100 Dumb US Laws (With Proof They Exist)
Tennessee (TN) is a landlocked state in the southeastern United States, known for its rich music heritage and diverse landscapes. The capital is Nashville, one of the world’s centers of country music. The largest city is Memphis, home to blues and rock ’n’ roll. Popular attractions include Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Elvis Presley’s Graceland.
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Table of Contents
Quick Facts
Name Tennessee Abbreviation TN Capital Nashville Largest city Nashville (Population: 687 788) Current time 12:02 Time zone The smaller eastern part of the state follows EST (UTC-5), the larger western part follows CST (UTC-6). The state follows Daylight Saving Time EDT (UTC-4) and CDT (UTC-5) Population 6,910,786 (#16 most populous US state) Area 42,180.69 mi² (#36 largest US state) Admitted to the Union June 1, 1796 (#16 state to join) ⭐ Capital of Tennessee
The capital of Tennessee is Nashville, founded in 1779 when the territory was still part of North Carolina. It was named for Francis Nash, a general in the Continental Army during the ongoing American Revolutionary War. In 1843 Nashville became the permanent capital of Tennessee, replacing Knoxville and Murfreesboro.
🏙️ Largest City in Tennessee
The largest city in Tennessee is Nashville, which had 687,788 residents in 2023. The second most populous city is Memphis with 618,639 people, and the third is Knoxville with 198,162 residents.
🕒 Time in Tennessee
The current time in Nashville, Tennessee is 12:02. The city and the entire western half of the state follow Central Standard Time (CST, UTC-6), the eastern half of Tennessee observes Eastern Standard Time (EST, UTC-5). Daylight saving time is used statewide from March through November.
🧑🤝🧑 Population of Tennessee
In 2023 Tennessee had 6,910,786 residents, ranking 16th among the most populous U.S. states.
📍 Area of Tennessee
The total area of Tennessee is 42,180.69 mi², of which 41,273.36 mi² is land and 909.27 mi² is water. By area Tennessee is the 36th largest U.S. state.
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Fun Facts About Tennessee
🧩 Which States Border Tennessee
Tennessee borders eight U.S. states, tying with Missouri for the most neighbors in the country. To the west is Arkansas, to the northwest Missouri, to the north Kentucky, to the northeast Virginia, to the east North Carolina, to the southeast Georgia, and to the south Alabama and Mississippi.
📅 Date of Tennessee Statehood
Tennessee was admitted to the Union on June 1, 1796 as the 16th state, its predecessor was the Northwest Territory.
📛 Tennessee State Nickname
Tennessee has long been nicknamed “The Volunteer State,” a nod to a strong tradition of volunteers joining the military. The Mexican–American War in 1846 to 1848 played a key role, when Tennessee native and then president James Knox Polk requested 2,600 volunteers to fight in the war. More than 30,000 people signed up.
The nickname “The Volunteer State” appears on some license plates issued in Tennessee.
⛰️ Highest Mountain in Tennessee
The highest mountain in Tennessee is Clingmans Dome at 6,643 ft, located within Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
🏞️ Rivers in Tennessee
The longest river in Tennessee is the Mississippi River with a total length across all states of 2,317.71 mi. Next are the Cumberland River (687.86 mi), the Tennessee River (651.82 mi), the Clinch River (298.26 mi), and the Duck River (283.97 mi).
🎓 Universities in Tennessee
The largest university in the state is the University of Tennessee, with just under 34,000 students and a campus in Knoxville since 1794. The second largest is the University of Memphis with just under 22,000 students, and third is Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro with 20,000 students.
✉️ ZIP Codes in Tennessee
Tennessee uses the ZIP code range 370xx to 385xx, and you can search by address on the USPS website. Learn more in the article ZIP Codes in the USA.
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Weather in Tennessee
The best time to visit Tennessee is early fall, when temperatures are pleasant and the landscape bursts with color.
Spring in Tennessee brings frequent rainfall, often with thunderstorms and, in rare cases, dangerous tornadoes. Temperatures rise from March lows of 39 °F to 61 °F to a much more comfortable 57 °F to 79 °F in May.
