Tennessee counties ranked by population

[mbmouse]

Originally Posted by leonard

Probably won't happen.

A lot of that was driven by snow birds from the North seeking warmth. TN is beautiful and probably a much better place to live, but it does not have the reputation nor amenities that appeal to those retiring and wanting to be warm.

TN will grow, buy at least 2 more this year, but not at the rate FL did then.

I agree, that is why FL grew so quick. However we now have economic issues across the country. When people lose their job in another state or retire, they are now looking at lower cost of living as the priority verses sunny days. That includes cost of property and rate of property taxes. On paper, TN is the one that looks the best, add the fact that we get only a little snow on average and here we grow.

[Capt. Dan]

I'm seeing more and more Yankee license plates here in Hardeman County. It appears they are looking at land. All I know is they talk funny!

[strumpeace]

Originally Posted by JMT

Thanks! I really had fun looking at this and compiling this. It's actually pretty easy thanks to Microsoft Word's Table and Sorting options.

And I agree with jabo, it's interesting to see how Nashville's ring counties are booming in population and overtaking the rest of the state. Way back when Tennessee's license plates had numbers on them to reflect the counties' population rank, I think Wilson County was #25. Now it's up to #25. Williamson County has also gone from being in the 20s to now being the 6th most populous county in the state. Not too shabby.

I know Putnam County used to be #23, now it's #18. Warren County, on the other hand, used to be #34 and is now #38. White County has gone from being #59 to #58. Overton County hasn't changed.

In East Tennessee, Blount County has moved up quite a bit, I believe. And Cumberland County has gone from being #40 to #25.

Thanks for the good info, JMT.

I remember the license plates, too. When I was in elementary school, Madison County was #7. Then new plates came out, and it was #11. Now it's down to #14 -- this in spite of it continuing to grow at a steady pace. These Middle TN counties are outpacing everybody!

[Beretta]

I remember the license plates growing up too! Here's how they were when I was a small fry:

1. Memphis (actually Shelby County)
2. Nashville (Davidson)
3. Knoxville (Knox)
4. Chattanooga
5. Kingsport (Sullivan)

Mom and Dad's tags were always 5-xxxxx

[jabogitlu]

I do believe I remember my dad saying that Washington Co. was 6. Dunno when that was, though.

[kingchef]

bam! you go girl...

[firepower]

I can remember Putnam County being 21, 22, & 23 at different points growing up.
White was 59.
We'd go to see my grandmother in Trousdale County(within sight of the old abandoned nuclear plant), and her plate was 93.
Van Buren and Pickett were always 94 & 95.


firepower

[leonard]

Originally Posted by mbmouse

I agree, that is why FL grew so quick. However we now have economic issues across the country. When people lose their job in another state or retire, they are now looking at lower cost of living as the priority verses sunny days. That includes cost of property and rate of property taxes. On paper, TN is the one that looks the best, add the fact that we get only a little snow on average and here we grow.

It is true that TN looks good in many ways. The problem is that the primary ones who flocked to FL were retirees and work was not an issue for them. Then of course many moved to service their needs and it snow balled. However with the economic crunch moving is harder for many. They see TN as less expensive, but they still need work. TN is hard hit as well. Not as bad as FL but no one can count on moving and getting a job in TN right now either. I can do it, but I am in a position to do so and do not need to find work. For those retiring TN looks good, BUT only if they want the weather, and other TN "benefits". Many still want warmth, beaches, etc. TH is not among the top retirement areas. Mind you I am not complaining. I saw my home area in CA grow to the point I would never move there again. Growth is necessary and I hope TN grows at a nice manageable rate. So far it looks good.

[mrs1885]

Very proud to be in the next to smallest county in the state - just the way I like it.

[kingchef]

Originally Posted by JoeCartpath

We're still #1

Combining this data with your other thread on the population gain/loss figures - if the current rate of change continues....

Davidson County's population will exceed Shelby County's population sometime in 2086...

Tipton County will pass Shelby during the year 2261...

Not enough data to make a prediction on Pickett County....

i'm afraid that memphis will become a bedroom community to hickory withe and arlington. i don't want to get caught up in the sprawl of davidson and tipton, when they meet, so i guess i'll just stay in memphis. i can't see why anyone would want to put up w/ that extreme growth---2261, you say!