Gatlinburg, a mountain town in eastern Tennessee, is known as a gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Surrounded by high ridges, the town covers 10.4 square miles. First settled in 1806, it has a median age of 46.5( 2022) and no state income tax. Retail trade, accommodation and food services, and arts, entertainment, and recreation are the main drivers of its economy.

Known worldwide as the home of the blues, Elvis’ Graceland, and birthplace of rock ’n’ roll, Memphis sits along the Mississippi River across a varied landscape that spans 302.6 square miles in southwest Tennessee. Founded in 1819, it has a median age of 34.2 (2022). The city’s economy is mostly driven by retail, education, manufacturing, healthcare, and transportation and warehousing.

Chattanooga lies along the Tennessee River in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in southeastern Tennessee. Nicknamed “Scenic City” as a result of its surrounding ridges, valleys, and mountains, the city stretches across 143.2 square miles. It was incorporated in 1839, and has a median age of 36.7 (2022). Its economy is mainly driven by healthcare, insurance, tourism, automotive, and advanced manufacturing.

Knoxville is a city on the Tennessee River in eastern Tennessee, sitting on the foothills of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It was founded in 1791 and became a major center of marble distribution in the early 1900s. This inspired its nickname, “The Marble City.” Today, Knoxville covers 104.3 square miles, and has a median age of 32.9 (2022). Its main economic drivers are government, education, healthcare, retail, professional services, and leisure and hospitality.

Sevierville is a hilly town in east Tennessee, tucked in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. The hometown of country music legend Dolly Parton was founded in 1795. Today, it covers 24.2 square miles, and has a median age of 40 (2022). Tourism, hospitality, and retail are its main economic drivers.

Nashville, the capital of Tennessee, is known as the hometown of country music, and the birthplace of bluegrass. “Music City” was founded in 1779 on the Cumberland River. Today, it lies across a hilly 525.9 square miles, and has a median age of 34.2 (2022). Music production, healthcare, insurance, finance, and publishing are the main drivers of its economy.