Tennessee employers need reliable background checks to hire qualified, trustworthy employees.
Here at iprospectcheck, we offer FCRA-compliant background checks across Tennessee, including major counties and cities like Nashville and Memphis, delivering fast results that help protect your business and workplace safety.
To help you understand how pre-employment background checks in Tennessee work, we have written this overview to provide you with more information.
Key Takeaways
- Tennessee employers conduct background checks to ensure workplace safety, mitigate liability risks, prevent brand damage, build client trust, and maintain regulatory compliance.
- Background checks in Tennessee typically include criminal history, employment verification, education verification, and professional credential validation.
- Employers must follow federal, state, and local laws while adhering to notice and consent rules and properly managing adverse action processes.
What is a Tennessee Background Check?
A Tennessee background check examines an applicant’s criminal record, past employment, education, professional credentials, driving record, and other relevant details.
Background checks help employers confirm their candidates are qualified, suitable, trustworthy, and safe.
Why Do Employers Run Background Checks in Tennessee?
1. Protect Workplace Safety
Pre-employment background checks enable employers to check for indicators in an applicant’s history that they could be a potential safety risk if hired.
These might include past incidents that show the applicant’s disregard for safety rules or potential violence.
2. Mitigate Liability Risks
Employers can mitigate negligent hiring liability risks by conducting background checks.
Suppose an employee negligently causes an injury accident while working. In that case, the employer can be directly liable if a background check would have shown the employee was unsafe and shouldn’t be hired.
3. Prevent Brand Damage
Background checks help verify that candidates have the professional background and conduct standards needed to represent your company well, especially in customer-facing roles.
This screening process helps prevent brand reputation damage that could occur from hiring individuals with concerning work histories or conduct issues.
4. Build Client Trust
Many companies handle sensitive client information.
Clients trust companies that conduct thorough background checks, knowing their sensitive information will be handled by carefully vetted employees.
5. Maintain Regulatory Compliance
Companies in certain industries must comply with state or federal regulations that mandate specific background checks during the hiring process.
For example, companies regulated by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) must complete DOT background checks, DOT drug tests, and DOT physicals when hiring for safety-sensitive jobs.
Important Laws and Regulations
When you conduct employment background checks in Tennessee, they must comply with state, federal, and local laws.
These laws impact the types of information that can be reported and used for screening applicants in Tennessee. Violating these laws could result in potential liability and other penalties.
The most important laws and regulations that apply to employers and consumer reporting agencies (CRAs) conducting employment background checks in Tennessee are detailed below.
Federal Laws
Tennessee employers must comply with all of the federal laws governing pre-employment background checks. Since the legislature and regulatory bodies institute frequent changes, we keep current with the laws’ changes to remain compliant.
FCRA
Enforced by the Federal Trade Commission, the Fair Credit Reporting Act was passed by Congress in 1970. This law regulates the information that CRAs can provide to employers for employment background checks nationwide.
The FCRA was enacted to protect the fairness, accuracy, and privacy of consumer information gathered by CRAs and provided to employers. The guidelines of the FCRA govern how Tennessee employers can gather, divulge, and use confidential consumer data.
Employers must get written authorization from job applicants before conducting pre-employment background checks. When an employer decides against hiring an applicant based on information contained in a background report, they must go through a two-step adverse action process and allow the applicant to dispute any inaccurate information.
The professionals at iprospectcheck are FCRA-compliant, helping you to feel confident in the accuracy and reliability of the information we provide.
EEOC
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is enforced by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which is the federal agency that regulates employer compliance with federal anti-discrimination laws.
Guidance from the EEOC governs how employers should handle criminal history information on an employment background check. Employers must individually assess criminal incidents to determine their relevance to the positions for which they are hiring.
Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act
The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act (FCA) is a federal ban-the-box law.
The FCA applies to federal agencies and private companies that seek federal contracts.
If you have or want to secure federal contracts, the FCA requires you to wait until after you make a conditional job offer before inquiring into an applicant’s criminal history.
This law forbids federal agencies from contracting with companies that check criminal history before making a contingent job offer.
State Laws
In addition to the federal laws, Tennessee employers must also comply with state and local laws that apply to pre-employment background checks. These laws include Tennessee ban-the-box and social media check laws as detailed below.
