Home to MTSU and the Nashville metro’s biggest suburb
Murfreesboro originally went by Cannonsburgh but got its current name from Hardy Murfree, a prominent officer who relocated to Tennessee years after fighting in the Revolutionary War. Murfree owned the land later used for the Oaklands Mansion, now a museum and one of the city’s most visited sites. While Murfreesboro still has a few pockets with historic small town charm, this place of more than 160,000 people is the Nashville metro’s biggest suburb.
Since World War II, Murfreesboro has transitioned from an agricultural to an industrial economy. The city is the home of Middle Tennessee State University, one of the state’s largest public higher education institutions. “The university is obviously the biggest draw. That’s what got me here. It’s what got a lot of people here, and a lot of them come and stay,” says Brad Hopkins, a Realtor with EXIT Realty Bob Lamb & Associate. “It is obviously kind of a suburb of Nashville, so that’s obviously a big draw, too. Lots of folks live here and work in Nashville.” In addition to MTSU and suburban comforts more than 30 miles from Nashville, Murfreesboro’s strong schools, active housing market, shopping areas and major employers keep its headcount climbing.
Murfreesboro is a growing city with over 160,000 calling it home in Tennessee.
Murfreesboro residents can find all their shopping needs at The Avenue.
The Oaklands Mansion was built in 1818 in Murfreesboro, TN.
Middle Tennessee State University is located on 550 acres in Murfreesboro.
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A mostly residential city with 21st-century contemporaries
Homes in the city exist along clusters of streets that branch off the major thoroughfares. The housing consists of condos, townhouses, single-family homes and luxury estates. Homes around the downtown area can date back to the early 1800s, while some 20th-century builds exist throughout other parts of the city. However, most homes here emerged during the 21st century, with many showing contemporary and ranch-style designs.
Depending on size, acreage and age, most single-family homes in the city run between $350,000 and $700,000. Townhouses mainly run between $300,000 and $400,000. For condos, less than 1,000-square-foot units start in the lower $100,000s, while the far larger ones can reach $400,000. Murfreesboro has a median list price of approximately $441,000, nearly $90,000 below Nashville’s. Murfreesboro’s median is also slightly over the national one.
Downtown Murfreesboro has a variety of historical homes dating back to the early 1800s.
Murfreesboro has a wide variety of single family home styles.
Murfreesboro has a growing population of townhomes being built all over the city.
Condominium complexes in Murfreesboro are spread throughout the city.
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Historic downtown staples and chains at Stones River and The Avenue
About 400 local businesses exist throughout the city’s downtown, a 20-block historic district anchored by a Neoclassical courthouse building from 1859. Institutions include City Cafe, Tennessee’s oldest-running restaurant. Opened in 1900, the establishment serves various breakfast and brunch items. Patrons at The Alley on Main often fill its dining floor to enjoy classic American eats and homestyle desserts. Downtown visitors can also catch a show at The Center for the Arts, a nonprofit theater company housed in an early-20th-century Italianate building. Its 2024 calendar includes productions of classics like “Death of a Salesman” and “Pippin.”
Two shopping malls sit within 1 mile of the downtown. Stones River Town Centre is an indoor collection of nearly 50 shops, eateries and lifestyle destinations. Its anchor businesses include AMC Theatres, Dillard’s and JCPenney. A little farther west, The Avenue Murfreesboro houses over 80 retailers and restaurants, with Dick’s Sporting Goods and Barnes & Noble among its biggest names.
Rutherford County Courthouse is one of six pre-Civil War courthouses still standing.
Alley on Main has American eats and a local vibe in Murfreesboro.
The City Cafe is the oldest running restaurant in Tennessee.
The Center for the Arts hosts a variety of performances in Murfreesboro.
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Farmers market and Friday night concerts in the downtown square
“We still have a quaint town square that reminds people of a small downtown area and lots and lots of events that take place around the square,” says James Manning, the executive director of the Oaklands Mansion. From June to October, hundreds turn out to the square each week for the Friday Nights concert series. Those in attendance sit back in their foldable chairs to listen to acts performing anything from big band and country to R&B and 1990s covers. The Murfreesboro Saturday Market runs between May and late October. Vendors sell various fresh produce and products like locally made barbecue sauces. Market visitors might even catch a fiddle performance as they’re browsing. “There’s something there almost every weekend,” Hopkins says about the square.
