Foreclosures in Tennessee decreased in 2009 over the prior year. There was a total of 40,733 properties with foreclosure filings. That works out to a rate of one filing for every 67 households, which compares to the United States average of 45, and is a little less than 1.5 percent of the state's housing units.
Tennessee is the 17th largest U.S. state by population, with 6,214,888 people (in 2008). Its 42,169 square miles make it the 17th largest state by area. Median household income in 2008 was $43,614.
Tennessee's economy is diverse, comprising manufacturing, agriculture, corporate operations and tourism. The state produces crops including tobacco, soybeans, cotton, dairy and hogs. Plus nearly 60% of its farms raise beef cattle. The largest corporate presences are FedEx, AutoZone, International Paper, Eastman Kodak, Nissan and Caterpillar. Music-oriented tourist destinations are significant drivers of the state's economy—they include Elvis Presley's "Graceland" mansion and the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.
