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As we move through 2026, the landscape for women in the workforce continues to evolve. Despite advancements in gender equality, women in the U.S. still face significant challenges, including wage disparities, underrepresentation in leadership roles, and issues related to work-life balance. In Tennessee, the situation remains complex, with certain cities posing greater obstacles for women than others.
In this article, we delve into the cities in Tennessee where women encounter the most difficulties. By analyzing various factors affecting women’s economic and social well-being, we provide insights into the best and worst cities for women in the state.
Discover the rankings below, and learn how we evaluated the cities based on key metrics.
The 10 Worst Cities To Be A Woman In Tennessee
These ten cities represent the most challenging environments for women in Tennessee. Continue reading to understand the factors contributing to their low rankings, or jump to the end to discover the best cities for women in the state.
Methodology – How We Determined The Worst Cities For Women In Tennessee
Each city was ranked in four categories:
- Percentage Of Women In Management (Lower is worse)
- Percentage Of Women In Poverty (Higher is worse)
- Women’s Earnings Compared To Male Earnings (Lower is worse)
- Percentage Of Uninsured Women (Lower is worse)
To calculate the income gap between women and men by city, we utilized the Census’ American Community Survey. We determined the earnings ratio by dividing the median income of male earners by the median income of female earners to find out how much women earn for every dollar earned by men.
For the percentage of women in poverty, we also referenced data from the ACS. This measure focuses on women living independently, excluding the earnings of other family members. As a result, the poverty rate may appear higher, particularly for younger individuals.
We assessed the percentage of women in management roles using ACS data to highlight women’s representation in leadership positions. This statistic is crucial since women in leadership roles often create more opportunities for other women.
Lastly, we again consulted the ACS for the percentage of uninsured women in each city.
Our analysis was restricted to cities in Tennessee with populations exceeding 5,000.
1. Rockwood
Women’s Earnings Compared To Male Earnings: $0.49
Women In Management: 18.8%
Women In Poverty: 27.1%
Uninsured Women: 9.5%
Rockwood ranks as the most challenging city for women in Tennessee. The statistics reveal significant obstacles, with a high percentage of women living in poverty and lacking health insurance.
2. Newport
Women’s Earnings Compared To Male Earnings: $0.64
Women In Management: 36.2%
Women In Poverty: 46.5%
Uninsured Women: 10.8%
Newport takes the second spot on our list, with a high poverty rate among women and low overall statistics indicating systemic issues.
3. Savannah
Women’s Earnings Compared To Male Earnings: $0.59
Women In Management: 42.0%
Women In Poverty: 36.5%
Uninsured Women: 10.5%
In Savannah, the situation for women is difficult, with only 42% in management and a substantial proportion living in poverty.
4. Crossville
Women’s Earnings Compared To Male Earnings: $0.68
Women In Management: 23.8%
Women In Poverty: 30.5%
Uninsured Women: 8.0%
Crossville is fourth on the list, with significant challenges in terms of health insurance and poverty rates among women.
5. Covington
Women’s Earnings Compared To Male Earnings: $0.69
Women In Management: 35.9%
Women In Poverty: 33.2%
Uninsured Women: 9.1%
Covington ranks fifth, with moderate opportunities for women, yet challenges remain significant.
6. Millington
Women’s Earnings Compared To Male Earnings: $0.70
Women In Management: 33.3%
Women In Poverty: 22.1%
Uninsured Women: 12.2%
Ranked sixth, Millington faces challenges, including a significant poverty rate among women.
7. Lynchburg
Women’s Earnings Compared To Male Earnings: $0.66
Women In Management: 24.4%
Women In Poverty: 10.1%
Uninsured Women: 12.5%
Lynchburg presents a challenging environment for women, with high poverty rates and low representation in management roles.
8. Cleveland
Women’s Earnings Compared To Male Earnings: $0.68
Women In Management: 38.9%
Women In Poverty: 20.7%
Uninsured Women: 12.8%
Cleveland ranks eighth, with concerning poverty levels and lower earnings for women compared to their male counterparts.
9. Jefferson City
Women’s Earnings Compared To Male Earnings: $0.56
Women In Management: 40.0%
Women In Poverty: 24.8%
Uninsured Women: 9.3%
Women in Jefferson City face significant challenges, including a wide earnings gap and a high poverty rate.
10. South Cleveland
Women’s Earnings Compared To Male Earnings: $0.66
Women In Management: 36.7%
Women In Poverty: 22.7%
Uninsured Women: 9.0%
South Cleveland rounds out the top ten, with notable challenges for women, particularly regarding poverty and management opportunities.
Summary On Worst Cities to Be A Woman In Tennessee
The cities highlighted here represent the most difficult environments for women in Tennessee. Despite statewide progress, these areas reveal stark disparities in opportunities and outcomes for women. While individual experiences vary, the statistics indicate systemic challenges that need to be addressed to improve conditions for women.
