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Largest cities in Tennessee, 2010 to 2025

Nashville: 721,074 residents in 2025, ahead of Memphis (609,647). Compare Tennessee city-limit populations since 2010.

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What the data shows

  • In 2025, Nashville ranks #1 with 721K, ahead of Memphis (610K) and Knoxville (202K).
  • Back in 2010, Memphis was #1 with 652K.
  • The top spot changed hands once: Nashville in 2015.
  • Biggest climber: Franklin, from #9 in 2010 to #7 in 2025.

About this chart

Nashville leads Tennessee with 721,074 residents in 2025, ahead of Memphis by 111,427. Memphis has 609,647 people, while Knoxville ranks third with 202,021. The ranking uses incorporated-place populations rather than metropolitan areas. Nashville had 604,644 residents in 2010, so its city-limit count grew by 19.3% over the displayed period. Memphis was the largest of these places at the start of the series.

The annual Census estimates describe July 1 populations within the boundaries of each incorporated place in Tennessee. The series joins Vintage 2020 estimates for 2010–2019 with Vintage 2025 estimates from 2020 onward. Boundary changes and revisions can affect the trend. Unincorporated communities and census-designated places are excluded, and the ranking does not measure the population of the wider urban or commuting region. Every place that entered the annual top ten remains in the chart.

The data

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, city and town population estimates (Vintage 2020 for 2010–2019, Vintage 2025 for 2020–2025), incorporated places, July 1, people. Retrieved November 5, 2026. Incorporated places only, not metro areas. Census towns and unincorporated census-designated places are excluded; this is not a ranking of every local jurisdiction. Boundary and vintage changes can affect comparisons.

Largest cities in Tennessee, City-limit population, 2010 to 2025, 2010–2025
DateMemphisNashvilleKnoxvilleChattanoogaClarksvilleMurfreesboroJacksonJohnson CityFranklinBartlettHendersonville
2010652K605K178K171K133K110K66.8K63.5K62.8K57K51.5K
2011655K613K180K172K136K112K66.7K64K64.4K57.4K52.3K
2012659K626K181K174K143K114K67K64.4K66.4K58.2K52.9K
2013657K636K182K175K142K117K67.5K64.7K68.9K58.3K53.8K
2014655K646K183K175K146K121K67.1K65.1K70.7K58.4K54.9K
2015654K656K184K177K148K126K66.8K65.6K72.6K58.7K55.6K
2016653K662K185K178K149K132K66.8K66.2K74.8K58.9K56.6K
2017651K664K187K180K153K136K66.8K66.3K78.4K59.2K57.6K
2018652K668K188K182K157K142K67K67K81.3K59.5K57.7K
2019651K670K188K183K159K147K67.2K67.1K83.2K59.4K58.2K
2020628K690K191K182K168K154K68.2K71.1K84.2K57.7K62.1K
2021623K676K192K182K171K156K67.9K71.1K86K57.1K62.5K
2022619K687K196K185K177K163K68.4K72.5K87.6K56.7K63.1K
2023616K696K197K188K181K166K68.5K73.4K88.7K56.4K63.8K
2024614K712K199K192K186K170K69K73.6K88.9K57K64.1K
2025610K721K202K194K189K171K69.3K74.9K90.2K56.4K64.3K

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Frequently asked questions

What is the largest city in Tennessee?

In 2025, Nashville ranks #1 with 721K, followed by Memphis (610K) and Knoxville (202K). Source: U.S. Census Bureau, city and town population estimates (Vintage 2020 for 2010–2019, Vintage 2025 for 2020–2025), incorporated places, July 1, people.

What is the largest city in Tennessee?

Nashville is the largest incorporated place in Tennessee, with 721,074 residents in the Census July 1, 2025 estimates. Memphis follows with 609,647.

How has the population of Nashville changed?

Its city-limit population moved from 604,644 in 2010 to 721,074 in 2025, a 19.3% increase. Boundary changes and Census revisions can contribute to differences.

Does this ranking include metro areas?

No. It compares incorporated places within Tennessee, not metropolitan areas. Census-designated places and other unincorporated communities are excluded.

Where does this data come from?

U.S. Census Bureau, city and town population estimates (Vintage 2020 for 2010–2019, Vintage 2025 for 2020–2025), incorporated places, July 1, people. Retrieved November 5, 2026. Incorporated places only, not metro areas. Census towns and unincorporated census-designated places are excluded; this is not a ranking of every local jurisdiction. Boundary and vintage changes can affect comparisons. You can download the full table as a CSV from this page.

Can I turn this chart into a video?

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