Biggest sources of immigrants to Memphis
Written by:
April 4, 2021
neiljs // Flickr
Biggest sources of immigrants to Memphis
Nearly 14% of the United States population is composed of immigrants. But in reality, the vast majority of Americans today are here because of relatives who immigrated from other countries some time in the last several hundred years.
And while the distinctive American culture and spirit is the result of blending many diverse cultures and histories, the United States has for centuries had an up-and-down relationship with immigration.
Each era of immigration has been met with reductive ideas and resistance, whether the backlash was directed toward the Chinese, Irish, Italians, or Mexicans. Immigration laws have targeted specific groups at various times, stoking intolerance and preventing people from truly joining American society. Over time, however, as laws changed to be more equitable and immigrants found their footings, we have reaped the rewards of innovation in business, music, art, literature, dance, food, societal norms, entertainment, and sports—all while realizing a greater understanding of and respect for different cultures, religions, and ideas.
Stacker compiled a list of the countries most immigrants to Memphis come from, using data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Countries are ranked by highest number of foreign-born residents who lived in Memphis as of 2019’s five-year estimates.
Keep reading to find out more about the immigrant community in your home city.
1 / 50
gadzius // Shutterstock
#50. Dominica
Memphis, TN-MS-AR Metro Area
- Number of residents: 158
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
National
- Number of residents: 34,308
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.1%
- #100 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 158
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
National
- Number of residents: 34,308
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.1%
- #100 most common country of origin
2 / 50
Christian Vinces // Shutterstock
#49. Peru
Memphis, TN-MS-AR Metro Area
- Number of residents: 164
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
National
- Number of residents: 451,076
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.0%
- #18 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 164
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
National
- Number of residents: 451,076
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.0%
- #18 most common country of origin
3 / 50
SL-Photography // Shutterstock
#48. Panama
Memphis, TN-MS-AR Metro Area
- Number of residents: 168
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
National
- Number of residents: 103,299
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
- #58 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 168
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
National
- Number of residents: 103,299
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
- #58 most common country of origin
4 / 50
Unsplash
#47. Ukraine
Memphis, TN-MS-AR Metro Area
- Number of residents: 172
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
National
- Number of residents: 345,250
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.8%
- #28 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 172
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
National
- Number of residents: 345,250
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.8%
- #28 most common country of origin
5 / 50
dronepicr // Flickr
#46. Belize
Memphis, TN-MS-AR Metro Area
- Number of residents: 176
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
National
- Number of residents: 48,869
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.1%
- #84 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 176
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
National
- Number of residents: 48,869
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.1%
- #84 most common country of origin
6 / 50
Jack Bkk // Shutterstock
#45. Thailand
Memphis, TN-MS-AR Metro Area
- Number of residents: 178
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
National
- Number of residents: 255,345
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.6%
- #32 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 178
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
National
- Number of residents: 255,345
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.6%
- #32 most common country of origin
7 / 50
Madrugada Verde // Shutterstock
#43 (tie). Sri Lanka
Memphis, TN-MS-AR Metro Area
- Number of residents: 186
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
National
- Number of residents: 52,439
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.1%
- #83 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 186
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
National
- Number of residents: 52,439
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.1%
- #83 most common country of origin
8 / 50
HandmadePictures // Shutterstock
#43 (tie). South Africa
Memphis, TN-MS-AR Metro Area
- Number of residents: 186
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
National
- Number of residents: 104,022
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
- #56 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 186
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
National
- Number of residents: 104,022
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
- #56 most common country of origin
9 / 50
robertonencini // Shutterstock
#42. Sierra Leone
Memphis, TN-MS-AR Metro Area
- Number of residents: 194
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
National
- Number of residents: 40,991
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.1%
- #94 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 194
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
National
- Number of residents: 40,991
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.1%
- #94 most common country of origin
10 / 50
Pascal Müller // Unsplash
#41. Laos
Memphis, TN-MS-AR Metro Area
- Number of residents: 223
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
National
- Number of residents: 181,546
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
- #42 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 223
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
National
- Number of residents: 181,546
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
- #42 most common country of origin
11 / 50
Catarina Belova // Shutterstock
#40. Brazil
Memphis, TN-MS-AR Metro Area
