History of Nashville, Tennessee in Timeline
Nashville, the capital of Tennessee and nicknamed "Music City," is a rapidly growing metropolis situated on the Cumberland River. With a population nearing 700,000, it ranks as the 21st most populous city nationwide and the 4th largest in the southeastern US. As the heart of the Nashville metropolitan area, its influence extends far beyond its official boundaries.
1912: Introduction of Goo Goo Clusters
In 1912, Nashville became known for its Southern confections with the introduction of Goo Goo Clusters, which have been made in Nashville ever since.
1912: Relocation of Tennessee Agricultural and Industrial and Normal School
The Tennessee Agricultural and Industrial and Normal School was moved to Jefferson Street in 1912.
1918: Nashville as 'Powder City of the World'
In 1918, Nashville earned the nickname 'Powder City of the World' due to a short-lived smokeless gunpowder plant.
1925: Establishment of the Grand Ole Opry
The year 1925 saw the founding of the Grand Ole Opry, marking the beginning of Nashville's rise to prominence as the "Country Music Capital of the World."
1928: Democratic Presidential Candidate Loses Davidson County
A Democratic presidential candidate lost Davidson County, which includes Nashville, in 1928.
1929: Francis Craig Orchestra at Hermitage Hotel
In 1929, the Francis Craig Orchestra began entertaining at the Oak Bar and Grille Room in the Hermitage Hotel, marking the start of a significant period for jazz in Nashville.
1944: Nashville Invitational Golf Tournament Begins
The Nashville Invitational, a PGA Tour golf tournament, was first held in 1944.
1945: End of Francis Craig Orchestra Performances
By 1945, the Francis Craig Orchestra concluded its period of entertaining Nashvillians from the Oak Bar and Grille Room in the Hermitage Hotel.
1945: Origin of Prince's Hot Chicken Shack
The first Prince's Hot Chicken Shack opened its doors in 1945 at the intersection of Jefferson Street and 28th Avenue.
1946: Nashville Invitational Golf Tournament Ends
The Nashville Invitational golf tournament was held for the last time in 1946.
1950: New City Charter with Single-Member Districts
The state legislature approved a new city charter in 1950, introducing single-member districts for city council elections, replacing the previous at-large voting system.
1950: End of Lynching Era in Davidson County
By 1950, Davidson County, where Nashville is located, witnessed the end of a period marked by six lynchings of Black individuals from 1877 onward.
1951: Election of First Black City Council Members
Following the implementation of the new city charter, Z. Alexander Looby and Robert E. Lillard, both African American attorneys, made history in 1951 by becoming the first Black individuals elected to the city council.
1954: Supreme Court Ruling on School Desegregation
In 1954, a landmark ruling by the United States Supreme Court mandated the desegregation of public schools with "all deliberate speed."
1956: Lawsuits for School Desegregation in Nashville
The year 1956 saw the filing of lawsuits by the family of student Robert Kelley and Reverend Henry Maxwell, demanding the desegregation of Nashville's public schools, including the all-White East High School.
1957: Implementation of the "Nashville Plan" for School Desegregation
In response to the lawsuits, courts introduced the "Nashville Plan" in 1957, outlining a gradual desegregation process for the city's public schools, starting with one grade per year.
1957: Start of Nashville School Desegregation
Nashville initiated the desegregation of its school system in 1957, implementing a phased approach of integrating one grade per year.
1957: Life & Casualty Tower Completed
Nashville's first skyscraper, the Life & Casualty Tower, was completed in 1957, ushering in an era of high-rise construction in the downtown area.
1958: Referendum on City-County Government Consolidation Fails
A referendum proposing the consolidation of city and county government was put to a vote in 1958 but failed to garner enough support to pass.
1958: Fairgrounds Speedway Hosts NASCAR Winston Cup Races
The Fairgrounds Speedway in Nashville began hosting NASCAR Winston Cup races in 1958.
April 19, 1960: Bombing of Z. Alexander Looby's House
Segregationists targeted the home of Z. Alexander Looby, an African American attorney and council member, with a bomb on April 19, 1960.
