Tennessee is Growing
It is a fact that Tennessee as a state is steadily growing. For example, from 2018 to 2022, Tennessee grew steadily for an aggregate 4-year population growth of +3.98%. Before delving into the towns residents are fleeing as soon as possible; why is the state, as a whole, growing?
Financial Advantage
Tennessee is one of only nine states in the union with no state income tax. Tennessee ranks 4th of 9 in the total tax burden of those nine states. Additionally, the cost of living in Tennessee is relatively low: It is the 6th cheapest state in which to live. Housing prices are 20% lower than the national average, and Tennessee’s property taxes are the 15th lowest in the U.S.
Another interesting financial advantage is Tennessee Promise. In 2015, Tennessee pioneered this program that provides free tuition for two years to a community college. Funded by a $361.1 million endowment paid for by excess lottery reserve funds, the free tuition does not cost a dime to Tennessee’s taxpayers.
Additionally, Tennessee’s public universities offer substantial transfer scholarships to Promise students with high academic standing. My daughter was in that initial group of 2015 students, and she graduated from The University of Tennessee Knoxville with very little debt.
Environment
Tennessee possesses four distinct seasons. For example, the autumn leaves and brisk air are spectacular, and the winters get cold with a small bit of snow. Spring brings diverse wildflowers, and the dark green of summer lasts several months. Winters are mild: Tennessee averages about five inches of snow, but the amount of “heavy coat-wearing” time is brief.
The aesthetics are another reason people are moving to Tennessee. For one, it contains three distinctively different regions with diverse feel and topography. Additionally, East Tennessee is known for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and its hills and valleys. Middle Tennessee also has rolling farmland, and West Tennessee connotes flat spaces and the Mississippi River.
Life’s Pleasures
The food scene in Tennessee is top-notch and increasingly diverse. Nashville, for example, is regularly ranked among the top food cities. Additionally, not only is Nashville a food destination, but its moniker as “Music City” rings true to the vast live music available. Memphis is the birthplace of rock and roll and the blues, and East Tennessee has some of the best live venues in the South.
If Tennessee has so much to offer, why are people fleeing its towns as soon as possible?
Reasons People Are Fleeing Tennessee Towns
- Traffic: The onslaught of new residents has flooded an already flawed highway infrastructure. 83,000 people moved to Tennessee in 2022, so the strain on its interstates and back roads worsens.
- Crime Rate: A 2020 USA Today report listed Tennessee as the 3rd most dangerous state in the union with the highest violent crime rate of any state in the South.
- Low Wages and High Poverty: Tennessee’s minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, the federally mandated minimum. With the national poverty wage for a single adult being $6.53, the low wage crisis is a problem. Compacting the wage problem is the fact that Tennessee holds the 12th highest poverty rate in the union, with 14.62% of its residents at the poverty level.
- Life Expectancy: Life expectancy in Tennessee is 76 years old, the 5th lowest in the U.S. This statistic makes sense when coupled with its obesity rate, which is the 4th highest in the nation.
- Allergies and Humidity: People with extreme allergies find it difficult to live in this state as Tennessee regularly ranks atop of states for seasonal allergies. Even though its winters are mild, summers can be brutal. The heat isn’t Death Valley bad, but the heat and humidity combined can be ferocious.
Traffic
The onslaught of new residents has flooded an already flawed highway infrastructure. 83,000 people moved to Tennessee in 2022, so the strain on its interstates and back roads worsens.
Crime Rate
A 2020 USA Today report listed Tennessee as the 3rd most dangerous state in the union with the highest violent crime rate of any state in the South.
Low Wages and High Poverty
Tennessee’s minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, the federally mandated minimum. With the national poverty wage for a single adult being $6.53, the low wage crisis is a problem. Compacting the wage problem is the fact that Tennessee holds the 12th highest poverty rate in the union, with 14.62% of its residents at the poverty level.
Life Expectancy
Life expectancy in Tennessee is 76 years old, the 5th lowest in the U.S. This statistic makes sense when coupled with its obesity rate, which is the 4th highest in the nation.
Allergies and Humidity
People with extreme allergies find it difficult to live in this state as Tennessee regularly ranks atop of states for seasonal allergies. Even though its winters are mild, summers can be brutal. The heat isn’t Death Valley bad, but the heat and humidity combined can be ferocious.
