7 Reasons Why Williamson County Is a Great Place to Live
Located just south of Nashville, this fast-growing county has so much to offer, including a city that ranked high on Livability's Top 100 Best Places to Live.
So, you’ve decided to move to the Nashville metro area. Great choice! Now comes the fun part – choosing where to reside in this vast region called Middle Tennessee, which is chock full of many great places to live. If you’re looking for a winning combination of affordability, career opportunity, quality education, outstanding recreation and easy access to arts and entertainment, you may want to consider moving to Williamson County.
So let’s explore further why this county just south of Nashville may be the best fit for relocation.
In This Article
1. Williamson County has a community for you.
Williamson County offers something that most region’s can’t – thanks to the number and variety of communities here, everyone can find the type of neighborhood and style of housing that truly fits their unique tastes.
Bonus! You Can Afford to Live Here
The Volunteer State has one of the lowest tax burdens in the nation, and it has no personal income tax. Williamson County specifically has the lowest property tax rate in the region.
Let’s explore what residents can find in each community. Try residing in Franklin’s historic downtown, where little boutiques and restaurants run the gamut. Franklin currently ranks 16th on Livability’s Top 100 Best Places to Live. Other great places to settle down in the county include Brentwood, Nolensville, Thompson’s Station or Spring Hill, where you can create the perfect suburban lifestyle you’ve always imagined living.
And for those looking for a more bucolic life, the farm-style homes in Fairview or Leiper’s Fork are beautiful – and calling your name. In addition to housing, affordability is also front and center, as residents can take advantage of Tennessee’s low costs.
2. You have plenty of jobs to choose from.
When discussing the county’s benefits, you can’t leave out the region’s bustling career scene. The area is a destination for professionals looking to start a career or take it to the next level. The county’s workforce grew by more than 29,000 between 2014 and 2019. And there’s promise on the horizon when it comes to the nature of these jobs. The greatest growth is expected in management, health care, and professional, scientific and technical services. Jobs in these industries have great earnings potential, with average earnings per worker coming in at roughly 25% above the county average.
Companies Love It Here
Globally known companies, such as Mars Petcare, Mitsubishi Motors North America and Nissan North America, have headquarters here, as do four Fortune 1000 companies and 12 of the 25 largest public companies in the Nashville region. Over a quarter of the Inc. 5000 companies in the state
are in Williamson County.
3. You can receive a quality education.
As far as earnings potential, there’s no denying the educational impact on the area. Williamson County Schools is consistently ranked one of the best districts in the state, and the county offers a wealth of highly regarded private schools. Higher education is represented here, too, with the Williamson Campus of Columbia State Community College in Franklin offering an affordable and accessible academic experience.
4. You can get around easily.
Whether going to work or school, the county’s infrastructure is set up for easy commuting. Williamson County is centrally located just south of Nashville, with access to both Interstates 65 and 840 and proximity to Nashville International Airport. In other words, you get the best of both worlds, suburban or rural charm with easy access to a large urban center and travel to other destinations.
5. You can find fun outdoor activities everywhere.
Travel may be a pastime that’s seen a recent revival across the nation, but there’s plenty to see and do here without leaving the area. The best part? You can enjoy these activities for free or at a low cost. For instance, Williamson County makes it easy and affordable to recreate, with stunning backdrops, a favorable climate and attractions that include parks, greenways and waterways.
Look Up for Fun
The SOAR Adventure Tower in Franklin offers a climbing tower that features four levels and over 110 climbing elements.
The county’s network of two dozen parks as well as 15 recreation and community centers, including the Robert A. Ring Indoor Arena, is augmented by standout parks in its individual communities.
Williamson County features extensive trails systems for walkers, joggers and bikers. Pedego Franklin offers another way to take in the scenery – zooming along by way of electric bike. Riders can choose from six different tours that range from adventurous to leisurely. With all these activities available, it’s no wonder Williamson County is ranked the healthiest county in Tennessee.
6. You’ll love the arts and entertainment scene.
The area’s thriving arts and entertainment scene continues to grow. The Franklin Art Scene Art Crawl is a popular event, and the city has a Public Arts Commission dedicated to bolstering street art. Williamson County Performing Arts Center at Academy Park in Franklin hosts theater productions, concerts, festivals and more.
7. You’ll enjoy feasting around the county.
Corey Carmichael, who moved from Memphis to Brentwood, says Williamson County’s food scene has been a pleasant surprise. There are top-notch restaurants, and there’s always someplace new to show off to friends who come to visit, he says. “The local restaurants in Franklin and some of the surrounding areas have really blown me away, too.”
