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TENNESSEE
Social & Demographic Characteristics

Other facts sheets for Tennessee:

The data below describe the state rankings and selected characteristics of the immigrant and native-born populations in Tennessee in 2011.

Rankings
The following shows Tennessee's rankings in several categories. (All rankings include the 50 states and the District of Columbia and are ranked highest to lowest.)
  Rankings
Size of the foreign-born population, 2011: 23 out of 51
Percent foreign born in the total population, 2011: 33 out of 51
Numeric change in the foreign-born population, 2000 to 2011: 16 out of 51
Percent change in the foreign-born population, 2000 to 2011: 1 out of 51

Data Highlights
For data on these topics click on the link:
Who are the foreign born?
The term foreign born refers to people residing in the United States at the time of the census who were not US citizens at birth. The foreign-born population includes naturalized citizens, lawful permanent immigrants, refugees and asylees, legal nonimmigrants (including those on student, work, or other temporary visas), and persons residing in the country without authorization. By comparison, the term native refers to people residing in the United States who were US citizens in one of three categories: 1) people born in one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia; 2) people born in United States Insular Areas such as Puerto Rico or Guam; or 3) people who were born abroad to at least one US citizen parent.

We use the terms immigrants and foreign born interchangeably.

Population

The foreign-born population (or immigrants; we use these terms interchangeably) of Tennessee changed by 92.9 percent between 2000 and 2011.
Between 2000 and 2011, the foreign-born population in Tennessee changed from 159,004 to 306,676, representing a change of 92.9 percent. In comparison, the foreign-born population changed from 59,114 to 159,004 between 1990 and 2000, a difference of 169.0 percent.

At the national level, the foreign-born population increased from 19,767,316 to 31,107,889 between 1990 and 2000, representing a change of 57.4 percent, and grew from 31,107,889 to 40,377,860 ( 29.8 percent) between 2000 and 2011.

In 2011, the foreign born represented 4.8 percent of Tennessee's total population.
In 2011, 4.8 percent of Tennessee's total population were immigrants, compared to 2.8 percent in 2000 and 1.2 percent in 1990.

At the national level, the foreign-born population represented 13.0 percent of the total population in 2011, compared to 11.1 percent in 2000 and 7.9 percent in 1990.

Of the total immigrant population in Tennessee, 28.6 percent entered during the 1990s, and 48.8 percent entered in 2000 or later.
Of the foreign-born population resident in Tennessee in 2011, 12.4 percent entered the country prior to 1980, 10.2 percent between 1980 and 1989, 28.6 percent between 1990 and 1999, and 48.8 percent in 2000 or later.

Nationally, 19.3 percent of the foreign-born population entered the country before 1980, 18.3 percent during the 1980s, 26.7 percent during the 1990s, and 35.7 percent in 2000 or later.

Place of Origin

The largest share of the foreign-born population in Tennessee were from Latin America.
Of the total foreign-born population in Tennessee in 2011, 8.9 percent were from Africa, 27.0 percent from Asia, 12.7 percent from Europe, 47.6 percent from Latin America (South America, Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean), 3.0 percent from Northern America (Canada, Bermuda, Greenland, and St. Pierre and Miquelon), and 0.8 percent from Oceania.

At the national level, 4.1 percent were from Africa, 28.6 percent from Asia, 12.1 percent from Europe, 52.6 percent from Latin America, 2.0 percent from Northern America, and 0.5 percent from Oceania.

The top three countries of birth of the foreign born in Tennessee were mexico, india, and el salvador.*
Of the total immigrant population in Tennessee in 2011, 31.7 percent were born in mexico, 6.3 percent in india, and 3.4 percent in el salvador. In contrast, the top three countries of birth in 1990 were Germany (10.6 percent), the United Kingdom (7.5 percent), and Canada (7.0 percent).

