Tennessee Cities by Population 2026

City
Rank
2026 Pop. ↓
2025 Pop.
Annual Change
Density (/mi²)
Area (mi²)
Type
Nashville1726,586721,0740.76%1,528476 Township
Memphis2606,132609,647-0.58%2,092290 City
Knoxville3203,991202,0210.98%2,06699 City
Chattanooga4196,582194,1441.26%1,381142 City
Clarksville5193,395188,8292.42%1,931100 City
Murfreesboro6175,165171,1782.33%2,70365 City
Franklin791,41690,2261.32%2,05345 City
Johnson City875,57574,9430.84%1,72644 City
Jackson969,55169,3390.31%1,17559 City
Smyrna1065,12763,3212.85%1,88635 Town
Hendersonville1164,76364,2660.77%2,04632 City
Spring Hill1263,40661,3363.37%2,13630 City
Kingsport1357,94757,5300.72%1,09453 City
Gallatin1456,54154,5903.57%1,58436 City
Lebanon1556,32553,4125.45%1,38541 City
Bartlett1656,24656,416-0.3%1,72333 City
Collierville1752,12651,9090.42%1,42037 Town
Cleveland1851,78451,1721.2%1,61932 City
Columbia1951,75050,0723.35%1,41836 City
Mount Juliet2046,38945,1722.69%1,72627 City
Brentwood2145,30745,313-0.01%1,07642 City
La Vergne2242,91142,1461.82%1,73625 City
Germantown2339,77340,001-0.57%1,99020 City
Cookeville2438,76938,2121.46%1,07636 City
Oak Ridge2536,22335,3952.34%42585 City
Morristown2634,13733,5171.85%1,21628 City
Maryville2732,53032,4420.27%1,83818 City
Bristol2828,27128,1070.58%86433 City
Shelbyville2926,70826,1462.15%1,36220 City
Farragut3025,54925,1211.7%1,59916 Town
East Ridge3121,87921,921-0.19%2,6428 City
Tullahoma3221,45621,2790.83%91523 City
Springfield3320,37220,0901.4%1,49214 City
Sevierville3419,00419,010-0.03%77525 City
White House3518,71717,8724.73%1,59012 City
Goodlettsville3617,43617,506-0.4%1,21014 City
Dickson3717,26317,0511.24%84520 City
Seymour3817,06716,6822.31%1,06516 CDP
Powell3916,67015,6286.67%1,9529 CDP
Greeneville4016,25816,1410.72%95717 Town
Nolensville4116,21415,7892.69%1,55210 Town
Arlington4215,88115,7031.13%66724 Town
Dyersburg4315,86415,906-0.26%91617 City
Athens4415,50615,2631.59%99616 City
Lakeland4514,53714,4220.8%61824 City
Alcoa4614,33613,6894.73%96315 City
Elizabethton4714,33514,350-0.1%1,50110 City
Manchester4814,09213,7762.29%91915 City
McMinnville4913,99613,9430.38%1,26511 City
Lewisburg5013,80013,5172.09%97014 City
Portland5113,77613,6580.86%91015 City
Soddy-Daisy5213,57613,4740.76%58623 City
Crossville5313,29113,1131.36%64621 City
Millington5413,19412,9531.86%58922 City
Lenoir City5513,04512,5304.11%1,5129 City
Hartsville5612,75812,6231.07%112114 Township
Red Bank5712,45012,4050.36%1,8987 City
Lawrenceburg5812,36912,2361.09%97713 City
Halls5911,63710,9106.66%1,3189 CDP
Middle Valley6011,60611,673-0.57%1,18910 CDP
Collegedale6111,60111,4990.89%93012 City
Oakland6211,26410,8353.96%1,07610 Town
Fairview6311,13210,8772.34%61918 City
Martin6411,10511,0600.41%89512 City
Atoka6510,78710,6451.33%88912 Town
Union City6610,74410,814-0.65%88712 City
Winchester6710,64910,4382.02%93911 City
Clinton6810,56310,4660.93%90812 City
Paris6910,53310,4680.62%81613 City
Thompson's Station709,8489,4694%41224 Town
Fairfield Glade719,6479,4811.75%41923 CDP