May 10, 1960: Conclusion of Nashville Sit-in Movement
A series of sit-ins protesting racial segregation at lunch counters in downtown Nashville, organized by the Nashville Student Movement and Nashville Christian Leadership Council, concluded on May 10, 1960.
1960: Nashville as a Prominent Recording Center
Time magazine reported in 1960 that Nashville had surpassed Hollywood as the second-largest record-producing hub in the nation, trailing only New York City.
1961: Women's Western Open Held in Nashville
The Women's Western Open, a major golf championship for women, was held in Nashville in 1961.
1962: Approval of Second Charter for Metropolitan Government
The second charter for metropolitan government gained approval in 1962, introducing two tiers of service provision: the General Services District and the Urban Services District.
1963: Consolidated City-County Government
In 1963, Nashville adopted a consolidated city-county government, merging with six smaller municipalities in a two-tier system.
1963: Formation of Metropolitan Government
Nashville underwent a major governmental transformation in 1963, consolidating its government with Davidson County to establish a metropolitan government.
1963: Nashville and Davidson County Merge
The city of Nashville and Davidson County merged in 1963 to form a metropolitan government.
January 1966: Coldest temperature recorded at Old Hickory Dam
The coldest temperature recorded at Old Hickory Dam was -10 degrees Fahrenheit in January 1966.
1966: Complete Desegregation of Nashville Schools
The Metro Council decided to abandon the gradual desegregation plan in 1966, opting for the immediate and complete desegregation of the entire school system.
April 8, 1967: Race Riot at Fisk University and Tennessee State University
On April 8, 1967, after Stokely Carmichael's speech about Black Power, a riot erupted at Fisk University and Tennessee State University, two historically Black institutions. The unrest, though labeled a "race riot," was intertwined with issues of class.
1968: Democratic Presidential Candidate Loses Davidson County
For the second time since Reconstruction, a Democratic presidential candidate lost Davidson County in 1968.
1968: Republican Challenge in the 5th District
In 1968, Republicans mounted a significant challenge in the historically Democratic 5th district, nearly securing a victory.
1970: Nashville Team Qualifies for Little League World Series
A Little League Baseball team from Nashville qualified for the Little League World Series for the first time in 1970.
1970: Start of temperature tracking
Starting in 1970, Nashville began tracking average summer temperatures. Data shows that from 1970 to 2020, average summer temperatures have risen by 2.8 degrees Fahrenheit.
1972: Democratic Presidential Candidate Loses Davidson County
A Democratic presidential candidate lost Davidson County for the third time since Reconstruction in 1972.
1972: Opryland USA Theme Park Opening
In 1972, Opryland USA theme park opened in Nashville, providing entertainment until its closure in 1997.
1972: Republican Gains in the 5th District
The Republican candidate for the 5th district received 38% of the vote in 1972, indicating growing Republican support.
1974: Grand Ole Opry House Move
In 1974, the Grand Ole Opry show moved from the Ryman Auditorium to the newly constructed Grand Ole Opry House, located 9 miles east of downtown Nashville.
1978: Nashville Sounds Baseball Team Established
The Nashville Sounds baseball team was established in 1978 as a Double-A Southern League expansion franchise.
October 9, 1979: Amtrak Service Ends in Nashville
Amtrak's Floridian line, the last remaining passenger train serving Nashville, was discontinued on October 9, 1979, due to deteriorating track conditions and low ridership.
1979: Sounds Win League Championship
The Nashville Sounds won their first league championship in 1979.
1979: Ku Klux Klan Cross Burnings
In 1979, the Ku Klux Klan targeted two African American sites in Nashville, including the NAACP city headquarters, by burning crosses.
1980: U.S. Women's Open Held in Nashville
Nashville hosted the U.S. Women's Open, another major championship for women's golf, in 1980.
1982: Sounds Win Second Championship
The Nashville Sounds won their second Southern League championship in 1982.
1983: CoreCivic founding
CoreCivic, originally known as Corrections Corporation of America, was established in Nashville in 1983.