At the national level, the top three countries of birth in 2011 were mexico (28.9 percent), india (4.6 percent), and china (4.6 percent). The top three countries of birth in 1990 were Mexico (21.7 percent), the Philippines (4.6 percent), and Canada (3.8 percent).

*Note: These are the largest countries of birth reported by the Census Bureau. Some countries are only listed as part of a larger geographic region. For example, those born in Somalia are included only among those born in Eastern Africa. Therefore, a few states may have larger populations of foreign-born persons born in countries not listed individually in census data. "China" refers to China and Hong Kong, but not Taiwan. The 1990 data on the countries of birth reflect geographic boundaries as of 1990.

US Citizenship Status

In Tennessee, 34.6 percent of the foreign born were US citizens in 2011.
The 2011 American Community Survey reported that 106,035, or 34.6 percent, of the foreign-born population in Tennessee were citizens, compared to 53,185, or 33.4 percent, in 2000. This represents a change of 99.4 percent in the size of the foreign-born citizen population between 2000 and 2011.

Nationally, 40.3 percent of the foreign-born population were citizens in 2000, and 44.9 percent were citizens in 2011.

In Tennessee, 79.9 percent of the immigrants who entered before 1980 were citizens, compared to 12.6 percent of those who entered in 2000 or later.
Among the foreign-born population in Tennessee in 2011, 79.9 percent of those who entered the United States before 1980 were citizens, as were 63.7 percent who entered during the 1980s, 41.9 percent who entered during the 1990s, and 12.6 percent of those who entered in 2000 or later.

Nationally, 79.8 percent of the foreign-born population who entered the United States before 1980 were citizens, as were 64.2 percent who entered during the 1980s, 45.1 percent who entered during the 1990s, and 16.1 percent of those who entered in 2000 or later.

Gender and Age

In Tennessee, 49.1 percent of the immigrant population were female in 2011, and 50.9 percent male.
Of the total foreign-born population in Tennessee in 2011, 49.1 percent were female and 50.9 percent male, compared to 51.4 percent female and 48.6 percent male among the native born.

At the national level, 51.1 percent of the foreign born were female and 48.9 percent male.

Immigrants made up 0.7 percent of young children in Tennessee, 2.8 percent of youths, 7.1 percent of working-age (18-54) adults, and 2.6 percent of adults age 55 and older.
In 2011, 0.7 percent of Tennessee's population younger than age 5 were born abroad as were 2.8 percent of those 5 to 17; 5.7 percent of those 18 to 24; 7.5 percent of those 25 to 54; and 2.6 percent of seniors 55 and older.

Nationally, 1.2 percent of those under age 5 were foreign born, as well as 4.5 percent of those 5 to 17; 10.8 percent of those 18 to 24; 18.9 percent of those 25 to 54; and 13.0 percent of those 55 and older.

Of the immigrant population in Tennessee, 10.7 percent were minors, 74.8 percent were of working age (18-54), and 14.4 percent were 55 and older.
In 2011, 0.9 percent of the foreign-born population in Tennessee were under the age of 5; 9.8 percent were 5 to 17; 11.5 percent were 18 to 24; 63.4 percent were 25 to 54; and 14.4 percent were 55 or older. Among the native-born population in Tennessee, 6.5 percent were under the age of 5; 17.4 percent were between 5 and 17; 9.6 percent were 18 to 24; 39.4 percent were 25 to 54; and 27.1 percent were 55 or older.

At the national level, 0.6 percent of the immigrant population were under 5; 5.9 percent were 5 to 17; 8.3 percent were 18 to 24; 59.5 percent were 25 to 54; and 25.6 percent were 55 or older.

Race and Hispanic Origin

In Tennessee, 22.1 percent of the foreign-born population were Asian, 9.0 percent were black or African American, and 45.2 percent were white.
Of the foreign born in Tennessee in 2011, 45.2 percent reported their race as white alone, 9.0 percent as black or African American alone, 22.1 percent as Asian alone, and 19.4 percent as some other race; 2.7 percent reported having two or more races. Among the native-born population in Tennessee, 79.6 percent reported their race as white alone, 17.1 percent as black or African American alone, 0.4 percent as Asian alone, 0.8 percent as some other race, and 1.9 percent as having two or more races.

