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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 2007.

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, 2007: 24 out of 51
Percent foreign born in the total population, 2007: 37 out of 51
Numeric change in the foreign-born population, 2000 to 2007: 17 out of 51
Percent change in the foreign-born population, 2000 to 2007: 4 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 56.9 percent between 2000 and 2007.
Between 2000 and 2007, the foreign-born population in Tennessee changed from 159,004 to 249,552, representing a change of 56.9 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 38,059,694 ( 22.3 percent) between 2000 and 2007.

In 2007, the foreign born represented 4.1 percent of Tennessee's total population.
In 2007, 4.1 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 12.6 percent of the total population in 2007, compared to 11.1 percent in 2000 and 7.9 percent in 1990.

Of the total immigrant population in Tennessee, 31.2 percent entered during the 1990s, and 40.8 percent entered in 2000 or later.
Of the foreign-born population resident in Tennessee in 2007, 15.6 percent entered the country prior to 1980, 12.5 percent between 1980 and 1989, 31.2 percent between 1990 and 1999, and 40.8 percent in 2000 or later.

Nationally, 22.3 percent of the foreign-born population entered the country before 1980, 20.6 percent during the 1980s, 29.4 percent during the 1990s, and 27.7 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 2007, 6.9 percent were from Africa, 26.4 percent from Asia, 15.0 percent from Europe, 48.3 percent from Latin America (South America, Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean), 2.9 percent from Northern America (Canada, Bermuda, Greenland, and St. Pierre and Miquelon), and 0.6 percent from Oceania.

At the national level, 3.7 percent were from Africa, 26.8 percent from Asia, 13.1 percent from Europe, 53.6 percent from Latin America, 2.2 percent from Northern America, and 0.6 percent from Oceania.

The top three countries of birth of the foreign born in Tennessee were Mexico, India, and China (excluding Taiwan).*
Of the total immigrant population in Tennessee in 2007, 32.9 percent were born in Mexico, 4.8 percent in India, and 3.5 percent in China (excluding Taiwan). 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 2007 were Mexico (30.8 percent), the Philippines (4.5 percent), and China (excluding Taiwan) (4.1 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. The 1990 data on the countries of birth reflect geographic boundaries as of 1990.

Citizenship Status

In Tennessee, 31.2 percent of the foreign born were citizens in 2007.
The 2007 American Community Survey reported that 77,896, or 31.2 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 46.5 percent in the size of the foreign-born citizen population between 2000 and 2007.

Nationally, 40.3 percent of the foreign-born population were citizens in 2000, and 42.5 percent were citizens in 2007.

In Tennessee, 79.2 percent of the immigrants who entered before 1980 were citizens, compared to 5.9 percent of those who entered in 2000 or later.
Among the foreign-born population in Tennessee in 2007, 79.2 percent of those who entered the United States before 1980 were citizens, as were 56.4 percent who entered during the 1980s, 30.2 percent who entered during the 1990s, and 5.9 percent of those who entered in 2000 or later.

Nationally, 78.6 percent of the foreign-born population who entered the United States before 1980 were citizens, as were 58.9 percent who entered during the 1980s, 35.3 percent who entered during the 1990s, and 8.9 percent of those who entered in 2000 or later.

Gender and Age

In Tennessee, 46.0 percent of the immigrant population were female in 2007, and 54.0 percent male.
Of the total foreign-born population in Tennessee in 2007, 46.0 percent were female and 54.0 percent male, compared to 51.4 percent female and 48.6 percent male among the native born.

At the national level, 49.7 percent of the foreign born were female and 50.3 percent male.

Immigrants made up 0.6 percent of young children in Tennessee, 2.5 percent of youths, 5.7 percent of working-age (18-54) adults, and 2.6 percent of adults age 55 and older.
In 2007, 0.6 percent of Tennessee's population younger than age 5 were born abroad as were 2.5 percent of those 5 to 17; 5.0 percent of those 18 to 24; 5.9 percent of those 25 to 54; and 2.6 percent of seniors 55 and older.

Nationally, 1.4 percent of those under age 5 were foreign born, as well as 5.0 percent of those 5 to 17; 11.7 percent of those 18 to 24; 18.0 percent of those 25 to 54; and 12.2 percent of those 55 and older.