1984: End of Winston Cup Races at Fairgrounds Speedway
1984 marked the end of NASCAR Winston Cup races being held at the Fairgrounds Speedway in Nashville.
1984: Democratic Presidential Candidate Loses Davidson County
A Democratic presidential candidate lost Davidson County in 1984, marking the fourth time since Reconstruction.
1984: Gibson Guitar headquarters
Gibson, the renowned guitar company, established its headquarters in Nashville in 1984.
January 21, 1985: Coldest day on record
The coldest temperature ever officially recorded in Nashville was -17 degrees Fahrenheit on January 21, 1985.
1985: Sounds Transition to Triple-A
In 1985, the Nashville Sounds transitioned from a Double-A to a Triple-A team in the American Association.
1988: Democratic Presidential Candidate Loses Davidson County
The fifth time since Reconstruction that a Democratic presidential candidate lost Davidson County was in 1988.
1988: Sara Lee Classic Begins
The Sara Lee Classic, an LPGA Tour golf tournament, began in 1988.
1990: Immigrant population
In 1990, Nashville's foreign-born population was recorded at 12,662 individuals.
1994: AT&T Building Constructed
The AT&T Building, known locally as the "Batman Building," was completed in 1994. Following its construction, downtown Nashville experienced a lull in new skyscraper construction until the mid-2000s.
1994: BellSouth Senior Classic Begins
The BellSouth Senior Classic, a Champions Tour golf tournament, began in Nashville in 1994.
1995: Houston Oilers Move to Nashville
The Houston Oilers agreed to relocate to Nashville in 1995, leading to the construction of Nissan Stadium (then Adelphia Coliseum).
1997: Opryland USA Theme Park Closure
In 1997, the Opryland USA theme park was closed and subsequently demolished to make room for the Opry Mills mega-shopping mall.
1997: Nashville Awarded NHL Expansion Team
Nashville was granted an expansion team by the National Hockey League in 1997, giving rise to the Nashville Predators.
1997: American Association Dissolves
The American Association, of which the Sounds were members, dissolved in 1997.
April 16, 1998: Severe thunderstorm
On April 16, 1998, Nashville experienced a severe thunderstorm which caused major damage. These storms are known to possibly bring tornadoes, hail, flash floods, and damaging winds.
1998: Oilers Debut as Tennessee Titans
The newly renamed Tennessee Titans played their inaugural season in Nashville at Vanderbilt Stadium in 1998.
1998: Tennessee Titans Move to Nashville
In 1998, the Tennessee Titans, formerly known as the Houston Oilers, relocated to Nashville, marking the beginning of their presence in the city.
1998: Sounds Join Pacific Coast League
After the American Association folded, the Nashville Sounds joined the Triple-A Pacific Coast League in 1998.
1998: The Tennessean Becomes Sole Daily Newspaper
The Nashville Banner, in a joint-operating agreement with The Tennessean, ceased publication in 1998, leaving The Tennessean as the city's sole daily newspaper.
1998: Nashville Predators Join NHL
In 1998, the Nashville Predators joined the National Hockey League (NHL) as an expansion team.
1999: Nissan Stadium Opens, Titans in Super Bowl
Nissan Stadium opened in the summer of 1999. The Titans, after a memorable season capped by the "Music City Miracle," narrowly lost the Super Bowl to the St. Louis Rams on the final play.
2000: Immigrant population triples
By 2000, Nashville's foreign-born population had tripled in size to 39,596 individuals.
2000: Al Gore Wins Davidson County
Democratic presidential candidate Al Gore, who was from Tennessee, won Davidson County in the 2000 election.
2000: Urban Construction Booms in Nashville
Since 2000, Nashville has experienced two periods of significant urban construction, one before the Great Recession and another in its aftermath, leading to a notable increase in high-rise buildings.
2001: Nashville Superspeedway Opens
The Nashville Superspeedway, located southeast of Nashville, held its first NASCAR-sanctioned events and IndyCar races in 2001.
2002: Sara Lee Classic Ends
2002 marked the end of the Sara Lee Classic golf tournament in Nashville.
2003: Largest Snowfall Since 2003
The most significant snow event in Nashville since 2003 occurred on January 22, 2016, when the city received 8 inches of snow.