At the national level, 48.3 percent of the foreign born reported their race as white alone, 8.4 percent as black or African American alone, 24.8 percent as Asian alone, and 15.5 percent as some other race; 2.5 percent reported having two or more races.

Of the foreign born in Tennessee, 44.5 percent reported Hispanic or Latino origins.
In Tennessee, 44.5 percent of immigrants reported Hispanic or Latino origins, compared to 2.6 percent of the native born.

At the national level, 46.6 percent of the foreign born reported a Hispanic or Latino origin.

Household

The average household size of the immigrant population in Tennessee in 2011 was 3.52 persons for those who owned their own homes and 3.41 persons for those who rented.
The average household size of the foreign-born population in Tennessee who owned their own homes was 3.52 persons, while the average household size of those renting their homes was 3.41 persons. Among the native-born population in Tennessee, the average household size of those who owned their own homes was 2.55 persons, while the average household size of those who rented their homes was 2.35 persons.

The share of households headed by a foreign-born person with more than one occupant per room was 9.1 percent.
Of all households in Tennessee headed by a foreign-born person, 9.1 percent were households in which the number of household members exceeded the number of rooms in the house. Among households in Tennessee headed by native-born persons, 1.5 percent had more people than rooms in the house.

At the national level, 12.1 percent of households headed by a foreign-born person had more than one occupant per room.

Domestic and International Migration

Between 2010 and 2011, 13,159 immigrants moved to Tennessee from abroad, 12,397 immigrants relocated from other states and the District of Columbia (DC), and 7,946 immigrants left Tennessee for another state within the United States.*
Of the 25,556 immigrant respondents (ages one and older in 2011) who moved to Tennessee between 2010 and 2011, 51.5 percent (or 13,159) arrived from abroad and 48.5 percent (or 12,397) relocated from another state. At the same time, 7,946 immigrants moved out of Tennessee to another area within the United States, while 239,436 immigrants continued residing in the same house and 41,658 immigrants moved within Tennessee.

Between 2010 and 2011, 11,804 native-born residents (ages one and older) moved to Tennessee from abroad, 158,572 native born relocated from another state, 146,297 native born left Tennessee for another state, and 752,898 native born moved within Tennessee. The majority of native-born residents did not move (5,103,542).

Between 2010 and 2011, the total population (ages one and older) of Tennessee increased from 6,291,777 to 6,333,466 (or by 41,689) due to the net domestic in-migration of natives (12,275), the net domestic in-migration of immigrants (4,451), and the arrival from abroad of natives (11,804) and immigrants (13,159).

*Note: These estimates do not include people who lived in Tennessee in 2010 and are currently living in Puerto Rico, other US island areas, and foreign countries, or who died between 2010 and 2011. The estimates refer to geographic mobility of persons ages one and older.

For details, see Table 3

What Was the Poverty Threshold in 2011?
Whether any family is considered below the poverty threshold depends on the families' total income before taxes, not including any capital gains or noncash benefits, such as food stamps or housing subsidies.

The Census Bureau's poverty threshold varies depending on the number of adults and children in a family. It is adjusted each month to account for inflation. Because respondents filled out the American Community Survey in different months, the poverty threshold applied to each family depends on the month in which the survey was taken.

To give a general idea of poverty levels, as defined by the US Census Bureau, the average poverty threshold for a family of four 2011 was $23,021; for a family of three, $17,916; for a family of two, $14,657; and for an unrelated individual, $11,484. All members of a family are assigned the same poverty status. Poverty thresholds are the same for the whole United States, despite differences in the cost of living across US communities.
Children in Immigrant Families

In 2011, 7.8 percent of immigrant women in Tennessee had given birth in the previous year.
Of the foreign-born women in Tennessee in 2011, 7.8 percent had given birth in the previous year. Of those who had given birth, 76.2 percent were married, and 23.8 percent were not married (including those who were divorced or widowed). Among native-born women in Tennessee, 5.3 percent had given birth in the previous year. Of those, 60.8 percent were married and 39.2 percent unmarried.

