Tennessee Department of Economic & Community Development

Data & Research

State Profile

Quality of Life

From the extensive Tennessee state park system to the moderate climate in which to enjoy them, the quality of life in Tennessee is comparable to no other state's. Read more.

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Tennessee is very reasonable. Tennessee compares favorably with the cost of living in other states, in fact, its eleven cities rank below the national average for cost of living. Housing cost in Tennessee are among the lowest in the nation. In 2003, Tennessee ranked 16th among the 50 states in median monthly housing costs for owner occupied units with mortgage. The Tennessee Housing Development Agency reports that 76,317 single-family homes were sold in 2002 with a median selling price of $114,000, and portions of the state outside of the metropolitan areas had a median selling price of $89,000. For a chart of cost of living in Tennessee's major cities, click here.

Education

Education is a priority in Tennessee. Governmental leaders, residents and educators are committed to improving and expanding educational opportunities available to individuals of all ages and backgrounds. Multidisciplinary education is available on a statewide basis. There are three main goals for education in Tennessee: to ensure prosperous and productive futures for all economic sectors; to create a skilled labor force for industry and business and to develop public awareness of the societal and economic challenges brought on by the advancing technological age in which we live.

Education Statistics

Climate

Tennessee enjoys a generally mild climate, providing favorable conditions for the state's many advantages as well as working and living with a minimum of weather-related disruptions.

Click here to view average Tennessee temperature and precipitation.

Culture

From the smallest community to the largest metropolis, Tennessee offers an inexhaustible wealth of architectural artistry, events, facilities and sites of cultural significance. Culture in Tennessee is a unique blend of the old and the new, providing opportunities to learn from the state's native culture and experience the best from around the world.

Sports & Recreation

From professional football in Memphis to NASCAR racing in Bristol, Tennesseans have abundant opportunities to watch professional athletes in action. Professional teams in Tennessee include:

Baseball
Team League
Memphis Redbirds Pacific Coast League (AAA)
Nashville Sounds Pacific Coast League (AAA)
Chattanooga Lookouts Southern League (AA)
Tennessee Smokies Southern League (AA)
West TN Diamond Jaxx Southern League (AA)
Elizabethton Twins Appalachian League (Rookie)
Johnson City Cardinals Appalachian League (Rookie)
Kingsport Mets Appalachian League (Rookie)

 

Basketball
Team League
Memphis Grizzlies National Basketball Association (NBA)

 

Football
Team League
Tennessee Titans Nashville Football League (NFL)

 

Golf
Event Location
PGA-FedEx St. Jude Classic Memphis
Senior PGA - Music City Championship at Gaylord Opryland Nashville
Nationwide PGA Knoxville Open Knoxville
Nationwide PGA Chattanooga Center Chattanooga

 

Hockey
Team League
Memphis Riverkings Central Hockey
Nashville Predators National Hockey

Soccer
Team League
Nashville Metros United Soccer League (PDL)

 

Racing

Bristol International Raceway, the state's premier racing facility, is the home of six major NASCAR events and the site of NASCAR's fall night race.

Nashville Speedway ( Lebanon , TN ) hosts NASCAR Busch Series competition.

Fairgrounds Speedway at Nashville has independent stock car races.

31 raceways spread across the state regularly offer weekly races and special events.

Opportunities for outdoor recreation are virtually unlimited in Tennessee -fishing, boating, hunting, rafting and canoeing, hiking, and golf are just a few recreational activities you will find across in Tennessee .

Fishing

Tennessee has excellent fly fishing opportunities for the all types of anglers. Most people live within a few minutes excellent fishing affording the opportunity to fish year round for species such as small, striped, and largemouth bass, catfish, and walleye is great. Consider Tennessee 's has abundant water resources in 33 major reservoirs (~500,000 acres)- all open to the public, 19,000 miles of streams and rivers, Thousands of small lakes and ponds,

2,000 miles of trout streams, including mountain streams and 12 large tailwaters.

Rafting and Canoeing

From the most experienced canoeist to those who prefer an inner tube, Tennesseans find easy access to recreational opportunities on the state's river. More than 60 firms across the state offer canoe rentals and/or guided raft trips, in waters ranging from Class I through Class V.

The 1996 Olympic whitewater events took place on the Ocoee River in southeast Tennessee near Cleveland .

State Parks

Tennessee 's state park system with 54 parks and nearly 167,000137,302 acres provides a variety of opportunities to enjoy the state's climate, scenery, and excellent hiking over a myriad of terrain. Park system accommodations range from resort inns to developed camping sites with facilities including marinas, playgrounds, golf courses, restaurants, stables and interpretive centers.

Click here to view resources for Tennessee's state parks

Golf

Tennessee ranks 20th among the states in the number of private golf courses and 38th overall.

There are more than 222 public golf courses suited to all levels of abilities, including championship courses . In addition to challenging courses, Tennessee golfers are treated to some of the most spectacular scenery in the nation, from the Mississippi River to the mountains of the east.

State History