Jefferson City729,2549,1031.66%1,3207 City
Brownsville739,1849,301-1.26%93210 City
Signal Mountain748,8368,8240.14%1,0568 Town
Harrison758,6028,5500.61%1,2767 CDP
Bloomingdale768,5988,679-0.93%87010 CDP
Covington778,5668,585-0.22%74911 City
Milan788,4098,3670.5%9399 City
Pulaski798,3708,394-0.29%1,0698 City
Lexington808,1498,1300.23%69312 City
South Cleveland817,9417,8770.81%56514 CDP
Dayton827,9017,8191.05%9299 City
Humboldt837,8447,8410.04%75610 City
Savannah847,7477,6890.75%1,1367 City
Ripley857,4337,499-0.88%55513 City
Church Hill867,3747,2971.06%7829 City
Greenbrier877,1997,1700.4%9917 Town
Jonesborough887,1936,9902.9%1,3515 Town
Loudon897,1676,9632.93%56713 City
Tellico Village907,1577,0721.2%9607 CDP
Munford917,1436,9962.1%7549 City
La Follette927,1277,176-0.68%1,4505 City
Fayetteville937,0867,0680.25%7809 City
Newport947,0867,0490.52%1,2816 City
Lynchburg, Moore County957,0076,9201.26%54129 Metropolitan Government
Sweetwater966,7736,7061%7559 City
Henderson976,6366,5900.7%8508 City
Pigeon Forge986,6266,5980.42%47914 City
Green Hill996,6176,6170%1,9043 CDP
Millersville1006,4696,4380.48%46914 City
Kingston1016,3376,2990.6%8697 City
Harriman1026,2466,1920.87%59510 City
Dunlap1036,2406,0892.48%57811 City
Lafayette1046,1076,0201.45%1,1535 City
Eagleton Village1056,0335,9721.02%1,9883 CDP
Erwin1066,0126,019-0.12%1,4574 Town
Pleasant View1075,9835,7973.21%47713 City
Medina1085,9465,8132.29%1,4834 City
Christiana1095,8505,4846.67%6619 CDP
Ashland City1105,7775,6502.25%54211 Town
Smithville1115,7435,6202.19%9816 City
McKenzie1125,6565,6320.43%8886 City
Rockwood1135,6525,6070.8%7058 City
Mount Carmel1145,5755,5400.63%8397 Town
Madisonville1155,4945,4281.22%9156 City
Mount Pleasant1165,1455,1030.82%40913 City
Sparta1175,0415,0380.06%7507 City
Bolivar1185,0235,043-0.4%6198 City
Coopertown1194,9204,8431.59%15632 Town
Apison1204,8424,6943.15%29916 CDP
Lake Tansi1214,7374,6791.24%5379 CDP
Karns1224,7204,4256.67%1,5813 CDP
Rogersville1234,7074,6900.36%1,2524 Town
White Bluff1244,6464,5162.88%7276 Town
Selmer1254,6074,5750.7%48210 Town
Louisville1264,5954,5620.72%30815 City
Oak Grove1274,4964,4920.09%9925 CDP
Oak Hill1284,4964,581-1.86%5738 City
Huntingdon1294,4834,4620.47%37912 Town
Whiteville1304,4784,482-0.09%1,6993 Town
Shackle Island1314,4694,3672.34%8076 CDP
Harrogate1324,4614,4540.16%6147 City
Waverly1334,4504,4300.45%5099 City
Forest Hills1344,3434,473-2.91%4709 City
Hohenwald1354,2514,1512.41%8075 City
Algood1364,1994,1650.82%1,0274 City
Livingston1374,1904,1471.04%6447 Town
Trenton1384,1154,137-0.53%5128 City
Dandridge1394,0703,9473.12%6676 Town
Oneida1403,9233,8990.62%4189 Town
Unicoi1413,8713,8610.26%23916 Town
Etowah1423,8243,7861%1,3533 City
Gatlinburg1433,7623,7151.27%36110 City
Spurgeon1443,7013,717-0.43%9064 CDP
Camden1453,6903,6900%6506 City
Somerville1463,6503,6220.77%26914 Town
Jasper1473,6473,6360.3%37010 Town
Centerville1483,5983,5890.25%33411 Town
Wildwood Lake1493,5743,5460.79%29812 CDP
Oliver Springs1503,4623,4330.84%5996 Town