At the national level, 6.8 percent of immigrant women had given birth in the previous year, including 76.4 percent who were married and 23.6 percent who were unmarried.

Children residing with at least one immigrant parent accounted for 10.6 percent of children under age 18 in 2011, 4.6 percent in 2000, and 2.3 percent in 1990.
Of all children under age 18 in Tennessee in 2011, 148,843 or 10.6 percent resided in immigrant families (i.e., with at least one foreign-born parent).

Nationally, children with immigrant parents accounted for 24.3 percent of all children under age 18 in 2011, compared to 19.1 percent in 2000 and 13.4 percent in 1990.

For similar information for children under age 6 and children between ages 6 and 17, see Table 4.

Of all children with immigrant parents in Tennessee, 83.5 percent were US citizens by birth.
In 2011, there were 124,224 US-born children with at least one immigrant parent in Tennessee. They accounted for 83.5 percent of all children with immigrant parents. The share of US-born children among children of immigrants under age 18 was 75.4 percent in 2000 and 80.0 percent in 1990.

At the national level, 87.1 percent of children with immigrant parents were US born, compared to 79.5 percent in 2000 and 77.0 percent in 1990.

For similar information for children under age 6 and children between ages 6 and 17, see Table 4.

Children of immigrants accounted for 13.1 percent of all children in low-income families (i.e., below 200 percent of the federal poverty threshold) in 2011, 4.8 percent in 2000, and 1.9 percent in 1990 in Tennessee.
In 2011, there were 694,950 children under age 18 who resided in families with income below 200 percent of the federal poverty threshold in Tennessee. Of them, 13.1 percent were children with immigrant parent(s).

In comparison, children with immigrant parent(s) accounted for 30.5 percent of children in low-income families in the nation in 2011, 25.5 percent in 2000, and 16.7 percent in 1990.



Table 1. Foreign-Born Population and World Region of Birth (1990, 2000, and 2011)
1990
2000
2011
Number
Percent
Number
Percent
Number
Percent
Total Population of Tennessee1 4,877,185 100.0 5,689,283 100.0 6,403,353 100.0
Native born 4,818,071 98.8 5,530,279 97.2 6,096,677 95.2
Foreign born 59,114 1.2 159,004 2.8 306,676 4.8
Not a citizen 32,523 0.7 105,819 1.9 200,641 3.1
Naturalized citizen 26,591 0.5 53,185 0.9 106,035 1.7
Foreign-Born Population of Tennessee2 56,960 100.0 159,004 100.0 306,676 100.0
Born in Europe 17,611 30.9 28,117 17.7 38,891 12.7
Born in Asia 24,938 43.8 50,584 31.8 82,823 27.0
Born in Africa 2,690 4.7 8,696 5.5 27,309 8.9
Born in Oceania 566 1.0 929 0.6 2,306 0.8
Born in Latin America 6,859 12.0 63,484 39.9 146,002 47.6
Born in Northern America 4,296 7.5 7,194 4.5 9,345 3.0
 
