Southeast

The Nashville metropolitan statistical area (MSA) comprises 13 counties and a population of approximately 1.45 million, which represents a 47.2 percent increase since 1990, nearly 2.5 times the national average of 19.2 percent for the same period. With a host of world-class companies like Dell, Nissan, HCA and Sprint PCS, Nashville has become a destination for a young, progressive generation of families. Over the past decade, the Nashville area saw tremendous increases in several areas: population growth in the region has gone from 53rd in the United States to 38th and income growth in the region rose from 138th in the United States to 49th. That takes the region from five percent below the U.S. median household income average to seven percent above it. Diverse and Growing Economy The Nashville region’s economy is diverse and thriving. Low unemployment, consistent job growth, substantial outside investment, and a well-trained labor force combine to make Nashville an attractive city for business. Nashville enjoys an unemployment rate that is historically below the national average, ending the year at 6.95 percent (compared to 8.3 percent for the nation). Nashville’s diverse economic mix is led by the manufacturing and healthcare industries, followed by publishing and printing, …