Park City1513,4593,3951.89%6335 CDP
Tusculum1523,4463,4210.73%7095 City
Blountville1533,3533,3360.51%6795 CDP
Bean Station1543,2293,1901.22%5396 City
Newbern1553,2013,222-0.65%7065 Town
Tiptonville1563,1873,333-4.38%9613 Town
Sewanee1573,1593,1061.71%8134 CDP
Strawberry Plains1583,1152,9206.68%7444 CDP
Mascot1593,0182,9801.28%4337 CDP
Piperton1603,0072,8894.08%11127 City
South Pittsburg1612,8992,927-0.96%3538 City
Brighton1622,8972,8920.17%8963 Town
Westmoreland1632,8972,8790.63%6155 Town
Dresden1642,8952,911-0.55%4876 Town
New Tazewell1652,8572,8460.39%5645 Town
Coalfield1662,8562,8310.88%11525 CDP
Woodbury1672,8562,8280.99%1,4442 Town
Monterey1682,8392,8270.42%9383 Town
Hopewell1692,7972,7392.12%3937 CDP
Gladeville1702,7852,6116.66%6155 CDP
Sale Creek1712,7592,764-0.18%9230 CDP
Maynardville1722,7532,7231.1%5105 City
Kingston Springs1732,7472,758-0.4%27310 Town
Estill Springs1742,6912,692-0.04%5565 Town
White Pine1752,6302,6190.42%9163 Town
Mosheim1762,5632,5470.63%4016 Town
Rural Hill1772,5562,5221.35%6304 CDP
Belle Meade1782,5522,621-2.63%8313 City
Decherd1792,5252,4991.04%5275 City
Mountain City1802,5062,4900.64%7443 Town
Walnut Hill1812,5002,4930.28%6094 CDP
Bells1822,4742,4730.04%1,0432 City
Biltmore1832,4592,3056.68%9583 CDP
New Union1842,3872,3282.53%6224 CDP
Tazewell1852,3682,3630.21%5454 Town
Alamo1862,3522,354-0.08%1,0712 Town
East Cleveland1872,3452,2992%1,8811 CDP
Dyer1882,3422,3330.39%8183 City
Valley Forge1892,3382,1926.66%7393 CDP
Waynesboro1902,3212,3190.09%5424 City
Plainview1912,3062,2631.9%3626 City
Falling Water1922,2882,2222.97%4575 CDP
Carthage1932,2752,282-0.31%7843 Town
Baxter1942,2452,1285.5%7143 Town
Blaine1952,2352,2121.04%23510 City
Jacksboro1962,2222,235-0.58%8613 Town
Caryville1972,2192,2170.09%3996 Town
Clifton1982,2082,344-5.8%3976 City
Parsons1992,1732,1620.51%5374 City
Ridgetop2002,1692,1560.6%7173 City
Jamestown2012,1512,1350.75%6903 City
South Fulton2022,1422,158-0.74%6333 City
Pine Crest2032,1232,140-0.79%1,1012 CDP
Jellico2042,1222,126-0.19%3416 City
Hampton2052,0861,9566.65%4794 CDP
Adamsville2062,0792,081-0.1%4455 Town
Lookout Mountain2072,0432,044-0.05%1,5211 Town
Hunter2082,0302,0190.54%3176 CDP
Pegram2092,0302,036-0.29%2807 Town
Bon Aqua Junction2102,0261,9772.48%4305 CDP
Halls2112,0222,035-0.64%5494 Town
Greenfield2122,0202,0200%5813 City
Lakesite2132,0031,9801.16%1,1512 City
Spring City2142,0031,9890.7%7253 Town
Burns2151,9771,9103.51%5634 Town
Walden2161,9631,965-0.1%5564 Town
Cross Plains2171,9521,9191.72%2259 City
Chapel Hill2181,9481,9052.26%5084 Town
Three Way2191,9411,9330.41%4324 City
Surgoinsville2201,9331,9200.68%3376 Town
Dover2211,9311,9180.68%5014 City
Pikeville2221,8851,8720.69%7722 City
Central2231,8671,892-1.32%5304 CDP
New Johnsonville2241,8571,8490.43%3615 City
Bluff City2251,8401,8360.22%1,0532 City
Mowbray Mountain2261,8391,8250.77%9120 CDP
Unionville2271,8391,8101.6%2049 CDP
Loretto2281,8321,8131.05%4844 City
Colonial Heights2291,8252,144-14.88%4784 CDP
McEwen2301,8181,7901.56%9862 City