Ban-the-Box Law
In 2016, Senate Bill 2440 was signed into law. This is Tennessee’s ban-the-box law, which prohibits public employers from conducting pre-employment background checks during the initial stages of the hiring process and cannot ask questions about criminal histories on their job applications.
However, this law only applies to employers in the public sector. Several cities and counties in Tennessee, including Chattanooga, Memphis, and Nashville, Hamilton County, and Shelby County have also enacted local ban-the-box laws. All of these laws also apply to public sector employers and not to private employers, however.
Since ban-the-box laws are becoming increasingly popular, private employers should continue to monitor the situation to watch for laws that might apply to them in the future.
Social Media Check Law
Under Tenn. Code. Ann. § 50-1-1003, Tennessee employers are prohibited from doing any of the following things regarding the social media accounts of prospective employees or employees:
- Asking for the password to access social media accounts
- Asking the applicant or employee to add the employer as a contact
- Requiring the applicant or employee to log into a social media account in the employer’s presence so that the employer can review it
- Taking adverse action against an employee or applicant for his or her refusal to give a password, add the employer as a contact, or logging into social media in the employer’s presence
Once an applicant is hired, this law does not prohibit employers from asking an employee for his or her password and username to access a device that has been supplied to the employee by the employer as a job benefit.
Local Ban the Box Laws
Several Tennessee counties and cities have enacted ban-the-box laws that control when in the hiring process you can inquire about criminal history, including:
- Chattanooga
- Hamilton County
- Memphis
- Nashville
- Shelby County
Know Before You Hire
What Information Appears on a Tennessee Background Check?
The information included in a Tennessee employment background check varies based on the searches you request.
Common components include:
Criminal History
A criminal background check in Tennessee will reveal details about a candidate’s criminal record or pending charges, such as:
- Criminal case number
- Jurisdiction
- When the offense occurred
- Nature of the charges
- Classification level (misdemeanor or felony)
- Disposition
- Disposition date
- Sentence (if available)
Employers should avoid automatically disqualifying candidates based on a criminal record.
Instead, they should assess how the conviction impacts the candidate’s ability to fulfill the role and its safety requirements.
Consumer reporting agencies (CRAs) are prohibited from reporting sealed, expunged, or pardoned records.
Employment Verification
Employment verification provides details about a candidate’s work history, including:
- Company names and addresses
- Start and end dates
- Titles and positions held
This process helps confirm a candidate’s honesty about their experience and highlights any gaps in employment that may require explanation.
Education Verification
Education verification uncovers information about a candidate’s academic background, such as:
- Institution name(s) and address(es)
- Enrollment periods
- Degrees or diplomas conferred
This step ensures candidates meet the educational requirements for the position and have provided accurate information on their resumes.
Professional License Verification
A professional license verification includes the following information:
- License validity
- License number
- Issuance date
- Issuing organization
- Expiration date
- Public discipline
This check is essential for positions requiring specific credentials, ensuring candidates meet professional standards for regulated jobs.
Identity Verification
Identity verification identifies key personal information about a candidate, including:
- Names the candidate has used, including aliases
- Address history
- Candidate’s date of birth
This step ensures the candidate’s identity is accurate and helps determine additional jurisdictions to search for records.
Motor Vehicle Records (MVR) Check
An MVR check provides details about a candidate’s driving history and license, such as:
- License number
- License class
- Issuance date
- Driver’s full legal name
- Registered address
- Traffic infractions
- Major traffic crimes
- Expiration date
- License suspensions or revocations
An MVR check verifies driver safety and ensures they meet insurability requirements.
How to Conduct an Employment Background Check in Tennessee
1. Develop a Background Check Policy
Establish a comprehensive background check policy before initiating the process for job applicants.
This policy should align with federal, state, and local regulations and outline the exact steps HR personnel need to follow during the screening process.
Include documentation of your company’s screening methods, the roles requiring background checks, and your compliance obligations.
2. Train HR Personnel
Provide thorough training for your HR team to ensure they fully understand the policy and follow the appropriate procedures at each stage of the background check process.
3. Notify Candidates and Obtain Consent
To comply with the FCRA, use separate documents to inform applicants of your intent to conduct a background check.
Secure written permission from each candidate before beginning the screening process.
