Davidson County, Tennessee
Encyclopedia
Davidson County is a county located in the U.S. state
of Tennessee
. As of 2010, the population was 626,681. Its county seat
is Nashville
.
In 1963, the City of Nashville
and the Davidson County government merged, so the county government is now known as the "Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County," or "Metro Nashville" for short.
Davidson County has the largest population in the 13-county Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro
–Franklin
Metropolitan Statistical Area. Nashville has always been the region's center of commerce, industry, transportation, and culture, but it did not become the capital of Tennessee until 1827 and did not gain permanent capital status until 1843.
. It dates to 1783, when the North Carolina
legislature created the county and named it in honor of William Lee Davidson
, a North Carolina officer who died in the Revolutionary War on January 1, 1782. The county seat, Nashville, is also the oldest permanent white settlement in Middle Tennessee, founded by James Robertson and John Donelson
during the winter of 1779-80. The initial white settlers established the Cumberland Compact
in order to establish a basic rule of law and to protect their land titles. Through much of the early 1780s the settlers also faced a hostile response from Native American
tribes. As the county's many known archaeological sites attest, the resources of Davidson County had attracted Native Americans for centuries. In fact, the first whites to encounter the area were fur traders, then long hunters, who came to a large salt lick, known as French Lick, in present-day Nashville to trade with Native Americans and to hunt the abundant game.
In 1765, Timothe de Mont Brun, a hunter and trapper, and his wife lived in a small cave (now known as Demonbreuns Cave) on the south side of the Cumberland River near present-day downtown Nashville. The first white child to be born in Middle Tennessee was born there. (Thomas C. Barr, Jr., "Caves of Tennesse", Tennessee Division of Geology, Bulletin 64, 1961, p 148.)
, the county has a total area of 526 square miles (1,362.3 km²), of which 502 square miles (1,300.2 km²) is land and 24 square miles (62.2 km²) (4.53%) is water.
The Cumberland River
flows from east to west through the middle of the county. Two dams within the county are Old Hickory Lock and Dam
and J. Percy Priest Dam
, operated by the United States Army Corps of Engineers
. Important tributaries of the Cumberland in Davidson County include Whites Creek, Manskers Creek, Stones River, Mill Creek, and the Harpeth River
.
As of the census
of 2000, there were 569,891 people, 237,405 households, and 138,169 families residing in the county. The population density
was 1,135 people per square mile (438/km²). There were 252,977 housing units at an average density of 504 per square mile (194/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 66.99% White
, 25.92% Black
or African American
, 0.29% Native American
, 2.33% Asian
, 0.07% Pacific Islander
, 2.42% from other races
, and 1.97% from two or more races. 4.58% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
In 2005 the racial makeup of the county was 61.7% non-Hispanic white, 27.5% African-American, 6.6% Latino and 2.8% Asian.
In 2000 there were 237,405 households out of which 26.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.90% were married couples
living together, 14.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.80% were non-families. 33.40% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the county, the population was spread out with 22.20% under the age of 18, 11.60% from 18 to 24, 34.00% from 25 to 44, 21.10% from 45 to 64, and 11.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 93.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.80 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $39,797, and the median income for a family was $49,317. Males had a median income of $33,844 versus $27,770 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $23,069. About 10.00% of families and 13.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.10% of those under age 18 and 10.50% of those age 65 or over.
Metropolitan Government of Nashville
and Davidson County. However, several municipalities that were incorporated
before consolidation retain some autonomy as independent municipalities. These are:
For U.S. Census purposes, the portions of Davidson County that lie outside the boundaries of the seven independently incorporated municipalities are collectively treated as the Nashville-Davidson balance
.
In addition, several other communities in the county that lack the official status of incorporated municipalities (either because they were never incorporated or because they relinquished their municipal charter
s when consolidation occurred) maintain their independent identities to varying degrees. These include:
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Tennessee
Tennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
. As of 2010, the population was 626,681. Its county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
is Nashville
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
.
In 1963, the City of Nashville
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
and the Davidson County government merged, so the county government is now known as the "Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County," or "Metro Nashville" for short.
Davidson County has the largest population in the 13-county Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro
Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Murfreesboro is a city in and the county seat of Rutherford County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 108,755 according to the United States Census Bureau's 2010 U.S. Census, up from 68,816 residents certified during the 2000 census. The center of population of Tennessee is located in...
–Franklin
Franklin, Tennessee
Franklin is a city within and the county seat of Williamson County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 62,487 as of the 2010 census Franklin is located approximately south of downtown Nashville.-History:...
Metropolitan Statistical Area. Nashville has always been the region's center of commerce, industry, transportation, and culture, but it did not become the capital of Tennessee until 1827 and did not gain permanent capital status until 1843.
History
Davidson County is the oldest county in Middle TennesseeMiddle Tennessee
Middle Tennessee is a distinct portion of the state of Tennessee, delineated according to state law as the 41 counties in the Middle Grand Division of Tennessee....
. It dates to 1783, when the North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
legislature created the county and named it in honor of William Lee Davidson
William Lee Davidson
William Lee Davidson was a North Carolina militia general during the American Revolutionary War.-Origins and education:His father moved with his family to Rowan County, North Carolina, in 1750, and William, the youngest son, was educated at Queen's Museum in Charlotte.-Military Campaigns:Active...
, a North Carolina officer who died in the Revolutionary War on January 1, 1782. The county seat, Nashville, is also the oldest permanent white settlement in Middle Tennessee, founded by James Robertson and John Donelson
John Donelson
Col. John Donelson , explorer and adventurer, was, with James Robertson, co-founder of Fort Nashborough in 1780, which would eventually become the city of Nashville, Tennessee. Donelson was the father of Rachel Jackson, the wife of seventh President of the United States, Andrew Jackson. His...
during the winter of 1779-80. The initial white settlers established the Cumberland Compact
Cumberland Compact
The Cumberland Compact was a forerunner of the Tennessee State Constitution, signed on May 13, 1780, by settlers when they arrived on the Cumberland River and settled Fort Nashborough, which would become Nashville, Tennessee...
in order to establish a basic rule of law and to protect their land titles. Through much of the early 1780s the settlers also faced a hostile response from Native American
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
tribes. As the county's many known archaeological sites attest, the resources of Davidson County had attracted Native Americans for centuries. In fact, the first whites to encounter the area were fur traders, then long hunters, who came to a large salt lick, known as French Lick, in present-day Nashville to trade with Native Americans and to hunt the abundant game.
In 1765, Timothe de Mont Brun, a hunter and trapper, and his wife lived in a small cave (now known as Demonbreuns Cave) on the south side of the Cumberland River near present-day downtown Nashville. The first white child to be born in Middle Tennessee was born there. (Thomas C. Barr, Jr., "Caves of Tennesse", Tennessee Division of Geology, Bulletin 64, 1961, p 148.)
Geography
According to the U.S. Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the county has a total area of 526 square miles (1,362.3 km²), of which 502 square miles (1,300.2 km²) is land and 24 square miles (62.2 km²) (4.53%) is water.
The Cumberland River
Cumberland River
The Cumberland River is a waterway in the Southern United States. It is long. It starts in Harlan County in far southeastern Kentucky between Pine and Cumberland mountains, flows through southern Kentucky, crosses into northern Tennessee, and then curves back up into western Kentucky before...
flows from east to west through the middle of the county. Two dams within the county are Old Hickory Lock and Dam
Old Hickory Lock and Dam
Old Hickory Lock and Dam is a dam located in middle Tennessee on the Cumberland River at mile 216.2 in Sumner and Davidson Counties, approximately upstream from Nashville. The reservoir behind the dam is Old Hickory Lake...
and J. Percy Priest Dam
J. Percy Priest Dam
J. Percy Priest Dam is a dam in north central Tennessee at mile 6.8 of the Stones River, a tributary of the Cumberland. It is located about ten miles east of downtown Nashville. The reservoir behind the dam is Percy Priest Lake....
, operated by the United States Army Corps of Engineers
United States Army Corps of Engineers
The United States Army Corps of Engineers is a federal agency and a major Army command made up of some 38,000 civilian and military personnel, making it the world's largest public engineering, design and construction management agency...
. Important tributaries of the Cumberland in Davidson County include Whites Creek, Manskers Creek, Stones River, Mill Creek, and the Harpeth River
Harpeth River
The Harpeth River, long, is one of the major streams of north-central Middle Tennessee and one of the major tributaries of the Cumberland River...
.
Adjacent counties
- Robertson County, Tennessee - north
- Sumner County, TennesseeSumner County, TennesseeSumner County is a county located in the U.S. state of Tennessee. As of 2000, the population was 130,449. Its county seat is Gallatin, but its largest town is Hendersonville...
- northeast - Wilson County, Tennessee - east
- Rutherford County, TennesseeRutherford County, TennesseeRutherford County is a county located in the U.S. state of Tennessee. As of the 2010 census, it is the state's fifth-largest county by population with 262,604 people, an increase of 44.3 percent over the 2000 population of 182,023. Its county seat is Murfreesboro, which is also the geographic...
- southeast - Williamson County, TennesseeWilliamson County, TennesseeWilliamson County is a county in the U.S. state of Tennessee. As of 2010 US Census, the population was 183,182. The County's seat is Franklin, and it is part of the Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin Metropolitan Statistical Area. The county is named after Hugh Williamson, a...
- south - Cheatham County, Tennessee - west
Major Highways
Interstate 24Interstate 24Interstate 24 is an Interstate Highway in the Midwestern and Southeastern United States. It runs diagonally from Interstate 57 to Chattanooga, Tennessee, at Interstate 75....
Interstate 40
Interstate 65Interstate 65Interstate 65 is a major Interstate Highway in the United States. The southern terminus is located at an intersection with Interstate 10 in Mobile, Alabama, and its northern terminus is at an interchange with Interstate 90 , U.S. Route 12, and U.S...
Interstate 440Interstate 440Interstate 440 may refer to:*Interstate 440 , a partial loop near Little Rock*Interstate 440 , a loop route in Raleigh*Interstate 440 , now part of I-44 in Oklahoma City*Interstate 440 , a loop in Nashville...
Demographics
| Davidson County Population by year |
2000 569,891 1990 510,784 1980 477,811 1970 448,003 1960 399,743 1950 321,758 1940 257,267 1930 222,854 1920 167,815 1910 149,478 1900 122,815 |
As of the census
Census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 569,891 people, 237,405 households, and 138,169 families residing in the county. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,135 people per square mile (438/km²). There were 252,977 housing units at an average density of 504 per square mile (194/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 66.99% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 25.92% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.29% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 2.33% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.07% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 2.42% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.97% from two or more races. 4.58% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race.
In 2005 the racial makeup of the county was 61.7% non-Hispanic white, 27.5% African-American, 6.6% Latino and 2.8% Asian.
In 2000 there were 237,405 households out of which 26.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.90% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 14.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.80% were non-families. 33.40% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the county, the population was spread out with 22.20% under the age of 18, 11.60% from 18 to 24, 34.00% from 25 to 44, 21.10% from 45 to 64, and 11.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 93.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.80 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $39,797, and the median income for a family was $49,317. Males had a median income of $33,844 versus $27,770 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the county was $23,069. About 10.00% of families and 13.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.10% of those under age 18 and 10.50% of those age 65 or over.
Cities and towns
All of Davidson County is encompassed under the consolidatedConsolidated city-county
In United States local government, a consolidated city–county is a city and county that have been merged into one unified jurisdiction. As such it is simultaneously a city, which is a municipal corporation, and a county, which is an administrative division of a state...
Metropolitan Government of Nashville
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
and Davidson County. However, several municipalities that were incorporated
Municipal corporation
A municipal corporation is the legal term for a local governing body, including cities, counties, towns, townships, charter townships, villages, and boroughs. Municipal incorporation occurs when such municipalities become self-governing entities under the laws of the state or province in which...
before consolidation retain some autonomy as independent municipalities. These are:
- Belle MeadeBelle Meade, TennesseeBelle Meade is a city in Davidson County, Tennessee, United States, within Nashville.-Overview:In 1963, it was absorbed into the metropolitan government of Nashville-Davidson County, however, it retains its independent city status, and its residents pay taxes both to the Metro government and to the...
- Berry HillBerry Hill, TennesseeBerry Hill is a city in Davidson County, Tennessee, United States. According to the 2000 census, the city had a population of 674.-History:Much of the area of Berry Hill was originally owned by William Tyler Berry and his descendants. Berry died in 1889....
- Forest HillsForest Hills, TennesseeForest Hills is a city in Davidson County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 4,710 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Forest Hills is bordered by Old Hickory Boulevard on the south, Granny White Pike on the east, Harding Place on the north, and Hillsboro Pike on the north...
- GoodlettsvilleGoodlettsville, TennesseeGoodlettsville is a city in Davidson and Sumner counties in the U.S. state of Tennessee. Goodlettsville was incorporated as a city in 1958 with a population of just over 3,000 residents; at the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 13,780. Goodlettsville chose to remain autonomous in 1963...
(partly in Sumner County) - Oak HillOak Hill, TennesseeOak Hill is a city in Davidson County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 4,493 at the 2000 census. The Tennessee governor's mansion is located in the city...
- RidgetopRidgetop, TennesseeRidgetop is a city in Davidson and Robertson counties in the U.S. state of Tennessee. The population was 1,083 at the 2000 census. The Ridgetop Police Department uses several speed traps around the area to generate revenue for the city general fund which is also used to pay their 5 sworn...
(primarily in Robertson County)
For U.S. Census purposes, the portions of Davidson County that lie outside the boundaries of the seven independently incorporated municipalities are collectively treated as the Nashville-Davidson balance
Nashville-Davidson (balance), Tennessee
Nashville-Davidson is the name used by the U.S. Census Bureau to designate the portion of Davidson County, Tennessee, United States that does not include satellite cities of Nashville...
.
In addition, several other communities in the county that lack the official status of incorporated municipalities (either because they were never incorporated or because they relinquished their municipal charter
Municipal charter
A city charter or town charter is a legal document establishing a municipality such as a city or town. The concept developed in Europe during the middle ages....
s when consolidation occurred) maintain their independent identities to varying degrees. These include:
- AntiochAntioch, TennesseeAntioch is a community in southeastern Davidson County, Tennessee, that is governed by the Nashville metropolitan government. The area is assigned to postal zip code 37013.- History :...
- BellevueBellevue, TennesseeBellevue is a neighborhood of Nashville, located roughly 13 miles southwest of the downtown area via I-40. It is incorporated as part of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County....
- Bellshire
- Bordeaux
- DonelsonDonelson, TennesseeDonelson is a neighborhood of Nashville, Tennessee located east of downtown Nashville along U.S. Highway 70. It is named in honor of John Donelson, co-founder of Nashville and father-in-law of Andrew Jackson, Nashvillian and seventh President of the United States...
- HermitageHermitage, TennesseeHermitage, Tennessee is a section of Metropolitan Nashville, Tennessee located in eastern Davidson County, adjacent to, and named in honor of, The Hermitage, home of Andrew Jackson, seventh President of the United States...
- LakewoodLakewood, TennesseeLakewood is a community in Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 2,302 at the 2010 census.- History :Originally incorporated as Dupontonia in 1959 , the city changed its name to Lakewood and reincorporated in 1961...
(Lakewood residents voted to dissolve their charter and merge with Metro-Nashville on March 15, 2011.) - Inglewood
- JoeltonJoelton, TennesseeJoelton is a suburb of Nashville, Tennessee. Joelton is primarily in the northwestern portion of Davidson County along Interstate 24 and junctions with U.S. Highway 431, but parts of Joelton bordering Exit 31 of Interstate 24 lie in Cheatham County...
- MadisonMadison, TennesseeMadison, Tennessee is a neighborhood in northeast Nashville, Tennessee in the United States. It is incorporated as part of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County....
- Old HickoryOld Hickory, TennesseeOld Hickory, Tennessee is a section of metropolitan Nashville, Tennessee, named in honor of President Andrew Jackson who was nicknamed "Old Hickory."...
- PasquoPasquo, TennesseePasquo is a community in the U.S. state of Tennessee, located southwest of Nashville along State Route 100 in Davidson County near Bellevue. It is incorporated as part of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County....
- Whites CreekWhites Creek, TennesseeWhites Creek, Tennessee is a community located in the northern part of Davidson County, Tennessee. The community is named for the creek of the same name running north-south along U.S. Route 431...
Federal officers
- U.S. Senators: Lamar AlexanderLamar AlexanderAndrew Lamar Alexander is the senior United States Senator from Tennessee and Conference Chair of the Republican Party. He was previously the 45th Governor of Tennessee from 1979 to 1987, United States Secretary of Education from 1991 to 1993 under President George H. W...
(R) and Bob CorkerBob CorkerRobert Phillips "Bob" Corker, Jr. is the junior United States Senator from Tennessee. Before his election to the Senate in 2006, he served as mayor of Chattanooga, Tennessee from 2001 to 2005. Corker was a businessman prior to holding public office.-Early life and family:Born in Orangeburg, South...
(R) - U.S. Representatives: Jim CooperJim CooperJames Hayes Shofner "Jim" Cooper is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2003. He is a member of the Democratic Party and the Blue Dog Coalition. He previously represented from 1983 to 1995....
(D - District 5, Most of Davidson County) and Marsha BlackburnMarsha BlackburnMarsha Wedgeworth Blackburn is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2003. She is a member of the Republican Party. The district stretches from the suburbs of Nashville to the suburbs of Memphis.-Early life, education and career:...
(R - District 7, Southern portions of Davidson County)