Tennessee’s population has officially surpassed 7 million, according to data compiled by the U.S. Census Bureau. Between 2021-2022, the state’s population increased by 1.2 percent.
As of July 1, 2022, a total of 7,051,339 residents were living in the Volunteer State, up from 6,968,351 at the same time in 2021, the Census Bureau reports. This is the state’s biggest population increase since 2007, according to the Tennessee State Data Center.
Tennessee’s top ten counties all experienced large population growths from July 2021 to July 2022. Rutherford County saw an increase of 9,417 residents; Knox County increased by 7,762; Montgomery County increased by 7,360; Wilson County increased by 6,545; Hamilton County increased by 5,655; Davidson County increased by 4,772; Williamson increased by 4,606; Sumner County increased by 3,276; Maury County increased by 3,156; and Washington County increased by 2,647.
Out of Tennessee’s 95 counties, only 12 lost residents year-over-year.
From 2021 to 2022, Shelby County lost 6.981 residents; Haywood County lost 165; Lauderdale County lost 129; Crockett County lost 105; Dyer County lost 176; Obion County lost 104; Lake County lost 90; Wayne County lost 28; Humphreys County lost 94; Houston County lost 63; Bledsoe County lost 46; and Sevier County lost 646.
Within a year, international migration greatly increased from a total of 3,113 in 2021 to 8,096 in 2022. Domestic migration increased as well, as Tennessee went from welcoming 50,450 out-of-state residents in 2021 to 81,646 in 2022.
The Census Bureau’s data falls in line with a recent report by Allied Van Lines, an American moving company, which showed Tennessee to be a top relocation state in the nation for movers. In regards to inbound moves to the state, Tennessee ranked fourth in the nation during 2022, according to data compiled by the Allied Magnet States Report and reported on by The Tennessee Star.
In addition, during 2021, Tennessee ranked third in the nation for growth in moves to the state, according to data compiled at the time by the moving company U-Haul.
– – –
Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network.
Photo “Allied Van Lines” by Allied Van Lines.
