1 / 50
#50. Yemen
- Number of residents: 1,145
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.28%
Biggest sources of immigrants to Tennessee
Over 14% of the United States population is composed of immigrants. But in reality, the vast majority of Americans today are here because of relatives who immigrated from other countries some time in the last several hundred years.
And while the distinctive American culture and spirit is the result of blending many diverse cultures and histories, the United States has for centuries had an up-and-down relationship with immigration.
Each era of immigration has been met with reductive ideas and resistance, whether the backlash was directed toward the Chinese, Irish, Italians, or Mexicans. Immigration laws have targeted specific groups at various times, stoking intolerance and preventing people from truly joining American society. Over time, however, as laws changed to be more equitable and immigrants found their footings, we have reaped the rewards of innovation in business, music, art, literature, dance, food, societal norms, entertainment, and sports—all while realizing a greater understanding of and respect for different cultures, religions, and ideas.
Stacker compiled a list of the biggest sources of immigrants to Tennessee using data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Countries are ranked by the highest number of residents according to 2023 5-year estimates, the most recent data available as of 2025. Keep reading to find out more about the immigrant community in your home state.
You may also like: Best private colleges in Tennessee
2 / 50
#49. Uzbekistan
- Number of residents: 1,175
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.29%
3 / 50
#47. Italy (tie)
- Number of residents: 1,181
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.29%
4 / 50
#47. Panama (tie)
- Number of residents: 1,181
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.29%
5 / 50
#46. Jordan
- Number of residents: 1,193
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.29%
You may also like: Highest-rated stouts in Tennessee
6 / 50
#45. Trinidad and Tobago
- Number of residents: 1,218
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
7 / 50
#44. Nepal
- Number of residents: 1,251
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
8 / 50
#43. Australia
- Number of residents: 1,336
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.32%
9 / 50
#42. Argentina
- Number of residents: 1,343
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.33%
10 / 50
#41. Somalia
- Number of residents: 1,344
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.33%
You may also like: Most commonly hunted migratory birds in Tennessee
11 / 50
#40. Sudan
- Number of residents: 1,366
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.33%
12 / 50
#39. Nicaragua
- Number of residents: 1,507
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.37%
13 / 50
#38. Taiwan
- Number of residents: 1,564
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.38%
14 / 50
#37. Poland
- Number of residents: 1,566
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.38%
15 / 50
#36. Bangladesh
- Number of residents: 1,676
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.41%
You may also like: Best NFL players born in Tennessee
16 / 50
#35. Haiti
- Number of residents: 1,742
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.42%
17 / 50
#34. Kenya
- Number of residents: 1,760
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.43%
18 / 50
#33. Romania
- Number of residents: 1,806
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.44%
19 / 50
#32. Ghana
- Number of residents: 1,961
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.48%
20 / 50
#31. South Africa
- Number of residents: 2,037
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.49%
You may also like: The most popular grocery items for Christmas in Tennessee, according to Instacart
21 / 50
#30. Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire)
- Number of residents: 2,057
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
22 / 50
#29. Pakistan
- Number of residents: 2,147
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.52%
23 / 50
#28. Peru
- Number of residents: 2,406
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.58%
24 / 50
#27. Dominican Republic
- Number of residents: 2,471
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.6%
25 / 50
#26. Russia
- Number of residents: 2,542
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.62%
You may also like: Highest-earning counties in Tennessee
26 / 50
#25. Thailand
- Number of residents: 2,577
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.63%
27 / 50
#24. Ukraine
- Number of residents: 2,811
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.68%
28 / 50
#23. Iran
- Number of residents: 2,843
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.69%
29 / 50
#22. Japan
- Number of residents: 3,028
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.74%
30 / 50
#21. Jamaica
- Number of residents: 3,128
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.76%
You may also like: Highest-rated Class of 2025 men's basketball recruits from Tennessee
31 / 50
#20. Brazil
- Number of residents: 3,321
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.81%
32 / 50
#19. Laos
- Number of residents: 3,740
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.91%
33 / 50
#18. Nigeria
- Number of residents: 4,454
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.08%
34 / 50
#17. Ethiopia
- Number of residents: 4,960
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.2%
35 / 50
#16. Colombia
- Number of residents: 5,481
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.33%
You may also like: Highest-rated Class of 2026 men's basketball recruits from Tennessee
36 / 50
#15. Cuba
- Number of residents: 6,416
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.56%
37 / 50
#14. Iraq
- Number of residents: 6,988
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.7%
38 / 50
#13. Germany
- Number of residents: 8,046
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.95%
39 / 50
#12. Vietnam
- Number of residents: 8,339
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.02%
40 / 50
#11. United Kingdom (inc. Crown Dependencies)
- Number of residents: 8,362
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.03%
You may also like: Best lookout points in Tennessee by visitors
41 / 50
#10. Venezuela
- Number of residents: 8,918
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.17%
42 / 50
#9. Canada
- Number of residents: 10,597
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.57%
43 / 50
#8. El Salvador
- Number of residents: 11,216
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.72%
44 / 50
#7. Philippines
- Number of residents: 11,638
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.83%
45 / 50
#6. Egypt
- Number of residents: 11,880
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.88%
You may also like: Counties with the most veterans in Tennessee
46 / 50
#5. China
- Number of residents: 14,422
- Percent of foreign born residents: 3.5%
47 / 50
#4. India
- Number of residents: 24,987
- Percent of foreign born residents: 6.07%
48 / 50
#3. Honduras
- Number of residents: 25,569
- Percent of foreign born residents: 6.21%
49 / 50
#2. Guatemala
- Number of residents: 27,618
- Percent of foreign born residents: 6.71%
50 / 50
#1. Mexico
- Number of residents: 98,353
- Percent of foreign born residents: 23.88%
You may also like: How gas prices have changed in Tennessee in the last week