Other major city events include the “Celebration Under the Stars” at the Fountains at Gateway. The July 4 event features a more than 20-minute fireworks show, food trucks and live music. History enthusiasts can tour the Oaklands Mansion, an Italianate building and former plantation house. They can also walk outside in the park, where they’ll find an arboretum consisting of native Tennessee trees like oaks, sycamores, maples and redbuds.
The historic town square in Murfreesboro hosts Friday Night concerts in the Summer.
The Oaklands Mansion is a former historic plantation house in Murfeesboro.
Locals love to take walks in the arboretum at Oaklands Mansion in Murfreesboro.
The Fountains at Gateway hosts a 4th of July celebration every year in Murfreesboro.
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Disc golf, miles of trails, kayaking and staying fit at the Sports*Com complex
The city oversees roughly 1,200 acres of public recreation spaces, with amenities including parks and brick-and-mortar facilities. The 17-mile Murfreesboro Greenway System connects many of these destinations and draws pedestrians, bikers and skaters. Stones River runs alongside most of the greenway, providing multiple access points for kayakers and others with small boats.
Covering 430 acres, Barfield Crescent Park is the largest city-run green space. More than 7 miles of trails run through the park, along with an 18-hole disc golf course and eight baseball and softball fields. The site also has a volleyball court, tetherball equipment and horseshoe pits. The 81-acre McKnight Park houses the Sports*Com complex, where the amenities include fitness rooms and an outdoor pool. The park’s baseball and softball diamonds include the David Price Miracle Field, which was uniquely designed for disabled sluggers. History buffs and local students frequent the Stones River National Battlefield, a 700-acre expanse with Civil War artifacts.
Barfield Park has an 18 hole Disc Golf course in Murfreesboro.
McKnight Park has a baseball field for disabled sluggers in Murfreesboro.
Stones River National Battlefield pays tribute to the Civil War battle in Murfreesboro.
Bikers love to ride on the Murfreesboro Greenway system at Manson Pike Boat Ramp.
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Two public school districts and MTSU’s top-rated audio engineering program
Murfreesboro City Schools serves prekindergarten to sixth grade students, while the Rutherford County Schools district handles the middle and high school levels. Both school districts get overall A-minus grades from Niche.
Notable institutions include Central Magnet School, which gets an A-plus from Niche and serves sixth to 12th grade students. Niche ranks Central Magnet as the top middle school and second-best high school in Tennessee. Several private K-12 schools also operate in the city, including the Providence Christian Academy, which gets an A-minus from Niche.
With an enrollment of about 20,000, MTSU is the state’s third-largest university by student population. However, the institution charges the lowest tuition among Tennessee’s five largest universities. MTSU’s academics include a top-rated audio engineering program. The 39 Grammy winners who have attended and taught at the university since 2011 have fueled the program’s reputation.
Academically gifted students in Murfreesboro may attend Central Magnet School.
Murfreesboro students may go to the Christian school Providence Christian Academy.
Blackman Elementary School enrolls over 1,100 students every year in Murfreesboro.
Middle Tennessee State University's motto is Agriculture and Commerce.
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Rutherford County government seat and major employers in Nissan and Amazon
Murfreesboro is the seat of Rutherford County, which means local government and the schools fuel much of the city’s employment. With about 7,200 employees, the county and the school district combine to be one of the largest employers in Murfreesboro. Nissan North America employs about 7,000 workers at its Smyrna assembly plant, enough to make it the largest private employer in Rutherford County. The plant employs many Murfreesboro residents. Amazon runs a fulfillment center in the city, which makes it among the biggest employers here. Saint Thomas Health operates Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford, Murfreesboro’s main hospital.
Investment plans include the proposed Broad Street Development, an ambitious mixed-use project that would add 300 housing units, retail space, and a boutique hotel to the downtown area. The most recent census estimates show Murfreesboro has a population of just over 165,000, an 8% increase from the official 2020 count. However, a city-approved comprehensive plan projects Murfreesboro’s population will grow to nearly 230,000 in the 2030s. “It’s grown to a point where you don’t really have to leave and go to Nashville. We’ve got tons of restaurants, tons of shopping, great schools and lots of employment opportunities. It’s a thriving place,” Hopkins says.
