Nashville is the capital and most populous city in Tennessee, located in Davidson County on the Cumberland River. In 2024, the estimated population was approximately 704,963. The Nashville metropolitan area has over 2.15 million residents, making it the 35th-largest in the U.S.. Known as "Music City," it's a global hub for the music industry, especially country music. Nashville is also called the "Athens of the South" due to its many educational institutions, including Vanderbilt University, Belmont University, and Fisk University.
Key attractions in Nashville include the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, the Ryman Auditorium (known as the "Mother Church of Country Music"), the Grand Ole Opry, and the Parthenon, a full-scale replica of the original in Athens. The city also hosts three major professional sports teams: the Tennessee Titans (NFL), the Nashville Predators (NHL), and Nashville SC (MLS). Recent developments include the New Horizon expansion at Nashville International Airport, featuring the Concourse D extension which opened in July 2025. The East Bank Development project is transforming 550 acres along the Cumberland River into a mixed-use area with housing, retail, parks, and cultural spaces, including a new Tennessee Titans stadium set to open in 2027. Additionally, Nashville Yards is a 19-acre mixed-use development in downtown Nashville featuring office, residential, retail, and entertainment venues.