4. Partner with a Trusted Provider
Work with a reputable background screening service, such as iprospectcheck, to receive accurate, legally compliant results in a timely manner.
5. Schedule Background Checks Strategically
While Tennessee’s ban-the-box law and similar rules in cities like Memphis, Nashville, and Chattanooga apply only to public employers, it’s still a good practice to wait to conduct background checks until later in the hiring process.
Delaying background checks can save time and resources while improving overall efficiency.
6. Tailor Background Checks to the Role
Select background check components that are relevant to the specific job requirements.
This ensures you avoid unnecessary costs by omitting reports that do not apply to the position.
7. Review Results and Communicate with Candidates
Keep candidates informed throughout the screening process. Carefully evaluate the background check findings once received.
For candidates moving forward, reach out to schedule onboarding and confirm a start date. If the results reveal issues, take the necessary follow-up steps.
8. Assess Criminal Records Thoughtfully
If a candidate has a criminal conviction, review the information in relation to the responsibilities of the role and workplace safety before making a decision not to hire.
9. Follow the Adverse Action Protocol
If you decide not to proceed with a candidate based on information from the background check, complete the steps of the adverse action process:
- Provide a pre-adverse action notice, including a copy of the report and the concerning details.
- Allow the candidate time to respond; this provides them with an opportunity to dispute inaccuracies.
- Send a final adverse action notice if you choose to reject the candidate. Include information about their FCRA rights.
Get a Background Check with iprospectcheck
Background checks are a crucial part of employers’ hiring and onboarding processes in the state. Ensuring your background check reports are FCRA-compliant can also minimize your company’s risk of liability lawsuits.
At iprospectcheck, we leverage modern technology and our comprehensive access to databases to conduct thousands of Tennessee background checks for businesses across the state, including in Shelby County, Davidson County, and Knox County, and in major cities like Nashville and Memphis.
We are based in the U.S. and never outsource any portion of our work. We value our clients’ privacy and protect the confidentiality of their data.
Call today to schedule a no-obligation, free consultation: (888) 509-1979
DISCLAIMER: The resources provided here are for educational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Consult your counsel if you have legal questions related to your specific practices and compliance with applicable laws.
FAQ
How Long Does a Background Check Take in Tennessee?
The time required to complete a thorough Tennessee background check will largely depend on the method you choose. If you send for records from the TBI and comb through records online, a check can be expensive and time-consuming.
If you work with iprospectcheck, we can return FCRA-compliant, reliable, and comprehensive background checks very quickly. We know that hiring delays can cost companies money and are dedicated to providing information as fast as possible.
You can receive comprehensive and accurate Tennessee pre-employment background reports from us in as little as one to 48 hours. Our fast turnaround times allow employers in Tennessee to make sound hiring decisions without losing strong candidates because of a lengthy process.
How Much Does a Background Check Cost in Tennessee?
If you pay for a background check through the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, you will need to pay a $29 fee. The information you receive will not be complete, however.
An online search might reveal different providers advertising a free Tennessee background check. You should not rely on these types of companies, however. The information that they provide is generally unreliable, inaccurate, and out-of-date. The reports they provide also might not comply with the FCRA and other laws.
The pre-employment background checks from iprospectcheck are affordable and FCRA-compliant. You can choose from the following three packages for 25 to 50 reports per year:
- Basic package – $19.95 per background report (includes identity verification, national criminal search, and national sex offender search)
- Standard package – $39.95 per background report (includes all of the information in the basic package plus a global terrorist search and a seven-year county criminal history search)
- Premium package – $69.95 per background report (includes all of the information in the basic and standard packages as well as employment verification and education verification)
If your company anticipates conducting 50 or more checks each year, we offer steep discounts for volume orders. Contact us today for a free quote.
How Far Back Does a Background Check Go in Tennessee?
Tennessee pre-employment background checks must comply with the time limitations under the FCRA for information used to disqualify applicants from employment. The FCRA provides a seven-year restriction on certain categories of information reported by CRAs, including the following:
- Arrests that did not result in a conviction
- Civil judgments
- Civil lawsuits
However, the seven-year lookback period does not apply to positions paying salaries of $75,000 or more. Other types of information, including employment history and education information, are not subject to the seven-year restriction. You can receive information about these types of information for an applicant’s life.
