Tennessee’s largest metro area with an MSA population of 2,150,553, the ‘Music City’ has become one of the country’s most desirable places to live. With a 14-county population of 2,150,553, Nashville has it all – a world-renowned reputation for music and entertainment, quality school systems & higher education, reasonable cost of living, a robust economy anchored by its healthcare sector, international airport, popular tourism industry, and multiple professional sports teams.

The city is also known as the ‘Healthcare Capital of the World’ due to the large number of headquartered healthcare businesses and hospitals. The Vanderbilt health system, anchored by Vanderbilt University Medical Center and the adjacent Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital, employs 32,081 people. HCA Healthcare, headquartered in Nashville, employs another 27,694 people and operates 12 area hospitals under the TriStar flag. Vanderbilt, HCA, and Ascension Saint Thomas combine for 5,060 hospital beds. Community Health Systems, National HealthCare Corporation, Lifepoint Health, Brookdale Senior Living, AdvancedHEALTH, and Acadia Healthcare all have headquarters in Nashville.

The region also has 32 universities and colleges, the most renowned being Vanderbilt University (7,090 jobs / 13,456 students), which is ranked in the top 20 universities in the United States. MTSU (Murfreesboro / 20,488 enrollment), Lipscomb University (4,675 enrollment), and Belmont University (8,803 enrollment) are other notable universities.

Nashville is home to four professional sports teams – the Tennessee Titans (NFL), Nashville Predators (NHL), Nashville SC (MLS), and Nashville Sounds (MiLB). Bridgestone Arena, Ryman Auditorium, and Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center are some of the area’s most popular entertainment venues. Opry Mills Mall, Mall at Green Hills, CoolSprings Galleria, The Avenue Murfreesboro, One Hundred Oaks Mall, Rivergate Mall, Nashville West, and Fifth + Broadway highlight a robust shopping scene.

The Nashville MSA has a multifamily inventory of 998 properties and 205,611 units. An additional 50 properties totaling 15,684 units are currently under construction.

Nashville Economy

The Nashville–Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin MSA features a robust, diversified economy anchored by healthcare (330,000 jobs / $68 billion industry), professional services, music and entertainment (56,000 jobs), manufacturing, and logistics. The region’s Gross Metropolitan Product exceeds $200 billion, reflecting steady growth and resilience. Since pre-pandemic March 2020 levels, the Nashville metro added 107,000 jobs, a 10.2% increase.

Major Industries

The Nashville MSA has a diversified economy, led by the below sectors:

Healthcare & Life Sciences

A powerhouse hub with 300+ healthcare firms, including HCA, Vanderbilt, and numerous management and life-science companies

  • The broader healthcare ecosystem generates approximately $68 billion in annual output and supports 330,000 jobs
  • Employment in healthcare and education surged by 7,900 jobs (+4.8%) in 2023–24

Professional & Business Services

The largest employment sector, encompassing corporate, financial, insurance, and tech services

Logistics & Transportation

This occupational group includes 120,420 jobs, making up 11% of MSA employment—well above the national average—covering truckers, freight handlers, and airport cargo roles

Music, Tourism & Culture

Nashville’s storied music industry contributes around $10 billion annually and supports about 56,000 jobs

Nashville International Airport handled a record-breaking 23.7 million passengers in 2024

Manufacturing & Automotive Sector

Thriving regional automotive manufacturing includes Nissan and GM assembly plants nearby, with Bridgestone’s North American HQ in the metro.

Population Analysis

 

Nashville MSA Population

The Nashville MSA had a 2024 population of 2,150,553, led by Davidson County (Nashville – 729,505), Rutherford County (Murfreesboro – 376,996), and Williamson County (Brentwood/Franklin – 269,136). Other counties with over 100,000 people include Sumner County (Hendersonville/Gallatin – 211,721), Wilson County (Lebanon/Mt. Juliet – 169,948), and Maury County (Columbia – 113,411).

While the MSA as a whole grew 6.37% from 2020-24, the fastest-growing counties in the MSA during that same time period were:

  • Wilson – 14.33%
  • Maury – 11.37%
  • Rutherford – 9.81%

Demographics

Total Population (MSA)
2,150,553
Unemployment Rate (April 2025)
2.5%
Population Growth (2020-24)
6.37%

Multifamily Highlights

Nashville Multifamily Analysis

 

The Nashville MSA has 998 apartments of over 50+ units, for a total of 205,611 units. 9,591 units were delivered in the last 12 months (CoStar), with a construction pipeline of 15,684 units. Vacancy has stabilized after the record supply of the past several years and currently sits at 88.8%. The Average Rent in the Nashville MSA is $1,719. Based on an analysis of multifamily properties in the city of Nashville, Average Expenses are $6,745 per unit (TKC’s Expense Averager Tool). Average Expenses in other significant areas of the MSA are:

  • Hendersonville – $6,067 per unit
  • Columbia – $5,534 per unit
  • Lebanon – $5,460 per unit
  • Murfreesboro – $4,532 per unit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Major Employers

  1. Vanderbilt University Medical Center & Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital

    32,081 Jobs / 1,318 Beds  | Learn More
  2. HCA Healthcare HQ

    27,694 Jobs / 2,100 Beds  | Learn More
  3. State of Tennessee

    27,308 Jobs  | Learn More
  4. U.S. Government

    14,141 Jobs  | Learn More
  5. Nissan North America HQ & Smyrna Vehicle Assembly Plant

