The Largest City in Tennessee Now and in 2050

Tennessee ranks 15 out of 50 in terms of the overall state population in the U.S. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the state is home to 7,051,339 people as of 2022. Between 2020 and 2022, the state’s population has risen by two percent. However, not all areas of the state are equally growing. Discover the largest city in Tennessee now and in 2050 including where it is located, why so many people are living in this area, and the population estimation for the future!

For the sake of clarity, we’re going to look at the city that has the highest population right now and in 2050, not the actual size of the city.

What Is the Largest City in Tennessee Right Now?

The largest city in Tennessee right now is Nashville. According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the population in this city as of the 2020 Census was 689,454. However, the population in Nashville and many others throughout the United States dropped over the last two years. Currently, the estimated population in this city as of 2022 is 683,622 people.

So, the population in this city has dropped by less than one percent between 2020 and 2022. Many cities saw a population loss as a result of people leaving highly populated areas during the COVID-19 Pandemic and the economic difficulties that followed. Yet, the population of these highly populated areas could bounce back in the coming years.

Since the population in the state is currently rising despite places like Nashville losing population, it is possible that another city could overtake Music City in the future.  

What Will Be the Largest City in Tennessee in 2050?

Nashville will remain the largest city in Tennessee in 2050. Nashville only recently passed Memphis in population to become the largest city in the Volunteer State. The 2020 Census showed that Nashville had 689,454 residents while Memphis had 631,539 people. Nashville’s population has outpaced Memphis’ despite challenges like COVID-19.

The current estimate for the population in Nashville is 683,622 people. Meanwhile, the U.S. Census Bureau estimate for Memphis shows that the population in the city is 621,056. Memphis, like Nashville, has experienced a population loss equal to about 1.7% of the population or roughly 10,000 people.

So, Nashville has a lead of about 60,000 residents. Although the two cities are not that far apart in population, projections seem to indicate that Nashville will remain the largest city in the state.

Predicting the Population in Nashville in 2050

Projections indicate that the largest city in Tennessee will grow by a substantial number of people over the next three decades. One 2022 report claims that an additional 200,000 people will move to Music City by the late 2020s. Nashville’s population will grow and continue to approach 1,000,000 people.

The city continues to grow at a very rapid pace. Construction efforts to build new homes are matching that pace for the time being. Outside of the aforementioned projection for 2025 to 2030, the following 20 years will also feature a great deal of growth in the region.

According to the University of Tennessee Knoxville, the population in the Nashville Metro Area will grow by 563,000 people through the mid-2040s. That would make Music City one of the fastest-growing cities in the country while cementing its place as the most populous area in the state.

So, Nashville’s population in 2050 could be as high as 1.2 million people based on those projections. These projections also show that the city’s population will continue to drop and slowly recover this decade. Nashville, and many other cities, have to bring back people to the region that left it during the COVID era.

Knowing that Nashville is the largest city in Tennessee now and in 2050 is helpful in terms of identifying population trends. One question remains, though. Why is this city such a popular destination for people?

Why Did Nashville Become Such a Desirable City?

Nashville has experienced a tremendous surge in population over the last decade, and it is projected to continue this surge well into the future. Many of the city’s qualities make people choose this area in which to live.

For one thing, the cost of living in this area is less expensive than in other cities in other states. Unfortunately, a variety of economic factors have driven up the overall cost of living in the region, pricing out some former longtime residents. So, while Nashville’s cost of living is cheaper than other cities, it is not incredibly inexpensive given the state’s economy.

Another reason that people move to this city is that there are so many activities for people to take part in. The city has a rich culture steeped in music, great nightlife, and the allure of large natural areas outside of the city. Nashville is an exciting place to be.

People also enjoy living in Nashville because it has a booming, diversified job market. White-collar workers and blue-collar workers alike can find great opportunities in this city, especially as it continues to grow. All these reasons and more are driving people to move to the largest city in Tennessee.

The Wildlife Near Nashville

Nashville is a large city in the northern central part of the state. The Cumberland River flows through the region, and several large lakes are nearby. Also, several large parks and wildlife areas exist not far from the city limits. So, people can count on encountering a wide variety of animals in this part of the state.

First, let’s take a look at some of the fish that occupy the Cumberland River. They include:

• Brown trout
• Rainbow trout
• Striped bass
• Largemouth bass
• Flathead catfish
• Smallmouth bass

These are just a few of the dozens of species of fish that thrive in this area.

The city has a variety of wildlife living within its borders and nearby. Some of the animals in this region are:

• American robin
• Common box turtle
• Eastern cottontail
• Eastern gray squirrel
• House sparrow
• Wild turkey
• Eastern chipmunk
• American toad

People can see these animals and many others in the city limits and just beyond.

All in all, Nashville is poised to keep the top spot of the largest city in Tennessee now and in 2050. The city is due to grow to include over a million people despite its current population contraction. Of course, these estimates could change as time goes on, so keep an eye on the next census to understand the changing population in this part of Tennessee.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © 2d illustrations and photos/ via Getty Images