History and Statistics Public domain map courtesy of The General Libraries, The University of Texas at Austin, modified to show counties. ...

• Nashville was settled in 1779
• Became state capitol from 1812-1815, then permanently in 1843
• Elevation 550 ft. (168 m.) at the lowest point; 1100 ft. (336 m.) at the highest point of the rim around the Nashville basin
• Area: 533 square miles
• Time: Central Standard, November-March; Central Daylight, April-October
• MSA (Metropolitan Statistical Area) eight counties: Cheatham, Davidson, Dickson, Robertson, Rutherford, Sumner, Williamson and Wilson
• Nashville Economic Market 10 counties: Nashville MSA plus Maury and Montgomery counties
• Nashville/Davidson County has a metropolitan government; city limits extend to county line
• Population: Nashville, Davidson County = 569,891; MSA = 1.23 million

Climate

Nashville typically enjoys a mild and pleasant climate with only a few days of the year having either very hot or very cold conditions. Most of the city's rain is confined to the spring months, but a shower throughout the year is not unusual. Days are warm and pleasant. Evenings require a sweater or light jacket. Since the weather is changeable, layered clothing is a good idea to accommodate sunny days and cooler nights. Although the climate is mild, winter temperatures do range from cool to cold. If a snowfall occurs, it is usually in January or February, and is seldom heavy.

Business Climate

Major industries include Tourism, Printing and Publishing, Technology Manufacturing, Music Production, Higher Education, Finance, Insurance, Automobile Production and Health Care Management.

Industry breakdown: Services 33%; Trade 24.4%; Manufacturing 13.5%; Government 12.6%; Construction and Mining 5.2%; Finance, Insurance and Real Estate 6.1%; Transportation, Communication and Public Utilities 5.3%

Major Nashville headquarters and facilities:

• Aladdin Industries (HQ)
• Genesco (HQ)
• BellSouth HCA (HQ)
• Bridgestone/Firestone USA (HQ)
• Ingram Industries
• Caterpillar Financial (HQ)
• Lifeway Christian Resources
• Cracker Barrel Old Country Stores (HQ) / Lebanon
• Nissan Motor Manufacturing USA / Smyrna
• CNA Insurance (Life and Long-term Care HQ)
• Primus Automotive Financial Services (HQ)
• Dell Computer Corporation
• Saturn Corporation / Spring Hill
• Dollar General (HQ)
• Willis (HQ)
• Gaylord Entertainment Company (HQ)

Transportation

17 airlines serving 86 markets: American, American Eagle, Air Canada, Atlantic Coast, Comair, Continental, Corporate Express, Delta, Delta Express, Great Plains, Northwest, Skyway, Southwest, United, United Express, US Airways, US Airways Express. More than 392 daily airport arrivals and departures.

Convergence of three interstate highways, I-40, I-24 and I-65. I-440, an inner beltway now exists, and I-840, an outer beltway between I-40 and I-24 and I-24 and I-65, is under construction.

Nashville Trolley Company services the downtown and the Music Valley Drive/Opryland Hotel area.

Cost of Living

Overall cost of living is 93.7% of the national average (100%). All components (groceries, housing, utilities, etc.) of cost of living are typically below the national average.