Summer in Tennessee is humid and warm, with June to August temperatures around 77 °F to 90 °F. High humidity makes it feel even warmer, and frequent thunderstorms are common. Cooler temperatures prevail in the mountains, such as in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Fall in Tennessee is pleasant with low rainfall totals. Typical September temperatures range from 61 °F to 82 °F, then gradually drop in November to 39 °F to 61 °F. Early fall is an especially good time for hiking and taking in the state’s natural beauty.
Winter in Tennessee is mild, with temperatures usually hovering around a manageable 28 °F to 48 °F. Snow cover is uncommon, although occasional freezes and icy roads can complicate travel.
🌡️ Average Temperatures and Precipitation in Tennessee
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What to See in Tennessee
1️⃣ Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the United States, spanning the border between North Carolina and Tennessee. The famous Appalachian Trail runs through the park for 2,198.40 mi, and it ranks among the world’s most iconic long-distance hikes. There are many other trails in the Smokies, linked by sweeping views of mountains and forests. The best time to visit is fall, when the hardwoods put on a vivid show.
2️⃣ Graceland
Graceland is the former home of legendary singer Elvis Presley in Memphis, now operating as a fully accessible museum. Visitors can tour the mansion and museum, see Elvis’s collection of cars and aircraft, and get a behind-the-scenes look at the King of Rock ’n’ Roll’s life.
3️⃣ Lookout Mountain
Lookout Mountain sits just south of Chattanooga’s suburbs and packs several attractions into one spot. At the Lover’s Leap overlook, on a clear day you can reportedly see seven states at once.
What you certainly will not miss is Ruby Falls, a 145.0 ft high waterfall inside the mountain, dramatically lit with colored lights. Another highlight is the Incline Railway, a glass-roofed funicular that carries you to the summit.
4️⃣ Jack Daniel’s Distillery
Jack Daniel’s Distillery in Lynchburg is the oldest registered distillery in the United States. Guided tours walk visitors through the production process behind the famed whiskey. The tour includes a visit to the Cave Spring Hollow spring, where water at 56.0 °F forms the base of the whiskey. Tastings of select products are also part of the experience.
5️⃣ Titanic Museum
The Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge is an interactive museum dedicated to the ocean liner that sank on April 15, 1912 in the North Atlantic. A portion of the façade is built in the shape of the famous steamship, and inside you will find a wide collection of more than 400 original artifacts and cabin replicas.
One room features the names of 2,208 passengers written on the wall, 1,496 of whom did not survive the ship’s first and only voyage.
6️⃣ Ryman Auditorium Concert Hall
Ryman Auditorium is a historic theater and concert hall in Nashville that opened in 1892. It has hosted countless performers and shows, and beyond its rich history it is famous for superb acoustics.
It is often called the “Mother Church of Country Music,” a symbol of Nashville’s cultural heritage. Visitors can take a backstage tour or attend a live concert.
7️⃣ Dollywood Theme Park
Dollywood is a theme park southeast of Knoxville owned by country music star Dolly Parton. Guests can try around fifty different attractions, including ten roller coasters. During the summer season Dollywood hosts concerts, festivals, and other cultural events.
8️⃣ Beale Street
Beale Street in Memphis is the beating heart of blues, with music pouring from clubs, restaurants, and even souvenir shops. One of the most iconic streets in America hosts music festivals, parades, and other cultural events. Visitors can sample local cuisine with live music or dive into the city’s nightlife.
9️⃣ Sun Studio
Sun Studio is the legendary Memphis recording studio often called the birthplace of rock ’n’ roll. It opened on January 3, 1950, and has hosted sessions by icons such as Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and B. B. King. Visitors can take a guided tour of the studio. Fun fact, the studio still hosts overnight recording sessions.
🔟 Grand Ole Opry Concert Hall
The Grand Ole Opry is the longest running radio show in the United States, broadcast every Saturday without interruption since November 28, 1925. Country music is aired from the namesake concert venue in Nashville, widely known as the home of the genre. Visitors can book a backstage tour or attend a live radio show and country performance.
