Where Are People Moving in Tennessee — And Why It Matters

Tennessee's population growth isn't news at this point — it's been one of the faster-growing states for years. What's more useful to understand is where within the state that growth is actually landing, since it isn't spread evenly. Some counties are adding residents by the tens of thousands. Others, even close to major cities, are growing much more slowly.

That distinction matters whether you're relocating, investing, or just trying to understand what's happening around you. This post breaks down Tennessee's growth at the state level, then looks at the specific counties around Nashville and Knoxville driving most of it — and what's actually pulling people there.

Key Takeaways

• Tennessee's population reached 7,315,076 as of July 1, 2025, up 5.8% since the 2020 Census, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
• Most of the state's net migration between 2010 and 2019 came from domestic movers, particularly from California, the Northeast, and the Midwest.
• Growth around Nashville is concentrated in specific counties tied to major employers — Rutherford (Nissan, Amazon), Maury/Spring Hill (GM, LG Energy Solutions), and Williamson (income and lifestyle draw).
• Around Knoxville, growth splits between manufacturing-driven Blount County and tourism-driven Sevier County.

Tennessee's Growth, By the Numbers

Tennessee's population stood at 7,315,076 as of July 1, 2025, a 5.8% increase since the April 2020 Census count of 6,910,840, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That 2020 figure itself represented an 8.9% jump from 2010's 6,346,105 residents.

Between 2010 and 2019, the state added roughly 259,342 residents through net domestic migration, 79,086 through international migration, and 143,253 through natural increase (births minus deaths), per Census-sourced data. Migrants have come disproportionately from California, the Northeast, and the Midwest, drawn largely by lower cost of living and job growth.

Middle Tennessee's Growth Corridors

Around Nashville, growth is concentrated in a handful of counties, each with a distinct driver:

Figures from U.S. Census Bureau decennial counts and Census population estimates; see notes below for exact vintages.

Rutherford County's growth is expected to continue: a University of Tennessee study projects it will become the state's third-largest county by 2050. Spring Hill, meanwhile, was named the 4th fastest-growing city in Tennessee by the Census Bureau, driven almost entirely by manufacturing investment.

East Tennessee's Growth Around Knoxville

Knoxville's metro area grew from 837,571 in 2010 to 903,300 in 2020 — about 7.8% for the decade, more modest than Nashville's fastest-growing suburbs but still consistent expansion. Two counties tell most of that story:

Blount County, home to Maryville and bordering the Great Smoky Mountains, grew from 105,823 in 2000 to 135,280 in 2020 (+27.8% over two decades), anchored by manufacturing — Denso Manufacturing Tennessee alone employs around 3,000 people — plus its position within the Knoxville metro area.

Sevier County, home to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, grew from 89,889 in 2010 to 98,380 in 2020, driven almost entirely by tourism rather than commuter growth. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park draws more than 10 million visitors annually, and Dollywood alone admits nearly 3 million guests a year, making Sevier County home to one of the state's largest tourism economies.

Why Are People Moving to Tennessee?

Cost of living and job growth are the two most-cited drivers, and Census migration data backs that up: between 2010 and 2019, net domestic migration into Tennessee totaled roughly 259,342 people, with disproportionate inflows from California, the Northeast, and the Midwest.

What's the Fastest-Growing County in Tennessee?

By percentage growth, Maury County's Spring Hill has outpaced most of the state, growing about 72% between 2010 and 2020 and adding nearly 9,400 more residents by 2024. The Census Bureau named it the state's 4th fastest-growing city, driven largely by GM's manufacturing plant and LG Energy Solutions' $2.3 billion battery facility.

FAQ

Is Nashville still growing? Yes, though growth has shifted toward surrounding counties rather than the city core. Rutherford, Williamson, Wilson, and Maury counties have all added tens of thousands of residents over the past 5-15 years, while the broader Nashville metro area has grown into one of the nation's larger metros at over 2 million residents.

Where are people moving from to Tennessee? Census migration data from 2010-2019 shows disproportionate inflows from California, the Northeast, and the Midwest, generally citing lower cost of living and job opportunities as primary motivators.

Is Knoxville growing as fast as Nashville's suburbs? Not quite at the same pace. The Knoxville metro grew about 7.8% between 2010 and 2020, while some Nashville-area counties like Maury grew by 70% or more in the same period — though Knoxville-area counties like Blount have shown steady, sustained growth over two decades.

Does Tennessee's tax structure play a role in migration? Tennessee has no state income tax on wages, which is frequently cited as a factor in relocation decisions, though it's one of several factors alongside job growth and cost of living rather than the sole driver.

Why work with a specialist who tracks these growth corridors? Growth doesn't move evenly across a metro area — it clusters around specific employers, infrastructure, and lifestyle draws. A specialist familiar with these patterns can help you understand which areas are positioned for continued growth versus which have already priced it in.

Practical Next Steps

• If you're relocating for work: Look at the county where your employer or industry is concentrated — Rutherford and Maury counties for manufacturing and logistics, Williamson for corporate and professional roles.
• If you're investing: Weigh established growth (Williamson, Blount) against still-accelerating growth (Maury/Spring Hill, Rutherford) depending on your timeline and risk tolerance.
• If lifestyle matters more than commute: Sevier County's tourism economy and Williamson County's amenities represent very different versions of quality of life — worth visiting both before deciding.
• Before buying in a fast-growing county: Ask about current infrastructure and school capacity, since rapid growth can outpace both in the short term.

The Bottom Line

Tennessee's growth isn't one story — it's several, playing out differently in Rutherford County's job-driven expansion, Spring Hill's manufacturing boom, Williamson County's established wealth, and Sevier County's tourism economy. Understanding which story applies to a given area matters more than the statewide growth number by itself.

If you're trying to figure out which part of Middle or East Tennessee actually fits your move, Morrell Property Collective can walk through the specifics with you. Call us at (615) 593-3103 to talk through your options.