Interstate 24 is the city’s main highway, taking commuters to Nashville, about 35 miles north. Interstate 840, an outer Nashville beltway, provides passage to other suburbs. Other commuters, particularly Nissan employees, take U.S. Highway 41 to go to the Smyrna plant. Although most here drive, the Murfreesboro Transit runs several bus routes in town. The Smyrna/Rutherford County Airport Authority houses general aviation services, while the Nashville International Airport is the region’s hub for commercial flights.
Important to know
The latest FBI stats show Murfreesboro's violent crime rate is double the national average and slightly higher than Tennessee’s. The city’s property crime rate is also nearly 30% higher than the country’s. However, Murfreesboro is considered safer than Nashville. Murfreesboro’s property crime rate is nearly half of Music City’s, while its violent crime rate is about 25% lower.
Murfreesboro experiences four distinct seasons, but the transition between them varies yearly. Like the rest of Middle Tennessee and the South, the seasons include warm, humid summers and mild winters. Spring and late fall are the typical times for extreme weather events like tornadoes. Middle Tennessee is the most tornado-prone region in the state. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Murfreesboro, in particular, has a “relatively high” risk for ice storms, lightning, strong winds and tornados.
Written By
Yann Ranaivo
Photography Contributed By
Scott Davis
Video By
Joshua Kassabian
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
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GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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On average, homes in Murfreesboro, TN sell after 43 days on the market compared to the national average of 54 days. The median sale price for homes in Murfreesboro, TN over the last 12 months is $440,000, up 2% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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Check out the full video tour! Rare opportunity to own 1.7 acres just minutes to I-24, The Redbud plan boasts a stunning greatroom w/cathedral ceiling, Modern 18' tall accent wall & durable LVP wood flooring. Huge dining area overlooks incredible backyard, Open & sunny kitchen with tile backsplash, quartz counters and large walk-in pantry, Primary suite features impressive closet with built-in
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Welcome to your new home! A true showstopper! This immaculate 4-bedroom, 3.5-bathroom home is located in the wonderful Kingsbury neighborhood! Zoned in the top rated Blackman school district, this home features a first floor primary suite, builder PREMIUM sized lot, living room fireplace, spacious bedrooms with another on suite upstairs, HUGE bonus room, dedicated dining area, office/study, and
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Model-home living—without the wait. Fresh paint, meticulous condition, and a level of upgrades that shows in every space, from the spa-inspired primary bath to the chef-ready kitchen and the outdoor living setup. The kitchen is a true centerpiece with a large island and double ovens—built for hosting, holidays, and everyday ease—while the fireplace adds a polished focal point to the main living
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Prime Location! Move-in ready 5-bedroom, 3-bath home in a highly desirable area with top-rated schools. Conveniently located near restaurants and shopping, and just 2 miles from I-840 for easy commuting. Spacious layout with generous living areas, ample storage throughout, and a large backyard perfect for entertaining, play, or future expansion. A rare opportunity to own a well-maintained home in
Freshly painted with brand new carpet throughout, this well-maintained 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath home is conveniently located near I-24 and I-840. Enjoy an open floor plan with a welcoming foyer entry, stylish granite countertops in the kitchen, and stainless steel appliances. All bathrooms feature modern quartz countertops. The spacious loft upstairs offers flexibility as a second living area, home
This charming townhome has been thoughtfully remodeled with all-new flooring, fresh paint, new appliances, updated fixtures, and a new HVAC, making it a cozy and welcoming space. The back patio is private and offers a new fence. Situated just minutes from the interstate, shopping centers, restaurants, and popular parks this home offers the perfect blend of comfort and convenience. This home is
Welcome to 6002 Creekmont Drive — a charming and well-maintained 3 Bedroom, 2 Bath Home with a detached garage and a sunroom. Nestled in a sought-after neighborhood just minutes from shopping, dining, and I-24, this charming home offers the perfect blend of comfort and convenience. Step inside to discover a spacious layout filled with natural light, ideal for both everyday living and
Affordable 2 Bedroom, 2 Bath Condo in Murfreesboro, TN – Prime Location! Welcome to 1302 Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd Unit 1, a well-maintained ground-floor condo offering affordable living in Murfreesboro, TN. This 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom unit blends comfort and convenience with stylish updates and a functional layout, all just minutes from downtown, MTSU, and local shops and restaurants. Step into
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The exposed beams, the floor to ceiling fireplace, the in-ground pool, the full basement, the yard... the list goes on and on!! This home has everything you could dream of! This newly renovated beauty sits on nearly an acre corner lot! This home features an in-ground pool, FULL basement, Florida room, hardwood floors throughout, wrap around porch, the list goes on and on! Full brick exterior,
New townhomes, 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 1 car garage. There are 6 units total, 3 units will allow dogs (must be approved) it will be extra $50 month for pet. There is a pavilion and green space in the small community.
