While music is the lifeblood of Nashville, there is so much more at the heart of Middle Tennessee. Rich in history and outstanding academics, the breathtaking beauty of rolling hills and the many rivers, lakes and streams, combined with pure Southern charm makes this an amazing place to live. It's a place where the past and the future come together in a unique and exciting culture.

Check out all the information in these resources. For even more great details, see our Middle Tennessee Communities section. We've included demographics, education, healthcare and recreation information for each Middle Tennessee County.

Demographics
In addition to Nashville, incorporated cities and towns in the metropolitan area include Franklin, Brentwood, Spring Hill and Columbia to the south, Murfreesboro, La Vergne and Smyrna to the southeast, Lebanon and Mount Juliet to the east, Gallatin and Hendersonville to the northeast, and Goodlettsville, White House, and Springfield to the north. The population was 1,521,437 in 2007. See this source for the Nashville Metropolitan Statistical Area. We've included many details for each community demographics in our Middle Tennessee Communities section. For even more details, see the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce Demographics information..

Cost-of-Living
On average, housing, food and groceries, transportation, utilities, health care, and miscellaneous expenses such as clothing, service, and entertainment are 10 percent less in Tennessee than the national average. See this chart of Nashville's cost of living compared to other large U.S. metropolitan areas, including New York, Boston, St. Louis, Charlotte and Atlanta.

Average Temperatures for Middle Tennessee
Middle Tennessee is situated in a natural basin encompassing wooded hills, the Cumberland River and numerous tributaries. The average precipitation per month is 4.01 inches.

• Spring: March tends to be cool at the beginning of the month, warming to the mid-to-upper 60s by month's end. Evenings may still be a bit brisk.
• Summer: The weather is warm and humid.
• Fall: Days are warm and pleasant. Evenings require a sweater or light jacket.
• Winter: Generally mild, temperatures range from cool to cold. If snowfall occurs, it is usually in January or February and is seldom heavy.

Employment
The community job-posting site, JobsLink, can help you find your dream job in the Nashville area.

Leisure
This city is alive! You can feel its pulse when you walk down its sidewalks. And, fortunately, you can also hear it almost anywhere you go. From professional sports to fine arts, the Nashville area has a variety of leisure activities to suit any taste. We've included many resources for each Middle Tennessee county in our Communities section. But, here's a summary of Nashville area activities from the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce.

Historic Nashville
From Fort Nashboro to the Hermitage, the Parthenon, the only full-size replica of the famous Greek structure, to the Tennessee State Capital, the oldest working state capital in the nation, Nashville is brimming in history. With the Ryman Auditorium, Hermitage Hotel, Union Station, and the history of the music heritage, there is just so much to learn about Historic Nashville.

• Nashville History
• How Nashville Became Music City
• Statistics & Accessibility & Weather
• Nashville's High Notes - Rankings and Honors

Information obtained from Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and Nashville/Music City Convention & Visitors Bureau.