RANK #981 / 1001 NAT · #33 / 33 TN · POP 715,388
1YR FORECAST: -3.3%
5YR OUTLOOK: +8%
Home to Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee, is the oldest county in the Middle Tennessee region, established in 1783. The Cumberland River flows through the county, contributing to a landscape of rolling hills and forests. Commuting within Davidson County can be challenging due to traffic congestion, though public transit options like WeGo Public Transit buses and the WeGo Star commuter rail are available. The county also offers extensive outdoor recreation, with over 100 parks, 65 miles of greenways, and access to Percy Priest, Radnor, and Old Hickory Lakes.
Life in Davidson County attracts a mix of families and young professionals. The Metropolitan Nashville Public School District serves the county's communities. The economy is expanding, with growth in sectors such as healthcare, music production, and advanced manufacturing. While housing affordability is a concern for many residents, new construction is occurring, and nearby areas offer more accessible home prices.
Davidson County is one of 76 U.S. counties in this market profile — weaker than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of -3.2% runs above the profile's typical -3.7%.
See all 76 Sun Belt Post-Surge Correction counties →Below national median (11.3x)
Prices declining
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (15x)
Housing is fairly valued at 6.3x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Oracle World Headquarters
Oracle
|
$2,000M | Planned |
|
New Davidson County Detention Facility
Davidson County Sheriff's Office
|
$410M | Proposed |
|
Nashville I Data Center
Radius Data Centers
|
$100M | Under Construction |
|
Metro Nashville & Vanderbilt University Solar Initiative
Metro Nashville, Vanderbilt University, Silicon Ranch Corp.
|
$100M | Operating |
|
Michelson Multifamily Fund II (Davidson County Share)
Metropolitan Government of Nashville & Davidson County (investment)
|
$50M | Operating |
|
East Bank Development Authority Infrastructure
East Bank Development Authority
|
$50M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
The data is not encouraging — Davidson County scores just 1/100 on the Boom Town Index, ranking #981 of 1001 counties. Job growth at -0.9% and median household income of $77,853 reflect an economy that has been contracting or stagnating relative to the rest of the country.
Davidson County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $417,400 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.19 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,582/month on average.
Davidson County's population is growing — up +0.8% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of -0.9%). Home values shifted -3.2% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.02% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Davidson County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.