Cowan2311,8111,7990.67%8722 City
Berry Hill2321,8051,864-3.17%1,9921 City
Gruetli-Laager2331,7991,7860.73%14213 City
Vonore2341,7421,7151.57%1989 Town
Fairmount2351,7261,795-3.84%4124 CDP
Watertown2361,7181,6911.6%1,1961 City
Huntsville2371,7091,7090%2068 Town
Gray2381,6951,6651.8%1,1411 CDP
Rocky Top2391,6891,6810.48%1,0432 City
Olivet2401,6691,6491.21%2806 CDP
Spencer2411,6691,6362.02%2557 City
Decatur2421,6591,6371.34%4374 Town
Kimball2431,6521,6331.16%3115 Town
Charlotte2441,6441,647-0.18%4054 Town
Sullivan Gardens2451,6421,5396.69%6582 CDP
Englewood2461,6381,6101.74%8582 Town
Norris2471,6271,6210.37%1958 City
Ridgely2481,6041,616-0.74%8082 Town
South Carthage2491,6001,5761.52%6243 Town
Whitwell2501,5881,596-0.5%4534 City
Bruceton2511,5261,5220.26%9072 Town
Banner Hill2521,5241,5220.13%1,0901 CDP
Lone Oak2531,5221,5031.26%2356 CDP
Graysville2541,5141,5060.53%1,2851 Town
Rockvale2551,5131,4186.7%3504 CDP
Gordonsville2561,4691,4640.34%2077 Town
Benton2571,4651,476-0.75%4833 Town
Monteagle2581,4521,4390.9%1619 Town
New Market2591,4431,4310.84%3414 Town
Tracy City2601,4361,4270.63%3085 Town
Rutledge2611,4181,4110.5%2566 Town
Cornersville2621,4171,3852.31%2426 Town
Celina2631,4091,412-0.21%7652 City
Troy2641,3971,399-0.14%1,0351 Town
Sneedville2651,3661,3491.26%5952 Town
Gleason2661,3541,3530.07%6042 Town
Tennessee Ridge2671,3491,3410.6%3604 Town
Mason2681,3401,342-0.15%6762 Town
Powells Crossroads2691,2961,2960%2655 Town
Greenback2701,2841,2512.64%1548 City
Midtown2711,2631,269-0.47%2814 CDP
Fincastle2721,2611,283-1.71%3454 CDP
Ardmore2731,2511,2440.56%2665 City
Rossville2741,2461,2152.55%1956 Town
Kenton2751,2401,248-0.64%4923 Town
Embreeville2761,2391,1626.63%9221 CDP
Altamont2771,2201,2031.41%6220 Town
John Sevier2781,2151,1396.67%1,5971 CDP
Erin2791,2061,207-0.08%3104 City
Red Boiling Springs2801,2031,2010.17%6872 City
Flat Top Mountain2811,1971,1494.18%6917 CDP
Linden2821,1901,1612.5%1,1841 Town
Dodson Branch2831,1841,1770.59%10711 CDP
Lyles2841,1591,1322.39%4433 CDP
Rutherford2851,1461,147-0.09%4982 Town
Wildwood2861,1411,1380.26%4592 CDP
Luttrell2871,1381,1181.79%2894 Town
Fowlkes2881,1051,0366.66%5282 CDP
Winfield2891,0511,0371.35%1557 Town
Orlinda2901,0441,0281.56%1587 City
Fall Branch2911,0281,044-1.53%2285 CDP
Lakewood Park2921,0221,0200.2%1786 CDP
Lobelville2931,0089941.41%2694 City
Bradford2941,0071,0060.1%5692 Town
Eagleville2951,0029643.94%3053 City
Gainesboro2969799691.03%6292 Town
Atwood2979739660.72%5612 Town
Wartburg2989669570.94%8571 City
New Hope299962968-0.62%9310 City
Alexandria3009589510.74%7941 Town
Orebank3019568976.58%1,0851 CDP
Crump3029539460.74%1885 City
Obion303951958-0.73%7371 Town
Delano3049448856.67%2464 CDP
Charleston3059329230.98%8121 City
Collinwood3069229190.33%3323 City
Friendsville3079229160.66%3253 City
Sharon308917919-0.22%7221 Town
Scotts Hill3098988930.56%2454 Town
Rarity Bay3108968406.67%4912 CDP
Grimsley311888905-1.88%8211 CDP
Huntland3128888870.11%5832 Town
Roan Mountain313887917-3.27%1347 CDP
