Where Is Nashville? See Its Map Location and State

Nashville, Tennessee, USA downtown city skyline on the Cumberland River.
© Sean Pavone/Shutterstock.com

Written by Patrick MacFarland

Updated: November 7, 2023

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Nashville, Tennessee is one of the most well-known cities in the United States. It is the birthplace of country music where the first country music stars got their start. That’s why its nickname is the Music City.

Nashville is also enriched by the history of Southern culture and hospitality. People from all over the world flock to Nashville to visit its sights and eat its delicious food. The city has a fascinating history and a vibrant nightlife that has put Nashville on the map.

Many people know about Nashville and what it is known for, but the real question is do people know where it is? Do people know how far it is from other major cities in the South and other regions in the country? If you are wondering where the city known as the Athens of the South is, let’s take a look at where it is on the Tennessee map. We’ll also explore the city’s geography, what the city is known for, the climate in the city, and other facts about the Music City.

Where Is Nashville Located on the Map?

Nashville is a city in the landlocked state of Tennessee, which is a state in the Southeastern United States. The city of Nashville is Tennessee’s capital and sits in the north-central part of the state. The Cumberland River passes through the city.

But where is Nashville on the map? Let’s take a look below.

How Far Is Nashville from Other Major Cities in the South?

Nashville is in the South and it is in the north-center part of the state. Because it’s a major city, it is easily accessible to other major cities in the state and surrounding states. Let’s take a look at how far Nashville is from other cities.

CityPopulationDistance
Memphis, TN628,127211 miles
Knoxville, TN192,648180 miles
Chattanooga, TN182,113134 miles
Montgomery, AL198,665264 miles
Little Rock, AR202,591325 miles
Tallahassee, FL197,102421 miles
Atlanta, GA463,878215 miles
Frankfort, KY28,595176 miles
Baton Rouge, LA228,590469 miles
Raleigh, NC451,066456 miles

Is Nashville a Good Place to Live?

Downtown Nashville, Tennessee, USA Aerial.

The city of Nashville is named after Revolutionary War hero Francis Nash.

©Kevin Ruck/Shutterstock.com

Nashville has a humid climate in the summer, but it is generally pleasant to live in. The city doesn’t get too cold and only on occasion does it rain hard or snow. The definite pro is the cost of living. Rents are more affordable than other major cities in the US and the median home price is about $300,000. Another pro is the thriving music scene that will add character and pizzazz to your life. The Music City also has a great food scene for those who love to eat diverse food dishes. 

With all good things, however, there are also cons. Nashville summers are hot and muggy. The city is prone to tornadoes, as well. If you have allergies, then that may be a problem too. Pollen is high during spring and fall. Lastly, Nashville is a hilly place and there isn’t robust public transportation like in other major cities, so if you don’t have a car, expect to walk up and down a lot. 

What Is the Climate in Nashville?

Nashville has a humid subtropical climate, where the summers get hot and wet and winters can get somewhat cold. Because of its location in the South, summers can get quite intense and snowfall occurs moderately, so it’s a good place to live if you don’t want harsh winters.

In terms of record temperatures, Nashville’s hottest temperature was 109 degrees Fahrenheit (43 degrees Celsius) on June 29, 2012. Nashville’s coldest temperature was -17 degrees Fahrenheit (-27 degrees Celsius) on January 21, 1985.

Nashville is not immune to natural disasters. Located in the South, the city is vulnerable to tornadoes and floods from heavy rains. The greatest flood to plague Nashville, as well as the states of Tennessee, Kentucky, and Mississippi, took place in 2010. The flood lasted several days, caused more than $2 billion in damage divided among three states, and 31 people died. Several notable landmarks were flooded and damaged. Besides that, several tornadoes have hit the city and the rest of the state, most notably in 1933 which caused $2 million in damage, and in 1998, where one person died.

The Geography of Nashville

Nashville and the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee

Several famous songs were recorded in Nashville including “Jingle Bell Rock,” “Hokey Pokey,” and more than 200 Elvis Presley songs.

©Colin Ward Photography/Shutterstock.com

Nashville is located in the northwest part of the Nashville Basin and the Cumberland River runs through the city. Nashville is also located at the beginning of the Highland Rim, which is land that can be quite hilly. Thus, the city of Nashville can be hilly throughout. The Music City has a total area of 527 square miles, but only 23 square miles is water.

What Is Nashville Most Known For?

Country music festival live concert with acoustic guitar, cowboy hat and boots background

The Grand Ole Opry, a country music radio show, operates out of the Opry House in Nashville.

©Brian A Jackson/Shutterstock.com

Nashville is arguably one of the most well-known cities in the United States. The best thing it’s known for is that it’s the hometown of country music. It was in Nashville that Elvis Presley recorded over 200 songs. It was in Nashville that the biggest country stars got their start. The Country Music Hall of Fame is located here. The Grand Ole Opry made its debut at the Opry House in the city, as well. Thus, Nashville has a thriving music scene that will make you want to dance all night long.

Nashville, TN is also home to the Hermitage, which was where Former President Andrew Jackson lived. Nashville is the capital of Tennessee so the state legislature conducts its business at the State Capitol.

For those outdoorsy people, the city is in a basin, so you’ll be in luck here. There are plenty of nature centers to visit. The Western Highland Rim is slightly in Nashville and there are plenty of forest areas for hikes, camping, and exploring.

Facts About Nashville

The Parthenon in Nashville, Tennessee is a full scale replica of the original Parthenon in Greece. The Parthenon is located in Centennial Park.

Nashville is known as the “Athens of the South” because it constructed a replica of the Parthenon for the 1897 Centennial Exposition.

©STLJB/Shutterstock.com

  • Population: 715,884 (Urban: 1.1 million)
  • Mayor: Freddie O’Connell
  • Vice Mayor: Angie Henderson
  • Nickname: Music City
  • Founded: 1779

Conclusion

Nashville, TN is a magical city that will have you wanting more with each day that passes. It’s the music that hooks you. It’s the vibrant nightlife that gets you into the spirit. Sure, the city may have its problems and its critics, but ultimately, Nashville has soul and it’s truly a good place to live. The birthplace of bluegrass and the hometown of country is a place steeped in vibrant culture, diversity, and fascinating history. The city offers so much to both its residents and tourists.

Climate-wise, Nashville is quite humid, especially in the summer. Luckily, there’s very little snowfall during the winter, which means you will avoid harsh, cold winters. The cost of living is not too high, unlike other big cities around the country like San Francisco or Chicago. The people are friendly and diversity is high, especially revolving around the thriving music scene. Of course, its hilly topography without robust public transit is a problem. The Nashville City Council has pressing issues they need to address to ensure all residents have a good quality of life. 

At the end of the day, Nashville is still an amazing city full of opportunities for its residents. Nashville is a place with cultural and historical wonders for everyone. The vibe of the city will enchant you so much that the dancing will come naturally. After all, Nashville is the Music City.


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About the Author

Patrick Macfarland is a writer at A-Z Animals primarily covering travel, geography, and history. Patrick has been writing for more than 10 years. In the past, he has been a teacher and a political candidate. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from SDSU and a Master's Degree in European Union Studies from CIFE. From San Diego, California, Patrick loves to travel and try new recipes to cook.

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