Nashville
cityNashville, the capital of Tennessee, is situated in Davidson County on the Cumberland River in the region known as Middle Tennessee. As of 2024, the city's population is estimated to be 704,963, making it the 21st most populous city in the United States and the fourth most populous in the Southeast. The greater Nashville metropolitan area has a population of over 2.15 million. Known as 'Music City', Nashville is celebrated for its vibrant music scene, particularly country music, and is a major hub for the recording industry. Nashville's economy is diverse, with key sectors including healthcare management, automobile production, finance, higher education, insurance, music production, printing & publishing, technology manufacturing, and tourism. The city is home to numerous corporate headquarters, such as Amazon, Asurion, Bridgestone Americas, Dollar General, HCA Healthcare, iHeartMedia, and Nissan North America. These industries contribute to a thriving business climate that attracts entrepreneurs and investors. Founded in 1779, Nashville has a rich history, serving as a strategic port on the Cumberland River and a major railroad center. It became the permanent capital of Tennessee in 1843. The city is also known as the 'Athens of the South' due to its many educational institutions, including Vanderbilt University, Tennessee State University, Belmont University, and Fisk University. Nashville offers a blend of cultural landmarks, historical significance, and a growing diverse community.
Nashville, Tennessee
- Classification
- City
- Country
- United States
- County
- Davidson
- Region
- Middle Tennessee, Nashville Basin
- Elevation
- 550 ft
- Total Area
- 527.9 sq mi
- Land Area
- 504 sq mi
- Water Area
- 23.9 sq mi
- Latitude
- 36.174
- Longitude
- -86.767
- Climate
- Hot and muggy summers, with average daily high temperature above 27°C. Winters last for three months, with average daily high temperature below 13°C.
- Notable Features
- Cumberland River · Highland Rim · Nashville Basin
- Neighboring Areas
- Berry Hill · Oak Hill · Belle Meade · Forest Hills · Brentwood
- Population (2020)
- 689,447
- Est. Population (2024)
- 704,963
- Median Age
- 34.5
- Median Income
- $77,371
- Poverty Rate
- 14.14%
- Family Households
- 49%
- Racial & Ethnic Composition
- 54.64% White, 24.86% Black or African American, 5.2% Other Race, 3.53% Asian
- Government Type
- Consolidated City-County (Mayor-Council)
- Governing Body
- Metropolitan Council
- Body Size
- 40 members
- School District
- Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools (MNPS)
- Municipal Services
- Police · Fire · Public Works · Parks & Recreation











- Unemployment Rate
- 3.7%
- Economic Profile
- Diverse · Strong Business Climate · Growing Tech Sector
- Employment Sectors
- Health Care Management · Automobile Production · Finance · Higher Education · Insurance · Music Production · Technology · Tourism
- Major Employers
- Amazon · Asurion · Bridgestone Americas · Community Health Systems · Dollar General · HCA Healthcare · iHeartMedia · Mitsubishi Motors · Nissan North America
- Transportation
- Interstates · Nashville International Airport (BNA) · Public Transportation (buses) · Bike lanes
- Utilities
- Municipal Water · Power · Broadband/Fiber
- Major Facilities
- Hospitals · Nashville International Airport (BNA) · Music City Center · Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center
- Outdoor Access
- Yes
- Major Recreation Areas
- Cumberland Park · Radnor Lake State Natural Area · Long Hunter State Park · Percy Priest Lake · Shelby Bottoms
- Parks & Trails
- Centennial Park · Shelby Bottoms Greenway · Cumberland River Greenway
- Founded
- 1779
- Incorporated
- 1806
- Named After
- Francis Nash, an American Revolutionary War hero
- Historical Significance
- Strategic location as river port and railroad center; center of country music industry; key role in Civil War
- Key Events
- Construction of Fort Nashborough (1779) · Became permanent state capital (1843) · Civil War occupation by Federal troops (1862) · Consolidation of city and county governments (1963)