County Resources
Anderson County
Located in East Tennessee, Anderson County has a population of approximately 80,000. Oak Ridge, known as the “Secret City” during World War II, is a prominent area in the county with a rich history tied to the Manhattan Project. The county was named after Joseph Anderson, an early U.S. Senator. The county seat is Clinton.
Available resources in Anderson County include:
Bedford County
Bedford County is located in Middle Tennessee and has approximately 53,000 residents. Shelbyville, the county seat, is known as the “Walking Horse Capital of the World” for its ties to the Tennessee Walking Horse industry. It was named for Thomas Bedford, an officer in the Revolutionary War.
Available resources in Bedford County include:
Benton County
Benton County is located in West Tennessee and has a population of about 16,000. The county was named for David Benton, an early settler and veteran of the Creek War. The county seat is Camden.
Available resources in Benton County include:
Bledsoe County
Bledsoe County is located in East Tennessee and has a population of around 15,000. Pikeville is the county seat. The county is part of the Cumberland Plateau and was named after Anthony Bledsoe, an early settler and soldier in the American Revolutionary War.
Available resources in Bledsoe County include:
Blount County
Blount County is located in East Tennessee and has approximately 141,000 residents. Maryville is the county seat. The county was named for William Blount, a U.S. Senator and governor of the Southwest Territory.
Available resources in Blount County include:
Bradley County
Located in East Tennessee, Bradley County has a population of around 111,000. Cleveland is the county seat. The county was named for Edward Bradley, a Tennessee state legislator.
Available resources in Bradley County include:
Campbell County
Campbell County is located in East Tennessee and has a population of approximately 40,000. The county seat is Jacksboro. The county was named for Arthur Campbell, a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses and a treaty negotiator with Native American tribes.
Available resources in Campbell County include:
Cannon County
Cannon County is located in Middle Tennessee and has a population of about 15,000. Woodbury is the county seat. The county was named for Newton Cannon, an early Tennessee governor.
Available resources in Cannon County include:
Carroll County
Carroll County is located in West Tennessee and has a population of almost 29,000. Huntingdon is the county seat. The county is home to the Carroll County Thousand Acre Recreational Lake and was named for William Carroll, an early Tennessee governor.
Available resources in Carroll County include:
Carter County
Carter County is located in East Tennessee and has a population of about 57,000. Elizabethton is the county seat. The county includes historical sites like the Carter Mansion and access to the Appalachian Trail. It was named for Landon Carter, the Speaker of the Senate of the Lost State of Franklin.
Available resources in Carter County include:
Cheatham County
Cheatham County is located in Middle Tennessee and has a population of about 42,000. Ashland City is the county seat. The county was named for Edward Cheatham, a Tennessee state legislator.
Available resources in Cheatham County include:
Chester County
Chester County is located in West Tennessee and has a population of approximately 17,600. Henderson is the county seat. The county was named for Robert Chester, a Tennessee state legislator.
Available resources in Chester County include:
Claiborne County
Claiborne County is located in East Tennessee and has a population of about 32,600. The county seat is Tazewell. The area is known for the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. The county was named for William C. Claiborne, a former governor of Louisiana and the Mississippi Territory.
Available resources in Claiborne County include:
Clay County
Clay County is located in northern Middle Tennessee and has a population of about 7,700. Celina is the county seat. The county was named for former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Clay.
Available resources in Clay County include:
Cocke County
Cocke County is located in East Tennessee and has a population of around 37,400. Newport is the county seat. The area serves as a gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The county was named for William Cocke, one of the first U.S. Senators from Tennessee.
Available resources in Cocke County include:
Coffee County
Coffee County is located in Middle Tennessee and has a population of approximately 60,600. Manchester is the county seat and is the home of the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival. The county was named for John Coffee, a frontiersman.
Available resources in Coffee County include:
Crockett County
Crockett County is located in West Tennessee and has a population of about 14,000. Alamo is the county seat. The county was named for Davy Crockett, a frontiersman and defender of the Alamo.
Available resources in Crockett County include:
Cumberland County
Cumberland County is located on the Cumberland Plateau in East Tennessee. It has a population of around 64,700. Crossville is the county seat. The county was named for the Cumberland Mountains.
