Nashville anchored Tennessee's population growth in 2025
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Davidson County remained the fastest-growing county in Tennessee in 2025, according to new U.S. Census Bureau data.
Why it matters: Seemingly every major challenge — and opportunity — facing Nashville right now traces back to its propulsive growth.
The big picture: Skyrocketing home prices. Traffic snarls. Eye-popping tax bills. Transformative construction projects. Innovation. New corporations and big-ticket jobs.
- All of it reflects our city's booming population, and the power and pain that comes with it.
By the numbers: Davidson County added nearly 9,300 new residents in 2025, according to the Census numbers. That's the highest raw total among all of Tennessee's 95 counties by a solid margin.
- It represents 1.3% growth year over year.
Between the lines: Of course Nashville's secret weapons are neighboring suburban counties, which have been growing at an even higher rate for years.
- Rutherford, Wilson, Williamson and Sumner counties were all in the state's top 10 for population growth from 2024 to 2025.
Zoom out: Other Middle Tennessee counties further from the city, such as Montgomery and Maury, were also big growers, showing that residents continue to show willingness to look to the Nashville "exurbs" for housing deals, schools and quality of life.
Driving the news: Domestic migration from other states continues to power this broad growth.
- According to an analysis from the University of Tennessee, that pipeline is easing back from a post-pandemic high and has leveled out to pre-pandemic levels.
Yes, but: A nationwide nosedive in international migration following President Trump's immigration crackdown blunted Tennessee's growth.
Stunning stat: International migration hit a high point in 2024, according to the UT analysis. But in 2025 every county in Tennessee saw international migration flatline or decline.
- Statewide, international migration slipped 62%.
Zoom in: Davidson County logged a population boost of 14,102 from international migration in 2024.
- In 2025, that number fell 58%, to 5,887.