Nashville proper is Davidson County, governed by the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, with a population of approximately 708,000. Greater Nashville, also called the Nashville metropolitan area or the Nashville MSA, is a much larger region that includes multiple surrounding counties and a population exceeding 2 million. The distinction matters practically because it determines which school system your children attend, what your property tax rate is, which government services you receive, and whether you actually live in Nashville or just near it.
Nashville proper: Davidson County
When people say “Nashville,” they technically mean the city-county government that consolidated in 1963 into what is formally called Metro Nashville. This government covers all of Davidson County, which includes not only the urban core but also suburbs like Donelson, Madison, Antioch, and Bellevue that are geographically far from downtown but legally inside Nashville.
Davidson County’s government provides Metro Nashville Public Schools, Metro Nashville Police Department, Metro Parks, and all other city services. Property taxes go to Davidson County. Davidson County recently underwent a 34% property tax increase, which significantly changed the affordability calculus for longtime homeowners.
Greater Nashville: the metro area
The Nashville metropolitan statistical area (MSA) extends well beyond Davidson County into Williamson County (Brentwood, Franklin, Nolensville, Thompson’s Station), Rutherford County (Murfreesboro, Smyrna, La Vergne), Wilson County (Mt. Juliet, Lebanon), Sumner County (Hendersonville, Gallatin), and several other counties. Communities in these counties are not part of Nashville’s government and do not use Nashville’s school system or police.
The practical implications are significant. Williamson County Schools is a separate, highly-rated district that functions as the primary reason many families choose Brentwood, Franklin, and Nolensville over Nashville proper. Residents of those communities pay Williamson County property taxes, vote in Williamson County elections, and have no direct input into Nashville’s government.
Why the distinction matters
When a real estate listing says “Nashville, TN” it could mean a condo in SoBro, a ranch house in Donelson, or a new-construction townhome in Antioch, all of which are in Davidson County, or it could be a marketing label applied to a property in Smyrna or Mt. Juliet that is actually 30 minutes away in a different county. Nashville’s brand has extended beyond its actual footprint, and buyers navigating the market need to verify county, school district, and government jurisdiction rather than trusting the city label.
For someone moving to the area and choosing between Nashville proper and a Williamson County suburb, the choice is essentially: urban access and Davidson County schools versus suburban quality of life and Williamson County schools. There is no version of that choice that is universally correct.
Sources
- Metro Nashville Government, nashville.gov
- U.S. Census Bureau, Nashville metropolitan statistical area data
- NashvilleSMLS, Cheapest Nashville suburbs guide, August 2025
- Felix Homes, Most affordable Nashville neighborhoods guide