    11,000 Jobs  | Learn More
  6. Metro Nashville Public Schools

    10,790 Jobs  | Learn More
  7. Metropolitan Government of Nashville & Davidson County

    10,563 Jobs  | Learn More
  8. Ascension Saint Thomas

    9,104 Jobs / 1,642 Beds  | Learn More
  9. Amazon

    8,400 Jobs  | Learn More
  10. Kroger Nashville Division HQ

    8,100 Jobs  | Learn More
  11. Rutherford County Government & Board of Education

    7,441 Jobs  | Learn More
  12. Williamson County Schools

    7,200 Jobs  | Learn More
  13. Vanderbilt University

    7,090 Jobs / 13,456 Enrollment  | Learn More
  14. Community Health Systems HQ

    5,143 Jobs  | Learn More
  15. Sumner County Government & Public Schools

    4,675 Jobs  | Learn More
  16. Western Express HQ

    4,521 Jobs  | Learn More
  17. Fresh Hospitality HQ

    3,500 Jobs  | Learn More
  18. Asurion HQ

    3,400 Jobs  | Learn More
  19. Cracker Barrel HQ

    3,197 Jobs  | Learn More
  20. Dollar General HQ

    3,115 Jobs  | Learn More
  21. United Healthcare

    3,083 Jobs  | Learn More
  22. National HealthCare Corporation HQ

    3,000 Jobs  | Learn More
  23. Bridgestone Americas HQ

    2,824 Jobs  | Learn More
  24. YMCA of Middle Tennessee

    2,607 Jobs  | Learn More
  25. Acadia Healthcare HQ

    2,583 Jobs  | Learn More
  26. A.O. Smith

    2,473 Jobs  | Learn More
  27. Wilson County Schools

    2,400 Jobs  | Learn More
  28. Lifepoint Health HQ

    2,322 Jobs  | Learn More
  29. AT&T Tennessee HQ

    2,250 Jobs  | Learn More
  30. Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center

    2,171 Jobs  | Learn More
  31. Middle Tennessee State University

    2,160 Jobs / 20,488 Enrollment  | Learn More
  32. Williamson Health & Medical Center

    2,100 Jobs / 185 Beds  | Learn More
  33. Schneider Electric

    2,059 Jobs  | Learn More
  34. Brookdale Senior Living HQ

    2,036 Jobs  | Learn More
  35. Trane Technologies

    2,017 Jobs  | Learn More
  36. GAP Inc

    1,975 Jobs  | Learn More
  37. GEODIS

    1,971 Jobs  | Learn More
  38. Tyson Foods

    1,955 Jobs  | Learn More
  39. CEVA Logistics

    1,900 Jobs  | Learn More
  40. Electrolux North America

    1,900 Jobs  | Learn More
  41. Deloitte

    1,872 Jobs  | Learn More
  42. Belmont University

    1,824 Jobs / 8,803 Enrollment  | Learn More
  43. Ingram Content Group HQ

    1,822 Jobs  | Learn More
  44. Tractor Supply HQ

    1,740 Jobs  | Learn More

Other Demand Drivers

  1. Opry Mills Mall

    200+ stores; 1,200,000 SF; T.J. Maxx, Nike Factory, Bass Pro Shops, Regal Cinemas  | Learn More
  2. Mall at Green Hills

    125+ stores; 1,170,000 SF; Macy's, Nordstrom, Dillard's  | Learn More
  3. CoolSprings Galleria

    150 stores; 1,166,284 SF; Dillard's, Macy's, JCPenney, Belk  | Learn More
  4. One Hundred Oaks Mall

    880,000 SF; Michaels, Ross, Regal, Vanderbilt Health  | Learn More
  5. Rivergate Mall

    1,164,631 SF; Dillard's & JCPenney  | Learn More
  6. Nashville West

    750,000 SF; Costco, Target, Dick's Sporting Goods, Best Buy, Old Navy, Marshall's  | Learn More
  7. Fifth + Broadway

    Mixed-Use Development; 5 million+ annual visitors  | Learn More
  8. Nashville International Airport (BNA)

    23.7 million annual visitors; 114 nonstop flights  | Learn More
  9. Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center

    2,800 rooms; 758,911 SF of Event Space  | Learn More
  10. Nissan Stadium

    Home of the Tennessee Titans; 67,700 Capacity  | Learn More
  11. First Horizon Park

    Home of the Nashville Sounds; 10,000 Capacity  | Learn More
  12. Bridgestone Arena

    Home of the Nashville Predators; 20,000 Capacity  | Learn More
  13. Geodis Park

    Home of Nashville SC; 30,000 Capacity  | Learn More
  14. Nashville Zoo

    9th Largest Zoo in the U.S.; 3,700 animals  | Learn More
  15. Ryman Auditorium

    One of Country Music's most Popular Venues  | Learn More

Sources & Comments

1. The Nashville Metropolitan Statistical Area consists of 14 counties: (1) Cannon (2) Cheatham (3) Davidson (4) Dickson (5) Hickman (6) Macon (7) Maury (8) Robertson (9) Rutherford (10) Smith (11) Sumner (12) Trousdale (13) Williamson (14) Wilson

2. Primary Sources: (1) https://fred.stlouisfed.org/ (2) CoStar (3) MSCI Real Capital Analytics

3. Sales Comps are from June 2024-June 2025

4. This information supplied herein is from sources we deem reliable. It is provided without any representation, warranty, or guarantee, expressed or implied as to its accuracy