Of the immigrant population in Tennessee, 11.8 percent were minors, 72.7 percent were of working age (18-54), and 15.5 percent were 55 and older.
In 2007, 1.0 percent of the foreign-born population in Tennessee were under the age of 5; 10.8 percent were 5 to 17; 11.3 percent were 18 to 24; 61.4 percent were 25 to 54; and 15.5 percent were 55 or older. Among the native-born population in Tennessee, 6.8 percent were under the age of 5; 17.6 percent were between 5 and 17; 9.1 percent were 18 to 24; 41.7 percent were 25 to 54; and 24.8 percent were 55 or older.

At the national level, 0.8 percent of the immigrant population were under 5; 7.0 percent were 5 to 17; 9.2 percent were 18 to 24; 60.4 percent were 25 to 54; and 22.7 percent were 55 or older.

Race and Hispanic Origin

In Tennessee, 22.1 percent of the foreign-born population were Asian, 7.4 percent were black or African American, and 49.2 percent were white.
Of the foreign born in Tennessee in 2007, 49.2 percent reported their race as white alone, 7.4 percent as black or African American alone, 22.1 percent as Asian alone, and 20.3 percent as some other race; 1.0 percent reported having two or more races. Among the native-born population in Tennessee, 80.3 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 1.3 percent as having two or more races.

At the national level, 45.7 percent of the foreign born reported their race as white alone, 7.8 percent as black or African American alone, 23.4 percent as Asian alone, and 21.8 percent as some other race; 1.3 percent reported having two or more races.

Of the foreign born in Tennessee, 45.4 percent reported Hispanic or Latino origins.
In Tennessee, 45.4 percent of immigrants reported Hispanic or Latino origins, compared to 1.7 percent of the native born.

At the national level, 47.5 percent of the foreign born reported a Hispanic or Latino origin.

Household

The average household size of the immigrant population in Tennessee in 2007 was 3.36 persons for those who owned their own homes and 3.23 persons for those who rented.
The average household size of the foreign-born population in Tennessee who owned their own homes was 3.36 persons, while the average household size of those renting their homes was 3.23 persons. Among the native-born population in Tennessee, the average household size of those who owned their own homes was 2.54 persons, while the average household size of those who rented their homes was 2.27 persons.

The share of households headed by a foreign-born person with more than one occupant per room was 7.8 percent.
Of all households in Tennessee headed by a foreign-born person, 7.8 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, 1.2 percent had more people than rooms in the house.

At the national level, 11.4 percent of households headed by a foreign-born person had more than one occupant per room.

Domestic and International Migration

Between 2006 and 2007, 10,837 immigrants moved to Tennessee from abroad, 10,898 immigrants relocated from other states and the District of Columbia (DC), and 9,735 immigrants left Tennessee for another state within the United States.*
Of the 21,735 immigrant respondents (ages one and older in 2007) who moved in to Tennessee between 2006 and 2007, 49.9 percent (or 10,837 ) arrived from abroad and 50.1 percent (or 10,898 ) relocated from another state. At the same time, 9,735 immigrants moved out of Tennessee to another area within the United States, while 191,150 immigrants continued residing in the same house and 36,516 immigrants moved within Tennessee.

Between 2006 and 2007, 11,855 native-born residents (ages one and older) moved to Tennessee from abroad, 175,865 native born relocated from another state, 152,965 native born left Tennessee for another state, and 762,261 native born moved within Tennessee. The majority of native-born residents did not move (4,875,015).

Between 2006 and 2007, the total population (ages one and older) of Tennessee increased from 6,027,642 to 6,074,397 (or by 46,755) due to the net domestic in-migration of natives (22,900), the net domestic in-migration of immigrants (1,163), and the arrival from abroad of natives (11,855) and immigrants (10,837).

*Note: These estimates do not include people who lived in Tennessee in 2006 and are currently living in Puerto Rico, other US island areas, and foreign countries, or who died between 2006 and 2007. The estimates refer to geographic mobility of persons ages one and older.

