Nashville

The City in Brief

Founded: 1779 (incorporated 1784)

Head Official: Mayor Bill Purcell (D) (since 1999)

City Population

1980: 455,651

1990: 488,366

2000: 545,524

2003 estimate: 544,765

Percent change, 1990–2000: 11.7%

U.S. rank in 1980: 25th

U.S. rank in 1990: 25th (State rank: 2nd)

U.S. rank in 2000: 32nd (State rank: 2nd)

Metropolitan Area Population

1980: 851,000

1990: 985,000

2000: 1,231,331

Percent change, 1990–2000: 25.0%

U.S. rank in 1980: 40th (MSA)

U.S. rank in 1990: 40th (MSA)

U.S. rank in 2000: 38th (MSA)

Area: 473 square miles (Nashville-Davidson) (2000)

Elevation: 550 feet

Average Annual Temperature: 59.5° F

Average Annual Precipitation: 48.0 inches

Major Economic Sectors: services, wholesale and retail trade, manufacturing

Unemployment rate: 3.5% (December 2004)

Per Capita Income: $22,018 (1999)

2002 FBI Crime Index Total: 46,018

Major Colleges and Universities: Vanderbilt University,

Fisk University, Tennessee State University, Belmont University, David Lipscomb University

Daily Newspaper: The Tennessean