• Three Grand Divisions:

  East, Middle, and West Tennessee
• Over 9,000 documented caves

Records & Rankings

• Music Capital of the United States
• Great Smoky Mountains:

  Most visited national park in US
• Memphis:

  Largest spot cotton market in world
• Nashville:

  Largest publisher of religious music in world
• Oak Ridge:

  Site of world's first nuclear reactor for peaceful purposes

Notable Firsts

• First state readmitted to Union after Civil War (1866)
• First Gold record (recorded in Bristol, 1927)
• First Coca-Cola bottling company (Chattanooga, 1899)
• First Piggly Wiggly self-service grocery store (Memphis, 1916)
• First statewide public school systems in the South (1830s)

Unique Features

• Home to three presidential homesteads (Jackson, Johnson, Polk)
• Only state with a nuclear energy laboratory (Oak Ridge)
• Tennessee Whiskey legally defined production method
• Tennessee Valley Authority:

  Largest public power provider in US
• Official state flag design incorporates three stars (representing three Grand Divisions)

Government & Politics

Tennessee operates under a republican form of government with executive, legislative, and judicial branches. The state's political landscape has shifted from historically Democratic to predominantly Republican in recent decades.

Governor

• Bill Lee (as of 2021)

Legislature

• Bicameral:33-member Senate and 99-member House of Representatives

Political Trends

• Historically Democratic, now strongly Republican at state level

Key Political Issues

• Economic Development
• Education Reform
• Healthcare Access
• Infrastructure
• Tax Policy

Time Zones

Tennessee is divided between two time zones, split roughly along the Cumberland Plateau.

Eastern Tennessee

• Eastern Time Zone (UTC -5)

Middle and Western Tennessee

• Central Time Zone (UTC -6)

Daylight Saving Time

• Observed statewide

Boundary

• Counties in Eastern Time:21 counties, mostly in East Tennessee
• Counties in Central Time:74 counties, including Nashville and Memphis
• The time zone boundary roughly follows the eastern edge of the Cumberland Plateau

Education

Tennessee provides comprehensive educational services from pre-K through university level, with significant reforms in recent years focused on improving educational outcomes.

Higher Education

• University of Tennessee System (4 campuses)
• Tennessee Board of Regents System (community and technical colleges)
• Tennessee Independent Colleges and Universities Association
• Tennessee Promise (free community college program)

Notable Institutions

• Vanderbilt University
• University of Tennessee, Knoxville
• Rhodes College
• East Tennessee State University
• University of Memphis

K-12 System

• 146 public school districts
• Approximately 1,800 schools
• Student-to-teacher ratio:15:1
• School choice options expanding

Key Educational Initiatives

• Tennessee Promise & Tennessee Reconnect (free college programs)
• Drive to 55 (55% college attainment goal)
• Read to be Ready (literacy initiative)
• STEM education expansion
• Career and Technical Education emphasis

Culture & Festivals

Tennessee's cultural scene is dominated by its rich musical heritage, but also includes diverse celebrations of food, art, history, and regional traditions.

Music Festivals

• CMA Music Festival (Nashville)
• Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival (Manchester)
• Memphis in May International Festival & Beale Street Music Festival
• Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion
• Rhythm N' Blooms (Knoxville)

Cultural Celebrations

• Nashville Film Festival
• World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest (Memphis)
• National Storytelling Festival (Jonesborough)
• Chattanooga Riverbend Festival
• Tennessee Williams New Orleans Literary Festival

Regional Traditions

• Jack Daniel's World Championship Invitational Barbecue
• RC-MoonPie Festival (Bell Buckle)
• Dollywood's Smoky Mountain Christmas
• Uncle Dave Macon Days (old-time music)
• Appalachian Fair (Northeast Tennessee)

Seasonal Events

• Tennessee State Fair
• Autumn Heritage celebrations in the Smokies
• Nashville Christmas Parade
• Spring Pilgrimage (historic home tours)
• Summer Shakespeare festivals

Sports & Teams

Tennessee has a passionate sports culture, from professional franchises to college athletics and recreational activities.