For details, see Table 3

What Was the Poverty Threshold in 2007?
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 Office of Management and Budget, the average poverty threshold for a family of four in 2007 was $21,203; for a family of three, $16,530; for a family of two, $13,540; and for unrelated individuals, $10,590. 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 2007, 8.4 percent of immigrant women in Tennessee had given birth in the previous year.
Of the foreign-born women in Tennessee in 2007, 8.4 percent had given birth in the previous year. Of those who had given birth, 72.7 percent were married, and 27.3 percent were not married (including those who were divorced or widowed). Among native-born women in Tennessee, 5.2 percent had given birth in the previous year. Of those, 59.8 percent were married and 40.2 percent unmarried.

At the national level, 7.2 percent of immigrant women had given birth in the previous year, including 77.8 percent who were married and 22.2 percent who were unmarried.

Children residing with at least one immigrant parent accounted for 8.1 percent of children under age 18 in 2007, 4.6 percent in 2000, and 2.3 percent in 1990.
Of all children under age 18 in Tennessee in 2007, 110,256 or 8.1 percent resided in immigrant families (i.e., with at least one foreign-born parent).

Nationally, children with immigrant parents accounted for 23.0 percent of all children under age 18 in 2007, 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, 80.3 percent were US citizens by birth.
In 2007, there were 88,571 US-born children with at least one immigrant parent in Tennessee. They accounted for 80.3 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, 84.7 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 9.7 percent of all children in low-income families (i.e., below 200 percent of the federal poverty threshold) in 2007, 4.8 percent in 2000, and 1.9 percent in 1990 in Tennessee.
In 2007, there were 606,478 children under age 18 who resided in families with income below 200 percent of the federal poverty threshold in Tennessee. Of them, 9.7 percent were children with immigrant parent(s).

In comparison, children with immigrant parent(s) accounted for 29.8 percent of children in low-income families in the nation in 2007, 25.5 percent in 2000, and 16.7 percent in 1990.



Table 1. Foreign-Born Population and World Region of Birth (1990, 2000, and 2007)
1990
2000
2007
Number
Percent
Number
Percent
Number
Percent
Total Population of Tennessee1 4,877,185 100.0 5,689,283 100.0 6,156,719 100.0
Native born 4,818,071 98.8 5,530,279 97.2 5,907,167 95.9
Foreign born 59,114 1.2 159,004 2.8 249,552 4.1
Not a citizen 32,523 0.7 105,819 1.9 171,656 2.8
Naturalized citizen 26,591 0.5 53,185 0.9 77,896 1.3
Foreign-Born Population of Tennessee2 56,960 100.0 159,004 100.0 249,472 100.0
Born in Europe 17,611 30.9 28,117 17.7 37,328 15.0
Born in Asia 24,938 43.8 50,584 31.8 65,788 26.4
Born in Africa 2,690 4.7 8,696 5.5 17,112 6.9
Born in Oceania 566 1.0 929 0.6 1,555 0.6
Born in Latin America 6,859 12.0 63,484 39.9 120,545 48.3
Born in Northern America 4,296 7.5 7,194 4.5 7,144 2.9
 