 
Change 1990 to 2000
Change 1990 to 2011
Change 2000 to 2011
 
Numeric
Percent
Numeric
Percent
Numeric
Percent
Total Population of Tennessee1 812,098 16.7 1,526,168 31.3 714,070 12.6
Native born 712,208 14.8 1,278,606 26.5 566,398 10.2
Foreign born 99,890 169.0 247,562 418.8 147,672 92.9
Not a citizen 73,296 225.4 168,118 516.9 94,822 89.6
Naturalized citizen 26,594 100.0 79,444 298.8 52,850 99.4
Foreign-Born Population of Tennessee2 102,044 179.2 249,716 438.4 147,672 92.9
Born in Europe 10,506 59.7 21,280 120.8 10,774 38.3
Born in Asia 25,646 102.8 57,885 232.1 32,239 63.7
Born in Africa 6,006 223.3 24,619 915.2 18,613 214.0
Born in Oceania 363 64.1 1,740 307.4 1,377 148.2
Born in Latin America 56,625 825.6 139,143 2028.6 82,518 130.0
Born in Northern America 2,898 67.5 5,049 117.5 2,151 29.9
Notes:
1. This table describes the entire population of Tennessee.
2. For 1990, 2000, and 2011, the total for the region of birth of the foreign born is different from the total foreign born. This is because the 1990 total excludes those who did not report a country of birth and those born at sea, while the 2000 and 2011 totals exclude those born at sea. In 2000 and 2011, individuals who did not report a country of birth were allocated a country (and region) based on various characteristics. Because of this allocation in 2000 and 2011, but not in 1990, the increase for a specific region between 1990 and 2000 is overstated by a small, but unknown, amount.
Sources: US Census Bureau, 2011 American Community Survey (ACS); US Census Bureau, 1990 Census of Population and Housing and Census 2000, click here.
For information about ACS methodology, sampling error, and nonsampling error, click here.