14 Tennessee Towns People Are Fleeing From
14. Palmer
Palmer is 17 miles from Monteagle.
©SevenMaps/Shutterstock.com
Located in Grundy County, Tennessee, Palmer’s population decreased 18% from the 2010 to the 2020 census. Not surprisingly, in 2021, Palmer’s population was 556.
In 2021, Palmer’s median household income was $39,792, which is $22,374 less than Tennessee’s 2021 median of $62,166. Finally, 17.5% of Palmer families live in poverty.
13. Bell Buckle
This small town is known for its antiques.
©SevenMaps/Shutterstock.com
Located in Bedford County, Tennessee, Bell Buckle’s population decreased by 18% (tied with #14 Palmer) from the 2010 to the 2020 census. In 2021, Bell Buckle’s population was 418.
In 2021, Bell Buckle’s median household income was $65,500. Only 5.6% of Palmer families live in poverty.
12. McLemoresville
McLemoresville is the birthplace and final resting place of television star Dixie Carter and her husband, actor Hal Holbrook
©iStock.com/Kamlesh Suthar
Posited in Carroll County, Tennessee, McLemoresville’s population decreased by 18.2% from the 2010 census to the 2020 census. In 2021, McLemoresville’s population was 291.
In 2021, McLemoresville’s median household income was $45,673, $16,493 less than Tennessee’s 2021 median of $62,166. Additionally, 3% of McLemoresville’s families live in poverty.
11. Hickory Valley
Hardemen County is named for Thomas J. Hardeman, an important figure in the War of 1812.
©AndreyKrav/iStock via Getty Images
In deep southwest Tennessee, Hickory Valley is located in Hardeman County. Hickory Valley’s population decreased by 21.2% from the 2010 to the 2020 census. Additionally, in 2021, Hickory Valley’s population was only 78.
In 2021, Hickory Valley’s median household income was $29,063, $33,103 less than Tennessee’s 2021 median of $62,166. Surprisingly, 0% of Hickory Valley’s families live in poverty.
10. Gallaway
Gallaway earned a “D-” grade from Niche for housing.
©Atlantagreg/iStock via Getty Images
Located in northwestern Fayette County, Gallway’s population decreased by 22.4% from the 2010 to the 2020 census. Additionally, in 2021, Gallaway’s population was 504.
In 2021, Gallaway’s median household income was $26,458, a whopping $35,708 less than Tennessee’s 2021 median of $62,166. Sadly, 41.2% of Gallaway’s families live in poverty.
9. Watauga
Watauga Lake is a Tennessee Valley Authority Reservoir.
©Jon Bilous/Shutterstock.com
Nestled in the state’s northeast corner, Watauga lies in both Carter and Washington Counties. Watauga’s population decreased by 22.9% from the 2010 to the 2020 census. Additionally, in 2021, Watauga’s population was 360.
In 2021, Watauga’s median household income was $53,750, only $8,416 less than Tennessee’s 2021 median of $62,166. However, 11.5% of Watauga’s families live in poverty.
8. Normandy
Normandy is located in southcentral Tennessee.
©KennStilger47/Shutterstock.com
Located in Bedford County, Normandy’s population decreased by 23.4% from the 2010 to the 2020 census. Additionally, in 2021, Normany’s population was a mere 108.
In 2021, Normandy’s median household income was $53,068, about $9,000 less than Tennessee’s 2021 median of $62,166. However, 31.8% of Normandy’s families live in poverty.
7. Rives
Rives lies in Obion County, Tennessee.
©Thomas R Machnitzki (thomasmachnitzki.com), CC BY 3.0 - Original / License
Nestled in the northwest corner of the state, Rives’s population decreased 24.5% from the 2010 to the 2020 census. As well, in 2021, Rives’s population was only 242.
In 2021, Rives’s median household income was $33,750., a significant $28,416 less than Tennessee’s 2021 median of $62,166. However, 22.6% of Rives’s families live in poverty.
6. Cottage Grove
Cottage Grove is the smallest town in Tennessee.
Located in Henry County, Cottage Grove’s population decreased by 25% from the 2010 to 2020 census. Additionally, in 2021, Cottage Grove’s population was only 66, making it the smallest town in the state.
