Immigration to Tennessee
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 TENNESSEE IMMIGRATION STATISTICS |
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Total Population: |
5,689,283 (2006 Census Bureau) |
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Foreign Born: |
210,635 (2006 FAIR estimate) |
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Illegal Immigrants: |
FAIR Estimate: 100,000 (2007) |
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USCIS/DHS Estimate: 46,000 (2003) |
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Pew Hispanic Center Estimate: 125,000 (2005) |
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About Tennessee
Tennessee was the 16th state to join the Union in
1796. Tennessee is one of the top 5 states for producing tobacco, hay, fresh
market tomatoes and snap beans. Forty-four percent of Tennessee’s 26.4 million
acres are farmland. Tennessee’s economy is primarily based on
agriculture and industry. The main agricultural commodities produced include: soybeans, cotton,
tobacco, livestock and livestock products, dairy products, cattle and hogs. The
main industrial sectors include: chemicals, transportation equipment, rubber and
plastics.
Immigration to Tennessee
As of 2006, it is estimated (FAIR) that the immigrant population of Tennessee is
210,635 which equates to approximately 3.5% of the state’s population. The
overwhelming majority of immigrants are from Mexico (28.1%). Germany, India,
Canada, China (including Hong Kong and Taiwan), Korea, Vietnam, U.K.,
Philippines and Laos account for another 32.8% of the immigrants to Tennessee.
There has been an increase in the foreign-born population both through new
immigrant residents in the state as well as through the children born to
immigrants. It is estimated the immigrant population and immigrant births are
adding nearly 210,635 persons to Tennessee every year equating to 24.6% of the
state’s overall population increase.
The 2000 Census reports 159,004 immigrant residents in Tennessee. This is an
increase of 169% over the 1990 foreign-born population recorded at 59,114
immigrants. This increase is significantly higher than the 14.8% increase in the
native-born population for the state of Tennessee. Tennessee has the 6th highest
rate of increase in immigrant growth in the US. An indication of the change in
the immigrant population in Tennessee may be seen from the 2000 Census where the
share of non-English speakers at home increased to 4.8% up from 2.9% recorded in
1990.
Tennessee’s naturalization rate of 33.43% is significantly lower than the
national average of 40.1% based upon data recorded during the 2000 Census. This
is one of the lowest naturalization rates in the US. The data collected in the
2000 Census shows a significant drop in the 45%% naturalization rate recorded
1990, indicating an influx of new immigrants, including illegal immigrants. The
educational level of Tennessee residents is overall below the US average
according to data collected in the 2000 Census.
Educational Summary for Tennessee
- High school graduate: 75.9% (US Average 80.4%)
- Some college or more: 44.3% (US Average 51.8%)
- Bachelor’s degree or more: 19.6% (US Average 24.4%)
- Advanced degree: 6.8% (US Average 8.9%)
Illegal Immigration to Tennessee
As of 2007, FAIR estimates the state’s illegal alien population at about 90,000
persons which equates to less to approximately 1.6 percent of the overall
population. The annual fiscal cost to Tennessee taxpayers for emergency medical
care, education and incarceration projected by FAIR is currently $202 million
and is estimated to rise to $351 million per year in 2010 and $624 million per
year in 2020.
Beginning in 2001 a controversial Tennessee law permitted illegal immigrants to
obtain driver’s licenses (or state ID) without presenting a social security card
or proof of residency. This law was changed in 2007, once again requiring proof
of residency prior to obtaining any state identification or licenses.
Tennessee Immigration Statistics
- Tennessee’s immigrant population increased by nearly 32.5% between 2000
and 2006.
- In 2005, housing authorities reported over 42,000 of Tennessee
households were defined as crowded or severely crowded. Studies by the Urban
Institute in 2001 indicate a rise in crowded housing often correlates with
in increase in the number of immigrant residents.
- According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2007 Tennessee’s
unemployment rate is 5.3%, just above the national average of 5.0%.
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