Table 2. Characteristics of the Foreign-Born Population in Tennessee, 20111
  Number Percent
PERIOD OF ENTRY BY WORLD REGION OF BIRTH    
Total Foreign-Born Population 306,676 100.0
Entered in 2000 or after 149,571 48.8
Entered 1990 to 1999 87,779 28.6
Entered 1980 to 1989 31,286 10.2
Entered before 1980 38,040 12.4
Born in Europe 38,891 100.0
Entered in 2000 or after 13,125 33.7
Entered 1990 to 1999 9,740 25.0
Entered 1980 to 1989 3,533 9.1
Entered before 1980 12,493 32.1
Born in Asia 82,823 100.0
Entered in 2000 or after 39,038 47.1
Entered 1990 to 1999 21,006 25.4
Entered 1980 to 1989 11,433 13.8
Entered before 1980 11,346 13.7
Born in Mexico 97,343 100.0
Entered in 2000 or after 52,016 53.4
Entered 1990 to 1999 33,768 34.7
Entered 1980 to 1989 7,784 8.0
Entered before 1980 3,775 3.9
Born in Other Parts of Latin America 48,659 100.0
Entered in 2000 or after 25,661 52.7
Entered 1990 to 1999 13,950 28.7
Entered 1980 to 1989 4,582 9.4
Entered before 1980 4,466 9.2
Born in Other Areas2 38,960 100.0
Entered in 2000 or after 19,731 50.6
Entered 1990 to 1999 9,315 23.9
Entered 1980 to 1989 3,954 10.1
Entered before 1980 5,960 15.3
CITIZENSHIP STATUS BY PERIOD OF ENTRY    
Total Foreign-Born Population 306,676 100.0
Not a citizen 200,641 65.4
Naturalized citizen 106,035 34.6
Entered in 2000 or after 149,571 100.0
Not a citizen 130,658 87.4
Naturalized citizen 18,913 12.6
Entered 1990 to 1999 87,779 100.0
Not a citizen 50,982 58.1
Naturalized citizen 36,797 41.9
Entered 1980 to 1989 31,286 100.0
Not a citizen 11,350 36.3
Naturalized citizen 19,936 63.7
Entered before 1980 38,040 100.0
Not a citizen 7,651 20.1
Naturalized citizen 30,389 79.9
GENDER    
Total Native-Born Population 6,096,677 100.0
Male 2,962,770 48.6
Female 3,133,907 51.4
Total Foreign-Born Population 306,676 100.0
Male 156,181 50.9
Female 150,495 49.1
MARITAL STATUS    
Total Native-Born Population Age 15 or Older 4,885,103 100.0
Never married 1,407,596 28.8
Now married (not separated) 2,374,653 48.6
Separated 111,675 2.3
Divorced 655,428 13.4
Widowed 335,751 6.9
Total Foreign-Born Population Age 15 or Older 283,212 100.0
Never married 79,430 28.0
Now married (not separated) 167,020 59.0
Separated 7,922 2.8
Divorced 19,590 6.9
Widowed 9,250 3.3
NATIVITY BY AGE    
Total Population 6,403,353 100.0
Under 5 399,788 100.0
Native born 397,013 99.3
Foreign born 2,775 0.7
5 to 17 1,090,666 100.0
Native born 1,060,531 97.2
Foreign born 30,135 2.8
18 to 24 618,507 100.0
Native born 583,351 94.3
Foreign born 35,156 5.7
25 to 54 2,597,457 100.0
Native born 2,403,096 92.5
Foreign born 194,361 7.5
55 and Older 1,696,935 100.0
Native born 1,652,686 97.4
Foreign born 44,249 2.6
MEDIAN AGE5    
Total Native-Born Population    
Median age 38.5 --
Total Foreign-Born Population    
Median age 35.5 --
RACE    
Total Native-Born Population 6,096,677 100.0
One race 5,983,558 98.1
White 4,851,354 79.6
Black or African American 1,043,838 17.1
American Indian and Alaska Native 15,136 0.2
Asian 24,475 0.4
Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander 1,268 0.0
Some other race 47,487 0.8
Two or more races 113,119 1.9
Total Foreign-Born Population 306,676 100.0
One race 298,321 97.3
White 138,714 45.2
Black or African American 27,625 9.0
American Indian and Alaska Native 3,596 4.8
Asian 67,811 22.1
Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander 1,031 0.3
Some other race 59,544 19.4
Two or more races 8,355 2.7
HISPANIC ORIGIN    
Total Native-Born Population 6,096,677 100.0
Hispanic or Latino (of any race) 159,784 2.6
White, not Hispanic or Latino 4,754,872 78.0
Total Foreign-Born Population 306,676 100.0
Hispanic or Latino (of any race) 136,523 44.5
White, not Hispanic or Latino 69,081 22.5
HOUSEHOLD AND FAMILY SIZE5    
Total Native-Born Population 6,096,677  
Average household size 2.49 --
Average family size 3.09 --
Total Foreign-Born Population 306,676  
Average household size 3.46 --
Average family size 3.93 --
HOUSEHOLD SIZE BY HOUSING TENURE5    
Total Native-Born Population    
Average household size of owner-occupied unit 2.55 --
Average household size of renter-occupied unit 2.35 --
Total Foreign-Born Population    
Average household size of owner-occupied unit 3.52 --
Average household size of renter-occupied unit 3.41 --
Not a Citizen    
Average household size of owner-occupied unit 3.93 --
Average household size of renter-occupied unit 3.57 --
Naturalized Citizen    
Average household size of owner-occupied unit 3.25 --
Average household size of renter-occupied unit 2.90 --
HOUSEHOLD TYPE5    
Total Native-Born Population 6,096,677 --
In married couple family household -- 58.1
In other household type -- 39.4
Total Foreign-Born Population 306,676 --
In married couple family household -- 61.9
In other household type -- 36.3
FERTILITY    
Total Native-Born Female Population, Ages 15 to 50 1,459,011 100.0
Women who had a birth in the last 12 months 77,617 5.3
Married (including spouse absent) 47,183 3.2
Unmarried (never married, divorced, and widowed) 30,434 2.1
Total Foreign-Born Female Population, Ages 15 to 50 103,348 100.0
Women who had a birth in the last 12 months 8,015 7.8
Married (including spouse absent) 6,104 5.9
Unmarried (never married, divorced, and widowed) 1,911 1.8
REGION/COUNTRY OF BIRTH    
Total Foreign-Born Population3 306,676 100.0
Europe 38,891 12.7
Northern Europe 9,435 3.1
United Kingdom 7,523 2.5
United Kingdom, excluding England 3,651 1.2
England 3,872 1.3
Ireland 636 0.2
Other Northern Europe 1,276 0.4
Western Europe 12,192 4.0
France 706 0.2
Germany 9,806 3.2
Other Western Europe 1,680 0.5
Southern Europe 2,637 0.9
Italy 722 0.2
Portugal 1,178 0.4
Other Southern Europe 737 0.2
Eastern Europe 14,627 4.8
Poland 187 0.1
Russia 4,487 1.5
Other Eastern Europe 9,953 3.2
Europe, n.e.c.4 0 0.0
Asia 82,823 27.0
Eastern Asia 19,760 6.4
China 10,256 3.3
China, excluding Taiwan 7,249 2.4
Taiwan 3,007 1.0
Japan 2,984 1.0
Korea 6,520 2.1
Other Eastern Asia 0 0.0
South Central Asia 28,544 9.3
India 19,383 6.3
Iran 2,968 1.0
Other South Central Asia 6,193 2.0
Southeastern Asia 24,517 8.0
Philippines 7,181 2.3
Vietnam 8,328 2.7
Other Southeastern Asia 9,008 2.9
Western Asia 9,912 3.2
Israel 117 0.0
Lebanon 428 0.1
Other Western Asia 9,367 3.1
Asia, n.e.c. 4 90 0.0
Africa 27,309 8.9
Eastern Africa 11,259 3.7
Northern Africa 5,757 1.9
Western Africa 6,633 2.2
Middle and Southern Africa 1,968 0.6
Africa, n.e.c. 4 1,692 0.6
Oceania 2,306 0.8
Australia and New Zealand Subregion 879 0.3
Oceania, n.e.c. 4 1,427 0.5
Americas 155,347 50.7
Latin America 146,002 47.6
Caribbean 9,010 2.9
Cuba 2,834 0.9
Jamaica 2,074 0.7
Other Caribbean 4,102 1.3
Central America 125,782 41.0
Mexico 97,343 31.7
El Salvador 10,580 3.4
Other Central America 17,859 5.8
South America 11,210 3.7
Brazil 1,467 0.5
Colombia 2,229 0.7
Other South America 7,514 2.5
Northern America 9,345 3.0
Canada 9,158 3.0
Other Northern America 187 0.1
Notes:
1. The letter N Indicates that a number could not be provided by the Census Bureau because the number of sample cases was too small for this state.
2. Data on the foreign born from Africa and Oceania by period of entry are not available because the number of sample cases was too small for many states.
3. The total for the region of birth of the foreign born is different from the total foreign born. This is because the totals exclude those born at sea.
4. The abbreviation "n.e.c." stands for not elsewhere classified.
5. For Alaska, Maine, Montana, South Dakota, Vermont, and West Virginia the data are from the US Census Bureau's pooled 2009-2011 ACS and for North Dakota and Wyoming the data are from 2007-2011 ACS. For the United States and the rest of the states the data are from 2011 ACS.
Source: US Census Bureau, 2011 American Community Survey (ACS).
For information about ACS methodology,sampling error, and nonsampling error, click here.
For definitions used in ACS, click here.