- Number of residents: 238
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
National
- Number of residents: 433,479
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.0%
- #20 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 238
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
National
- Number of residents: 433,479
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.0%
- #20 most common country of origin
12 / 50
USACE HQ , JIM GORDAN, CIV, USACE // Wikicommons
#39. Iraq
Memphis, TN-MS-AR Metro Area
- Number of residents: 241
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
National
- Number of residents: 225,038
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
- #38 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 241
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
National
- Number of residents: 225,038
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
- #38 most common country of origin
13 / 50
Evgeniya Uvarova // Shutterstock
#38. Argentina
Memphis, TN-MS-AR Metro Area
- Number of residents: 244
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
National
- Number of residents: 194,435
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
- #39 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 244
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
National
- Number of residents: 194,435
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
- #39 most common country of origin
14 / 50
Pixabay
#37. Italy
Memphis, TN-MS-AR Metro Area
- Number of residents: 253
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
National
- Number of residents: 332,857
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.8%
- #30 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 253
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
National
- Number of residents: 332,857
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.8%
- #30 most common country of origin
15 / 50
Unsplash
#36. Lebanon
Memphis, TN-MS-AR Metro Area
- Number of residents: 293
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
National
- Number of residents: 121,697
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
- #52 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 293
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
National
- Number of residents: 121,697
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
- #52 most common country of origin
16 / 50
Tupungato // Shutterstock
#35. France
Memphis, TN-MS-AR Metro Area
- Number of residents: 303
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
National
- Number of residents: 181,554
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
- #41 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 303
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
National
- Number of residents: 181,554
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
- #41 most common country of origin
17 / 50
Fitria Ramli // Shutterstock
#34. Saudi Arabia
Memphis, TN-MS-AR Metro Area
- Number of residents: 308
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
National
- Number of residents: 85,000
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
- #70 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 308
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
National
- Number of residents: 85,000
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
- #70 most common country of origin
18 / 50
Lena Ha // Shutterstock
#33. Senegal
Memphis, TN-MS-AR Metro Area
- Number of residents: 333
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
National
- Number of residents: 26,122
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.1%
- #112 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 333
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
National
- Number of residents: 26,122
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.1%
- #112 most common country of origin
19 / 50
Christopher Michel // Flickr
#32. Sudan
Memphis, TN-MS-AR Metro Area
- Number of residents: 337
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
National
- Number of residents: 46,716
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.1%
- #87 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 337
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
National
- Number of residents: 46,716
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.1%
- #87 most common country of origin
20 / 50
Pixabay
#31. Dominican Republic
Memphis, TN-MS-AR Metro Area
- Number of residents: 351
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
National
- Number of residents: 1,118,147
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.5%
- #8 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 351
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
National
- Number of residents: 1,118,147
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.5%
- #8 most common country of origin
21 / 50
Sergei25 // Shutterstock
#30. Jordan
Memphis, TN-MS-AR Metro Area
- Number of residents: 365
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
National
- Number of residents: 81,155
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
- #71 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 365
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
National
- Number of residents: 81,155
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
- #71 most common country of origin
22 / 50
Nahlik // Shutterstock
#29. Poland
Memphis, TN-MS-AR Metro Area
- Number of residents: 391
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
National
- Number of residents: 410,841
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.9%
- #21 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 391
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
National
- Number of residents: 410,841
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.9%
- #21 most common country of origin
23 / 50
Alexandra Pugachevsky // Wikicommons
#28. Yemen
Memphis, TN-MS-AR Metro Area
- Number of residents: 406
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.6%
National
- Number of residents: 54,152
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.1%
- #82 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 406
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.6%
National
- Number of residents: 54,152
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.1%
- #82 most common country of origin
24 / 50
MDOGAN // Shutterstock
#27. Somalia
Memphis, TN-MS-AR Metro Area
- Number of residents: 417
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.6%
National
- Number of residents: 98,966
