It is located between Nidelva river and Vassfjellet approximately  west of the village of Klæbu which sits on the other side of the river. The  village has a population (2018) of 1,273 and a population density of .
Tanem's population has been growing rapidly. The Tanem village itself and surrounding areas provides few employment opportunities and most of the residents of Tanem commute to Trondheim to work.