Table 3. Domestic and International Mobility of the Native and Foreign-Born Population in Tennessee1
  Number Percent
Total Population (one year and older)    
Population residing in the area one year ago (2010) 6,291,777  
Population residing in the area in 2011 6,333,466  
Between 2010 and 2011    
Stayed in the same house 5,342,978  
Moved within Tennessee 794,556  
Population change due to in- and out-migration: 41,689  
Moved from Tennessee to another state 154,243  
Moved to Tennessee 195,932 100.0
Moved to Tennessee from abroad 24,963 12.7
Moved to Tennessee from another state 170,969 87.3
Native-Born Population (one year and older)    
Population residing in the area one year ago (2010) 6,002,737  
Population residing in the area in 2011 6,026,816  
Between 2010 and 2011    
Stayed in the same house 5,103,542  
Moved within Tennessee 752,898  
Population change due to in- and out-migration: 24,079  
Moved from Tennessee to another state 146,297  
Moved to Tennessee 170,376 100.0
Moved to Tennessee from abroad 11,804 6.9
Moved to Tennessee from another state 158,572 93.1
Foreign-Born Population (one year and older)    
Population residing in the area one year ago (2010) 289,040  
Population residing in the area in 2011 306,650  
Between 2010 and 2011    
Stayed in the same house 239,436  
Moved within Tennessee 41,658  
Population change due to in- and out-migration: 17,610  
Moved from Tennessee to another state 7,946  
Moved to Tennessee 25,556 100.0
Moved to Tennessee from abroad 13,159 51.5
Moved to Tennessee from another state 12,397 48.5
Notes:
1. The ACS asks if the person lived in the same house or apartment one year ago. If the respondent indicates that he or she did not live in the same house or apartment one year ago, then the city, town or post office, along with the county, state, and zip code of their residence one year ago, is requested. ACS collects data every month and asks about residence one year earlier without referencing a specific date. These estimates do not include people who lived in Tennessee in 2010 and are currently living in Puerto Rico, other US island areas, and foreign countries, or who died between 2010 and 2011. The estimates refer to geographic mobility of persons ages one and older.
2. The letter N Indicates that a number could not be provided by the Census Bureau because the number of sample cases was too small for this state.
Sources: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2011.
For information about ACS methodology, sampling error, and nonsampling error, click here.
For definitions used in ACS, click here.