2003: BellSouth Senior Classic Ends
The BellSouth Senior Classic golf tournament in Nashville was last held in 2003.
2004: John Kerry Wins Davidson County
Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry won Davidson County in the 2004 election.
2005: Sounds Win Pacific Coast League Championship
The Nashville Sounds won the Pacific Coast League championship in 2005.
2005: Iraqi election voting
During the 2005 Iraqi election, Nashville was one of the few international locations where Iraqi expatriates could cast their votes.
April 7, 2006: Severe thunderstorm
On April 7, 2006, Nashville experienced a severe thunderstorm which caused major damage. These storms are known to possibly bring tornadoes, hail, flash floods, and damaging winds.
September 2006: Schermerhorn Symphony Center Opening
In September 2006, the Schermerhorn Symphony Center opened as the home of the Nashville Symphony, adding to the city's vibrant music and entertainment scene.
September 18, 2006: Music City Star Commuter Rail Launches
Nashville inaugurated its commuter rail service, the Music City Star (now WeGo Star), on September 18, 2006, initially connecting Lebanon to downtown Nashville.
2006: Nissan North America Headquarters Move
In 2006, Nissan North America moved its corporate headquarters from Gardena, California, to Franklin, a suburb south of Nashville. This move significantly bolstered the automotive industry's presence in the Middle Tennessee region.
2006: Nashville Roller Derby Founded
The Nashville Roller Derby, a women's flat track roller derby team, was established in 2006.
June 2007: Record temperature data collection
Detailed record-keeping of temperatures at Old Hickory Dam began in June 2007, although some data exists prior to this date.
February 5, 2008: Severe thunderstorm
On February 5, 2008, Nashville experienced a severe thunderstorm which caused major damage. These storms are known to possibly bring tornadoes, hail, flash floods, and damaging winds.
2008: Shop at Home Network Ends Broadcasting
The Shop at Home Network, formerly headquartered in Nashville, ceased broadcasting in 2008.
2008: Allergies impact Nashville
In 2008, Nashville experienced a particularly bad allergy season due to its long springs and autumns. It was ranked the 26th-worst spring allergy city in the US by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.
2008: End of IndyCar Races at Nashville Superspeedway
The Nashville Superspeedway hosted IndyCar races until 2008.
2008: Barack Obama Wins Davidson County
Barack Obama, the Democratic presidential candidate, won Davidson County in the 2008 election.
January 22, 2009: English-Only Amendment Rejected
Voters in Nashville rejected Charter Amendment 1 on January 22, 2009, which aimed to establish English as the official language of the city.
April 10, 2009: Severe thunderstorm
On April 10, 2009, Nashville experienced a severe thunderstorm which caused major damage. These storms are known to possibly bring tornadoes, hail, flash floods, and damaging winds.
2009: Bhutanese refugee resettlement
In 2009, the United States planned to admit about 60,000 Bhutanese refugees, with some expected to resettle in Nashville.
2010: Lakewood Residents Vote on City Charter
Residents of Lakewood, a city within Davidson County, voted on whether to dissolve their separate city charter in 2010.
2010: The Pinnacle Opens
The Pinnacle, a high-rise office building, opened in 2010, marking the end of a 15-year period without any new skyscraper construction in Nashville.
2010: United States Census
The 2010 United States census recorded Nashville's population at 601,222, with 279,545 households and 146,241 families residing in the city.
2010: Household and family analysis
In 2010, data analysis was conducted on the 254,651 households and 141,469 families in Nashville. The analysis looked at household composition, family structure, and age demographics.
2010: Nashville's 5th District Regains Territory
Following the 2010 census, the 5th district regained the portion of southwestern Nashville it had lost in 2003.
2010: Severe thunderstorms
During the year 2010, a series of severe thunderstorms, specifically on May 1-2, brought major damage to Nashville. These storms are known for tornadoes, hail, flash floods, and strong winds.