Russellville3148858306.63%8521 CDP
Henning3158748740%3542 Town
Telford316864868-0.46%3502 CDP
Kahite3178588046.72%6601 CDP
Niota3188468331.56%3682 City
Rockford319841842-0.12%2473 City
St. Joseph3208378290.97%2224 City
Coalmont3218318230.97%1376 City
Byrdstown3228278230.49%5561 Town
Trezevant3238208150.61%5771 Town
Decaturville3248158130.25%4932 Town
Mooresburg325803812-1.11%2124 CDP
Morrison3268007851.91%2683 Town
Riceville3278007921.01%3672 CDP
Tellico Plains3287837780.64%4012 Town
Eastview3297767750.13%1525 Town
Summertown330776782-0.77%3862 CDP
Bulls Gap3317737680.65%6351 Town
Bethel Springs3327577560.13%3392 Town
Middleton3337517312.74%3592 City
Crab Orchard3347437400.41%6811 City
Philadelphia3357247042.84%4662 City
Puryear3367227190.42%7621 City
Hollow Rock3377087030.71%4192 Town
Chesterfield3386926782.06%908 CDP
Adams3396796681.65%2842 City
Michie3406706690.15%1196 Town
Wartrace3416706670.45%7651 Town
Castalian Springs3426696621.06%1156 CDP
McDonald3436666246.73%4551 CDP
Darden3446616452.48%798 CDP
Townsend3456586402.81%3302 City
Clarkrange3466506450.78%6410 CDP
Gates347642645-0.47%9111 Town
Cosby3486416016.66%1166 CDP
Beech Bluff3496295906.61%1434 CDP
Friendship3506196180.16%4691 City
Allardt3516166061.65%1634 City
Vanleer3526166091.15%3002 Town
Sequatchie3536105726.64%5891 CDP
Finley3546075696.68%4651 CDP
Baneberry3555985852.22%3362 City
Maury City3565925920%5261 Town
Palmer3575915841.2%1205 Town
Calhoun3585775711.05%4861 Town
Pinson3595715356.73%1414 CDP
Ethridge3605705631.24%4941 Town
Petersburg3615705621.42%5651 Town
Sunbright3625565491.28%1584 City
Moscow363555558-0.54%4351 City
Doyle3645485401.48%4431 Town
Pleasant Hill3655435420.18%3332 Town
Bethpage3665405252.86%4071 CDP
Trimble367531533-0.38%8221 Town
Minor Hill3685305270.57%2852 City
Elkton369529531-0.38%2662 City
Gallaway370518520-0.38%896 City
Mayland3715174856.6%3202 CDP
Walnut Grove372510532-4.14%1065 CDP
Hornbeak373502503-0.2%4781 Town
Griffith Creek3744984676.64%1613 CDP
Walland3754984833.11%3272 CDP
Big Sandy3764904890.2%7801 Town
Walnut Grove3774834781.05%846 CDP
Gadsden3784734730%4221 Town
Gilt Edge3794724720%1743 City
Baileyton3804694641.08%2892 Town
Pittman Center3814644620.43%776 Town
Beersheba Springs3824634571.31%965 Town
Copperhill3834634581.09%2622 City
Bowman3844614512.22%2012 CDP
Henry3854594570.44%3571 Town
Ooltewah386443459-3.49%7171 CDP
Saltillo3874434410.45%1443 Town
Flintville388440452-2.65%835 CDP
Ridgeside389440441-0.23%2,6040 City
Ducktown390438441-0.68%1663 City
Pelham3914354330.46%2617 CDP
Hickman3924344076.63%2852 CDP
Counce3934334066.65%2862 CDP
Bell Buckle3944224190.72%8271 Town
Leoma3954213956.58%2222 CDP
Guys3964204200%3711 Town
Sardis3974184170.24%1673 Town
Stanton3984184180%8101 Town
Lenox3993963726.45%1573 CDP
Clarksburg4003913890.51%1572 Town
Hilham4013903666.56%1104 CDP
Gibson4023763740.53%6151 Town
Dowelltown4033753701.35%4991 Town
Fairgarden404375385-2.6%2172 CDP
Taft4053753526.53%1044 CDP
Burlison406367368-0.27%3501 Town
Watauga4073673640.82%4201 City
