Rutherford County Area Guide

Growth and opportunity draw residents to Rutherford

Throughout the last decade, Rutherford County has exploded with opportunities for job growth, housing and recreational activities. The area continues to garner national recognition for the quality of life it offers. In fact, Business Week recently named Murfreesboro, the county seat, one of the “Best Places to Raise Your Kids,” while Forbes ranks La Vergne on a list of “America’s Fastest-Growing Suburbs.” Not to be outdone, Smyrna has been called one of the “Top Places to Retire” by U.S. News & World Report.

MURFREESBORO

Located at the geographic center of Tennessee, Murfreesboro has emerged as one of the largest cities in the state. The city was the state's capital from 1818 to 1826. Several Civil War battles were fought on the city's soil, including the Battle of Stones River. In the 1920s, the federal government established the Stones River National Battlefield Park.

Many residents choose to live in Murfreesboro because of the availability of affordable, attractive housing and excellent secondary schools. Higher education is available at Middle Tennessee State University, the Tennessee Technology Center at Murfreesboro and Draughons Junior College.

SMYRNA

Right around the corner from Murfreesboro is the city of Smyrna, which is a fast-growing community that boasts many recreational opportunities, including 10 parks, a public golf course and seven miles of greenways. Smyrna is home to Nissan's first United States automotive manufacturing plant. It is also the site of the Sam Davis Home, a historic landmark named for a 21-year-old, who, when captured by Union soldiers during the Civil War, was killed for not giving up information that could compromise the Confederates.

The city has a 16-screen movie theater (the Malco Roxy Cinema). Stores at Colonial Town Park include Ross Dress for Less, Kohl’s and a Super Target. Restaurants also abound in this area with options like Buffalo Wild Wings, Famous Dave’s BBQ and Logan’s Roadhouse. Smyrna even offers higher education opportunities that include Motlow State Community College.

LA VERGNE

Next door to Smyrna is the community of La Vergne, which claims the largest industrial park and subdivision in the state (Lake Forest Estates). In addition, it is home to such prominent companies as Ingram Books, Bridgestone/Firestone, Hollywood Video and Walden Books. Local parks include Veterans Memorial Park, Mankin Park and Heritage Valley Park.

Though La Vergne was incorporated in 1972, its history dates to the 1700s. The city was named after Frenchman Francois Leonard Gregoire de Roulhac de La Vergne on the same day that he died in 1852. The city’s proximity to Interstate 24, Nashville and Murfreesboro make it convenient for commuters.

EAGLEVILLE

Last but not least, the charming community of Eagleville offers great dining, shopping and recreation opportunities as well. Ralston’s Antiques is a favorite haunt among collectors from near and far. Robatin’s Family Restaurant is a family-owned/operated restaurant and ice cream shop, and the Eagle Roost Smokehouse & Grill is also popular with locals. The Eagleville City Park and Downtown Main Street Festival attract many visitors each year.

Each June the town hosts the longest-running, one-night horse show in Tennessee at the Eagleville Tractor Show Grounds. It's also home to the Antique Tractor and Pull Show, which runs at the grounds each September.

Regardless of which Rutherford County community you choose, the beautiful countryside is waiting for you with great places to work and live. For more information about this rapidly developing county, pick up a copy of The Daily News Journal or call 615-893-5860.

DEMOGRAPHICS
2009 county population: 255,200
Growth rate since 2000: 40%
Median housing value: $148,300
Median household income (2009): $51,700
Male: 49.8%
Female: 50.2%
High school graduates (age 25+): 81.8%
Bachelor's degree or more (age 25+): 22.9%

RACIAL BREAKDOWN
White: 83.9%
Black: 11.9%
American Indians/Alaskan Natives: 0.3%
Asian: 2.7%
Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders: 0%
Hispanic/Latino: 5.2%
Two or more races: 1.2%

MAJOR COMMUNITIES
Murfreesboro (county seat), Eagleville, La Vergne, Smyrna

PROPERTY TAX RATES PER $100 OF ASSESSED VALUE
County: $2.56
Eagleville: $0.92
La Vergne: $0.50
Murfreesboro: $1.407
Smyrna: $0.86

ESTIMATED COMMUTE TIME FROM DOWNTOWN
NASHVILLE (37203):
Murfreesboro..................37 minutes

SCHOOLS
www.rcs.k12.tn.us
43 county public schools
www.cityschools.net
12 Murfreesboro city schools
19 private schools