Available resources in Cumberland County include:
Davidson County
Davidson County is located in Middle Tennessee and has a population of approximately 712,300. Nashville is the state capital and county seat. The county was named after William Davidson, a Brigadier General in the Revolutionary War.
Available resources in Davidson County include:
Decatur County
Decatur County is located in West Tennessee and has a population of about 11,600. Decaturville is the county seat. The county was named for Stephen Decatur, a hero of the War of 1812.
Available resources in Decatur County include:
DeKalb County
DeKalb County is located in Middle Tennessee and has a population of approximately 21,200. Smithville is the county seat. The county was named for Baron Johann de Kalb, a German who helped the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War.
Available resources in DeKalb County include:
Dickson County
Dickson County is located in Middle Tennessee and has a population of about 56,700. Charlotte is the county seat. The county was named for William Dickson, an early U.S. Representative.
Available resources in Dickson County include:
Dyer County
Dyer County is located in West Tennessee and has a population of approximately 36,500. The county seat is Dyersburg. The county was named for Robert Henry Dyer, a Tennessee state legislator.
Available resources in Dyer County include:
Fayette County
Fayette County is located in West Tennessee and has a population of around 44,100. Somerville is the county seat. The county was named for the Marquis de la Fayette, who assisted the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War.
Available resources in Fayette County include:
Fentress County
Fentress County is located in the Upper Cumberland region of East Tennessee and has a population of approximately 19,700. Jamestown is the county seat. The county was named for James Fentress, a Tennessee state legislator.
Available resources in Fentress County include:
Franklin County
Franklin County is located in southern Middle Tennessee and has a population of approximately 44,600. Winchester is the county seat. The county is home to Tims Ford Lake and South Cumberland State Park. It was named for Benjamin Franklin.
Available resources in Franklin County include:
Gibson County
Gibson County is located in West Tennessee and has a population of about 51,000. The county seat is Trenton. The county was named for John Gibson, a soldier in the Creek War.
Available resources in Gibson County include:
Giles County
Giles County is located in southern Middle Tennessee and has a population of approximately 30,700. Pulaski is the county seat. The county was named for former U.S. Senator and Governor of Virginia William B. Giles.
Available resources in Giles County include:
Grainger County
Grainger County is located in East Tennessee and has a population of about 24,700. Rutledge is the county seat. The county was named for Mary Grainger Blount, the wife of William Blount.
Available resources in Grainger County include:
Greene County
Greene County is located in East Tennessee and has a population of approximately 72,500. Greeneville, the county seat, was the birthplace of President Andrew Johnson. The county is named for Nathaniel Greene, a general of the American Revolutionary War.
Available resources in Greene County include:
Grundy County
Grundy County is located in Middle Tennessee and has a population of around 13,900. Altamont is the county seat. The county was named for Felix Grundy, a former U.S. Attorney General.
Available resources in Grundy County include:
Hamblen County
Hamblen County is located in East Tennessee and has a population of about 62,500. Morristown is the county seat. The county was named for Hezekiah Hamblen, an early settler.
Available resources in Hamblen County include:
Hamilton County
Hamilton County is located in southeastern Tennessee and is home to over 379,000 residents. Chattanooga is the county seat and is known for its vibrant downtown, the Tennessee Aquarium, and Lookout Mountain. The county was named for Alexander Hamilton.
Available resources in Hamilton County include:
Hancock County
Hancock County is located in northeastern Tennessee and has a population of around 6,900. Sneedville is the county seat. The county was named for John Hancock, the president of the Continental Congress.
Available resources in Hancock County include:
Hardeman County
Hardeman County is located in West Tennessee and has a population of approximately 25,500. Bolivar is the county seat. The county was named for Thomas Jones Hardeman, a soldier in the War of 1812.
Available resources in Hardeman County include:
Hardin County
Hardin County is located in southwestern Tennessee and has a population of about 27,200. Savannah is the county seat. The county is known for Shiloh National Military Park and Pickwick Lake. It was named for Joseph Hardin, a legislator of the Southwest Territory.
Available resources in Hardin County include:
Hawkins County
Hawkins County is located in northeastern Tennessee and has a population of approximately 58,600. Rogersville is the county seat and is one of the oldest towns in Tennessee. The county was named for former U.S. Senator Benjamin Hawkins.
