October 2021
In this issue:

  • 2020 Census Data shows Tennessee growing more diverse
  • How to download new 2020 Census Data from the SDC
  • More details on canceled 2020 American Community Survey
  • Summary File 1 and 2 format changes
Toplines
49,719 housing units
were constructed in Tennessee last year, according to Building Permit Survey data. Driven by strong growth in Davidson County, the total reached a record high that eclipsed the previous mark of 46,000 in 2006. A new visualization tool improves access to state, county and place-level information.
9 Tennessee counties
were listed on the fiscal year 2022 index of the most economically distressed areas in the nation, down two counties since last year. The index is based on a
3-year average of income, unemployment and
poverty prepared by the Appalachian Regional Commission.
Tennessee’s Growing Racial, Ethnic Diversity among 2020 Headlines

People identifying as “Hispanic or Latino” ethnicity and “Two or More Races” accounted for 65% of the state’s 564,735 person increase since 2010. New race and ethnicity data from the 2020 Census show Tennessee’s diversity increased over the last decade.

The new data, released on August 12, shows population gains are driven by growing racial and ethnic diversity, but the U.S. Census Bureau also cautioned that changes to data collection and processing played some part in the increases.
“White alone” remains the largest race or ethnic group in the state, with 4.9 million of Tennessee’s 6.91 million residents in 2020 selecting that response. “Black or African American alone” residents totaled 1.08 million and were the state’s second largest group.

While both groups grew in size, they now represent a smaller share of the state’s total population. We have the full breakdown with additional data and visuals on the TNSDC website.
SDC Fall Webinar Series:
Accessing 2020 Census Redistricting Data
October 27, 2021 at 11 am EST/10 AM CST

The U.S. Census Bureau provides a number of ways to access 2020 Census Redistricting Data. Tennessee-based Data Dissemination Specialist Ron Williams will give us a hands-on look at several of the tools they provide in our first fall webinar.

Download 2020 Census Data from the SDC

We’ve posted a series of ready-to-use products from the 2020 Census that are designed specifically for Tennessee data users. These include maps, tables and population GIS data formats.

Population of Counties and Incorporated Places
View, sort and download municipal and county population data population for 2000-2020, including growth rates, change and ranks.
2020 Census QuickStat Tables
Get the “greatest hits” from the 2020 Census Redistricting Data. They include the 30 most requested fields in user-friendly formats:

  • Data: Population, race/Hispanic ethnicity, housing units and group quarters
  • Geographic Levels: Counties, incorporated places, tracts, block groups, blocks
  • Formats: Excel, CSV, GIS
Maps
Our PDF and PNG maps visualize population change from 2010 to 2020 for the U.S., counties, places and census tracts. They are sized for placement in PowerPoint (16:9).
More Details on Canceled 1-Year American Community Survey Release

In August, we mentioned that the 2020 American Community Survey (ACS) 1-year release for census geographies with 65,000+ people had been canceled. COVID-19 impacts to operations and response rates rendered the data unreliable. An experimental product was announced in its place.
We have new information from the Census Bureau on this contingency:

  • The replacement experimental data tables will be published by November 30, 2021
  • The U.S. and states will be the only areas included; large counties and incorporated places over 65,000 people are not included.
  • Table shells are available now
  • Data will not be published to data.census.gov

The 2016-2020 5-year data release is still scheduled for December.
Tennessee Economic Indicators
rate ▼
(08/2021)
TN: 4.6% | US: 5.2%
-3.5 points since
August 2020
(08/2021)
TN: 350,800 employees
+4.7% since
August 2020
(Q2 2021)
TN: $340,765,000,000
18.1% since Q1 2020
(Q2 2021)
TN: $53,340
US: $62,121
+0.8% since Q2 2020
View interactive data on our FRED Dashboard.
Around the State
2020 PUMA Geography Update Getting Underway

We’re not talking about new shoes from the world’s third largest sporting goods manufacturer. Public Use Microdata Areas or PUMAs are the lowest available geography for which anonymized, record-level responses to census surveys are released.

Do you rely on PUMA geography? The Tennessee State Data Center is tasked with updating the boundaries following the 2020 Census data release and we need your input. Visit the project website to learn more about the process and to reach out with questions or ideas you’d like to share.
Short Takes
Feedback Sought on new Summary File 1 & 2 Format

Users of 2010 Census Demographic Profiles or Summary Files will want to review a recent announcement from the Census Bureau which noted significant changes to forthcoming 2020 Census data products.

The proposal was discussed in a recent webinar and is detailed in a 2020 Data Product Planning Crosswalk. It summarizes the new Demographic and Housing Characteristics File (DHC), which is replacing Summary File 1, and the Detailed Demographic and Housing Characteristics File (Detailed DHC), that replaces Summary File 2. The changes include:

  • Demographic profiles available at place-level or higher only (currently tract)
  • Reduces geographic levels of about 30 tables
  • Eliminates nearly 50 other tables

The Bureau is collecting feedback on the proposed product changes through Friday, October 22. Tennessee users impacted by the change are encouraged to submit comments.
2020 Base Year Boyd Center Population Projections

The 2018-2070 Boyd Center Population Projections are due for an update following the decennial census release. The new projections will move to a 2020 base year and use new Census data as a control. They include population by age, race/ethnicity and sex for Tennessee’s 95 counties for 2021 to 2070. Stay tuned for more information in the coming months.
About the Tennessee State Data Center Network
The State Data Center Program is a cooperative program of the State of Tennessee, The University of Tennessee and the U.S. Census Bureau. Data Centers in each state assist the Bureau by disseminating Census data, other federal data sets and information.
Data Center Affiliates

Each center has an internal statewide affiliate network to further assist in disseminating data to local users. These affiliates also have local information and expertise to offer. Visit tnsdc.utk.edu for a full listing of affiliates.
Tennessee State Data Center | 865-974-6070 | tnsdc@utk.edu
916 Volunteer Blvd. | 713 Stokely Management Center
Knoxville, TN 37996