TOP EMPLOYERS
Rutherford County government, Nissan Motor Manufacturing, Middle Tennessee State University, State Farm Insurance, VA Tennessee Valley Health Care System's Alvin C. York Campus

KEY ATTRACTIONS
• Stones River National Battlefield and Cemetery. 615-893-9501. www.nps.gov/stri.
• Oaklands Historic Home. 615-893-0022. www.oaklandsmuseum.org.
• Discovery Center at Murfree Spring, hands-on children's museum. 615-890-2300. www.discoverycenteronline.org.
• Sam Davis Home. 615-459-2341. www.samdavishome.org.

MAJOR ANNUAL EVENTS
• Main Street JazzFest, Murfreesboro (May)
• International FolkFest, Murfreesboro (June)
• Uncle Dave Macon Days, Murfreesboro (July)
• Heritage Days at the Sam Davis Home, Smyrna (September-October)

INTERESTING FACT
Nicknamed the “Heart of Tennessee” because the geographic center of the state is in Rutherford County, one mile from the Middle Tennessee State University campus.

USEFUL PHONE NUMBERS
COUNTYWIDE
County mayor: 615-898-7745
Sheriff: 615-898-7770
County clerk: 615-898-7800
County schools: 615-893-5815
Election commission: 615-898-7743
Register of deeds: 615-898-7870
Health department: 615-898-7880
Animal services: 615-898-7740
Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce: 615-893-6565
Recycling: 615-898-7739
Telephone, AT&T: 800-753-0223
Cable, Comcast: 800-COMCAST
Gas, Atmos Energy: 888-286-6700
Gas, Piedmont Natural Gas: 877-279-3636
Electricity, Middle Tenn. Electric: 877-777-9020
Nashville Electric Service: 615-736-6900

MURFREESBORO
City hall: 615-893-5210
Police: 615-849-2670
Fire: 615-893-1422
Murfreesboro City Schools: 615-893-5815
Electricity: 615-893-5514
Gas: 888-286-6700
Trash collection: 615-893-3681
Water/sewer: 615-848-3209
Alvin C. York V.A. Medical Center: 615-867-6000
Middle Tennessee Medical Center: 615-396-4100
Murfreesboro Medical Clinic & Surgicenter: 615-893-4480

SMYRNA
City hall: 615-459-2553
Police: 615-456-6644
Fire: 615-459-6644
Electricity, Middle Tenn. Electric: 877-777-9020
Gas: 615-355-5740
Trash collection: 615-459-2553
Water/sewer: 615-355-5740
Stonecrest Medical Center: 615-768-2000

LA VERGNE
City hall: 615-793-6295
Police: 615-793-7744
Fire: 615-793-6223
Telephone, TDS Telecom: 888-634-8410
Electricity: 615-736-6900
Gas, Smyrna Utilities: 615-355-5740
City dump: 615-793-5159
Water/sewer: 615-793-9891

EAGLEVILLE
City hall: 615-274-6992
Police: 615-898-7770
Fire: 615-898-7770
Trash collection: 615-274-6992
Water/sewer: 615-893-7225

VOTER REGISTRATION
County residents may register at the Rutherford County Election Commission office, 1 South Side Square, Murfreesboro. Registration forms are available at area post offices. Voters may also register when they get their driver’s license. For information, call 615-898-7743.

DRIVER’S LICENSE
The Rutherford County driver’s license stations are located at 1035 Samsonite Blvd., Murfreesboro and 5227 Murfreesboro Road, Suite 103, in La Vergne. Hours are 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, with the exception of the second Wednesday of each month, when the station opens at 8 a.m. For information, call 615-898-8036.

EMISSIONS TESTING
Before a vehicle can be registered in Rutherford County, it must first pass an emissions test. There are two Rutherford County inspection stations:
Murfreesboro: 1211 Salem Park Court. Hours: 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday-Friday and 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday.
Smyrna: 271 Weakley Lane. Hours: 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday and 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Friday. For more information, call 615-399-8995 or visit the Department of Environment and Conservation Vehicle Inspection Program Information Web site at www.state.tn.us/environment/apc/vehicle.

REGISTRATION & TAGS
Rutherford County residents are required to register their vehicles through the Rutherford County Clerk of Court. For more information about vehicle registration, contact the County Clerk’s office at 615-898-7800.