2010: Historic Flooding in Nashville
Between May 1 and 7, 2010, Nashville experienced devastating floods, part of a larger 1,000-year flood event across Middle and West Tennessee. The Cumberland and Harpeth Rivers, along with Mill Creek, overflowed, causing widespread damage to buildings and infrastructure. Among those impacted were the Grand Ole Opry House, Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center, Opry Mills Mall, Schermerhorn Symphony Center, Bridgestone Arena, and Nissan Stadium. Transportation was also severely disrupted with the flooding of Interstate 24 and Briley Parkway. The disaster resulted in eleven fatalities in the Nashville area and economic losses estimated at over \$2 billion.
2011: Lakewood Votes to Join Metropolitan Government
After a second vote in 2011, Lakewood residents voted to dissolve their city charter and become fully part of the Nashville metropolitan government.
2011: End of Initial NASCAR Events at Nashville Superspeedway
The first run of NASCAR events at the Nashville Superspeedway ended in 2011.
March 2012: Nashville's Job Growth Recognized
A Gallup poll in March 2012 ranked Nashville among the top five regions for job growth, highlighting the city's recovery from the Great Recession.
June 29, 2012: Hottest day on record
The hottest temperature officially recorded in Nashville was 109 degrees Fahrenheit on June 29, 2012.
July 2012: Hottest temperature recorded at Old Hickory Dam
The hottest temperature recorded at Old Hickory Dam was 106 degrees Fahrenheit in July 2012.
2012: Goodlettsville Team Qualifies for Little League World Series
A team from Goodlettsville, near Nashville, qualified for the Little League World Series in 2012.
2012: Healthcare industry impact
As of 2012, the healthcare industry in Nashville was estimated to contribute US$30 billion annually to the local economy and provide 200,000 jobs.
May 2013: Music City Center Opens
The Music City Center, a 1,200,000-square-foot convention center with 350,000 square feet of exhibit space, opened in May 2013.
August 2013: The City Paper Closes
The City Paper, a Nashville newspaper founded in October 2000, ceased publication in August 2013.
August 27, 2013: Mayor Announces Riverfront Park Plans
On August 27, 2013, Nashville mayor Karl Dean announced plans for two new riverfront parks.
2013: Forbes ranking
In 2013, Forbes ranked Nashville as No. 5 on its list of the Best Places for Business and Careers.
2013: Nashville: "Nowville" and "It City"
Nashville gained national attention in 2013, earning monikers such as "Nowville" and "It City" from publications like GQ, Forbes, and The New York Times.
2013: Second Nashville Team Qualifies for Little League World Series
A second team from Nashville qualified for the Little League World Series in 2013.
2014: Third Nashville Team Qualifies for Little League World Series
In 2014, a third team from Nashville qualified for the Little League World Series.
2014: Nashville Airport Implements Dedicated Rideshare Zones
In late 2014, Nashville International Airport became the first major U.S. airport to introduce designated pick-up and drop-off zones for ride-hailing services.
2014: Nashville Hosts WFTDA Championships
Nashville hosted the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) Championships in 2014.
June 26, 2015: First Same-Sex Marriage in Nashville
Nashville's first same-sex marriage was officiated by then-council member Megan Barry on June 26, 2015.
September 25, 2015: Megan Barry Elected as First Female Mayor
On September 25, 2015, Megan Barry made history by becoming the first female mayor of Nashville.
October 2015: Real Estate Projects in Nashville
As of October 2015, Nashville saw more than $2 billion in real estate projects underway or projected to start in 2016, significantly boosting the city's economy.
2015: Recognition for job market and economic potential
In 2015, Forbes listed Nashville as the fourth Best City for White Collar Jobs, and Business Facilities named it the number one city for Economic Growth Potential in its 11th Annual Rankings report.
2015: American Jewish community
In 2015, the American Jewish community in Nashville numbered approximately 8,000 individuals, with an additional 2,000 Jewish college students.
2015: Projected Completion for West Bank Park
The projected completion date for the west bank park, part of the riverfront redevelopment project, was 2015.
2015: Car-Free Households in Nashville
In 2015, 7.9% of households in Nashville did not own a car.