Nixon4083563336.91%2022 CDP
Hillsboro409352358-1.68%854 CDP
Liberty4103453420.88%2991 Town
Stantonville4113443430.29%3051 Town
Lynnville4123373311.81%9940 Town
Cumberland City4133343301.21%675 Town
Williston414334338-1.18%2022 City
Cottontown415333335-0.6%954 CDP
Centertown4163323261.84%3591 Town
Woodland Mills417332334-0.6%2611 City
Ramer418326327-0.31%1822 City
Statesville4193253056.56%3701 CDP
Grand Junction420321323-0.62%2701 City
Norene4213132936.83%1832 CDP
Cumberland Gap422311312-0.32%9450 Town
Bon Air4233092906.55%1572 CDP
Pocahontas4243062876.62%1492 CDP
Fairfield4253022913.78%3051 CDP
McLemoresville4263023010.33%1372 Town
Cedar Hill4272982980%4781 City
Auburntown4282952930.68%5101 Town
Westpoint4292952776.5%3301 CDP
Morris Chapel4302892716.64%1103 CDP
Parker's Crossroads4312872870%764 City
Garland4322862860%5261 Town
Finger4332792790%1782 City
Iron City4342782616.51%4021 CDP
Milledgeville4352762750.36%1722 Town
Randolph4362662496.83%1841 CDP
Toone4372642640%2461 Town
Hornsby4382582580%2451 Town
Ocoee4392582426.61%2771 CDP
Briceville4402572416.64%5320 CDP
Andersonville441253267-5.24%1562 CDP
Farner4422512356.81%1721 CDP
Braden443250252-0.79%684 Town
Graball4442432430%1212 CDP
Rives445243244-0.41%7040 Town
Parrottsville4462312281.32%3121 Town
Yorkville447227228-0.44%1751 City
Mitchellville448220221-0.45%4101 City
Oak Grove449213214-0.47%1661 CDP
Chewalla4502101976.6%1561 CDP
Blanche4512071946.7%356 CDP
Oakdale4522032011%2321 Town
Prospect4532031906.84%1461 CDP
Medon4541991980.51%2001 City
Big Rock4551981866.45%1152 CDP
Petros456197221-10.86%504 CDP
Samburg457195198-1.52%4120 Town
Dukedom4581931816.63%1032 CDP
Coker Creek4591901786.74%992 CDP
Enville4601891890%1311 Town
Slayden4611881861.08%1232 Town
Butler4621851736.94%2421 CDP
New Deal463178190-6.32%942 CDP
Elgin464174180-3.33%902 CDP
Wildersville4651701596.92%1012 CDP
Palmersville4661671576.37%583 CDP
Bogota4671621526.58%672 CDP
Luray4681621526.58%503 CDP
Greenvale4691561476.12%642 CDP
Bransford470149150-0.67%374 CDP
Buchanan4711451366.62%1381 CDP
Conasauga4721371287.03%3610 CDP
Shiloh4731351276.3%901 CDP
Tuckers Crossroads4741231156.96%433 CDP
Miston4751221147.02%881 CDP
Dellrose4761211137.08%532 CDP
La Grange477120121-0.83%602 Town
Saulsbury4781141130.88%1881 Town
Viola4791131111.8%2330 Town
Belvidere4801111046.73%2330 CDP
Normandy4811091090%4450 Town
Frankewing482102966.25%1081 CDP
Silerton4831001000%1501 Town
Essary Springs48498926.52%244 CDP
Lavinia48595896.74%681 CDP
Huron48685806.25%861 CDP
Eva4878497-13.4%422 CDP
Orme4888485-1.18%204 Town
Hickory Valley48980800%2520 Town
Yuma49078736.85%541 CDP
Mercer49175707.14%432 CDP
Wrigley4927588-14.77%781 CDP
Cottage Grove49366660%3860 Town
Robbins4946478-17.95%372 CDP
Whiteside49562586.9%164 CDP
Dancyville49654515.88%371 CDP
Walterhill4975476-28.95%183 CDP
Holladay49842397.69%281 CDP
Whitlock49923224.55%301 CDP
Childers Hill50022214.76%181 CDP
Wynnburg50118175.88%161 CDP
Jacks Creek50217166.25%171 CDP
Sherwood50310911.11%111 CDP
TN State Flag

