Hendersonville is the most populous city in Sumner County, Tennessee, on Old Hickory Lake. As of the 2020 census the city's population was 61,753. Hendersonville is the fourth-most populous city in the Nashville metropolitan area after

Nashville Nashville, often known as Music City, is the capital and List of municipalities in Tennessee, most populous city in the U.S. state of Tennessee. It is the county seat, seat of Davidson County, Tennessee, Davidson County in Middle Tennessee, locat ...

, Murfreesboro, and Franklin and the 10th largest in

Tennessee Tennessee (, ), officially the State of Tennessee, is a landlocked U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern region of the United States. It borders Kentucky to the north, Virginia to the northeast, North Carolina t ...

. Hendersonville is located northeast of downtown Nashville. The city was settled around 1784 by Daniel Smith, whose house Rock Castle, completed in 1796, is maintained as an historic site. The city is named for William Henderson, the first postmaster.

History

In 1784 Daniel Smith received a land grant from the state of

North Carolina North Carolina ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Virginia to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, South Carolina to the south, Georgia (U.S. stat ...

in payment for surveying Middle Tennessee. (North Carolina at the time claimed its boundaries extended to this territory across the Appalachian Mountains.) He began work on his house later known as Rock Castle, but it was not completed until 1796. Due to his surveying trips, he frequently was gone on long journeys, and his wife supervised much of the construction. In 1790, William Henderson settled in Sumner County and later became the namesake of the town. It was a trading center for the county, which was devoted to the production of tobacco and hemp as commodity crops, and blood livestock: both horses and cattle. During the

Civil War A civil war is a war between organized groups within the same Sovereign state, state (or country). The aim of one side may be to take control of the country or a region, to achieve independence for a region, or to change government policies.J ...

, Monthaven was used by Union troops as a field hospital, as they occupied Middle Tennessee from 1862 to 1870. In the late 20th century, this historic home was listed on the

National Register of Historic Places The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the Federal government of the United States, United States federal government's official United States National Register of Historic Places listings, list of sites, buildings, structures, Hist ...

. Even before the Emancipation Proclamation of January 1863, refugee slaves with their families found their way to Union lines in the state in search of freedom. The Army established a contraband camp near Hendersonville, to offer shelter to the freedmen, help them with supplies and food, and sign them up to work for wages for the Army, often building defenses. Missionary societies helped teach both adults and children among the slaves. The small city was not incorporated until 1969, as the area continued to be rural and devoted to agriculture and related activities. It then had roughly 250 residents and was led by L.H. "Dink" Newman. Since the late 20th and early 21st centuries, it has grown to become the largest city in the county. With the completion of the Old Hickory Dam and an associated lake in 1954, Hendersonville started to develop more rapidly. The lake attracted sportsmen and people seeking recreation; some became residents or acquired second homes here. Since the late 20th century, it has become the most-populous city of Sumner County, and one of the most populous suburbs of Nashville, along with Franklin and Murfreesboro. On December 9, 2023, a tornado hit the city and caused major damage. The tornado killed 3 people in Madison, Tennessee, and left countless others injured. The

National Weather Service The National Weather Service (NWS) is an Government agency, agency of the Federal government of the United States, United States federal government that is tasked with providing weather forecasts, warnings of hazardous weather, and other weathe ...

in Nashville issued a Tornado Emergency for Hendersonville and

Gallatin, Tennessee Gallatin is a city in and the county seat of Sumner County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 30,278 at the 2010 United States census, 2010 census and 44,431 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census. Named for United States Secre ...

only a few minutes before the tornado struck.

Geography

According to the

United States Census Bureau The United States Census Bureau, officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the Federal statistical system, U.S. federal statistical system, responsible for producing data about the American people and American economy, econ ...

, the city has a total area of , of which is land and (16.93%) is water, mostly parts of the Cumberland River. Hendersonville is served by the freeway Tennessee State Route 386 and its parallel surface road U.S. Route 31E.

Climate

Hendersonville's climate classifications are

Köppen Köppen is a German surname. Notable people with the surname include: * Bernd Köppen (1951–2014), German pianist and composer * Carl Köppen (1833-1907), German military advisor in Meiji era Japan * Edlef Köppen (1893–1939), German author ...

"Cfa" and Trewartha "DOak" due to very hot summers (three to four months average over ), mild winters (all months average over ), and mediocre (4–7 months) growing seasons (in this case seven months average over ).

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 61,753 people, 21,328 households, and 14,788 families residing in the city.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 51,372 people, 20,111 households, and 14,239 families residing in the city. The

population density Population density (in agriculture: Standing stock (disambiguation), standing stock or plant density) is a measurement of population per unit land area. It is mostly applied to humans, but sometimes to other living organisms too. It is a key geog ...

was 1,881.76 persons per square mile, and the housing unit density was 736.67 units per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 88.64%

White White is the lightest color and is achromatic (having no chroma). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully (or almost fully) reflect and scatter all the visible wa ...

