The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development  launched a new website aimed at promoting investment in the state’s 176 census tracts designated as opportunity zones (OZ) – areas where long-term investments can benefit low-income communities.

The 2019 version of the KIDS COUNT, The State of the Child in Tennessee report was recently released by the Tennessee Commission on Child and Youth. The KIDS COUNT resources include an outstanding collection of data and policy directions in a report outlining strategies to benefit children and families. It also includes a county-profile showing a ranking for each county in the state.

Suicide is among the leading causes of death in Tennessee for people ages 15 to 54. In 2017, 1166 people in the state died by intentional self-harm and the rate of suicide per 100,000 population reached a historic high.

Knoxville-Knox County Planning published an interactive overview of regional demographics, labor force and development activity to support their review of their Growth Policy Plan. The site presents a variety of maps and data visualizations that the group plans to use the site in upcoming community presentations.

The Division of Property Assessment at the Office of the Comptroller has released a land use map series for 300 municipalities and 82 counties in the state. Population and demographics indicators from the American Community Survey are included on the city and town maps.

From opposite ends of the state come two interesting looks at opioid use.