Available resources in Hawkins County include:
Haywood County
Haywood County is located in West Tennessee and has a population of approximately 17,300. Brownsville is the county seat. The county is home to the Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge. It was named for Judge John Haywood.
Available resources in Haywood County include:
Henderson County
Henderson County is located in West Tennessee and has a population of about 28,000. Lexington is the county seat. The county is known for Beech Lake and Natchez Trace State Park. It was named after James Henderson, who was an officer in the War of 1812.
Available resources in Henderson County include:
Henry County
Henry County is located in West Tennessee and has a population of around 32,500. Paris is the county seat. The county was named for Patrick Henry.
Available resources in Henry County include:
Hickman County
Hickman County is located in Middle Tennessee and has a population of about 25,800. Centerville is the county seat. The county was named for Edwin Hickman, a man who was killed by Native Americans.
Available resources in Hickman County include:
Houston County
Houston County is located in Middle Tennessee and has a population of around 8,400. Erin is the county seat. The county was named for Sam Houston, the president of the Republic of Texas and the former governor of that state.
Available resources in Houston County include:
Humphreys County
Humphreys County is located in Middle Tennessee and has a population of approximately 19,200. Waverly is the county seat. The county was named for former U.S. Representative Parry Wayne Humphreys.
Available resources in Humphreys County include:
Jackson County
Jackson County is located in northern Middle Tennessee and has a population of about 12,300. Gainesboro is the county seat. The county was named for former U.S. President Andrew Jackson.
Available resources in Jackson County include:
Jefferson County
Jefferson County is located in East Tennessee and has a population of approximately 57,800. Dandridge is the county seat. The county was named for former U.S. President Thomas Jefferson.
Available resources in Jefferson County include:
Johnson County
Johnson County is located in northeastern Tennessee and has a population of about 18,300. Mountain City is the county seat. The county was named for Thomas Johnson, an early settler.
Available resources in Johnson County include:
Knox County
Knox County is located in East Tennessee and has a population of over 500,600. Knoxville is the county seat and is home to the University of Tennessee. The county is named for Henry Knox, the first U.S. Secretary of War.
Available resources in Anderson County include:
Lake County
Lake County is located in West Tennessee and has a population of about 6,300. Tiptonville is the county seat. The county was named for Reelfoot Lake, a natural lake formed by earthquakes in the 1800s.
Available resources in Lake County include:
Lauderdale County
Lauderdale County is located in West Tennessee and has a population of approximately 24,600. Ripley is the county seat. The county was named for James Lauderdale, a soldier who was killed during the War of 1812.
Available resources in Lauderdale County include:
Lawrence County
Lawrence County is located in southern Middle Tennessee and has a population of around 46,000. Lawrenceburg is the county seat. The county is known for its Amish community and was named for James Lawrence, a hero of the War of 1812.
Available resources in Lawrence County include:
Lewis County
Lewis County is located in Middle Tennessee and has a population of about 13,000. Hohenwald is the county seat. The county is home to the Natchez Trace Parkway and the Elephant Sanctuary. It was named for the famed explorer Meriwether Lewis.
Available resources in Lewis County include:
Lincoln County
Lincoln County is located in southern Middle Tennessee and has a population of around 36,000. Fayetteville is the county seat. The county was named for Benjamin Lincoln, a former U.S. Secretary of War.
Available resources in Lincoln County include:
Loudon County
Loudon County is located in East Tennessee and has a population of about 60,500. Loudon is the county seat. The county is home to Fort Loudoun State Park and was named for the 4th Earl of Loudon, who commanded British and American forces during the French and Indian War.
Available resources in Loudon County include:
Macon County
Macon County is located in northern Middle Tennessee and has a population of approximately 26,700. Lafayette is the county seat. The county was named for former U.S. Senator Nathaniel Macon.
Available resources in Macon County include:
Madison County
Madison County is located in West Tennessee and has a population of around 99,100. Jackson is the county seat. The county was named for former U.S. President James Madison.
Available resources in Madison County include:
Marion County
Marion County is located in southeastern Tennessee and has a population of approximately 29,300. Jasper is the county seat. The county was named for Francis Marion of the American Revolutionary War.
Available resources in Marion County include:
Marshall County
Marshall County is located in Middle Tennessee and has a population of around 36,900. Lewisburg is the county seat. The county is named for former U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Marshall.