, 6.28%

Black Black is a color that results from the absence or complete absorption of visible light. It is an achromatic color, without chroma, like white and grey. It is often used symbolically or figuratively to represent darkness.Eva Heller, ''P ...

African American African Americans, also known as Black Americans and formerly also called Afro-Americans, are an Race and ethnicity in the United States, American racial and ethnic group that consists of Americans who have total or partial ancestry from an ...

, 1.58% Asian, 0.33% Native American, 0.07%

Pacific Islander Pacific Islanders, Pasifika, Pasefika, Pacificans, or rarely Pacificers are the peoples of the list of islands in the Pacific Ocean, Pacific Islands. As an ethnic group, ethnic/race (human categorization), racial term, it is used to describe th ...

, 1.21% from other races, and 1.89% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origins were 3.62% of the population. Of the 20,111 households, 33.47% had children under the age of 18 living in them, 55.71% were

married couples Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a culturally and often legally recognised union between people called spouses. It establishes rights and obligations between them, as well as between them and their children (if any), and b ...

living together, 3.92% had a male householder with no wife present, 11.17% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.20% were non-families. 24.35% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.77% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.04. Of the 51,372 residents, 25.80% were under the age of 18, 61.41% were between the ages of 18 and 64, and 12.79% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38.5 years. 51.71% of the residents were female and 48.29% were male. The

median household income The median income is the income amount that divides a population into two groups, half having an income above that amount, and half having an income below that amount. It may differ from the mean (or average) income. Both of these are ways of und ...

in the city was $62,627 and the median family income was $74,353. Males had a median income of $54,016 versus $34,996 for females. The

per capita income Per capita income (PCI) or average income measures the average income earned per person in a given area (city, region, country, etc.) in a specified year. In many countries, per capita income is determined using regular population surveys, such ...

for the city was $30,000. About 6.5% of families and 8.9% of the population were below the

poverty line The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line, or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for ...

, including 13.0% of those under the age of 18 and 7.6% of those age 65 and over.

2000 census

As of the

census A census (from Latin ''censere'', 'to assess') is the procedure of systematically acquiring, recording, and calculating population information about the members of a given Statistical population, population, usually displayed in the form of stati ...

of 2000, there were 40,620 people, 15,823 households, and 11,566 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 16,507 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 92.93%

, 4.12%

, 0.27% Native American, 1.10% Asian, 0.03%

, 0.65% from other races, and 0.90% from two or more races.

Hispanic The term Hispanic () are people, Spanish culture, cultures, or countries related to Spain, the Spanish language, or broadly. In some contexts, Hispanic and Latino Americans, especially within the United States, "Hispanic" is used as an Ethnici ...

or Latino of any race were 1.71% of the population. There were 15,823 households, out of which 35.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.3% were

living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.9% were non-families. 22.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.00. In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.8% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 31.5% from 25 to 44, 24.8% from 45 to 64, and 10.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.3 males. The median income for a household in the city was $50,108, and the median income for a family was $57,625. Males had a median income of $40,823 versus $27,771 for females. The

for the city was $24,165. About 5.2% of families and 6.2% of the population were below the

, including 8.2% of those under age 18 and 7.7% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

Indian Lake Village is a business, shopping, residence, and recreation complex located in Hendersonville.

Arts and culture

The Hendersonville Arts Council is a non-profit organization located in Monthaven Mansion. The mansion was built before the Civil War and was used as a hospital during several battles. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Tennessee Civil War Trail, and Ring of Fire, and exhibits visual art, music, workshops, wine tastings, crafts, culinary demonstrations, performances, and cultural activities. The Hendersonville Performing Arts Center is a non-profit theater founded in 1996.

Government

Hendersonville is governed by a board of 12 aldermen and a mayor, known as the Board of Mayor and Aldermen (BOMA). The aldermen are elected by district for staggered terms of four years. The mayor is elected once every four years by the whole city.

Education

Public schools

Hendersonville's schools are governed by the Sumner County Schools. Schools located in Hendersonville include: * Anderson Elementary * Beech Elementary * Beech High School * Dr. William Burrus Elementary at Drakes Creek * Ellis Middle School * Gene Brown Elementary School * George Whitten Elementary * Hawkins Middle School * Hendersonville High School * T. W. Hunter Middle School * Indian Lake Elementary * Knox Doss at Drakes Creek Middle School * Lakeside Park Elementary * Merrol Hyde Magnet School * Nannie Berry Elementary School * Walton Ferry Elementary School

Private schools

* Hendersonville Christian Academy (pre-K–12) * Pope John Paul II High School

Notable people

* Gary Allan, country singer * Duane Allen, country singer, member of The Oak Ridge Boys * David Archuleta,David Cook live in Seacrest Studios!
Retrieved: May 11, 2016. pop singer * Mae Boren Axton, songwriter * Max T. Barnes, singer, songwriter, producer * James O. Bass, Tennessee state legislator and lawyer * Josh Berry, NASCAR driver for Stewart–Haas Racing * Joe Bonsall, country singer, member of The Oak Ridge Boys * Young Buck,"Young Buck’s Home Raided By Armed Federal Agents"
WordOfSouth. August 4, 2010. Retrieved on August 10, 2010. (real name: David Brown), hip hop artist * Jesse Brand, songwriter, actor * Jo-Ann Campbell, 1950s rock artist married to Troy Seals *

Johnny Cash John R. Cash (born J. R. Cash; February 26, 1932 – September 12, 2003) was an American singer-songwriter. Most of his music contains themes of sorrow, moral tribulation, and redemption, especially songs from the later stages of his career. ...