 
Change 1990 to 2000
Change 1990 to 2007
Change 2000 to 2007
 
Numeric
Percent
Numeric
Percent
Numeric
Percent
Total Population of Tennessee1 812,098 16.7 1,279,534 26.2 467,436 8.2
Native born 712,208 14.8 1,089,096 22.6 376,888 6.8
Foreign born 99,890 169.0 190,438 322.2 90,548 56.9
Not a citizen 73,296 225.4 139,133 427.8 65,837 62.2
Naturalized citizen 26,594 100.0 51,305 192.9 24,711 46.5
Foreign-Born Population of Tennessee2 102,044 179.2 192,512 338.0 90,468 56.9
Born in Europe 10,506 59.7 19,717 112.0 9,211 32.8
Born in Asia 25,646 102.8 40,850 163.8 15,204 30.1
Born in Africa 6,006 223.3 14,422 536.1 8,416 96.8
Born in Oceania 363 64.1 989 174.7 626 67.4
Born in Latin America 56,625 825.6 113,686 1657.5 57,061 89.9
Born in Northern America 2,898 67.5 2,848 66.3 -50 -0.7
Notes:
1. This table describes the entire population of Tennessee.
2. For 1990, 2000, and 2007, 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 2007 totals exclude those born at sea. In 2000 and 2007, 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 2007, 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, 2007 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, 20071
  Number Percent
PERIOD OF ENTRY BY WORLD REGION OF BIRTH    
Total Foreign-Born Population 249,552 100.0
Entered in 2000 or after 101,731 40.8
Entered 1990 to 1999 77,782 31.2
Entered 1980 to 1989 31,128 12.5
Entered before 1980 38,911 15.6
Born in Europe 37,328 100.0
Entered in 2000 or after 9,185 24.6
Entered 1990 to 1999 9,226 24.7
Entered 1980 to 1989 3,963 10.6
Entered before 1980 14,954 40.1
Born in Asia 65,788 100.0
Entered in 2000 or after 19,383 29.5
Entered 1990 to 1999 21,394 32.5
Entered 1980 to 1989 12,931 19.7
Entered before 1980 12,080 18.4
Born in Mexico 82,042 100.0
Entered in 2000 or after 46,452 56.6
Entered 1990 to 1999 27,136 33.1
Entered 1980 to 1989 5,624 6.9
Entered before 1980 2,830 3.4
Born in Other Parts of Latin America 38,503 100.0
Entered in 2000 or after 16,347 42.5
Entered 1990 to 1999 11,320 29.4
Entered 1980 to 1989 5,990 15.6
Entered before 1980 4,846 12.6
Born in Other Areas2 25,891 100.0
Entered in 2000 or after 10,364 40.0
Entered 1990 to 1999 8,706 33.6
Entered 1980 to 1989 2,620 10.1
Entered before 1980 4,201 16.2
CITIZENSHIP STATUS BY PERIOD OF ENTRY    
Total Foreign-Born Population 249,552 100.0
Not a citizen 171,656 68.8
Naturalized citizen 77,896 31.2
Entered in 2000 or after 101,731 100.0
Not a citizen 95,696 94.1
Naturalized citizen 6,035 5.9
Entered 1990 to 1999 77,782 100.0
Not a citizen 54,290 69.8
Naturalized citizen 23,492 30.2
Entered 1980 to 1989 31,128 100.0
Not a citizen 13,578 43.6
Naturalized citizen 17,550 56.4
Entered before 1980 38,911 100.0
Not a citizen 8,092 20.8
Naturalized citizen 30,819 79.2
GENDER    
Total Native-Born Population 5,907,167 100.0
Male 2,871,982 48.6
Female 3,035,185 51.4
Total Foreign-Born Population 249,552 100.0
Male 134,780 54.0
Female 114,772 46.0
MARITAL STATUS    
Total Native-Born Population Age 15 or Older 4,715,577 100.0
Never married 1,278,938 27.1
Now married (not separated) 2,379,622 50.5
Separated 107,645 2.3
Divorced 616,189 13.1
Widowed 333,183 7.1
Total Foreign-Born Population Age 15 or Older 228,910 100.0
Never married 67,435 29.5
Now married (not separated) 133,502 58.3
Separated 7,288 3.2
Divorced 12,357 5.4
Widowed 8,328 3.6
NATIVITY BY AGE    
Total Population 6,156,719 100.0
Under 5 406,138 100.0
Native born 403,546 99.4
Foreign born 2,592 0.6
5 to 17 1,064,956 100.0
Native born 1,037,978 97.5
Foreign born 26,978 2.5
18 to 24 562,932 100.0
Native born 534,792 95.0
Foreign born 28,140 5.0
25 to 54 2,618,881 100.0
Native born 2,465,605 94.1
Foreign born 153,276 5.9
55 and Older 1,503,812 100.0
