164,496
Population
Sunny Days: 210
44100 Affordability
90100 Schools
50100 Diversity
72100 Safety
Clarksville, Tennessee
The Queen City
The Best Thing About Clarksville, TN?
Small Town Meets Diverse City
Pictures of Clarksville evoke a sleepy Mayberry RFD vibe, but there’s a lot more to do here than similarly sized cities and its diversity and younger population is an incredible strength for a smaller town. In addition to excellent restaurants, Clarksville has plenty of bars and clubs if you’re looking for more adventurous late-night socializing. The Downtown area of Clarksville is so beloved in fact that Clarksville was named by Money Magazine as the #1 place to live in the U.S. in part due to the historic downtown: https://clarksvillenow.com/local/clarksville-named-best-place-to-live-by-money-magazine/
Outdoor recreation is big also, with plenty of hiking, biking and climbing close by. Families also have plenty to do with go-karts, mini- golf and museum (kid and grown-up) exploring available in town.
Here's how one local describes it:
Here’s my take. The Downtown Clarksville area has a pretty cool vibe. There are a few decent restaurants here, and they’ve added a few more recently. Lots of chains, though. It has more of an “industrial” feel to me. Very little curb appeal. There are some really quaint neighborhoods (like Sango and near Tiny Town) and a few others, which is where I would buy if looking to settle permanently. Tons of property in the middle of nowhere if you want seclusion. The houses are pretty inexpensive.
The Worst Thing About Clarksville, TN?
Getting Crowded
Clarksville is primarily a sprawling suburban town, and most growth is out rather than up but it is getting congested. Residents complain the infrastructure has not caught up to population growth, leading to traffic jams that are uncommon in most cities along the Tennessee/ Kentucky border. This can make commuting into nearby Nashville even more of a pain than it should be.
Local pov on issue in Clarksville: The number one thing I hate in Clarksville is that NOBODY knows how to get the hell out into the intersection on a green light to turn left. It makes me insane. Maybe it’s a TN law, but if it were, nobody could ever turn left without a left turn arrow. Clarksville people are just STOOPID about this.
I have yet to honk people for this, because everyone in Clarksville is so nice and laid back, and I’m trying to abandon my big city ways, but I have been tempted to get out of my car and walk up and rap on the driver’s side window and say, bless your heart, would you mind moving your car into the intersection before the light turns red?
Lifestyle of Clarksville
Locals in Clarksville are known for being small-town friendly. It's a pretty diverse area for a small city with residents known for being welcoming to newcomers despite being annoyed by city expansion. Outdoor enthusiasts will take solace in knowing that wooded trails and the local riverwalk are all in town so you don’t have to take a drive to experience the fresh air and views. There are also plenty of mountain biking trails and rock climbing crags just a short drive out of town. There’s been plenty of growth in breweries, wineries, bars and performance theater in the downtown area so social opportunities are bountiful. Nashville is also less than an hour drive for those looking for an escape to a bigger city every once and awhile.
If you want to get a taste of what living in Clarksville is like then check out the calendar of events: https://clarksvillenow.com/events/#/
Workstyle of Clarksville
Home to the Fort Campbell Military Base, Clarksville’s number one employer is the military. Large corporations like Bridgestone and Trane Company have large operations in Clarksville that employ hundreds of locals. Nashville is also a bit less an hour away for anyone willing to commit to a long commute.
Why You Should Move Here Now?
Fun, Diverse, Affordable
If you want a city with a small, diverse, southern feel with amenities that stretch beyond what is typically available, including the energy of a college town, Clarksville is an incredible option.
Living in Clarksville
Neighborhoods in Clarksville
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Downtown
Young Professionals/College Students
Downtown Clarksville is the happening neighborhood for young professionals and college students in Clarksville. Austin Peay University is in the area and so there is a mix of college students, the majority of which live off-campus, and young professionals living in the apartments and condos of the popular blocks downtown. It’s no wonder given the high walkscore for these living options to both downtown work and the bars, restaurants, cafes and theaters within the neighborhood.
- Downtown
Exit 11
Families
One interesting characteristic to neighborhoods in Clarksville is how people refer to them based on the number of the exit off the freeway. Even though many neighborhoods have names locals will often refer to as an example, “Exit 11” which is further south, and is a really nice place to live. It’s almost a small town within the city, with great homes but also a nice commercial district with restaurants and cafes. So if you like a combination of suburban and urban for raising your kiddos check out Exit 11. The farther north you go the more you’ll find less expensive rental and inexpensive housing options. Exit 4 is downtown and where the majority of the commercial scene is but if you start your search think about below exit 4 as the most “suburban” family neighborhoods. Once you get down near Exit 19 you get a rural experience and a longer drive to downtown.
- Exit 11
- Exit 8