Beyond Tennessee: Other U.S. Towns Named Nashville

Nashville, Tennessee may be famous as Music City, but it's not alone. At least five other states have communities named Nashville—most of them small, unincorporated, or historic hamlets.

Where Else Is There a Nashville?

• Illinois – Nashville, Washington County (county seat, population ~3,100)
• Kansas – Nashville, Kingman County (unincorporated)
• North Carolina – Nashville, Nash County (town, population ~5,600)
• Georgia – Nashville, Berrien County (city, county seat, population ~5,000)
• Michigan – Nashville, Barry County (village, population ~1,600)

Why the Shared Name?

Most were named in the early-to-mid 19th century, often by settlers from Tennessee or in honor of Francis Nash, a Revolutionary War general from North Carolina—the same namesake as the Tennessee capital. The spread of the name reflects westward migration patterns and the influence of national figures in early American place-naming.

Notable Distinctions

Nashville, Georgia and Nashville, North Carolina are the largest after Tennessee's. Nashville, Illinois serves as a county seat, as does its Georgian namesake. The Michigan and Kansas Nascvilles remain tiny rural communities.

So if someone says "I'm from Nashville," it's worth asking: Which one?