About Tennessee

Tennessee’s local government structure features 95 counties and more than 340 incorporated municipalities, including cities and towns. Counties serve as the primary government for rural areas and provide services such as law enforcement, public health, and education, while municipalities oversee local governance and services.

Nashville, Tennessee’s capital and largest city, operates a consolidated city-county government with Davidson County. This unique arrangement allows for unified governance of municipal and county services, streamlining administration and reducing duplication. Nashville’s mayor serves as the chief executive, while the Metro Council handles legislative functions, including budgeting and policymaking.

Memphis, by contrast, operates under a mayor-council government, where the mayor holds executive power and oversees city departments such as police, fire, and public works. The Memphis City Council serves as the legislative body, enacting laws and shaping policy for the city’s diverse population.

Smaller cities like Knoxville and Chattanooga use either mayor-council or council-manager structures, depending on local needs. The council-manager system emphasizes professional management of daily operations, while elected councils provide oversight and policy direction.

Counties such as Shelby County and Knox County handle services for unincorporated areas, with county commissions serving as the primary legislative bodies. These commissions oversee services including public health, infrastructure maintenance, and law enforcement through county sheriff departments.

Tennessee’s unincorporated communities often rely on county services, with residents participating in local advisory boards to address specific needs. Municipalities have flexibility under the state’s home rule provisions, allowing them to adopt governance models that best suit their populations.

Regional planning commissions and development districts promote cooperation among counties and municipalities, addressing issues such as economic development, transportation, and environmental sustainability.

25 Largest Cities in Tennessee

Biggest City

Nashville is the biggest city in Tennessee, with a population of 726,586 in 2026.

Fastest Growing City

Sherwood is the fastest growing city in Tennessee over the past 6 years, having grown 11.11% annually since 2020.