In 2021, Cottage Grove’s median household income was $44,375, 29% less than Tennessee’s 2021 median of $62,166. Not surprisingly, 21.4% of Cottage Grove’s families live in poverty.
5. Toone
In 1856, Toone became a railroad town.
©Wolterk/iStock via Getty Images
Situated in Hardeman County, Toone’s population decreased by 25.8% from the 2010 to the 2020 census. In 2021, Toone’s population was 268.
In 2021, Toone’s median household income was $38,036, a significant 39% less than Tennessee’s 2021 median of $62,166. Sadly, 31.4% of Toone’s families live in poverty.
An interesting fact about this town is that it is home to Kilgore Flares Company, which develops pyrotechnic devices for the Department of Defense.
4. Viola
This town is named for a character in William Shakespeare’s ‘Twelfth Night’.
Located in Warren County, Viola’s population decreased 29% from the 2010 to the 2020 census. As well in 2021, Viola’s population was only 94.
In 2021, Viola’s median household income was $41,875, slightly higher than its surrounding towns. Accordingly, 0% of Viola’s families live in poverty.
3. Orme
Orme is rooted in a coal mining community known as Needmore
©svet110/iStock via Getty Images
Situated in Marion County, Orme’s population decreased 31% from the 2010 to the 2020 census. In fact, in 2021, Orme’s population was only 87.
In 2021, Orme’s median household income was $32,250, just over half of Tennessee’s 2021 median of $62,166. However, only 5.3% of Orme’s families live in poverty.
2. Cumberland Gap
The Cumberland Gap tunnel (from the Kentucky side) is only one of two mountain vehicular tunnels in the U.S. that crosses a state line.
Located in Claiborne County, Cumberland Gap boasts a rich history. The Cumberland Gap is one of many passes in the Appalachians but the only one in the continuous Cumberland Mountain ridgeline. The gap had been long traveled by Native Americans when Thomas Walker, a Virginia physician and explorer, learned of it in 1750. Daniel Boone and a team of frontiersmen pioneered the path, making it accessible to adventurers who used it to travel west into Kentucky and Tennessee.
Cumberland Gap’s population decreased a whopping 36.6% from the 2010 to the 2020 census. In 2021, Cumberland Gap’s population was only 305.
In 2021, Cumberland Gap’s median household income was $36,250, considerably less than Tennessee’s 2021 median of $62,166. However, only 7.4% of Cumberland Gap’s families live in poverty.
With its gorgeous scenery and low poverty rate, why is Cumberland Gap’s population declining? The probable answer is its schools, housing, and job market. For example, its public schools rate only average, and its job market is minimal. Also, housing choices are sparse and spread out in the area.
1. Whiteville
This town’s agricultural roots are in cotton production.
©walter javier godoy/Shutterstock.com
Located in Hardeman County, Whiteville’s population decreased an astounding 43.8% from the 2010 to the 2020 census. In 2021, Whiteville’s population was 2,651.
In 2021, Whiteville’s median household income was $37,458, significantly lower than the state average. Not surprisingly, Whiteville’s poverty rate is 29.3%.
Why are people fleeing this Tennessee town? In addition to its declining population size and high poverty rate, a significant gender imbalance exists. In this town, males make up 86.71 of the population, while females represent only 13.29%. Unfortunately, studies on these types of inequalities reveal that increased rates of antisocial behavior and aggression may arise in this environment.
Summary of the 14 Tennessee Towns People Are Fleeing As Soon As Possible
| Rank | Town | % decrease from 2010 to 2020 | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Whiteville | -43.8 | 2,651 |
| 2. | Cumberland Gap | -36.6 | 305 |
| 3. | Orme | -31 | 87 |
| 4. | Viola | -29 | 94 |
| 5. | Toone | -25.8 | 268 |
| 6. | Cottage Grove | -25 | 66 |
| 7. | Rives | -24.5 | 242 |
| 8. | Normandy | -23.4 | 108 |
| 9. | Watauga | -22.9 | 360 |
| 10. | Gallaway | -22.4 | 504 |
| 11. | Hickory Valley | -21.2 | 78 |
| 12. | McLemoresville | -18.2 | 291 |
| 13. | Bell Buckle | -18 | 418 |
| 14. | Palmer | -18 | 556 |
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