Most West Tennessee counties aren’t growing as quickly as projected following Ford Motor Co. and SK On’s BlueOval City automotive plant announcement in 2021, recent population estimates indicate.
Two-thirds of counties in the region recorded some growth since 2022, but only half met or exceeded population predictions for 2025.
The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development published its 2026 Certified Population Report on July 1. The population estimates in the report are based on U.S. Census Bureau estimates and are not precise population totals, communications director Lindsey Tipton wrote in an email.
The vehicle and battery manufacturing campus is located in Stanton, a small town in Haywood County near the borders of Tipton and Fayette counties. State and local officials expect the massive site to inject new jobs and residents into West Tennessee counties, many of which were projected to see population declines prior to BlueOval City’s announcement.
But production delays, changing plans and the dissolution of Ford and SK On’s joint venture have pushed back estimated production dates, and with them, significant hiring.