Tennessee
Volunteer State · Capital: Nashville · South (Upland South)
Show simplified tile view
Quick stats
Bordering states: Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Missouri.
About Tennessee
Tennessee is a long, narrow Southern state, about 440 miles from the Mississippi River to the Appalachian crest but only about 120 miles from Kentucky to Alabama, and it touches eight states, a total matched only by Missouri. Its land climbs in steps from the Mississippi floodplain across the Highland Rim, the Central Basin around Nashville and the Cumberland Plateau to the mountains on the North Carolina line, where Clingmans Dome, renamed Kuwohi in 2024, reaches 6,643 feet. East, Middle and West Tennessee are Grand Divisions written into the state constitution, and the three stars on the flag stand for them.
The Chickasaw held the western bluffs and the Overhill Cherokee lived along the Little Tennessee River, in towns including Tanasi, which gave the state its name. Settlers wrote the Watauga Association compact in 1772, and the breakaway State of Franklin lasted from 1784 to 1788. Tennessee became the 16th state on June 1, 1796. In 1838 the Army marched the Cherokee west on the Trail of Tears. Tennessee was the last state to secede, in 1861, and the first Confederate state readmitted, in 1866. In August 1920 its House ratified the Nineteenth Amendment when 24-year-old Harry Burn voted yes.
In 2020 Tennessee had 6,910,840 residents, 8.9 percent more than in 2010, and nine seats in the US House. Nashville is both capital and largest city. The Tennessee Valley Authority, created in 1933, dammed the rivers and brought public power to farms, and in 1942 the Army built Oak Ridge for the Manhattan Project. Federal Express began flying out of Memphis in 1973, and Nissan chose Smyrna for its first American plant in 1980. Nashville is known as Music City, and Memphis produced Sun Studio and Stax. Dolly Parton, born in Sevier County in 1946, and the sprinter Wilma Rudolph, a triple gold medalist in 1960, are among its best known natives.
4 fun facts about Tennessee
- Nashville is "Music City", home to country music, the Grand Ole Opry, and over 180 recording studios.
- Memphis gave the world both Elvis Presley's Graceland and the Civil Rights Museum (at the Lorraine Motel where MLK was assassinated).
- Tennessee whiskey (Jack Daniel's, George Dickel) is legally distinct from bourbon, it requires maple charcoal filtering.
- The Great Smoky Mountains hold one of the densest black bear populations in the eastern US.
More about Tennessee
Tennessee geography and climate
More fun facts about Tennessee
Frequently asked questions about Tennessee
Is Tennessee a US state?
Yes, Tennessee is one of the 50 US states. It was admitted to the Union in 1796, making it the 16th state. Its capital is Nashville and its largest city is Nashville.
What is the capital of Tennessee?
The capital of Tennessee is Nashville.
When did Tennessee become a state?
Tennessee became a US state in 1796. It is the 16th state admitted to the Union.
What is the abbreviation for Tennessee?
The 2-letter USPS abbreviation for Tennessee is TN.
How big is Tennessee?
Tennessee ranks #36 of 50 US states by area. With 167.6 residents per square mile in 2020, it was the 20th most densely populated state.
What is the population of Tennessee?
Tennessee had 6,910,840 residents at the 2020 census, the 16th largest population of the 50 states, up 8.9% since 2010. That count gives it 9 seats in the US House of Representatives.
What region is Tennessee in?
Tennessee is in the South region of the United States, per the US Census Bureau.
What time zone is Tennessee in?
Tennessee observes Central Time in Middle and West Tennessee, including Nashville and Memphis, and Eastern Time in East Tennessee.
Learn more
How to learn the 50 states (full guide)
Last updated: