Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Encyclopedia
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 Murfreesboro. The city is part of the Nashville metropolitan area, which includes thirteen counties and a population of 1,666,566 (2009).
Although Murfreesboro is sometimes considered a suburb
of Nashville, Tennessee
, which is 35 miles (56.3 km) to the northwest, it is far enough away and has a large enough population to maintain a separate identity from its larger neighbor, and thus can be considered a smaller city within the Nashville-Murfreesboro metropolitan area. It is Tennessee's fastest growing major city and one of the fastest growing cities in the country, with a population growth from 46,000 to 69,000 between 1990 and 2000, a change of 50%. The city is also home to Middle Tennessee State University
, the largest undergraduate university in the state of Tennessee, with an undergraduate population of 22,299 and 25,188 total students .
In 2006, Murfreesboro was ranked by Money
as the 84th best place to live in the United States, out of 745 cities with a population over 50,000.
, but was soon renamed "Murfreesboro" for Revolutionary War hero Colonel Hardy Murfree
, later the great-grandfather of author Mary Noailles Murfree
.
As Tennessee grew westward, it became clear that having the state capital in Knoxville
would be a burden to those who had to travel from the western end of the state. In 1818, Murfreesboro became the capital of Tennessee until 1826, when Nashville
became the state capital.
, also called the Battle of Murfreesboro, was fought near Murfreesboro between the Union Army of the Cumberland
and the Confederate Army of Tennessee
. This was a major engagement of the American Civil War
. Between December 31 and January 2, 1863, there were 23,515 casualties,. It was the bloodiest battle of the war based on percentage of casualties.
Following the Confederate retreat from the Battle of Perryville
in central Kentucky, Confederate forces moved through East Tennessee and then turned northwest to defend at Murfreesboro. General Bragg's veteran cavalry was successful in harassing General Rosecrans' troop movements and in capturing and destroying supply trains, but could not completely stop the supplies and reinforcements from reaching Rosecrans. Despite the large number of casualties, the battle was tactically inconclusive, but is considered a Union victory. At the end of the battle, Confederate General Braxton Bragg
retreated 36 miles (57.9 km) south to Tullahoma
. General Rosecrans did not pursue
until he had a secure logistical posture six months later in June 1863. The battle was strategically significant since it provided the basis for the further movement to Chattanooga
and Atlanta
which would eventually result in the Union splitting the Eastern
and Western
theaters by Sherman's March to the Sea
. Stones River National Battlefield
is now a historical site.
General Rosecrans further movement to the south was dependent on a secure source of provisions. Murfreesboro was destined to become a supply depot for the Union Army. Soon after the battle ended in January 1863, Brigadier General James St. Clair Morton
, Chief Engineer of the Army of the Cumberland was charged with constructing Fortress Rosecrans approximately 2 miles (3.2 km) northwest of the town. The fortifications comprised more than 225 acre (0.9105435 km²) and were the largest built during the war. Immense quantities of supplies were to be maintained in the fortress. The fortress consisted of eight lunettes
, four redoubt
s and connecting fortifications. Both the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad and the West Fork of the Stones River
ran through the fortress. Two roads provided additional transportation capabilities. The interior of the fortress was a huge logistical resource center including sawmills, warehouses, quartermaster maintenance depots, ammunition magazines, and living quarters for the two thousand troops responsible for the operation and defense of the fortress. After the fortress was rushed to completion in June, Rosecrans moved south leaving Brigadier General Horatio P. Van Cleve
in command. The fortress was never assaulted by Confederate forces, in part, because the Union held the town hostage by keeping cannon aimed at the courthouse in the center of the town. Significant portions of the earthworks still exist and have been incorporated into the battlefield site.
in 1965. MTSU now has the highest undergraduate enrollment in the state.
World War II
resulted in Murfreesboro beginning to move away from an agriculture-based economy and diversify economically with industry, manufacturing, and education contributing significantly. Since the end of World War II, growth has been steady giving rise to a stable economy. Murfreesboro has enjoyed substantial residential and commercial growth, with its population increasing 123.9% between 1990 and 2010, from 44,922 to 100,575.
Murfreesboro is located at 35.846143°N 86.392078°W.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 39.2 square miles (101.5 km²). 39 square miles (101 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square mile (0.517997622 km²) of it (0.54%) is water.
Murfreesboro is the geographic center
of the state of Tennessee. A stone monument marks the official site on Old Lascassas Pike, about 0.5 mile (0.80467 km) north of MTSU
.
The West Fork of the Stones River
flows through Murfreesboro. A walking trail, the Greenway, parallels the river for several miles. A smaller waterway, Lytle Creek, flows through downtown including historic "Cannonsburgh Village". It's total length is 19 miles (30.6 km) and parts of the creek suffers from pollution due to the urban environment and its use as a storm-water runoff. Within the city limits are also a number of natural and man-made lakes.
(IATA code BNA), Smyrna Airport (MQY) and Murfreesboro Municipal Airport
(MBT). The city also benefits from several highway
s running through the city, including Interstate 24
; U.S. Routes 41
, 70S
and 231
; and State Routes 1
, 2
, 10, 96, 99, 268 and 840
. Industry also has access to North-South rail service
with the rail line from Nashville to Chattanooga.
The system has been in service since April 2007, with buses operating in six major corridors: Memorial Boulevard, NW Broad Street, Old Fort Parkway, South Church Street (Stopping at Warrior Drive), Mercury Boulevard and Highland Avenue.
A one-way fare is US$
1.00 for adults, US$0.50 for children 6-16 and seniors 65 and over, and free for children under 6. The system operates Monday to Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
of 2000, there were 68,816 people, 26,511 households, and 15,747 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1764.9 PD/sqmi. There were 28,815 housing units at an average density of 739 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 79.85% White, 13.89% African American, 0.28% Native American, 2.69% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.88% from other races
, and 1.38% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.53% of the population.
There were 26,511 households out of which 30.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.8% were married couples
living together, 11.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.6% were non-families. 28.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 3.02.
In the city the population was spread out with 22.7% under the age of 18, 20.5% from 18 to 24, 30.8% from 25 to 44, 17.3% from 45 to 64, and 8.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females there were 98.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $39,705, and the median income for a family was $52,654. Males had a median income of $36,078 versus $26,531 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $20,219. About 8.2% of families and 14.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.0% of those under the age of 18 and 11.1% of those 65 and older.
Special census estimates in 2005 indicated 81,393 residents, and in 2006 the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey estimated a population of 92,559, with 35,842 households and 20,979 families in the city. Murfreesboro's 2008 special census reported that the population had reached 100,575, while preliminary information from the 2010 U.S. Census indicates a population of 108,755.
of Uncle Dave Macon
. This annual July event includes national competitions for old-time music and dancing.
Because of MTSU's large music program, the city has fostered a number of bands and songwriters, including: The Tony Danza Tapdance Extravaganza
, A Plea for Purging
, Self
, Fluid Ounces
, The Katies
, Count Bass D
, Destroy Destroy Destroy
, The Features
and PRo.
Bradley Academy Museum contains collectibles and exhibits of the first school in Rutherford County. This school was later renovated to become to only African American school in Murfreesboro, which closed in 1955.
The Cannonsburgh Pioneer Village is a reproduction of what a working pioneer village would have looked like from the period of 1830s to the 1930s. Visitors can view the grist mill, school house, Leeman House, Caboose, Wedding Chapel, and even a doctor's office.
Stones River National Battlefield
, the museum and battlefield described about the Battle of Stones River
on December 31, 1862 – January 3, 1863, one of American Civil War Battles.
Oaklands Historic House Museum
, a 19th century house that was involved in the Battle of Stones River and has a baseball park.
is a traditional enclosed mall, featuring stores and restaurants such as Forever 21
, Aeropostale
, Journey's, Hot Topic
, Agaci, Dillard's
, Buckle
, Books-a-Million
, The Olive Garden, TGI Fridays.
The Avenue Murfreesboro is an outdoor lifestyle center
with such shops as American Eagle
, Hollister
, Best Buy
, Belk
, Petco
, Dicks Sporting Goods, Express
, Mimi's Cafe, Macaroni Grille and Longhorn Steakhouse
.
The Historic Downtown Murfreesboro district also offers a wide variety of shopping and dining experiences that encircle the pre-Civil War Courthouse.
Newspapers:
Radio:
TV:
several times. On April 10, 2009, at approximately 12:30 p.m. CDT, an EF4 tornado
struck the western and northern fringes of the city of Murfreesboro. As a result, two people were killed and 41 others injured. 845 homes were affected: 117 were totally destroyed; 292 had major damage; 175 had minor damage and 255 others were affected to some degree. The tornado, which the National Weather Service
indicates was on the ground for about a half hour, is estimated to have caused in excess of US$
40 million in damages.
, opposing the building of a new 6800 ft2 mosque. Signs on the building site were vandalized, with the first saying "not welcome" sprayed across it and the second being cut in two. Construction equipment was also torched by arsonists.
In August 2011, a Rutherford County judge upheld his previous decision allowing the mosque to be built. The Center has a membership of around 250 Islamic families.
Murfreesboro is the home of a Consolidated Mail Outpatient Pharmacy
(CMOP). It is part of an initiative by the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide mail order prescriptions to veterans using computerization at strategic locations throughout the United States. It's located on the campus of the Alvin C. York Veterans Hospital.
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....
of Rutherford County
Rutherford County, Tennessee
Rutherford 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...
, 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...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 108,755 according to the United States Census Bureau
United 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...
's 2010 U.S. Census, up from 68,816 residents certified during the 2000 census. The center of population
Center of population
In demographics, the center of population of a region is a geographical point that describes a centerpoint of the region's population...
of Tennessee is located in Murfreesboro. The city is part of the Nashville metropolitan area, which includes thirteen counties and a population of 1,666,566 (2009).
Although Murfreesboro is sometimes considered a suburb
Suburb
The word suburb mostly refers to a residential area, either existing as part of a city or as a separate residential community within commuting distance of a city . Some suburbs have a degree of administrative autonomy, and most have lower population density than inner city neighborhoods...
of Nashville, Tennessee
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...
, which is 35 miles (56.3 km) to the northwest, it is far enough away and has a large enough population to maintain a separate identity from its larger neighbor, and thus can be considered a smaller city within the Nashville-Murfreesboro metropolitan area. It is Tennessee's fastest growing major city and one of the fastest growing cities in the country, with a population growth from 46,000 to 69,000 between 1990 and 2000, a change of 50%. The city is also home to Middle Tennessee State University
Middle Tennessee State University
Middle Tennessee State University, commonly abbreviated as MTSU, is a public university located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, United States....
, the largest undergraduate university in the state of Tennessee, with an undergraduate population of 22,299 and 25,188 total students .
In 2006, Murfreesboro was ranked by Money
Money (magazine)
Money is published by Time Inc. Its first issue was published in October 1972. Its articles cover the gamut of personal finance topics ranging from investing, saving, retirement and taxes to family finance issues like paying for college, credit, career and home improvement...
as the 84th best place to live in the United States, out of 745 cities with a population over 50,000.
History
In 1811, the Tennessee State Legislature established a county seat for Rutherford County. The town was first named "Cannonsburgh" in honor of Tennessee politician Newton CannonNewton Cannon
Newton Cannon was an American politician who was a member of the Tennessee State Senate from 1811 to 1812 and 1829 to 1830, the U.S. House of Representatives from 1814 to 1817 and 1819 to 1823, and Governor of the U.S...
, but was soon renamed "Murfreesboro" for Revolutionary War hero Colonel Hardy Murfree
Hardy Murfree
Hardy Murfree was a Lieutenant Colonel from North Carolina during the American Revolutionary War.Murfree was born at Murfree's Landing, North Carolina, later renamed Murfreesboro, where he lived for most of his adult life. His parents were William Murfree and Mary Moore...
, later the great-grandfather of author Mary Noailles Murfree
Mary Noailles Murfree
Mary Noailles Murfree was an American fiction writer of novels and short stories who wrote under the pen name Charles Egbert Craddock...
.
As Tennessee grew westward, it became clear that having the state capital in Knoxville
Knoxville, Tennessee
Founded in 1786, Knoxville is the third-largest city in the U.S. state of Tennessee, U.S.A., behind Memphis and Nashville, and is the county seat of Knox County. It is the largest city in East Tennessee, and the second-largest city in the Appalachia region...
would be a burden to those who had to travel from the western end of the state. In 1818, Murfreesboro became the capital of Tennessee until 1826, when 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...
became the state capital.
Civil War
On December 31, 1862, the Battle of Stones RiverBattle of Stones River
The Battle of Stones River or Second Battle of Murfreesboro , was fought from December 31, 1862, to January 2, 1863, in Middle Tennessee, as the culmination of the Stones River Campaign in the Western Theater of the American Civil War...
, also called the Battle of Murfreesboro, was fought near Murfreesboro between the Union Army of the Cumberland
Army of the Cumberland
The Army of the Cumberland was one of the principal Union armies in the Western Theater during the American Civil War. It was originally known as the Army of the Ohio.-History:...
and the Confederate Army of Tennessee
Army of Tennessee
The Army of Tennessee was the principal Confederate army operating between the Appalachian Mountains and the Mississippi River during the American Civil War. It was formed in late 1862 and fought until the end of the war in 1865, participating in most of the significant battles in the Western Theater...
. This was a major engagement of the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. Between December 31 and January 2, 1863, there were 23,515 casualties,. It was the bloodiest battle of the war based on percentage of casualties.
Following the Confederate retreat from the Battle of Perryville
Battle of Perryville
The Battle of Perryville, also known as the Battle of Chaplin Hills, was fought on October 8, 1862, in the Chaplin Hills west of Perryville, Kentucky, as the culmination of the Confederate Heartland Offensive during the American Civil War. Confederate Gen. Braxton Bragg's Army of Mississippi won a...
in central Kentucky, Confederate forces moved through East Tennessee and then turned northwest to defend at Murfreesboro. General Bragg's veteran cavalry was successful in harassing General Rosecrans' troop movements and in capturing and destroying supply trains, but could not completely stop the supplies and reinforcements from reaching Rosecrans. Despite the large number of casualties, the battle was tactically inconclusive, but is considered a Union victory. At the end of the battle, Confederate General Braxton Bragg
Braxton Bragg
Braxton Bragg was a career United States Army officer, and then a general in the Confederate States Army—a principal commander in the Western Theater of the American Civil War and later the military adviser to Confederate President Jefferson Davis.Bragg, a native of North Carolina, was...
retreated 36 miles (57.9 km) south to Tullahoma
Tullahoma, Tennessee
-Demographics:As of the census of 2010, there were 18,655 people, 7,717 households, and 5,161 families residing in the city. The racial makeup of the city was 88.1% White, 7.0% African American, 0.2% Native American, 1.2% Asian, 1.1% from other races, and 2.5% from two or more races...
. General Rosecrans did not pursue
Tullahoma Campaign
The Tullahoma Campaign or Middle Tennessee Campaign was fought between June 24 and July 3, 1863, during the American Civil War. The Union Army of the Cumberland, commanded by Maj. Gen. William S...
until he had a secure logistical posture six months later in June 1863. The battle was strategically significant since it provided the basis for the further movement to Chattanooga
Battle of Chickamauga
The Battle of Chickamauga, fought September 19–20, 1863, marked the end of a Union offensive in southeastern Tennessee and northwestern Georgia called the Chickamauga Campaign...
and Atlanta
Battle of Atlanta
The Battle of Atlanta was a battle of the Atlanta Campaign fought during the American Civil War on July 22, 1864, just southeast of Atlanta, Georgia. Continuing their summer campaign to seize the important rail and supply center of Atlanta, Union forces commanded by William T. Sherman overwhelmed...
which would eventually result in the Union splitting the Eastern
Eastern Theater of the American Civil War
The Eastern Theater of the American Civil War included the states of Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, the District of Columbia, and the coastal fortifications and seaports of North Carolina...
and Western
Western Theater of the American Civil War
This article presents an overview of major military and naval operations in the Western Theater of the American Civil War.-Theater of operations:...
theaters by Sherman's March to the Sea
Sherman's March to the Sea
Sherman's March to the Sea is the name commonly given to the Savannah Campaign conducted around Georgia from November 15, 1864 to December 21, 1864 by Maj. Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman of the Union Army in the American Civil War...
. Stones River National Battlefield
Stones River National Battlefield
Stones River National Battlefield, a park along the Stones River in Rutherford County, Tennessee, three miles northwest of Murfreesboro and twenty-eight miles southeast of...
is now a historical site.
General Rosecrans further movement to the south was dependent on a secure source of provisions. Murfreesboro was destined to become a supply depot for the Union Army. Soon after the battle ended in January 1863, Brigadier General James St. Clair Morton
James St. Clair Morton
James St. Clair Morton was an American soldier, engineer and writer. He served as a general in the Union Army during the American Civil War, primarily serving in the Western Theater.-Early Life and Career:...
, Chief Engineer of the Army of the Cumberland was charged with constructing Fortress Rosecrans approximately 2 miles (3.2 km) northwest of the town. The fortifications comprised more than 225 acre (0.9105435 km²) and were the largest built during the war. Immense quantities of supplies were to be maintained in the fortress. The fortress consisted of eight lunettes
Lunette (fortification)
In fortification a lunette was originally an outwork of half-moon shape; later it became a redan with short flanks, in trace somewhat resembling a bastion standing by itself without curtains on either side...
, four redoubt
Redoubt
A redoubt is a fort or fort system usually consisting of an enclosed defensive emplacement outside a larger fort, usually relying on earthworks, though others are constructed of stone or brick. It is meant to protect soldiers outside the main defensive line and can be a permanent structure or a...
s and connecting fortifications. Both the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad and the West Fork of the Stones River
Stones River
The Stones River is a major stream of the eastern portion of Tennessee's Nashville Basin region.-Geography and hydrography:The Stones River is composed of three major forks: the West, Middle, and East forks. The West Fork, long, rises in southernmost Rutherford County near the Bedford County...
ran through the fortress. Two roads provided additional transportation capabilities. The interior of the fortress was a huge logistical resource center including sawmills, warehouses, quartermaster maintenance depots, ammunition magazines, and living quarters for the two thousand troops responsible for the operation and defense of the fortress. After the fortress was rushed to completion in June, Rosecrans moved south leaving Brigadier General Horatio P. Van Cleve
Horatio P. Van Cleve
Horatio Phillips Van Cleve was a general in the Union Army during the American Civil War.-Early life:...
in command. The fortress was never assaulted by Confederate forces, in part, because the Union held the town hostage by keeping cannon aimed at the courthouse in the center of the town. Significant portions of the earthworks still exist and have been incorporated into the battlefield site.
Post Civil War
Murfreesboro had begun as a mainly agricultural community, but by 1853 the area was home to several colleges and academies, earning it the nickname "Athens of Tennessee". Despite the trauma of the Civil War, by the early 1900s its growth began to regain momentum, in contrast to large areas of the South. In 1911, the state created Middle Tennessee State Normal School, a two-year school for training teachers. There was a subsequent merger with the Tennessee College for Women. In 1925 the school was expanded to a four-year institution. During and following World War II, it grew and evolved to become Middle Tennessee State UniversityMiddle Tennessee State University
Middle Tennessee State University, commonly abbreviated as MTSU, is a public university located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, United States....
in 1965. MTSU now has the highest undergraduate enrollment in the state.
World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
resulted in Murfreesboro beginning to move away from an agriculture-based economy and diversify economically with industry, manufacturing, and education contributing significantly. Since the end of World War II, growth has been steady giving rise to a stable economy. Murfreesboro has enjoyed substantial residential and commercial growth, with its population increasing 123.9% between 1990 and 2010, from 44,922 to 100,575.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau
United 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 city has a total area of 39.2 square miles (101.5 km²). 39 square miles (101 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square mile (0.517997622 km²) of it (0.54%) is water.
Murfreesboro is the geographic center
Geographic centers of the United States
This is a list of geographic centers of each U.S. state. Note that the geographical center of the entire U.S. is northeast of Belle Fourche in Butte County, South Dakota , while that of the contiguous 48 is near Lebanon in Smith County, Kansas...
of the state of Tennessee. A stone monument marks the official site on Old Lascassas Pike, about 0.5 mile (0.80467 km) north of MTSU
Middle Tennessee State University
Middle Tennessee State University, commonly abbreviated as MTSU, is a public university located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, United States....
.
The West Fork of the Stones River
Stones River
The Stones River is a major stream of the eastern portion of Tennessee's Nashville Basin region.-Geography and hydrography:The Stones River is composed of three major forks: the West, Middle, and East forks. The West Fork, long, rises in southernmost Rutherford County near the Bedford County...
flows through Murfreesboro. A walking trail, the Greenway, parallels the river for several miles. A smaller waterway, Lytle Creek, flows through downtown including historic "Cannonsburgh Village". It's total length is 19 miles (30.6 km) and parts of the creek suffers from pollution due to the urban environment and its use as a storm-water runoff. Within the city limits are also a number of natural and man-made lakes.
Transportation
Murfreesboro is served by Nashville International AirportNashville International Airport
Nashville International Airport is a joint civil-military airport in southeastern Nashville, Tennessee. The IATA Airport Code BNA is derived from the early name of the facility—Berry Field, NAshville. Berry Field was the name of the airport until 1988, when the name was changed to reflect...
(IATA code BNA), Smyrna Airport (MQY) and Murfreesboro Municipal Airport
Murfreesboro Municipal Airport
Murfreesboro Municipal Airport is about 2 nm north of the central business district of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, United States. It is also the home of the Middle Tennessee State University Aerospace aircraft and simulators...
(MBT). The city also benefits from several highway
Highway
A highway is any public road. In American English, the term is common and almost always designates major roads. In British English, the term designates any road open to the public. Any interconnected set of highways can be variously referred to as a "highway system", a "highway network", or a...
s running through the city, including Interstate 24
Interstate 24
Interstate 24 is an Interstate Highway in the Midwestern and Southeastern United States. It runs diagonally from Interstate 57 to Chattanooga, Tennessee, at Interstate 75....
; U.S. Routes 41
U.S. Route 41
U.S. Route 41 is a north–south United States Highway that runs from Miami, Florida to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Until 1949, the part in southern Florida, from Naples to Miami, was U.S...
, 70S
U.S. Route 70S
U.S. Route 70s is an alternate to U.S. Route 70 between the western part of Nashville, TN and Sparta, Tennessee. It runs concurrent with US 70 for several blocks in downtown Nashville...
and 231
U.S. Route 231
U.S. Route 231 is a parallel route of U.S. Route 31. It currently runs for 912 miles from St. John, Indiana, at U.S. Route 41 to south of U.S. Route 98 in Downtown Panama City, Florida.One of its most notable landmarks is the William H...
; and State Routes 1
State Route 1 (Tennessee)
State Route 1 , known as the Memphis to Bristol Highway, is a mostly-unsigned state highway in the U.S. state of Tennessee that is 538 miles long. It stretches all the way from Memphis in the southwest corner of the state to Bristol in the northeast corner. Most of the route is overlaid on U.S....
, 2
State Route 2 (Tennessee)
State Route 2 is a west to east highway in the U.S. state of Tennessee, that is long. It begins in Rutherford County and ends in Loudon County....
, 10, 96, 99, 268 and 840
State Route 840 (Tennessee)
State Route 840 is a state highway, a limited-access expressway being built around Nashville, Tennessee, and directed by the Tennessee Department of Transportation. First proposed by former Governor Lamar Alexander as part of a system of "Bicentennial Parkways", construction began on this...
. Industry also has access to North-South rail service
Rail transport
Rail transport is a means of conveyance of passengers and goods by way of wheeled vehicles running on rail tracks. In contrast to road transport, where vehicles merely run on a prepared surface, rail vehicles are also directionally guided by the tracks they run on...
with the rail line from Nashville to Chattanooga.
Public transportation
The City of Murfreesboro ordered nine buses to serve as the city's new transportation. Each bus is capable of holding sixteen people and includes two spaces for wheelchairs. With the system being called "Rover", the buses are bright green in color with "Rover" and a cartoon dog painted on the side.The system has been in service since April 2007, with buses operating in six major corridors: Memorial Boulevard, NW Broad Street, Old Fort Parkway, South Church Street (Stopping at Warrior Drive), Mercury Boulevard and Highland Avenue.
A one-way fare is US$
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
1.00 for adults, US$0.50 for children 6-16 and seniors 65 and over, and free for children under 6. The system operates Monday to Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
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 68,816 people, 26,511 households, and 15,747 families residing in the city. 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 1764.9 PD/sqmi. There were 28,815 housing units at an average density of 739 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 79.85% White, 13.89% African American, 0.28% Native American, 2.69% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.88% 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 1.38% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.53% of the population.
There were 26,511 households out of which 30.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.8% 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, 11.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.6% were non-families. 28.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 3.02.
In the city the population was spread out with 22.7% under the age of 18, 20.5% from 18 to 24, 30.8% from 25 to 44, 17.3% from 45 to 64, and 8.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females there were 98.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $39,705, and the median income for a family was $52,654. Males had a median income of $36,078 versus $26,531 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 city was $20,219. About 8.2% of families and 14.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.0% of those under the age of 18 and 11.1% of those 65 and older.
Special census estimates in 2005 indicated 81,393 residents, and in 2006 the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey estimated a population of 92,559, with 35,842 households and 20,979 families in the city. Murfreesboro's 2008 special census reported that the population had reached 100,575, while preliminary information from the 2010 U.S. Census indicates a population of 108,755.
Parks
- Cannonsburgh Village, World's Largest Cedar BucketWorld's Largest Cedar BucketThe World's Largest Cedar Bucket is a red cedar bucket. The bucket is approximately tall, has a diameter at its base and at its top.-History:The bucket was built in 1887 by the Tennessee Red Cedar Woodenworks Company from Murfreesboro, Tennessee...
. - Old Fort Park,. 50 acres (202,343 m²) park including baseball fields, tennis courts, Kids Castle playground, 18-hole championship golf course, picnic shelters, bike trails.
- Barfield-Crescent Park,. 430 acres (1.7 km²) park including 8 baseball fields, 7 miles (11.3 km) of bike/running trails, 18-hole championship disc golf course, and 10 picnic shelters.
Music
Murfreesboro hosts several music-oriented events annually, including the Main Street Jazzfest, which is presented by MTSU's School of Music. For over 30 years, Uncle Dave Macon Days has celebrated the musical traditionOld-time music
Old-time music is a genre of North American folk music, with roots in the folk music of many countries, including England, Scotland, Ireland and countries in Africa. It developed along with various North American folk dances, such as square dance, buck dance, and clogging. The genre also...
of Uncle Dave Macon
Uncle Dave Macon
Uncle Dave Macon , born David Harrison Macon—also known as "The Dixie Dewdrop"—was an American banjo player, singer, songwriter, and comedian...
. This annual July event includes national competitions for old-time music and dancing.
Because of MTSU's large music program, the city has fostered a number of bands and songwriters, including: The Tony Danza Tapdance Extravaganza
The Tony Danza Tapdance Extravaganza
The Tony Danza Tapdance Extravaganza is an American extreme metal band, from Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Founded in 2004, the group derived their name from celebrity Tony Danza, upon one of his professions being tapdancing...
, A Plea for Purging
A Plea for Purging
A Plea for Purging is a metalcore band based out of Nashville, TN.-Biography:After forming in 2005, A Plea for Purging quickly gained a reputation for hard work, with a heavy touring schedule that included over 200 live shows in their first year together. They released the "A Plea for Purging EP"...
, Self
Self (band)
Self is an American alternative pop/rock band from Murfreesboro, Tennessee and largely the brainchild of writer, singer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Matt Mahaffey....
, Fluid Ounces
Fluid Ounces
Fluid Ounces were a piano-based, power pop band from Murfreesboro, Tennessee that garnered a cult following for their critically acclaimed records, which featured a distinctive blend of hooks, varied musical styles, clever wordplay, and intricate, complex arrangements.-Inception:Seth Timbs had...
, The Katies
The Katies
The Katies were a three-piece, power-pop band from Murfreesboro, TN from approximately 1996-2007.-History:Jason Moore and Gary Welch had previously been in a Murfreesboro band called A Million Worlds...
, Count Bass D
Count Bass D
Dwight Conroy Farrell , better known by the stage name Count Bass D, is an American rapper, record producer and multi-instrumentalist from Nashville, Tennessee...
, Destroy Destroy Destroy
Destroy Destroy Destroy
Destroy Destroy Destroy is an American heavy metal band formed in Murfreesboro, Tennessee in late February 2003. With a line-up of Brian Kemp , Jeremiah Scott , and Andrew Hall , they began writing songs; Soon thereafter, Destroy Destroy Destroy completed their outfit with Way Barrier , Adam...
, The Features
The Features
The Features are an American indie rock band from Tennessee. Though they have had limited success in the United States, they have been very well received in the United Kingdom and have a very loyal following in the Southeastern United States.-Early years:...
and PRo.
Arts
Murfreesboro contains a Center for the Arts close to the Square, which entertains with a variety of exhibits, theatre arts, concerts, dances, and magic shows. Murfreesboro Little Theatre has provided the community with popular and alternative forms of theatre arts since 1962. New organizations including Youth Empowerment through Arts and Humanities (YEAH!) and the Murfreesboro Youth Orchestra offer music- and art-based programming for young people.Museums
The Discovery Center at Murfree Spring houses an interactive gallery of exhibits and is a local favorite for school trips.Bradley Academy Museum contains collectibles and exhibits of the first school in Rutherford County. This school was later renovated to become to only African American school in Murfreesboro, which closed in 1955.
The Cannonsburgh Pioneer Village is a reproduction of what a working pioneer village would have looked like from the period of 1830s to the 1930s. Visitors can view the grist mill, school house, Leeman House, Caboose, Wedding Chapel, and even a doctor's office.
Stones River National Battlefield
Stones River National Battlefield
Stones River National Battlefield, a park along the Stones River in Rutherford County, Tennessee, three miles northwest of Murfreesboro and twenty-eight miles southeast of...
, the museum and battlefield described about the Battle of Stones River
Battle of Stones River
The Battle of Stones River or Second Battle of Murfreesboro , was fought from December 31, 1862, to January 2, 1863, in Middle Tennessee, as the culmination of the Stones River Campaign in the Western Theater of the American Civil War...
on December 31, 1862 – January 3, 1863, one of American Civil War Battles.
Oaklands Historic House Museum
Oaklands Historic House Museum
Oaklands Historic House Museum is in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, USA. Oaklands Mansion is on the National Register of Historic Places and is a local landmark known for its unique Italianate design....
, a 19th century house that was involved in the Battle of Stones River and has a baseball park.
Shopping
There are two main malls located within the city limits. Stones River MallStones River Mall
The Stones River Mall is an enclosed regional shopping mall in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, USA. Built in 1992, it was expanded and renovated in 2008. The mall comprises more than fifty stores, including Dillard's, JCPenney and Sears as anchor stores, as well as a food court...
is a traditional enclosed mall, featuring stores and restaurants such as Forever 21
Forever 21
Forever 21 is an American chain of clothing retailers with branches in major cities in The United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East that offers fashion and accessories for young women and men....
, Aeropostale
Aéropostale (clothing)
Aéropostale, Inc. is a mall-based, specialty retailer of casual apparel and accessories, principally targeting 14-to-17-year-old young women and men through its Aéropostale stores and 7-to-12-year-old kids through its P.S. from Aéropostale stores...
, Journey's, Hot Topic
Hot Topic
Hot Topic is an American retail chain specializing in music and pop culture-related clothing and accessories, as well as licensed music on CD. The majority of the stores are located in regional shopping malls. The first Hot Topic store was opened in 1988 by Orv Madden, who retired as CEO in 2000...
, Agaci, Dillard's
Dillard's
Dillard's, Inc. is a department store chain in the United States, with 330 stores in 29 states. Headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas, Dillard's locations are concentrated in Texas and Florida; with a major presence in other states including Arizona, Iowa, Colorado, Wyoming, Kansas, Missouri,...
, Buckle
Buckle
The buckle or clasp is a device used for fastening two loose ends, with one end attached to it and the other held by a catch in a secure but adjustable manner. Usually overlooked and taken for granted, the invention of the buckle has been indispensable in securing two ends before the invention of...
, Books-a-Million
Books-A-Million
Books-A-Million, Inc., also known as BAM!, is a company that owns the second largest U.S. bookstore chain and is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama. The company operates over 200 stores in the South, Midwest, Northeast...
, The Olive Garden, TGI Fridays.
The Avenue Murfreesboro is an outdoor lifestyle center
Lifestyle center (retail)
A lifestyle center is a shopping center or mixed-used commercial development that combines the traditional retail functions of a shopping mall with leisure amenities oriented towards upscale consumers...
with such shops as American Eagle
American Eagle Outfitters
American Eagle Outfitters is an American clothing and accessories retailer based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It was founded in 1977 by Mark and Jerry Silverman as a subsidiary of Retail Ventures, Inc., a company which also owned and operated Silverman's Menswear...
, Hollister
Hollister Co.
Hollister Co., sometimes advertised as Hollister or HCo., is an American lifestyle brand by Abercrombie & Fitch Co. The concept was originally designed to attract consumers aged 14–18 through its SoCal-inspired image and casual wear. Goods are available in-store and through the company's online store...
, Best Buy
Best Buy
Best Buy Co., Inc. is an American specialty retailer of consumer electronics in the United States, accounting for 19% of the market. It also operates in Mexico, Canada & China. The company's subsidiaries include Geek Squad, CinemaNow, Magnolia Audio Video, Pacific Sales, and, in Canada operates...
, Belk
Belk
Belk is a department store chain founded in 1888 in Monroe, North Carolina, today part of the Charlotte metropolitan area. After the founding of the first Belk store, the company grew in size and influence throughout the South via the chain in the USA, with its stores primarily located in the...
, Petco
PETCO
PETCO is a chain of retail stores that offers pet supplies and services such as grooming and dog training. Founded in 1965 and incorporated in Delaware, it is headquartered in San Diego, California...
, Dicks Sporting Goods, Express
Express (store)
EXPRESS is an American fashion retailer headquartered in Columbus, Ohio and New York, New York. Express operates over 550 stores in the United States and generates $1.8 billion in annual sales.-History:...
, Mimi's Cafe, Macaroni Grille and Longhorn Steakhouse
LongHorn Steakhouse
LongHorn Steakhouse is a restaurant chain, with locations throughout the Eastern United States and in Puerto Rico. Most of its restaurants are in the Southern United States. It also has a few locations in the Midwest, Southwest, and Puerto Rico...
.
The Historic Downtown Murfreesboro district also offers a wide variety of shopping and dining experiences that encircle the pre-Civil War Courthouse.
Media
Murfreesboro is serviced by the following media outlets:Newspapers:
- The Daily News JournalThe Daily News JournalThe Daily News Journal is a newspaper serving Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Rutherford County, and surrounding communities. Published in Murfreesboro, it serves as the primary local newspaper, with competition from The Murfreesboro Post and other publications...
- http://www.murfreesboropost.com/index.php - The Murfreesboro Post
- The Murfreesboro Pulse
Radio:
- WGNSWGNSWGNS is a radio station based in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, United States operating at 1450 kHz on the AM dial. It signed on the air on January 1, 1947. The call letters are an acronym representing the phrase, "Good Neighbor Station"...
- Talk radio - WMOTWMOTWMOT is a radio station featuring classical music, jazz music and news and talk programming, serving the metropolitan Nashville, Tennessee market. It is licensed to Middle Tennessee State University, located in nearby Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Its signal can be heard most clearly in the counties...
- MTSU Jazz station - WMTS-FMWMTS-FM' is a student run college radio station licensed to Murfreesboro, Tennessee, USA. The station is currently owned by Middle Tennessee State University....
- MTSU free-form student-run station
TV:
- Channel 3 - Murfreesboro Government-access television (GATV) cable TV channel
- WETV-LPWETV-LPWETV-LP is a low power television station serving the Murfreesboro, Tennessee area. It broadcasts its analog signal on VHF channel 11. Its transmitter is located at the intersection of Northwest Broad Street and South Church Street in Murfreesboro, sharing tower space with WGNS AM 1450.WETV is...
- MTTV - MTSU student-run station Educational-access television
2009 Tornado
Murfreesboro has been in the path of destructive tornadosMurfreesboro tornado
Several significant tornadoes have affected the town of Murfreesboro, Tennessee:*The April 1974 tornado during the Super Outbreak*The January 1997 tornado which injured 18 people and caused almost $5 million in damage...
several times. On April 10, 2009, at approximately 12:30 p.m. CDT, an EF4 tornado
April 2009 tornado outbreak
-April 9 event:-April 10 event:-Mena tornado:At 7:24 pm CDT on April 9, a tornado warning was issued for areas north of Mena in Polk County, Arkansas and at 8:01 pm CDT the warning extended into Mena. Nine minutes later, a tornado struck the city and killed three people...
struck the western and northern fringes of the city of Murfreesboro. As a result, two people were killed and 41 others injured. 845 homes were affected: 117 were totally destroyed; 292 had major damage; 175 had minor damage and 255 others were affected to some degree. The tornado, which the National Weather Service
National Weather Service
The National Weather Service , once known as the Weather Bureau, is one of the six scientific agencies that make up the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the United States government...
indicates was on the ground for about a half hour, is estimated to have caused in excess of US$
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
40 million in damages.
Mosque controversy
Beginning in 2010, the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro faced protests, some IslamophobicIslamophobia
Islamophobia describes prejudice against, hatred or irrational fear of Islam or MuslimsThe term dates back to the late 1980s or early 1990s, but came into common usage after the September 11, 2001 attacks in the United States....
, opposing the building of a new 6800 ft2 mosque. Signs on the building site were vandalized, with the first saying "not welcome" sprayed across it and the second being cut in two. Construction equipment was also torched by arsonists.
In August 2011, a Rutherford County judge upheld his previous decision allowing the mosque to be built. The Center has a membership of around 250 Islamic families.
Points of interest
- Discovery Center at Murfree Spring
- Geographic center of Tennessee
- Middle Tennessee State UniversityMiddle Tennessee State UniversityMiddle Tennessee State University, commonly abbreviated as MTSU, is a public university located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, United States....
- Oaklands Historic House MuseumOaklands Historic House MuseumOaklands Historic House Museum is in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, USA. Oaklands Mansion is on the National Register of Historic Places and is a local landmark known for its unique Italianate design....
- Stones River Greenway ArboretumStones River Greenway ArboretumThe Stones River Greenway Arboretum is an arboretum located along the Stones River Greenway, beside the Stones River, in Murfreesboro, Tennessee....
- Stones River National BattlefieldStones River National BattlefieldStones River National Battlefield, a park along the Stones River in Rutherford County, Tennessee, three miles northwest of Murfreesboro and twenty-eight miles southeast of...
Murfreesboro is the home of a Consolidated Mail Outpatient Pharmacy
Consolidated Mail Outpatient Pharmacy
The Consolidated Mail Outpatient Pharmacy initiative of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs provides mail order prescriptions to veterans using facilities with highly automated distribution systems at strategic locations throughout the country.- History :During the 1970s and 1980s,...
(CMOP). It is part of an initiative by the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide mail order prescriptions to veterans using computerization at strategic locations throughout the United States. It's located on the campus of the Alvin C. York Veterans Hospital.
Top employers in Murfreesboro
| # | |Number of employees |
|
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Rutherford County Rutherford County, Tennessee Rutherford 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... government |
3,350 |
| 2. | Middle Tennessee State University Middle Tennessee State University Middle Tennessee State University, commonly abbreviated as MTSU, is a public university located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, United States.... |
1,700 |
| 3. | State Farm Operations Center State Farm Insurance State Farm Insurance is a group of insurance and financial services companies in the United States. The company also has operations in Canada.... |
1,450 |
| 4. | Alvin C. York Veterans Administration Medical Center | 1,411 |
| 5. | Middle Tennessee Medical Center Middle Tennessee Medical Center Middle Tennessee Medical Center is a 286-bed private, not-for-profit hospital located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. MTMC is a member of Saint Thomas Health Services. A replacement hospital building is under construction, and the hospital expects to move into the new building some time in 2010. A... |
1,300 |
| 6. | Verizon Verizon Communications Verizon Communications Inc. is a global broadband and telecommunications company and a component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average... Wireless Call Center |
1,083 |
| 7. | Murfreesboro city government | 827 (full time) 234 (part time) |
| 8. | General Mills General Mills General Mills, Inc. is an American Fortune 500 corporation, primarily concerned with food products, which is headquartered in Golden Valley, Minnesota, a suburb of Minneapolis. The company markets many well-known brands, such as Betty Crocker, Yoplait, Colombo, Totinos, Jeno's, Pillsbury, Green... /Pillsbury Company |
750 |
| 9. | Johnson Controls Johnson Controls Johnson Controls, Inc. is a company, based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. It was founded in 1885 by professor Warren S. Johnson, inventor of the first electric room thermostat.... , Inc. |
750 |
| 10. | MAHLE Tennex Mahle GmbH Mahle GmbH is one of the 30 largest automotive suppliers worldwide. As the leading manufacturer of components and systems for combustion engines and its periphery, the Mahle Group is among the top three systems suppliers worldwide for piston systems, cylinder components, valve train systems, air... |
650 |
| 11. | Lewis Brothers Bakeries | 525 |
- Information is current as of November 2006.
See also
- Blackman, TennesseeBlackman, TennesseeBlackman is an unincorporated community in Rutherford County, Tennessee, United States, near the city of Murfreesboro. It is almost large enough to be designated a CDP even though the area does not have a government in place other than the Rutherford County government. Approximately 5,000 to 15,000...
- Boxwood (Murfreesboro, Tennessee)Boxwood (Murfreesboro, Tennessee)Boxwood, in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, also known as the Thomas J.B. Turner House, is a Greek Revival house built in 1840. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984....
- Barrett Firearms Manufacturing
- First Presbyterian Church (Murfreesboro, Tennessee)First Presbyterian Church (Murfreesboro, Tennessee)First Presbyterian Church is a historic church at 210 N. Spring Street in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.It was built in 1914 and added to the National Register in 1993....
- Murfreesboro MusiciansMurfreesboro MusiciansThe Murfreesboro Musicians are a World Basketball Association franchise in Murfreesboro, Tennessee....
- Murphy CenterMurphy CenterCharles M. Murphy Athletic Center is the name of the main athletic department building at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, United States. The building was built in 1973 and named in honor of Charles M. "Bubber" Murphy, a standout athlete at the college in the 1930s...
External links
- Murfreesboro city website
- Linebaugh Public Library System
- Daily News Journal (newspaper)
- Murfreesboro Post (newspaper)
- Murfreesboro, Tennessee is at coordinates 35.846143°N 86.392078°W