Native born 1,465,246 97.4
Foreign born 38,566 2.6
MEDIAN AGE    
Total Native-Born Population    
Median age 37.6 --
Total Foreign-Born Population    
Median age 35.7 --
RACE    
Total Native-Born Population 5,907,167 100.0
One race 5,830,684 98.7
White 4,746,058 80.3
Black or African American 1,010,755 17.1
American Indian and Alaska Native 12,096 0.2
Asian 24,058 0.4
Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander 2,791 0.0
Some other race 34,926 0.6
Two or more races 76,483 1.3
Total Foreign-Born Population 249,552 100.0
One race 246,976 99.0
White 122,694 49.2
Black or African American 18,374 7.4
American Indian and Alaska Native 198 0.1
Asian 55,156 22.1
Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander 1,085 0.4
Some other race 49,469 19.8
Two or more races 2,576 1.0
HISPANIC ORIGIN    
Total Native-Born Population 5,907,167 100.0
Hispanic or Latino (of any race) 98,274 1.7
White, not Hispanic or Latino 4,688,769 79.4
Total Foreign-Born Population 249,552 100.0
Hispanic or Latino (of any race) 113,278 45.4
White, not Hispanic or Latino 60,541 24.3
HOUSEHOLD AND FAMILY SIZE    
Total Native-Born Population 5,907,167  
Average household size 2.46 --
Average family size 3.02 --
Total Foreign-Born Population 249,552  
Average household size 3.29 --
Average family size 3.69 --
HOUSEHOLD SIZE BY HOUSING TENURE    
Total Native-Born Population    
Average household size of owner-occupied unit 2.54 --
Average household size of renter-occupied unit 2.27 --
Total Foreign-Born Population    
Average household size of owner-occupied unit 3.36 --
Average household size of renter-occupied unit 3.23 --
Not a Citizen    
Average household size of owner-occupied unit 3.74 --
Average household size of renter-occupied unit 3.40 --
Naturalized Citizen    
Average household size of owner-occupied unit 3.09 --
Average household size of renter-occupied unit 2.60 --
HOUSEHOLD TYPE    
Total Native-Born Population 5,907,167 --
In married couple family household -- 59.4
In other household type -- 38.1
Total Foreign-Born Population 249,552 --
In married couple family household -- 58.4
In other household type -- 39.9
FERTILITY    
Total Native-Born Female Population, Ages 15 to 50 1,471,428 100.0
Women who had a birth in the last 12 months 77,200 5.2
Married (including spouse absent) 46,185 3.1
Unmarried (never married, divorced, and widowed) 31,015 2.1
Total Foreign-Born Female Population, Ages 15 to 50 76,843 100.0
Women who had a birth in the last 12 months 6,442 8.4
Married (including spouse absent) 4,681 6.1
Unmarried (never married, divorced, and widowed) 1,761 2.3
REGION/COUNTRY OF BIRTH    
Total Foreign-Born Population3 249,472 100.0
Europe 37,328 15.0
Northern Europe 8,679 3.5
United Kingdom 7,355 2.9
United Kingdom, excluding England 3,021 1.2
England 4,334 1.7
Ireland 447 0.2
Other Northern Europe 877 0.4
Western Europe 11,137 4.5
France 966 0.4
Germany 8,306 3.3
Other Western Europe 1,865 0.7
Southern Europe 2,291 0.9
Italy 1,298 0.5
Portugal 263 0.1
Other Southern Europe 730 0.3
Eastern Europe 15,005 6.0
Poland 1,297 0.5
Russia 3,728 1.5
Other Eastern Europe 9,980 4.0
Europe, n.e.c.4 216 0.1
Asia 65,788 26.4
Eastern Asia 22,035 8.8
China 10,628 4.3
China, excluding Taiwan 8,810 3.5
Taiwan 1,818 0.7
Japan 3,151 1.3
Korea 8,256 3.3
Other Eastern Asia N N
South Central Asia 17,244 6.9
India 11,996 4.8
Iran 1,911 0.8
Other South Central Asia 3,337 1.3
Southeastern Asia 20,213 8.1
Philippines 5,596 2.2
Vietnam 5,433 2.2
Other Southeastern Asia 9,184 3.7
Western Asia 5,751 2.3
Israel 246 0.1
Lebanon 1,057 0.4
Other Western Asia 4,448 1.8
Asia, n.e.c. 4 545 0.2
Africa 17,112 6.9
Eastern Africa 6,205 2.5
Northern Africa 3,707 1.5