Professional Teams

• Tennessee Titans (NFL, Nashville)
• Memphis Grizzlies (NBA)
• Nashville Predators (NHL)
• Nashville SC (MLS)
• Memphis 901 FC (USL Championship)

College Sports

• University of Tennessee Volunteers/Lady Vols
• Vanderbilt Commodores
• Memphis Tigers
• Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders
• East Tennessee State Buccaneers

Minor League Teams

• Nashville Sounds (Triple-A baseball)
• Memphis Redbirds (Triple-A baseball)
• Chattanooga Lookouts (Double-A baseball)
• Tennessee Smokies (Double-A baseball)
• Knoxville Ice Bears (SPHL hockey)

Notable Sporting Events

• Bristol Motor Speedway NASCAR races
• St. Jude Classic PGA tournament (Memphis)
• Music City Bowl (Nashville)
• AutoZone Liberty Bowl (Memphis)
• SEC Basketball Tournament (Nashville, occasional)

Cuisine & Local Specialties

Tennessee cuisine reflects Southern culinary traditions with regional variations and specialties, particularly in barbecue styles and distinctive local dishes.

Signature Dishes

• Memphis-style barbecue (dry rub ribs)
• Nashville Hot Chicken
• Country Ham and Biscuits
• Meat and Three (plate meals)
• Tennessee Mountain Stack Cake

Regional Specialties

• Memphis:Barbecue (pork ribs and pulled pork)
• Nashville:Hot Chicken, Goo Goo Clusters
• East Tennessee:Stack Cakes, Soup Beans, Cornbread
• Chattanooga:Moon Pies
• Knoxville:White Corn Grits

Agricultural Products

• Soybeans
• Corn
• Tobacco
• Cotton
• Tomatoes

Beverage Culture

• Tennessee Whiskey (Jack Daniel's, George Dickel)
• Craft Breweries
• Blackberry Wine
• Sweet Tea
• Moonshine (legal distilleries in tourist areas)

Infrastructure

Tennessee's infrastructure supports its position as a logistics hub and manufacturing center, with major highway corridors, river transportation, and growing urban systems.

Transportation

• Interstate Highways:I-40, I-65, I-75, I-24, I-81, I-26, I-55, I-155, I-440
• Major cargo airports:Memphis (world's second-busiest cargo airport)
• Passenger rail:Amtrak service in Memphis
• River transportation:Mississippi, Tennessee, Cumberland Rivers

Urban Systems

• Public transportation in major cities
• Nashville WeGo Transit
• Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA)
• Chattanooga Electric Shuttle
• Knoxville Area Transit (KAT)

Energy Infrastructure

• Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) power system
• Nuclear power plants
• Hydroelectric dams
• Natural gas and coal facilities
• Growing renewable energy sector

Water & Environmental

• Major dam systems on Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers
• Municipal water systems
• Wastewater treatment facilities
• Flood control systems
• Environmental monitoring networks

Notable Historical Figures

Many influential individuals have emerged from Tennessee, particularly in politics, music, and innovation.

Presidents & Political Figures

• Andrew Jackson (7th U.S. President)
• James K. Polk (11th U.S. President)
• Andrew Johnson (17th U.S. President)
• Cordell Hull (Secretary of State, Nobel Peace Prize)
• Howard Baker (Senate Majority Leader)

Music Legends

• Elvis Presley
• Dolly Parton
• Johnny Cash
• B.B. King
• Aretha Franklin

Civil Rights Leaders

• Ida B. Wells (journalist, anti-lynching crusader)
• Benjamin Hooks (NAACP Executive Director)
• James Lawson (nonviolence advocate)
• Diane Nash (Freedom Rides organizer)
• John Lewis (born in Alabama but active in Tennessee)

Other Notable Tennesseans

• Davy Crockett (frontiersman, politician)
• Sequoyah (Cherokee silversmith, created Cherokee syllabary)
• Alvin C. York (World War I hero)
• Wilma Rudolph (Olympic gold medalist)
• Pat Summitt (legendary basketball coach)

State Government Services

Tennessee provides various services to its residents through state agencies and departments.