For instance, while women in many cities still struggle to earn equal pay, the differences between the cities on this list and those with better conditions are stark. Understanding these disparities is crucial for advocating for change and fostering a more equitable workforce.
Detailed List Of The Worst Cities For Women In Tennessee
| Rank | Place | Pay Gap |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rockwood | $0.49 |
| 2 | Newport | $0.64 |
| 3 | Savannah | $0.59 |
| 4 | Crossville | $0.68 |
| 5 | Covington | $0.69 |
| 6 | Millington | $0.70 |
| 7 | Lynchburg | $0.66 |
| 8 | Cleveland | $0.68 |
| 9 | Jefferson City | $0.56 |
| 10 | South Cleveland | $0.66 |
| 11 | Union City | $0.85 |
| 12 | Erwin | $0.68 |
| 13 | Henderson | $0.67 |
| 14 | La Follette | $0.55 |
| 15 | Mcminnville | $0.71 |
| 16 | Johnson City | $0.71 |
| 17 | Kingston | $0.44 |
| 18 | Elizabethton | $0.72 |
| 19 | Collegedale | $0.60 |
| 20 | Portland | $0.62 |
| 21 | Bloomingdale | $0.67 |
| 22 | Bristol | $0.67 |
| 23 | Morristown | $0.81 |
| 24 | Tullahoma | $0.56 |
| 25 | Seymour | $0.66 |
| 26 | Pigeon Forge | $0.56 |
| 27 | Cookeville | $0.72 |
| 28 | Paris | $0.70 |
| 29 | Martin | $0.57 |
| 30 | Milan | $0.72 |
| 31 | Loudon | $0.69 |
| 32 | Sevierville | $0.75 |
| 33 | Winchester | $0.61 |
| 34 | La Vergne | $0.70 |
| 35 | Lenoir City | $0.68 |
| 36 | Franklin | $0.55 |
| 37 | Maryville | $0.61 |
| 38 | Springfield | $0.89 |
| 39 | Lexington | $0.56 |
| 40 | Chattanooga | $0.78 |
| 41 | Memphis | $0.84 |
| 42 | Brentwood | $0.35 |
| 43 | Dayton | $0.84 |
| 44 | Oak Ridge | $0.69 |
| 45 | Lawrenceburg | $0.68 |
| 46 | Fayetteville | $0.91 |
| 47 | Church Hill | $0.50 |
| 48 | Knoxville | $0.81 |
| 49 | Kingsport | $0.72 |
| 50 | Fairview | $0.64 |
| 51 | Signal Mountain | $0.44 |
| 52 | Red Bank | $0.73 |
| 53 | Farragut | $0.43 |
| 54 | Jackson | $0.75 |
| 55 | Lewisburg | $0.83 |
| 56 | Athens | $0.68 |
| 57 | Brownsville | $0.73 |
| 58 | Green Hill | $0.60 |
| 59 | Nolensville | $0.53 |
| 60 | Mount Juliet | $0.69 |
| 61 | Shelbyville | $0.79 |
| 62 | Dyersburg | $0.83 |
| 63 | Columbia | $0.75 |
| 64 | Collierville | $0.61 |
| 65 | Lebanon | $0.75 |
| 66 | Eagleton Village | $0.90 |
| 67 | Hendersonville | $0.66 |
| 68 | Greeneville | $0.76 |
| 69 | Harriman | $0.79 |
| 70 | Dickson | $0.76 |
| 71 | Hartsville/Trousdale County | $0.82 |
| 72 | Clinton | $0.70 |
| 73 | Germantown | $0.54 |
| 74 | Sweetwater | $0.78 |
| 75 | Spring Hill | $0.64 |
| 76 | Middle Valley | $0.65 |
| 77 | Alcoa | $0.68 |
| 78 | East Ridge | $0.95 |
| 79 | Ripley | $0.79 |
| 80 | Clarksville | $0.66 |
| 81 | Murfreesboro | $0.77 |
| 82 | Nashville-Davidson | $0.87 |
| 83 | Gallatin | $0.76 |
| 84 | Manchester | $0.77 |
| 85 | Soddy-Daisy | $0.72 |
| 86 | Millersville | $0.72 |
| 87 | Pulaski | $0.88 |
| 88 | Arlington | $0.56 |
| 89 | Goodlettsville | $0.82 |
| 90 | Oakland | $0.70 |
| 91 | Humboldt | $0.81 |
| 92 | Mount Carmel | $0.70 |
| 93 | Fairfield Glade | $0.65 |
| 94 | Smyrna | $0.84 |
| 95 | Bartlett | $0.70 |
| 96 | Atoka | $0.72 |
| 97 | White House | $0.74 |
| 98 | Lakeland | $0.70 |
| 99 | Greenbrier | $0.74 |
| 100 | Munford | $0.76 |
Author
Kathy is the head of content at Zippia with a knack for engaging audiences. Prior to joining Zippia, Kathy worked at Gateway Blend growing audiences across diverse brands. She graduated from Troy University with a degree in Social Science Education.