Western Africa 4,525 1.8
Middle and Southern Africa 1,563 0.6
Africa, n.e.c. 4 1,112 0.4
Oceania 1,555 0.6
Australia and New Zealand Subregion 740 0.3
Oceania, n.e.c. 4 815 0.3
Americas 127,689 51.2
Latin America 120,545 48.3
Caribbean 6,678 2.7
Cuba 1,556 0.6
Jamaica 754 0.3
Other Caribbean 4,368 1.8
Central America 105,012 42.1
Mexico 82,042 32.9
El Salvador 4,529 1.8
Other Central America 18,441 7.4
South America 8,855 3.5
Brazil 618 0.2
Colombia 2,348 0.9
Other South America 5,889 2.4
Northern America 7,144 2.9
Canada 7,068 2.8
Other Northern America 76 0.0
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.
Source: US Census Bureau, 2007 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 (2006) 6,027,642  
Population residing in the area in 2007 6,074,397  
Between 2006 and 2007    
Stayed in the same house 5,066,165  
Moved within Tennessee 798,777  
Population change due to in- and out-migration: 46,755  
Moved from Tennessee to another state 162,700  
Moved to Tennessee 209,455 100.0
Moved to Tennessee from abroad 22,692 10.8
Moved to Tennessee from another state 186,763 89.2
Native-Born Population (one year and older)    
Population residing in the area one year ago (2006) 5,790,241  
Population residing in the area in 2007 5,824,996  
Between 2006 and 2007    
Stayed in the same house 4,875,015  
Moved within Tennessee 762,261  
Population change due to in- and out-migration: 34,755  
Moved from Tennessee to another state 152,965  
Moved to Tennessee 187,720 100.0
Moved to Tennessee from abroad 11,855 6.3
Moved to Tennessee from another state 175,865 93.7
Foreign-Born Population (one year and older)    
Population residing in the area one year ago (2006) 237,401  
Population residing in the area in 2007 249,401  
Between 2006 and 2007    
Stayed in the same house 191,150  
Moved within Tennessee 36,516  
Population change due to in- and out-migration: 12,000  
Moved from Tennessee to another state 9,735  
Moved to Tennessee 21,735 100.0
Moved to Tennessee from abroad 10,837 49.9
Moved to Tennessee from another state 10,898 50.1
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 2006 and are currently living in Puerto Rico, other US island areas, and foreign countries, or who died between 2006 and 2007. 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, 2007 American Community Survey (ACS).
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 2007)
1990
2000
2007
Number
Percent
Number
Percent
Number
Percent
Children under age 18 with 1,159,734 100.0 1,322,766 100.0 1,360,487 100.0
Only native parent(s) 1,132,779 97.7 1,261,925 95.4 1,250,231 91.9
One or more foreign-born parents 26,955 2.3 60,841 4.6 110,256 8.1
Child is native 21,573 1.9 45,864 3.5 88,571 6.5
Child is foreign born 5,382 0.5 14,977 1.1 21,685 1.6
Children under age 6 with 385,053 100.0 425,520 100.0 457,103 100.0
Only native parent(s) 376,143 97.7 402,583 94.6 412,080 90.2
One or more foreign-born parents 8,910 2.3 22,937 5.4 45,023 9.8
Child is native 8,109 2.1 20,656 4.9 42,700 9.3
Child is foreign born 801 0.2 2,281 0.5 2,323 0.5
Children between ages 6 and 17 with 774,681 100.0 897,246 100.0 903,384 100.0
Only native parent(s) 756,636 97.7 859,342 95.8 838,151 92.8
One or more foreign-born parents 18,045 2.3 37,904 4.2 65,233 7.2
Child is native 13,464 1.7 25,208 2.8 45,871 5.1
Child is foreign born 4,581 0.6 12,696 1.4 19,362 2.1
Children under age 18 in low-income families with 513,462 100.0 529,120 100.0 606,478 100.0
Only native parents 503,715 98.1 503,623 95.2 547,348 90.3
One or more foreign-born parents 9,747 1.9 25,497 4.8 59,130 9.7
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], 2008); US Census Bureau, 2007 American Community Survey (ACS).