CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – New Census numbers are out, and for the second year in a row, Clarksville led all Tennessee cities in year-over-year population growth.

Between July 1, 2021, and July 1, 2022, the population grew by 6,062, bringing the total Census-estimated population of Clarksville to 176,974, according to a news release from city spokesman Jimmy Settle.

That’s more additional people in Clarksville than in any other Tennessee city. For the year ending July 1, 2022, here are additional new residents for the 15 largest cities:

  1. Clarksville – 6,062
  2. Murfreesboro – 5,723
  3. Nashville – 5,488
  4. Lebanon – 3,144
  5. Chattanooga – 2,923
  6. Knoxville – 2,291
  7. Columbia – 2,232
  8. Mt Juliet – 1,759
  9. Spring Hill – 1,678
  10. Gallatin – 1,410
  11. Nolensville – 1,374
  12. Johnson City – 1,326
  13. Franklin – 1,091
  14. Smyrna – 991
  15. Lenoir City – 931

With an additional 6,062 people per year, that’s a rate of over 16 people per day moving to (or born in) Clarksville, or 116 additional people per week, or 505 people per month.

Closing in on Chattanooga

Still the state’s fifth-largest city, Clarksville continued to gain ground on Chattanooga, which remains in fourth position with 184,086 residents. Clarksville now has only 7,112 fewer people than Chattanooga as the gap closes.

Here is the large city list with corresponding July 1, 2022, population totals:

  1. Nashville – 683,622
  2. Memphis – 621,056
  3. Knoxville – 195,889
  4. Chattanooga – 184,086
  5. Clarksville – 176,974
  6. Murfreesboro – 162,398
  7. Franklin – 86,895
  8. Johnson City – 75,514
  9. Jackson – 68,380
  10. Hendersonville – 62,896
  11. Bartlett – 56,798
  12. Smyrna – 56,516
  13. Kingsport – 56,150
  14. Spring Hill – 55,800
  15. Collierville – 51,594

“These latest Census numbers confirm what has become increasingly obvious to all of us, about our community,” Mayor Joe Pitts said in the release. “Clarksville is a great place to live, work and play, and along with that, it is an affordable community that also embraces and encourages diversity.

“People from all over the nation have discovered our appeal based on these many factors. I’m proud of our showing in the Census estimates, which is largely based on how we are now viewed, globally,” Pitts said.

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The numbers reflect that Middle Tennessee continues to be the fastest-growing of the state’s three grand divisions, with Clarksville in the lead, the release said.

“Clarksville’s growth over the past two years was actually greater than Chattanooga’s and Knoxville’s, combined,” said Jeff Tyndall, director of the Regional Planning Commission.

For the two years of July 1, 2020-July 1, 2022, Clarksville ranks 30th among cities nationwide for population growth, adding 10,214 people, or 6.1% growth based on the Census estimates.

Meeting growth needs

Montgomery County saw similar growth through the same two-year period, adding 15,132 new residents or 6.9% growth. Tyndall said only Rutherford County saw greater countywide gains.

“It’s no surprise that Clarksville is No. 1 for growth in Tennessee,” said County Mayor Wes Golden. “We have a beautiful city, great schools, and the best people. Montgomery County is growing faster than anticipated in the city and the unincorporated area, making it critical to focus on responsible growth where infrastructure already exists.”

Based on subdivision plats approved by the RPC, if developers proceed with their proposed projects, Tyndall said Clarksville will have enough plats to meet the anticipated housing need for the next five to seven years.