2015: Sounds Move to First Horizon Park
The Nashville Sounds left Herschel Greer Stadium and moved into First Horizon Park in 2015.
January 22, 2016: Significant Snowfall in Nashville
Nashville experienced a notable snowfall on January 22, 2016, receiving 8 inches, marking the most significant snow event since 2003.
2016: Goodlettsville Team Qualifies for Little League World Series Again
Another team from Goodlettsville qualified for the Little League World Series in 2016.
2016: Nashville Ranked Seventh for Real Estate
In 2016, Nashville was ranked seventh nationally in terms of attractiveness to real estate investors, driven by high yields and a favorable zoning code.
2016: Nashville Golf Open Joins Web.com Tour
The Nashville Golf Open became part of the Web.com Tour in 2016.
2016: Decline in Car-Free Households
The percentage of car-free households in Nashville decreased to 5.9% in 2016.
May 2017: Nashville Surpasses Memphis in Population, Housing Market Booms
Census estimates in May 2017 indicated that Nashville had overtaken Memphis as the most populous city in Tennessee. Simultaneously, the city grappled with a "homelessness crisis" fueled by escalating housing costs and the opioid epidemic.
2017: Predators Win Conference Championship
The Nashville Predators won their first conference championship in 2017.
2017: Nashville's economic boom
In 2017, Nashville was recognized for its rapid economic growth, having the third-fastest-growing metropolitan economy in the US and adding an average of 100 people to its population daily.
2017: Predators Reach Stanley Cup Finals
The Nashville Predators reached the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in franchise history in 2017. They were defeated by the Pittsburgh Penguins, four games to two.
2017: City pension fund investment
In 2017, the City of Nashville's pension fund held a $921,000 stake in CoreCivic, highlighting the potential impact of the company's stock performance on city employees.
2017: Bachelorette Parties Popularity
In 2017, Nashville Scene observed a significant number of bachelorette parties on Lower Broadway, highlighting Nashville's growing popularity as a destination for such events.
January 18, 2018: CabaRay Opening
On January 18, 2018, the CabaRay venue opened in West Nashville, offering a Vegas-style dinner and show atmosphere as the performing venue of Ray Stevens.
March 6, 2018: Mayor Barry Resigns
Facing felony charges related to misuse of public funds, Mayor Megan Barry resigned from office on March 6, 2018.
May 1, 2018: Mass Transit Referendum Defeated
The "Let's Move Nashville" referendum, which proposed an \$8.9 billion mass transit system expansion under the Nashville Metropolitan Transit Authority (now WeGo Public Transit), was defeated by a significant margin (2 to 1) on May 1, 2018.
May 2018: AllianceBernstein Pledges Nashville Expansion
In May 2018, AllianceBernstein pledged to build a private client office in Nashville by mid-2019 and to move its headquarters from New York City to Nashville by 2024.
May 24, 2018: David Briley Elected Mayor in Special Election
Following a Tennessee Supreme Court ruling and subsequent scheduling by the Davidson County Election Commission, David Briley, the acting mayor, won the special election with over 54% of the vote on May 24, 2018. This victory made him the 70th mayor of Nashville.
November 2018: Amazon Operations Center Announcement
In November 2018, Amazon announced plans to build an operations center in the Nashville Yards development to serve as the hub for their Retail Operations division.
2018: Predators Win Division Championship
The Nashville Predators won their first division championship in the 2017-2018 season.
2018: Nashville's Bachelorette Party Boom
In 2018, The New York Times named Nashville the hottest destination for bachelorette parties in the country due to its vibrant honky-tonk bars and live music.
2018: Nashville's Homelessness Crisis
By 2018, estimates suggested that between 2,300 and 20,000 residents of Nashville were experiencing homelessness.
September 28, 2019: John Cooper Becomes Mayor
John Cooper took office as the ninth mayor of Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County on September 28, 2019.
December 2019: iHeartMedia Digital Headquarters
In December 2019, iHeartMedia selected Nashville as the site of its second digital headquarters.
2019: AllianceBernstein Private Client Office
By mid-2019, AllianceBernstein completed the establishment of a private client office in Nashville as part of its broader relocation plans.