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
- #60 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 417
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.6%
National
- Number of residents: 98,966
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
- #60 most common country of origin
25 / 50
byvalet // Shutterstock
#26. Jamaica
Memphis, TN-MS-AR Metro Area
- Number of residents: 461
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.6%
National
- Number of residents: 741,386
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.7%
- #13 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 461
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.6%
National
- Number of residents: 741,386
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.7%
- #13 most common country of origin
26 / 50
Prin Adulyatham // Shutterstock
#25. Egypt
Memphis, TN-MS-AR Metro Area
- Number of residents: 481
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.7%
National
- Number of residents: 191,452
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
- #40 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 481
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.7%
National
- Number of residents: 191,452
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
- #40 most common country of origin
27 / 50
Viacheslav Lopatin // Shutterstock
#24. Russia
Memphis, TN-MS-AR Metro Area
- Number of residents: 488
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.7%
National
- Number of residents: 391,641
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.9%
- #22 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 488
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.7%
National
- Number of residents: 391,641
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.9%
- #22 most common country of origin
28 / 50
Vannrith Va // Unsplash
#23. Cambodia
Memphis, TN-MS-AR Metro Area
- Number of residents: 493
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.7%
National
- Number of residents: 151,066
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
- #46 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 493
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.7%
National
- Number of residents: 151,066
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
- #46 most common country of origin
29 / 50
Photos By Beks // Unsplash
#22. Kenya
Memphis, TN-MS-AR Metro Area
- Number of residents: 516
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.7%
National
- Number of residents: 141,751
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
- #48 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 516
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.7%
National
- Number of residents: 141,751
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
- #48 most common country of origin
30 / 50
PIxabay
#21. Taiwan
Memphis, TN-MS-AR Metro Area
- Number of residents: 534
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.7%
National
- Number of residents: 381,098
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.9%
- #24 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 534
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.7%
National
- Number of residents: 381,098
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.9%
- #24 most common country of origin
31 / 50
Alexander Canas Arango // Shutterstock
#20. Colombia
Memphis, TN-MS-AR Metro Area
- Number of residents: 593
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.8%
National
- Number of residents: 761,374
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.7%
- #12 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 593
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.8%
National
- Number of residents: 761,374
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.7%
- #12 most common country of origin
32 / 50
Ninara // Wikimedia Commons
#19. Iran
Memphis, TN-MS-AR Metro Area
- Number of residents: 624
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.9%
National
- Number of residents: 382,260
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.9%
- #23 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 624
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.9%
National
- Number of residents: 382,260
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.9%
- #23 most common country of origin
33 / 50
Unsplash
#18. Japan
Memphis, TN-MS-AR Metro Area
- Number of residents: 652
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.9%
National
- Number of residents: 345,140
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.8%
- #29 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 652
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.9%
National
- Number of residents: 345,140
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.8%
- #29 most common country of origin
34 / 50
Saqib Rizvi // Shutterstock
#17. Pakistan
Memphis, TN-MS-AR Metro Area
- Number of residents: 733
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.0%
National
- Number of residents: 376,127
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.9%
- #25 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 733
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.0%
National
- Number of residents: 376,127
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.9%
- #25 most common country of origin
35 / 50
JMRAFFi // Wikimedia Commons
#16. El Salvador
Memphis, TN-MS-AR Metro Area
- Number of residents: 937
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.3%
National
- Number of residents: 1,381,008
- Percent of foreign born residents: 3.1%
- #5 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 937
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.3%
National
- Number of residents: 1,381,008
- Percent of foreign born residents: 3.1%
- #5 most common country of origin
36 / 50
Falkenpost // Pixabay
#14 (tie). Cuba
Memphis, TN-MS-AR Metro Area
- Number of residents: 992
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.4%
National
- Number of residents: 1,289,875
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.9%
- #7 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 992
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.4%
National
- Number of residents: 1,289,875
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.9%
- #7 most common country of origin
37 / 50
agchinook // Shutterstock
#14 (tie). Venezuela
Memphis, TN-MS-AR Metro Area
- Number of residents: 992
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.4%
National
- Number of residents: 349,720
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.8%
