Clarksville named #1 Best Place to Live by MONEY, four other Tennessee cities included in Top 100
Photo courtesy of MONEY magazine. Photographed by Jason Myers.
Clarksville, TN was named the #1 Best Place to Live in 2019 by MONEY magazine. Clarksville was recognized for its affordability and attractiveness for millennials, with the average age of a Clarksville resident being 29-years-old. Interestingly, these millennials are investing in real estate with about one in every two Clarksville mortgages between May and July 2019 were closed by a millennial, according to Ellie Mae. With the average home price around $156,000, Clarksville is an attractive city for those looking to establish Middle Tennessee roots.
Given Clarksville's close proximity to Fort Campbell, many retired military members call Clarksville home. More than 68,000 retired military members reside in Clarksville. With a population of about 160,000 people, it is evident the impact the military presence has on the city.
MONEY's ranking sums up Clarksville's affordability as hard to beat, but also not the only factor that makes the city special. Residents love the unique charm of the city with downtown streets lined with small, locally-owned business, as well as public places where residents can relax with their family and friends.
With a sizable amount of Nashville commuters, the city of Clarksville will continue to grow at a comparable pace as Nashville. Clarksville is projected to gain 90,000 residents by 2040, with Nashville on track for an 80% increase in population to 3.1 million (currently 1.9 million residents).
This continued growth and recognition of Clarksville as the #1 Best Place to Live is a testament of the Chamber's regional strategy, pushing the Middle Tennessee region to the top of many livability and business friendly lists. Bellevue, TN was listed as the #31 Best Place to Live on the list and Cordova, TN coming in at #61, as well as Johnson City, TN coming in at #80.
Click here to view the full list of MONEY's Best Places to Live 2019.