CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The latest Census estimates, released this morning, show that Clarksville has grown by 14,000 people in three years to hit a population of 180,716.

That’s up from the 2020 Census number of 166,742, and it puts Clarksville in easy striking distance of passing Chattanooga to become the state’s fourth-largest city.

To put that in perspective, Regional Planning Commission Director Jeff Tyndall said that’s the equivalent of Clarksville adding the population of Stewart County in three years.

Another way to look at it: Clarksville’s population has doubled since 1995.

Montgomery County’s total population estimate is now 239,872, up from 220,069 in 2020. That’s an additional 19,803 residents – the equivalent of adding the city of Springfield to the county, Tyndall said.

On track for fourth-largest

Populations for the 10 largest Tennessee cities as of 2024, according to Census estimates. (Clarksville Now)

Here are the new 2024 population estimates for the 10 largest cities in Tennessee:

  1. Nashville: 687,788
  2. Memphis: 618,639
  3. Knoxville: 198,162
  4. Chattanooga: 187,030
  5. Clarksville: 180,716
  6. Murfreesboro: 165,430
  7. Franklin: 88,558
  8. Johnson City: 73,337
  9. Jackson: 68,264
  10. Hendersonville: 63,618

While Clarksville grew by 14,000 in three years, Chattanooga grew by 6,000. If that trend continues, Clarksville will surpass Chattanooga in population by 2026 with over 194,000 residents.

Tyndall said fourth-largest-city ranking matters because the state Legislature tends to pay special attention to the four biggest cities in Tennessee. Becoming the fourth-largest city, in addition to being in a separate MSA (metropolitan statistical area) from Nashville, should drive some of that attention our way when it comes to funding, incentives and priorities for state projects.

Rising population

Census populations for Clarksville from 1940-2020. (Clarksville Now)

At this rate, Clarksville is on track to reach a milestone population of 200,000 by 2028, double what it was in 2000.

That’s additionally remarkable considering that Clarksville’s population was consistently below 10,000 until 1940. Since then it has been rising at a quickening clip.

Here are the Clarksville populations by Census year:

  • 2020: 167,500
  • 2010: 133,500
  • 2000: 103,500
  • 1990: 75,500
  • 1980: 54,800
  • 1970: 31,700
  • 1960: 22,000
  • 1950: 16,200
  • 1940: 11,800

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