- #27 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 992
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.4%
National
- Number of residents: 349,720
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.8%
- #27 most common country of origin
38 / 50
Max Pixel
#13. Germany
Memphis, TN-MS-AR Metro Area
- Number of residents: 1,082
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.5%
National
- Number of residents: 560,368
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.3%
- #17 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 1,082
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.5%
National
- Number of residents: 560,368
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.3%
- #17 most common country of origin
39 / 50
User:Colin // Wikimedia Commons
#12. United Kingdom
Memphis, TN-MS-AR Metro Area
- Number of residents: 1,114
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.6%
National
- Number of residents: 698,612
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.6%
- #14 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 1,114
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.6%
National
- Number of residents: 698,612
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.6%
- #14 most common country of origin
40 / 50
Unsplash
#11. Canada
Memphis, TN-MS-AR Metro Area
- Number of residents: 1,132
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.6%
National
- Number of residents: 808,566
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.8%
- #11 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 1,132
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.6%
National
- Number of residents: 808,566
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.8%
- #11 most common country of origin
41 / 50
OpenUpEd // Flickr
#10. Nigeria
Memphis, TN-MS-AR Metro Area
- Number of residents: 1,179
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.6%
National
- Number of residents: 350,272
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.8%
- #26 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 1,179
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.6%
National
- Number of residents: 350,272
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.8%
- #26 most common country of origin
42 / 50
Kys951 // Wikimedia Commons
#9. South Korea
Memphis, TN-MS-AR Metro Area
- Number of residents: 1,201
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.7%
National
- Number of residents: 1,044,634
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.4%
- #9 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 1,201
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.7%
National
- Number of residents: 1,044,634
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.4%
- #9 most common country of origin
43 / 50
neiljs // Flickr
#8. Ethiopia
Memphis, TN-MS-AR Metro Area
- Number of residents: 1,345
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.9%
National
- Number of residents: 249,777
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.6%
- #34 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 1,345
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.9%
National
- Number of residents: 249,777
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.6%
- #34 most common country of origin
44 / 50
Joseph Oropel // Shutterstock
#7. Philippines
Memphis, TN-MS-AR Metro Area
- Number of residents: 2,048
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.9%
National
- Number of residents: 1,983,939
- Percent of foreign born residents: 4.5%
- #4 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 2,048
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.9%
National
- Number of residents: 1,983,939
- Percent of foreign born residents: 4.5%
- #4 most common country of origin
45 / 50
Marek Poplawski // Shutterstock
#6. Honduras
Memphis, TN-MS-AR Metro Area
- Number of residents: 2,681
- Percent of foreign born residents: 3.7%
National
- Number of residents: 651,123
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.5%
- #16 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 2,681
- Percent of foreign born residents: 3.7%
National
- Number of residents: 651,123
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.5%
- #16 most common country of origin
46 / 50
Kobby Dagan // Shutterstock
#5. Guatemala
Memphis, TN-MS-AR Metro Area
- Number of residents: 3,058
- Percent of foreign born residents: 4.3%
National
- Number of residents: 979,098
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.2%
- #10 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 3,058
- Percent of foreign born residents: 4.3%
National
- Number of residents: 979,098
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.2%
- #10 most common country of origin
47 / 50
Sean Pavone // Shutterstock
#4. China
Memphis, TN-MS-AR Metro Area
- Number of residents: 3,455
- Percent of foreign born residents: 4.8%
National
- Number of residents: 2,162,395
- Percent of foreign born residents: 4.9%
- #3 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 3,455
- Percent of foreign born residents: 4.8%
National
- Number of residents: 2,162,395
- Percent of foreign born residents: 4.9%
- #3 most common country of origin
48 / 50
Quangpraha // Pixabay
#3. Vietnam
Memphis, TN-MS-AR Metro Area
- Number of residents: 3,880
- Percent of foreign born residents: 5.4%
National
- Number of residents: 1,336,988
- Percent of foreign born residents: 3.0%
- #6 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 3,880
- Percent of foreign born residents: 5.4%
National
- Number of residents: 1,336,988
- Percent of foreign born residents: 3.0%
- #6 most common country of origin
49 / 50
Kriangkrai Thitimakorn // Shutterstock
#2. India
Memphis, TN-MS-AR Metro Area
- Number of residents: 5,805
- Percent of foreign born residents: 8.1%
National
- Number of residents: 2,561,906
- Percent of foreign born residents: 5.8%
- #2 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 5,805
- Percent of foreign born residents: 8.1%
National
- Number of residents: 2,561,906
- Percent of foreign born residents: 5.8%
- #2 most common country of origin
50 / 50
Jakub Hejtmánek // Wikicommons
#1. Mexico
Memphis, TN-MS-AR Metro Area
- Number of residents: 22,053
- Percent of foreign born residents: 30.8%
National
- Number of residents: 11,250,541
- Percent of foreign born residents: 25.6%
- #1 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 22,053
- Percent of foreign born residents: 30.8%
National
- Number of residents: 11,250,541
- Percent of foreign born residents: 25.6%
- #1 most common country of origin