Table 4. Children in Immigrant Families in Tennessee (1990, 2000, and 2011)
1990
2000
2011
Number
Percent
Number
Percent
Number
Percent
Children under age 18 with 1,159,734 100.0 1,322,766 100.0 1,402,073 100.0
Only native parent(s) 1,132,779 97.7 1,261,925 95.4 1,253,230 89.4
One or more foreign-born parents 26,955 2.3 60,841 4.6 148,843 10.6
Child is native 21,573 1.9 45,864 3.5 124,224 8.9
Child is foreign born 5,382 0.5 14,977 1.1 24,619 1.8
Children under age 6 with 385,053 100.0 425,520 100.0 458,566 100.0
Only native parent(s) 376,143 97.7 402,583 94.6 400,532 87.3
One or more foreign-born parents 8,910 2.3 22,937 5.4 58,034 12.7
Child is native 8,109 2.1 20,656 4.9 55,504 12.1
Child is foreign born 801 0.2 2,281 0.5 2,530 0.6
Children between ages 6 and 17 with 774,681 100.0 897,246 100.0 943,507 100.0
Only native parent(s) 756,636 97.7 859,342 95.8 852,698 90.4
One or more foreign-born parents 18,045 2.3 37,904 4.2 90,809 9.6
Child is native 13,464 1.7 25,208 2.8 68,720 7.3
Child is foreign born 4,581 0.6 12,696 1.4 22,089 2.3
Children under age 18 in low-income families with 513,462 100.0 529,120 100.0 694,950 100.0
Only native parents 503,715 98.1 503,623 95.2 603,747 86.9
One or more foreign-born parents 9,747 1.9 25,497 4.8 91,203 13.1
Notes:
1. This table refers only to children under 18 who resided with at least one parent. These figures do not include children under 18 who reside in a home with no parents.
2. Low-income families are defined as families with incomes below 200 percent of the federal poverty threshold.
Sources: 1990 and 2000 Decennial Census data are from Steven Ruggles, Matthew Sobek, Trent Alexander, Catherine A. Fitch, Ronald Goeken, Patricia Kelly Hall, Miriam King, and Chad Ronnander, "Integrated Public Use Microdata Series: Version 4.0" (Machine-readable database, Minnesota Population Center [producer and distributor], 2011); US Census Bureau, 2011 American Community Survey (ACS).