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Largest Cities in Tennessee
The table lists the ten largest cities in Tennessee in 2023. The data source is the federal agency United States Census Bureau, whose primary task is conducting the census.
City County Population 1 Nashville Davidson 687,788 Map of Nashville 2 Memphis Shelby 618,639 Map of Memphis 3 Knoxville Knox 198,162 Map of Knoxville 4 Chattanooga Hamilton 187,030 Map of Chattanooga 5 Clarksville Montgomery 180,716 Map of Clarksville 6 Murfreesboro Rutherford 165,430 Map of Murfreesboro 7 Franklin Williamson 88,558 Map of Franklin 8 Johnson City Washington, Carter, Sullivan 73,337 Map of Johnson City 9 Jackson Madison 68,264 Map of Jackson 10 Hendersonville Sumner 63,618 Map of Hendersonville -
Sports Teams in Tennessee
🏒 Hockey (NHL)
Tennessee’s only NHL team is the Nashville Predators, who play in the Central Division of the Western Conference. The club was founded in 1998 and plays home games at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. The Predators’ colors are gold, navy blue, and white.
🏈 American Football (NFL)
Tennessee’s NFL representative since the 1997 season has been the Tennessee Titans of the AFC South. Home games are played at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, and the team colors are navy, red, blue, silver, and white. The franchise moved to Tennessee from Texas, where it played as the Houston Oilers starting in 1970. In 1997 and 1998 it was known as the Tennessee Oilers.
🏀 Basketball (NBA)
Tennessee’s sole NBA team since 2001 is the Memphis Grizzlies of the Southwest Division in the Western Conference. The team plays home games at FedExForum in Memphis, and its colors are blue, navy, steel gray, and gold. From 1995 the franchise played in Canada as the Vancouver Grizzlies.
⚾ Baseball (MLB)
There is no MLB team from Tennessee.
⚽ Soccer (MLS)
Since the 2020 season Tennessee has been represented in MLS’s Eastern Conference by Nashville SC, which plays home matches at Geodis Park in Nashville. The club’s colors are gold and blue, a nod to the city flag.
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Tennessee State Symbols
Official symbols are designated by the Tennessee General Assembly, and a selection appears below.
Flag of Tennessee
Tennessee’s state flag in its current form has been in use since April 17, 1905. The design features three white five-pointed stars placed in a blue circle with a white outline on a red field. The trio of stars represents Tennessee’s three original regions. A blue stripe on the fly end was added for visual balance and has no special meaning.
Seal of Tennessee
The Great State Seal draws from the original design dated September 25, 1801, and has historically been used to authenticate documents issued by the Tennessee government. The seal emphasizes agriculture’s contribution to the state economy, showing a plow, a sheaf of wheat, and cotton. The ship in the lower half symbolizes commerce. The year 1796 marks Tennessee’s entry into the Union.
State Amphibian
In 1995 the list of state symbols added the Tennessee cave salamander (Gyrinophilus palleucus), which inhabits certain caves in Tennessee.
State Tree
The state tree, designated in 1947, is the tuliptree or tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera), which lawmakers noted grows “from one end of Tennessee to the other.” Its blossoms resemble tulips, known for their beauty. Indigenous peoples used the tree’s wood to make canoes.
State Flower
In 1933 the General Assembly designated the iris as the official state flower, without specifying the exact species. Irises are commonly found throughout the state.
State Wildflower
The official wildflower, chosen in 1919 by a vote among schoolchildren, is the passionflower (Passiflora incarnata). Native to Tennessee, it was selected for its striking purple and white blossoms.
State Bird
The state bird, designated in 1933, is the northern mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos), whose song carries across the state.
State Reptile
Since 1995 the official state reptile has been the eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina), found in some forests and wetlands. It can live up to 100 years.
State Folk Dance
In 1980 the General Assembly named square dance the official state folk dance, recognizing it as a traditional part of folklore and community entertainment.
State Fruit
In March 2003 the tomato became Tennessee’s official state fruit, a staple of local cuisine and an important agricultural product. Botanically, the tomato is indeed considered a fruit.
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