Health & Human Services

• TennCare (Medicaid program)
• Department of Health
• Department of Human Services
• Department of Children's Services
• Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services

Economic & Employment

• Department of Economic and Community Development
• Department of Labor and Workforce Development
• Department of Revenue
• Department of Commerce and Insurance
• Department of Agriculture

Safety & Justice

• Tennessee Highway Patrol
• Tennessee Bureau of Investigation
• Department of Correction
• Department of Safety and Homeland Security
• Tennessee Emergency Management Agency

Education & Environment

• Department of Education
• Higher Education Commission
• Department of Environment and Conservation
• Wildlife Resources Agency
• State Parks system

Key Historical Documents & Landmarks

Historical documents and sites reflect Tennessee's complex history from frontier territory to modern state.

Founding Documents

• Tennessee Constitution (current version adopted 1870)
• Watauga Petition (1776)
• Cumberland Compact (1780)
• Tennessee Admission Act (1796)
• State of Franklin Constitution (1784)

Historic Sites

• The Hermitage (Andrew Jackson's home)
• Fort Loudoun (French and Indian War)
• Blount Mansion (territorial governor's home)
• Tennessee State Capitol
• Civil War battlefields (Shiloh, Stones River, Franklin)

Archival Repositories

• Tennessee State Library and Archives
• McClung Historical Collection
• Memphis Public Library History Department
• Tennessee Historical Society
• County archives throughout the state

Cultural Heritage Sites

• Ryman Auditorium (original Grand Ole Opry)
• Sun Studio (birthplace of rock and roll)
• Country Music Hall of Fame
• Alex Haley Home (Roots author)
• Cherokee cultural sites in East Tennessee

Environmental Initiatives

Tennessee manages diverse ecosystems through various conservation and sustainability programs.

Conservation Programs

• Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency initiatives
• State Natural Areas Program (85+ protected areas)
• Tennessee Heritage Conservation Trust Fund
• Urban Forestry Program
• Tennessee Healthy Watershed Initiative

Land Management

• Cherokee National Forest
• State Forest system (15 forests)
• Tennessee State Parks (56 parks)
• Land trusts and conservation easements
• Wetlands acquisition and restoration

Water Protection

• Clean Water State Revolving Fund
• Tennessee River watershed protection
• Groundwater monitoring programs
• Source Water Protection initiatives
• Dam safety programs

Energy & Sustainability

• EmPower TN (energy efficiency in state buildings)
• Tennessee Renewable Energy & Economic Development Council
• Clean Tennessee Energy Grant Program
• Electric vehicle infrastructure development
• Sustainable transportation initiatives

Major Events & Conferences

Tennessee hosts significant gatherings in fields ranging from music and entertainment to business, healthcare, and education.

Business & Industry

• Nashville Health Care Council events
• Tennessee Economic Development Council Conference
• Governor's Conference on Economic and Community Development
• Tennessee Automotive Manufacturers Association events
• Music Business Association Conference

Music & Entertainment

• Country Music Association Awards
• Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame ceremonies
• Memphis Music Hall of Fame induction
• Americana Music Festival & Conference
• Gospel Music Association Dove Awards

Educational Conferences

• Tennessee Education Association events
• Tennessee STEM Innovation Summit
• Tennessee School Boards Association Convention
• Governor's Early Literacy Foundation events
• Tennessee Educational Technology Conference

Tourism Industry

• Governor's Conference on Tourism
• Tennessee Hospitality & Tourism Association events
• Tennessee Association of Museums Conference
• International Bluegrass Music Association Business Conference
• Tennessee Main Street Program events