,"Fire Destroys Johnny Cash's Hendersonville Home."
WTVF. April 11, 2007. Retrieved on December 8, 2008. country singer * June Carter Cash, country singer * Maybelle Carter American folk & country singer (The Carter Family) *

Kelly Clarkson Kelly Brianne (born Kelly Brianne Clarkson, April 24, 1982), known professionally as Kelly Clarkson, is an American singer, songwriter, and television personality. Rising to fame after winning the American Idol season 1, first season of ''Ameri ...

and Brandon Blackstock * Easton Corbin, country singer * Zac Curtis, MLB pitcher * Jimmy Fortune, country singer * William Lee Golden, country singer, member of The Oak Ridge Boys * Harold Hunter, basketball coach, first African American to sign a contract with the

National Basketball Association The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a professional basketball league in North America composed of 30 teams (29 in the United States and 1 in Canada). The NBA is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Ca ...

* Jalen Hurd, former running back for the Tennessee Volunteers football team, former wide receiver for the Baylor Bears football team. Drafted in the 2019 NFL draft 3rd round 67th pick by the

San Francisco 49ers The San Francisco 49ers (also written as the San Francisco Forty-Niners and nicknamed the Niners) are a professional American football team based in the San Francisco Bay Area. The 49ers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member ...

* Jeff Jarrett, professional wrestler * Karen Jarrett, formerly Karen Angle, former wife of

Kurt Angle Kurt Steven Angle (born December 9, 1968) is an American retired professional wrestler and amateur wrestling, amateur wrestler. He first earned recognition for winning a Wrestling at the 1996 Summer Olympics – Men's freestyle 100 kg, gold me ...

and current wife of Jeff Jarrett * John Jenkins, NBA player * Bob Luman, country singer * Barbara Mandrell, country singer and entertainer * Ronnie McDowell, country singer * Bill Monroe, bluegrass originator * Lennon Murphy, singer-songwriter * Josef Newgarden, IndyCar Series racing driver, 2017 and 2019 series champion and back to back 2023-24 Indianapolis 500 winner * Roy Orbison,"Roy Orbison."
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. Retrieved on December 16, 2008. rock singer * Sonny Osborne, bluegrass banjo player * Luther Perkins, country guitarist * Rachael Price, jazz vocalist * Thomas Rhett, Country singer * Tommy Rich, wrestler (former NWA World Champion) * John Rogan, second tallest verified human being with 8 ft 8 in (2.64m) * Johnny Russell, country singer, songwriter * Dan Seals, country musician, member of England Dan and John Ford Coley * Troy Seals, country music songwriter *

Ed Sheeran Edward Christopher Sheeran ( ; born 17 February 1991) is an English singer-songwriter. Born in Halifax, West Yorkshire, and raised in Framlingham, Suffolk, he began writing songs around the age of eleven. In early 2011, Sheeran independently r ...

, singer, songwriter * Jean Shepard, country singer * Ricky Skaggs, country singer * Connie Smith, country singer * Phil Stacey, country singer, American Idol season 6 finalist * Richard Sterban, country singer, member of The Oak Ridge Boys *

Marty Stuart John Marty Stuart (born September 30, 1958) is an American country music, country and bluegrass music singer, songwriter, and musician. Active since 1968, Stuart initially toured with Lester Flatt, and then in Johnny Cash's road band before be ...

, country singer *

Taylor Swift Taylor Alison Swift (born December 13, 1989) is an American singer-songwriter. Known for her autobiographical songwriting, artistic versatility, and Cultural impact of Taylor Swift, cultural impact, Swift is one of the Best selling artists, w ...

, country and pop singer-songwriter, 14-time Grammy Award winner * Golden Tate, Detroit Lions wide receiver * Merle Travis, singer/guitarist * Conway Twitty, country singer * Larry Underwood, writer, actor, horror host (as Dr. Gangrene) * Greg Upchurch, drummer, grammy award winner, 3 Doors Down * Paul Yandell, guitarist, longtime stage sidekick of

Chet Atkins Chester Burton Atkins (June 20, 1924 – June 30, 2001), also known as "Mister Guitar" and "the Country Gentleman", was an American musician who, along with Owen Bradley and Bob Ferguson (musician), Bob Ferguson, helped create the Nash ...

Sister city

Tsuru, Yamanashi, Japan

References

External links

Hendersonville official city website

Hendersonville Chamber of Commerce
{{authority control Cities in Tennessee Cities in Sumner County, Tennessee Cities in Nashville metropolitan area Populated places established in 1784