Available resources in Marshall County include:
Maury County
Maury County is located in southern Middle Tennessee and has a population of over 110,000. Columbia is the county seat. The county was named for Abram Murphy, a former Tennessee state senator.
Available resources in Maury County include:
McMinn County
McMinn County is located in East Tennessee and has a population of approximately 55,600. Athens is the county seat. The county was named for former Tennessee Governor Joseph McMinn.
Available resources in McMinn County include:
McNairy County
McNairy County is located in West Tennessee and has a population of approximately 26,100. Selmer is the county seat. The county was named for U.S. District Court Judge John McNairy.
Available resources in McNairy County include:
Meigs County
Meigs County is located in East Tennessee and has a population of around 13,600. Decatur is the county seat. The county was named for Return Jonathan Meigs, a Continental Army officer.
Available resources in Meigs County include:
Monroe County
Monroe County is located in East Tennessee and has a population of approximately 48,600. Madisonville is the county seat. The county is home to the Cherokee National Forest and Tellico Lake. It was named for former U.S. President James Monroe.
Available resources in Monroe County include:
Montgomery County
Montgomery County is in Middle Tennessee and has a population of around 239,800. Clarksville is the county seat and is known for Austin Peay State University and Fort Campbell military base. The county was named for John Montgomery of the Nickajack Expedition.
Available resources in Montgomery County include:
Moore County
Moore County is located in Middle Tennessee and is the smallest county by land area. It has a population of around 6,700. Lynchburg is the county seat and home to the Jack Daniel’s Distillery. The county was named for William Moore, a Tennessee state legislator.
Available resources in Moore County include:
Morgan County
Morgan County is located in East Tennessee and has a population of about 21,500. Wartburg is the county seat. The county was named for Daniel Morgan, an officer in the American Revolutionary War.
Available resources in Morgan County include:
Obion County
Obion County is located in West Tennessee and has a population of approximately 30,400. Union City is the county seat and is home to the Discovery Park of America and the Reelfoot Lake State Park. The county was named for the Obion River.
Available resources in Obion County include:
Overton County
Overton County is located in northern Middle Tennessee and has a population of about 23,300. Livingston is the county seat. The county is home to Standing Stone State Park and was named for John Overton, a founder of Memphis.
Available resources in Overton County include:
Perry County
Perry County is located in Middle Tennessee and has a population of around 8,800. Linden is the county seat. The county was named for Oliver Hazard Perry, a hero of the War of 1812.
Available resources in Perry County include:
Pickett County
Pickett County is located in northern Middle Tennessee and has a population of about 5,100, making it one of the least populous counties in the state. Byrdstown is the county seat. The county was named for Howell Pickett, a Tennessee state legislator.
Available resources in Pickett County include:
Polk County
Polk County is located in East Tennessee and has a population of approximately 18,000. Benton is the county seat. The county was named for former U.S. President James Polk.
Available resources in Polk County include:
Putnam County
Putnam County is located in Middle Tennessee and has a population of approximately 83,800. Cookeville is the county seat and is home to Tennessee Tech University. The county was named for Israel Putnam, an officer in the American Revolutionary War.
Available resources in Putnam County include:
Rhea County
Rhea County is located in East Tennessee and has a population of approximately 33,900. Dayton is the county seat and the location of the historic Scopes Trial of 1925. The county was named for former U.S. Representative John Rhea.
Available resources in Rhea County include:
Roane County
Roane County, located in East Tennessee, has a population of about 56,000. Kingston is the county seat. The county was named for former Tennessee Governor Archibald Roane.
Available resources in Roane County include:
Robertson County
Robertson County is located in Middle Tennessee and has a population of around 76,700. Springfield is the county seat. The county was named for James Robertson, a Tennessee state legislator.
Available resources in Robertson County include:
Rutherford County
Rutherford County is located in Middle Tennessee and has a population of over 367,100. Murfreesboro, the county seat, is home to Middle Tennessee State University and Stones River National Battlefield. The county was named for the legislative chairman of the Southwest Territory, Griffith Rutherford.
Available resources in Rutherford County include:
Scott County
Scott County is located in East Tennessee and has a population of around 22,100. Huntsville is the county seat. The county was named for Winfield Scott, a general in the Mexican-American War.
