Did Gerrymandering Occur in Middle, TN?

Redistricting occurs every 10 years following the release of Census Data, however this is not a perfect practice. Gerrymandering, according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary states that gerrymandering is,” the practice of dividing or arranging a territorial unit into election districts in a way that gives one political party an unfair advantage in elections.” With that in mind, what does the data say about gerrymandering that might have taken place across Middle Tennessee?

2021 Map & Graph

Prior to 2022, Nashville was whole, Congressional District 5 was one of two seats that Democrats held. The other seat being Congressional District 9 (Memphis). The total white population withing Congressional District 5 was 60%, the 2nd lowest in the state. But that all changed after the redrawing of the districts.

2022 Map & Graph

As you can see in the map above, Nashville has essentially been split into three. Significantly weakening a city historically ran by Democrats. Congressional District 5 now has a white population of 73.2%, a 13% jump from where it was the year prior. And while it did “weaken” the districts surrounding it, that honestly does not matter as Republicans dominated the white vote in these areas. Congressional District 6 saw a decrease of just 6.9% of their white population. While Congressional District 7 saw a decrease of 8%. Both districts remain with a white population of over 70%.

Davidson County remains democratic, however now the second largest county in population practically has zero pull. Congressional District 5, once practically representing Nashville, has now practically shifted South. Leaving it and it’s prior Democratic voters in the dust, and having zero impact on the Nashville area as a whole. In conclusion, it feels as if gerrymandering has occured, and it is hard to argue that race did not have something to do with it.