Demographics
Population
The following is a chart of the total population in Nashville including population changes over the region.
| Geography |
2000 |
2014 |
| Nashville MSA |
1,311,789 |
1,792,649 |
| Nashville Economic Market |
1,435,577 |
1,894,455 |
| Davidson County |
569,927 |
668,347 |
Population Change by Decade: Nashville Region Counties
1950:
Population 321,758
1 county: Davidson
1960:
Population 463,628
3 counties: Davidson, Sumner, Wilson
1970:
Population 699,271
8 counties: Davidson, Sumner, Wilson, Cheatham, Dickson, Robertson, Rutherford, Williamson
1980:
Population 850,505
8 counties: Davidson, Sumner, Wilson, Cheatham, Dickson, Robertson, Rutherford, Williamson
1990:
Population 985,026
8 counties: Davidson, Sumner, Wilson, Cheatham, Dickson, Robertson, Rutherford, Williamson
2000:
Population 1,311,789
13 counties: Davidson, Sumner, Wilson, Cheatham, Dickson, Robertson, Rutherford, Williamson, Cannon, Hickman, Macon, Smith, Trousdale
2017:
Population 1,903,045
14 counties: Davidson, Sumner, Wilson, Cheatham, Dickson, Maury, Robertson, Rutherford, Williamson, Cannon, Hickman, Macon, Smith, Trousdale
For additional information, visit the Nashville Chamber of Commerce Regional Stats page.
Education
Nashville is often called the "Athens of the South" because of the concentration of schools of higher learning in the city. The Nashville Chamber provides information about the educational attainment, colleges and universities, and the talent pipeline.
Over 100,000 students are enrolled in colleges and universities in the Nashville region annually. With over 30% of adults holding a bachelor's degree including over 110,000 adults with graduate or professional degrees, Nashville is uniquely positioned to provide a strong and educated workforce.
| Education Level Achieved |
Population |
Percent of Total Population |
| Associate's Degree |
90,095 |
7.2% |
| Bachelor's Degree |
277,764 |
22.2% |
| Graduate or Professional Degree |
150,416 |
12.0% |
| Total Population 25 years and over |
1,251,203 |
100.0% |
Source: US Census, 2016 1-Year Estimates
Nashville has one public school system serving the entire county. Metro Nashville Public Schools offers classes from Pre-K through high school including magnet schools, enhanced option, charter schools, and many other great choices.
Cost of Living
Nashville consistently ranks among the lowest for cost-of-living in comparable cities across the nation, ranking more cost-efficient than Atlanta, Charlotte, and Austin. The overall cost of living is 96.7% of the national average. (Source: 2017 ACCRA Cost of Living Index)