Available resources in Scott County include:
Sequatchie County
Sequatchie County is located in southeastern Tennessee and has a population of around 17,100. Dunlap is the county seat. The county is known for the Sequatchie Valley and was named for the Cherokee word for opossum.
Available resources in Sequatchie County include:
Sevier County
Sevier County is located in East Tennessee and has a population of about 99,400. Sevierville is the county seat. The county was named for John Sevier, the first governor of Tennessee.
Available resources in Sevier County include:
Shelby County
Shelby County is located in West Tennessee and is the largest county in the state with a population of over 910,000. Memphis, the county seat, is known for its rich musical heritage and historic landmarks. The county was named for Isaac Shelby, the first governor of Kentucky.
Available resources in Shelby County include:
Smith County
Smith County is located in Middle Tennessee and has a population of about 20,500. Carthage is the county seat. The county was named for former U.S. Senator Daniel Smith.
Available resources in Smith County include:
Stewart County
Stewart County is located in Middle Tennessee and has a population of approximately 14,200. Dover is the county seat. The county is home to the Fort Donelson National Battlefield. The county was named after Tennessee state legislator Duncan Stewart.
Available resources in Stewart County include:
Sullivan County
Sullivan County is located in northeastern Tennessee and has a population of over 162,000. Blountville is the county seat. The county was named for John Sullivan, the former governor of New Hampshire.
Available resources in Sullivan County include:
Sumner County
Sumner County is located in northern Middle Tennessee and has a population of around 207,900. Gallatin is the county seat. The county was named for Jethro Sumner, a colonist who fought the British in North Carolina.
Available resources in Sumner County include:
Tipton County
Tipton County is located in West Tennessee and has a population of approximately 62,000. Covington is the county seat. The county was named for Jacob Tipton, who helped organize Shelby County and was killed by Native Americans.
Available resources in Tipton County include:
Trousdale County
Trousdale County is located in northern Middle Tennessee and has a population of around 12,200 residents. Hartsville is the county seat and only incorporated city. The county was named for William Trousdale, a soldier in the Mexican-American War.
Available resources in Trousdale County include:
Unicoi Count
Unicoi County is located in northeastern Tennessee and has a population of about 17,700. Erwin is the county seat. The county is named for a Native American word for the Appalachian Mountains.
Available resources in Unicoi County include:
Union County
Union County is located in East Tennessee and has a population of around 20,700. Maynardville is the county seat. The county was named for East Tennessee’s support to preserve the Union.
Available resources in Union County include:
Van Buren County
Van Buren County is located in Middle Tennessee and has a population of about 6,400. Spencer is the county seat. The county is home to Fall Creek Falls State Park and was named for former U.S. President Martin Van Buren.
Available resources in Van Buren County include:
Warren County
Warren County is located in Middle Tennessee and has a population of approximately 42,600. McMinnville is the county seat. The county was named for Joseph Warren, an officer in the American Revolutionary War.
Available resources in Warren County include:
Washington County
Washington County is located in northeastern Tennessee and has a population of around 138,400. Jonesborough, the county seat, is the oldest town in Tennessee. The county was named for former U.S. President George Washington.
Available resources in Washington County include:
Wayne County
Wayne County is located in southern Middle Tennessee and has a population of about 16,000. Waynesboro is the county seat. The county was named for Anthony Wayne, a general of the American Revolutionary War.
Available resources in Wayne County include:
Weakley County
Weakley County is located in West Tennessee and has a population of approximately 33,000. Dresden is the county seat, and the county is home to the University of Tennessee at Martin. The county was named for former U.S. Representative Robert Weakley.
Available resources in Weakley County include:
White County
White County is located in Middle Tennessee and has a population of around 28,600. Sparta is the county seat. The county is known for Burgess Falls State Park and the Calfkiller River. It was named for John White, the first European-American settler in the area.
Available resources in White County include:
Williamson County
Williamson County is located in Middle Tennessee and has a population of over 264,000. Franklin is the county seat. The county is named for former U.S. Representative Hugh Williamson.
Available resources in Williamson County include:
Wilson County
Wilson County is located in Middle Tennessee and has a population of approximately 163,600. Lebanon is the county seat. The county was named for David Wilson, a legislator in the Southwest Territory.
Available resources in Wilson County include:
