Lakefront Nashville suburb and long-time home to music stars
Nashville famously goes by the moniker 'Music City' due to its reputation as both a launchpad and home to many recording artists. But it’s the city of Hendersonville that many of these stars now call home. “It’s been known for many years as the home of our country music stars because of our proximity to Nashville. It’s a town full of history as far as music history goes,” says Hendersonville resident and Alderman, Mark Burgdorf.
Here, the former Johnny Cash and June Carter-Cash estate is a local landmark located along Old Hickory Lake. Pop superstar Taylor Swift lived here as a teen — briefly attending Hendersonville High School — while making her breakthrough into the Nashville music scene. And for years, it was not uncommon for locals to bump into legends like Roy Orbison or Conway Twitty while out running errands. “You’d see them in the grocery stores, and you could sit there and talk to them. They’ll tell you what’s going on and ask how you were doing,” says Alderman, Mark Skidmore. “They were always approachable, but that’s the way Hendersonville is. Everybody’s like that here, and it’s just always been that way.”
Music stars aside, Hendersonville is also known for its location along Old Hickory Lake, a reservoir separated from the Cumberland River by the Old Hickory Lock and Dam. A variety of marinas, private docks and public ramps keep boat-enthusiasts happy and out on the water — and many enjoy launching their boats on the lake or spending warm weekend afternoons cruising the river. In fact, Hendersonville’s motto is “The City by the Lake.” "It’s in our name, it’s in our logo, it’s what we do,” Burgdorf says.
Hendersonville has a population of over 60,000 people since 2023.
Hendersonville is known as City by the Lake in Tennessee.
Johnny Cash's old home was once on Old Hickory Lake in Hendersonville.
Locals can launch their boats at Sanders Ferry boat ramp in Hendersonville.
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From ramblers to waterfront Colonials
About half of Hendersonville falls into the Walton Ferry and Indian Lake peninsulas, where homes with private docks line the shorelines. The city’s housing styles range from blocks of 1960s and 1970s ramblers situated on half-acre lots to dense subdivisions filled with contemporary Traditionals and Colonial Revivals built between the '90s and today. The city also has clusters of new townhouses with classic design touches like exposed half-timber framing.
Housing costs here continue to rise, but Hendersonville’s market is seen as more affordable when compared to some of the neighboring affluent Nashville suburbs. “We are not priced out of reach for many people,” Burgdorf says. He recalls making the choice between Nashville and Hendersonville when he moved to the city in 1997, ultimately going with the latter and opting for the less expensive 1960s ranch-style house on a 1.5-acre lot. “All those things made it a more ideal location for us to move with a young family,” he says, referring to both the lot size and the price point.
Although a few properties in Hendersonville can surpass the million-dollar mark, most single-family homes here cost between $400,000 and $900,000, and townhouses cost between $250,000 and $400,000. Hendersonville's median price is $520,000, a 4% increase year over year. In contrast, Nashville suburbs like Brentwood and Oak Hill have median prices of $1.3 million and $1.5 million, respectively.
Colonial Revival home styles on the lake are typically more expensive in Hendersonville.
Hendersonville has a few townhome communities that are popping up.
Many residents in Hendersonville have private boat docks on the lake.
The Ramber style of home is one of the most popular in Hendersonville.
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Cruising on Old Hickory Lake
Old Hickory Lake is the city’s primary attraction for outdoor activities. During the summer, its waters teem with crafts ranging from jet skis to pontoons and sports boats. Residents can also travel by boat. “You can get all the way to Nashville along the Cumberland River. I’ve done it several times over the years,” Skidmore says.
Drakes Creek Park is another community green space and features a creek that empties into the nearby lake. Local waterfowl are a common sight out on the lake, or residents may cross paths with them while walking along the Hendersonville Greenway. The park’s athletic complex also includes amenities like softball and baseball diamonds and soccer fields.
Other notable outdoor spots include Sanders Ferry Park and the Walton Ferry Arboretum.
Boat lovers can enjoy the lake life in Hendersonville.
Sanders Ferry Park has beautiful bird watching in Hendersonville.
Fisherman can visit Rockland Recreation Area to catch their dinner in Hendersonville.
Drakes Creek is a great place to enjoy a walk with your dog.
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The Streets of Indian Lake and waterfront dining
Hendersonville offers ample shopping and dining options. “No matter where you live, you’ll have the convenience of shopping,” says Laura Strong, a Realtor with Creekside Homes, who’s lived in Hendersonville for over two decades. The Streets of Indian Lake is an open-air mall and the city’s flagship shopping destination. The center is home to brand-name apparel stores, boutiques, chain restaurants, fitness studios and a Regal Cinemas movie theater. The site also features an outdoor square complete with a lawn, water fountain and a stage for live music. The Streets of Indian Lake also hosts the Hendersonville Farmers & Artisan Market, which occurs every Saturday from May through September. Several big box chains offer plenty of grocery and retail options throughout the area.
Lakefront dining is popular, and the aptly named restaurants The Rudder and Moby Dicky’s are just a few of the establishments located lakeside. Both restaurants serve a blend of seafood and American comfort meals. “My wife and I would take our jet skis from the boat ramp over to the boat ramp in Hendersonville to eat dinner at one of the local restaurants,” says Jason Crosslin, a broker with Keller Williams Realty, who lives across the river in Mt. Juliet. “If you cross the lake, it’s a 10-minute ride on the boat. If you drive, it’s a 40-minute drive to Hendersonville because you have to drive into Nashville and go around the lake and back into Hendersonville.”
Locals love to visit Moby Dicky's seafood restaurant for dinner in Hendersonville.
Take in the views of Old Hickory Lake at The Rudder in Hendersonville.
Regal Cinemas 16 has an IMAX theater in Hendersonville.
The Streets at Indian Lake Village has many options for shopping in Hendersonville.
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Freedom Festival at Drakes Creek Park
When not spending time out on the lake, residents here can enjoy a series of community celebrations throughout the year. During the summer, many flock to Drakes Creek Park with blankets and lawn chairs in tow to enjoy the Freedom Festival held on July 3. Considered the largest Independence Day celebration in all of Sumner County, in addition to the fireworks display, the celebration features live music and food trucks. In the winter, events like the Deck the Hulls Boat Parade in early December takes place at Mallard Pointe Park. Other popular events include the Christmas and Veterans Day parades.
Other attractions here include the former Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash estate. Although the property itself is closed to the public—and under new ownership—many still choose to drive out to the site for a glimpse of history or to see a nearby orchard that once belonged to Orbison.
The Hendersonville Performing Arts Company is a nonprofit community theater offering acting and improv classes for elementary school students.
Drakes Creek calls Hendersonville Home.
The Johnny Cash house has a new owner building a house on Old Hickory Lake.
The Hendersonville Performing Arts Company hosts local shows throughout the year.
Drakes Creek Park has large green spaces for festivals and sports in Hendersonville.
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Highly rated public schools, private faith-based options and Union University campus
Sumner County Schools serve Hendersonville and earn an A-minus rating on Niche. The district boasts high ratings in academics, sports, college prep and administration and the majority of the city's 20 public schools receive at least an A-minus grade from Niche. Private schools include the faith-based Hendersonville Christian Academy and Pope Saint John Paul II Preparatory School, which earn grades of B-minus and A, respectively, from Niche.
Hendersonville is also home to one of Union University’s three Tennessee campuses. The university is a private Baptist institution based in Jackson, Tennessee. “Our residents can get an education from pre-K through college without ever leaving,” says Hendersonville mayor Jamie Clary, a 50-year city resident.
Hub of health care and education
Agriculture made Hendersonville’s early economy, but today, the city is now a small hub for education, health care and industrial work. Although they’re based in neighboring Gallatin, Sumner County’s government and school district are the largest employers in this part of the Nashville metro area. The two entities employ roughly 4,700 people; while other major employers like Xtend Healthcare and the TriStar Hendersonville Medical Center, employ about 1,100 and 700 people, respectively. TriStar is the city’s only hospital.
These growing industries have also contributed to the city's population growth. The 2020 census reports Hendersonville with a population of nearly 61,750, up 20% from their 2010 count. A 2022 estimate shows the city’s population has increased by another 2%. “We’re a growing community of young professionals from all backgrounds,” Clary says. “One of my initiatives as mayor is to continue bringing more professional jobs to the city so that people can spend more time with their families and less time commuting.”
Hendersonville doesn’t have a public transit system, so commuters usually drive or use rideshare services. Some of the city’s greenways also make biking a common transportation option. Hendersonville is located about 17 miles north of downtown Nashville. Vietnam Veterans Boulevard connects to Interstate 65, which then runs directly into the heart of Music City. Interstate 65 is also part of the route to the Nashville International Airport.
Important to know
The FBI’s 2022 stats show Hendersonville had a violent crime rate of around 14 incidents per 10,000 people, which is lower than both the state and national averages. The city’s reported property crime rate of 84 incidents per 10,000 was also less than half of the state and country averages.
Hendersonville is a part of Middle Tennessee, which weather experts confirm has four true seasons. The region has mild winters and warm, humid summers. Spring and late fall are the times for extreme weather events like straight-line winds and tornadoes. One of these events occurred in December of 2023 when a series of tornadoes ripped through Middle Tennessee. While none of the seven deaths caused by the tornadoes occurred in Hendersonville, one of the twisters extensively damaged the city’s recreation areas and businesses. Those seven tornadoes were among the 21 that either started or crossed into the region in 2023.
Written By
Yann Ranaivo
Photography Contributed By
Chase Brock
Video By
Charlie Lingner
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Andrew (Andy) Lusk,
an experienced agent in this area.
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On average, homes in Hendersonville, TN sell after 44 days on the market compared to the national average of 56 days. The median sale price for homes in Hendersonville, TN over the last 12 months is $540,000, up 2% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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