Nashville, Tennessee vs. Nashville, Indiana: What Are The Differences?

When you hear someone say “Nashville,” where do you imagine? Most people immediately recall the images that remind them of Tennessee with its lush green forests and rich culture. Country music plays in the wind, welcoming industry icons for constant performances. Did you know that there’s more than one Nashville in the United States? It’s in Indiana!

The Indiana village is a much different Nashville, offering a glimpse into the historical art scene. However, this is just one of many differences between these two beautiful locations. Take a look at how different Nashville is despite their proximity to each other.

Comparing Nashville (TN) vs. Nashville (IN)

Differences Between Nashville, Tennessee vs. Nashville, Indiana

Nashville (TN) vs. Nashville (IN): Location

The most obvious difference between the two cities of Nashville is their location. While the first city on our list is the capital city of Tennessee, the other location more closely falls in the village category and is 261.1 miles away in Indiana.

Nashville (TN) vs. Nashville (IN): Population and Size

You also see a stark contrast regarding how widespread these two cities are. Over 1 million people in Tennessee call this area their home, welcoming 14.4 million tourists in 2022. Indiana’s village only recorded 1,280 residents in 2022, but it also has a fair number of tourists every year to visit the Brown County Art Colony. While just under half of the population of Indiana’s village are senior citizens, Tennessee’s average age in the city is mid-30s.

The size of these cities is also substantially different. The entirety of Indiana’s Nashville is just 1.01 square miles, but Tennessee’s city is 526 square miles.

Nashville (TN) vs. Nashville (IN): Local Wildlife

Since both of these locations have a humid subtropical climate, they are the perfect home for a few animals that they have in common. Raccoons and deer are found in both cities because of the dense forests. In Tennessee, the climate is ideal for animals like Henslow’s sparrow, northern harriers, and coyotes. All of these animals prefer the open space of grasslands, sometimes nearing the wetlands and forests that Nashville has in abundance.

Indiana may seem a little small to be densely packed with wildlife, but the state park offers a safe and well-kept home for foxes and gray squirrels. The forested area of the park offers many trees for blue jays and robins to perch, but these birds also enjoy suburban areas with gardens and large yards.

Nashville (TN) vs. Nashville (IN): Local Plant Life

The warm summers and cold winters of these locations are ideal for anyone who wants to plant a garden, but native plants vary significantly. One of the most popular native plants in the Tennessee city is the southern magnolia tree, which needs moist and rich soil to grow properly. Sunnier areas in Nashville offer the perfect place for crepe myrtle trees and pansies.

In Indiana, planting pansies needs to wait for cooler weather, and they sometimes have to endure a rough frost in the winter. They also don’t need the full sunlight. The plants that grow easiest in this village include the purple coneflower and rattlesnake master. Since the soil has medium moisture levels, trumpet honeysuckle also grows in abundance in the village.

Nashville (TN) vs. Nashville (IN): Historical Site

Tennessee’s Nashville has one of the richest histories of any state, with many historical landmarks. One of the most notable that still stands is the Ryman Auditorium. Built in 1889, the auditorium originally served as a local church, but it was modified to host the Grand Ole Opry in 1943. The Grand Ole Opry remained there for 3 decades as notable country music singers and bands performed in the Music City.

Indiana’s historical site of this village takes an artistic turn towards visual masterpieces rather than musical ones. It is the home of the Brown County Art Colony, which was formed with the support of Brown County. Artists flocked to pain in this area since the 1870s, but the arrival of T. C. Steele – an impressionist painter – fully established the area as a hub for Indiana’s art.

Nashville (TN) vs. Nashville (IN): Number Of Protected Areas

A federally protected area includes national parks, wilderness areas, and similar areas that the government manages and protects. Considering the substantial differences in size and population, it should be no surprise that Tennessee’s city has so much more. Areas like the 26-acre Auntney Hollow and the grassland meadows of Barnett’s Woods have the protection of authorities to preserve the environment. These efforts to protect so much of the city ensure that Tennessee’s natural wildlife and plants thrive.

Indiana’s village is substantially smaller, but the single square acre of land still has 2 prominent protected areas. Brown County State Park is one of those areas, preserving a historic 9-foot tall bridge that can’t withstand oversized vehicles. The only other protected area in the village is the Yellowwood State Forest, which is within the aforementioned state park.

Nashville (TN) vs. Nashville (IN): Crime Rate

Indiana’s village has a notably low crime rate of less than 1 crime per 100,000 people. Since the village has less than 2,000 people, this low crime rate accounts for the 2 crimes that occurred in 2022, which is drastically lower than the average crime rate in rural areas, which is 11.1 crimes for every 1,000 residents. The poverty rate is about 12%, which is average for the United States.

In Tennessee, the crime rate is much higher, with 5,114 crimes for every 100,000 residents. Since over 1 million people live in the city, there are statistically over 60,000 crimes a year. Of those crimes, violent offenses account for about 20% of these crimes. This Nashville city has a higher poverty rate than the national average at 14.5%.

Nashville (TN) vs. Nashville (IN): Average Cost Of A Home

Shopping for a home is an exciting experience, though both of these cities are on the more expensive side. The average price of a sold home in Tennessee’s city is over $400,000.

The village in Indiana is still fairly expensive, with over $300,000 as the price of a sold home. One-third of the village’s occupants rent their homes.

Nashville (TN) vs. Nashville (IN): Median Income

As of 2022, the median income for a single household varies as well, accommodating the high cost of a home. In Indiana, the median salary is $74,466, and most residents have at least a high school diploma. However, a far greater percentage of the population (39%) has attended some amount of college.

Since the Tennessee City has so many famous inhabitants and service workers, salaries vary greatly. Still, the average income for one household is $102,024.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © SevenMaps/Shutterstock.com