2019: CoreCivic moves out of Nashville
CoreCivic, one of the largest private corrections companies in the United States, relocated its headquarters out of Nashville in 2019.
2019: Nashville Hosts 2019 NFL Draft
From April 25-27, 2019, Nashville hosted the 2019 NFL draft, attracting an estimated 200,000 fans each day.
March 3, 2020: Deadly Tornado Strikes Nashville
A devastating tornado tore through Nashville on March 3, 2020, claiming the lives of at least 25 people and causing widespread power outages. The storm's path, just north of downtown, impacted neighborhoods including North Nashville, Germantown, East Nashville, Donelson, and Hermitage.
December 25, 2020: Christmas Day Bombing on Second Avenue
An explosion from a vehicle on Second Avenue on December 25, 2020, resulted in the death of the perpetrator and injuries to eight others.
2020: Global City Classification
The Globalization and World Cities Research Network (GaWC) designated Nashville as a "Gamma" global city in 2020.
2020: Music City Fire Begins Play
The Music City Fire, an arena football team, began play in the American Arena League in 2020.
2020: United States Census
The 2020 United States census recorded Nashville's population at 689,447, representing a 14.67% increase from 2010 and the largest population increase in the city's history.
2020: Metropolitan area population
The 2020 United States census reported that Nashville had the largest metropolitan area in Tennessee, with a population of 2,014,444.
2020: Nashville SC Joins MLS
Nashville SC, a Major League Soccer franchise, began play in 2020 at Nissan Stadium.
2020: U.S. Census
In 2020, the U.S. Census recorded Nashville's population at 689,447, making it the 21st most populous city in the United States.
2020: Amtrak Considers Service to Nashville
In 2020, Amtrak announced it was exploring the possibility of establishing a new passenger rail service connecting Atlanta to Nashville via Chattanooga.
April 2021: Oracle Corporation Campus Announcement
In April 2021, Oracle Corporation announced plans to construct a $1.2 billion campus in Nashville, expected to employ 8,500 people by 2031.
2021: Sounds Join Triple-A East
In 2021, the Nashville Sounds were placed in the Triple-A East league.
2021: Nashville Superspeedway Reopens
The Nashville Superspeedway reopened and hosted the Ally 400, a NASCAR Cup Series race, in 2021.
2022: Triple-A East Becomes International League
The Triple-A East, which included the Nashville Sounds, became the International League in 2022.
2022: Republican Gerrymandering Splits Nashville
In 2022, the Republican-controlled Tennessee legislature redrew congressional district lines, splitting Nashville into three districts, a move widely criticized as partisan gerrymandering.
2022: Regulation of Party Buses
In 2022, Nashville began regulating party buses, issuing dozens of permits and rejecting many applications to better manage the trend of 'transportainment' in downtown.
2022: Nashville SC Moves to Geodis Park
In 2022, Nashville SC moved into its new soccer-specific stadium, Geodis Park, at the Nashville Fairgrounds.
March 27, 2023: Shooting at the Covenant School
Tragedy struck The Covenant School on March 27, 2023, when a gunman opened fire, killing three children and three staff members. The shooter was subsequently killed by police.
April 2023: Nashville's High-Rise Landscape
As of April 2023, Nashville boasts 33 buildings standing at least 300 feet tall, with 24 of them completed since 2000.
December 9, 2023: Tornadoes Devastate Nashville
On December 9, 2023, tornadoes caused significant damage in Nashville, resulting in the loss of three lives.
2023: Republican Represents Nashville in Congress
For the first time since 1874, a Republican represented a significant portion of Nashville in Congress after the 2022 redistricting.
2023: Nashville International Airport Passenger Traffic
Nashville International Airport (BNA) served almost 23 million passengers in 2023, ranking it as the 29th busiest airport in the United States.
2024: AllianceBernstein Headquarters Move
By 2024, AllianceBernstein is expected to complete the move of its headquarters from New York City to Nashville.
2031: Oracle Corporation Campus Completion
By 2031, Oracle Corporation's $1.2 billion campus in Nashville is expected to be completed and employ 8,500 people.