New townhomes, 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 1 car garage. There are 6 units total, 3 units will allow dogs (must be approved) it will be extra $50 month for pet. There is a pavilion and green space in the small community.
Beautifully designed 3-bedroom, 3.5-bath home offering 1,429 sq. ft. of comfortable living space. Ideally located with quick access to I-840 and I-24, and just minutes from local schools, grocery stores, and everyday conveniences. Inside, enjoy modern finishes throughout, including stainless steel appliances (with side-by-side refrigerator featuring ice and water), granite and quartz countertops,
Step into this beautifully updated end-unit townhome featuring 2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, and 1,305 square feet of inviting living space. Enjoy attractive flooring throughout and an airy, open-concept layout perfect for everyday living or hosting. The spacious owner’s suite offers a comfortable retreat. A private, fenced-in patio creates the ideal spot to unwind or entertain.Situated in a highly
Great 3-bedroom, 2-bath home in a convenient Murfreesboro location! This home features an open living area with a spacious kitchen with ample cabinet space. The primary bedroom includes a private bath, and two additional bedrooms share a full hall bath. Enjoy the large fenced backyard perfect for outdoor living, pets, or entertaining. Laundry connections included, and central heat and air provide
This versatile all-brick home offers exceptional flexibility with a detached apartment—perfect for guests, extended family, a home office, or additional living space.Enjoy a tiled front porch, covered carport, and multiple storage barns/sheds, giving you plenty of room for tools, hobbies, and extra storage.Inside, the home provides comfortable living with a layout that works well for a
Spacious 4BR/3BA Condo w/ 1 Car Garage & Fenced Backyard | SS Appliances (Stove/Fridge/Microwave/Dishwasher + W&D Hookups Included | Gas Fireplace in Living Room | Owner pays HOA Fees & Lawncare | Convenient to MTSU | $60 Non-Refundable Application Fee Per Adult | NO PETS, NO EXCEPTIONS | REQUIREMENTS: No Past Felonies, Evictions or Current Bankruptcy | Income Requirement: 3X Monthly Rent |
Welcome to Frodo Way 1781, a stunning 3-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom home located in the vibrant city of Murfreesboro, TN. This home boasts a range of high-quality amenities that are sure to impress. The kitchen is a chef's dream, featuring granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. The convenience of an in-house washer and dryer adds to the home's appeal. The lower level is adorned with
Charming 2-bed, 2.5-bath condo in a prime location! This cozy unit is a stone's throw away from popular amenities, including Planet Fitness, Oscars Taco, Walgreens, Papa Johns, and Speedway. The open floor plan creates a spacious living environment, with two generously sized bedrooms for your comfort. The master bedroom boasts a private en-suite, while the additional full bath and a convenient
Welcome to Church Street 511, a charming 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom home nestled in the heart of Murfreesboro, TN. This home boasts a range of modern amenities, including tile bathrooms, granite countertops, and a new appliance package. The interior has been recently updated, featuring hard wood flooring that adds a touch of elegance and warmth to the space. The kitchen, equipped with granite
Welcome to this stunning 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home located in the desirable Siegel High School district of Murfreesboro, TN. This one-level, open concept home is beautifully designed with modern amenities and finishes. The kitchen is a chef's dream, boasting granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. The living area features durable and stylish LVP flooring, perfect for easy maintenance
Introducing our stunning 3-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom townhouse located in the desirable Blackman Station neighborhood. This modern home features granite countertops and stainless steel appliances, perfect for those who love to cook and entertain. The community offers a variety of amenities including a pickleball court, dog park, and playground, providing endless opportunities for recreation and
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