Located in the southwestern region of Tennessee, Memphis stands as a distinguished city within the Southern United States. As the seat of Shelby County, this urban center is perched along the Mississippi River and boasts a population of 633,104 as of the 2020 U.S. census, earning it the rank of the second most populous city in Tennessee, following Nashville. Notably, Memphis is the fifth most populous city in the Southeast and the 28th largest city in the nation overall.
Memphis is not only the fifth most populous city in the Southeast, but it also ranks as the 28th largest city in the entire country. Additionally, Memphis boasts the title of being the largest city bordering the Mississippi River, except for Saint Louis, MO, and the Twin Cities. Its Metropolitan Statistical Area follows closely behind Saint Louis and Twin Cities, ranking third in size. As the largest city bordering the Mississippi River, it is also the third-largest Metropolitan statistical area, trailing only Saint Louis, MO, and the Twin Cities. In addition to West Tennessee, the greater Mid-South region, which encompasses portions of Arkansas, Mississippi, and the Missouri Bootheel, is included in the Memphis metropolitan area. With its rich cultural heritage and historical significance, Memphis features a diverse range of landscapes and distinctive neighborhoods.
