Nashville is a tight-knit community with a love for sports
Nashville is the largest city in Washington County, with a population of just over 3,100. With access to shopping, entertainment and the area's major highways, this county seat acts as a regular stop for residents of smaller, surrounding communities. The city has a successful history in the manufacturing industry, with two auto part plants that have been in business since the 1980s. “Between the two of them, they employ about 2,000 people,” says Cheryl Zapp, office administrator of the Trinity-St. John Lutheran School. As a result, the area has a tight-knit reputation, with locals bonding through high school sports and a sense of safety. “It’s a clean, neat town,” says Zapp. “We have very little crime here,” Nashville has a CAP Index Crime Score of 2 out of 10, compared to the national score of 4 out of 10. Nashville has an active church community, with over half a dozen denominations represented, including Catholic, Baptist and Lutheran.
Home values average almost half of the St. Louis metro area
Residential zones are laid out in a grid familiar to many Southern Illinois communities. Lots are typically a quarter-acre or smaller, with minimal front yards and tree-filled backyards. Sidewalks often connect these areas to schools or commercial zones like those on St. Louis Street. Turn-of-the-century Cape Cods and National Folk houses are common in the area, generally priced between $70,000 and $280,000, depending on condition. Midcentury ranch-style and split-level homes are also available, and usually sell between $80,000 and $260,000. The average home value in Nashville is around $178,000, about $140,000 less than the Saint Louis metro area average.
High school football and basketball are popular
Students can begin at Nashville Grade School, which serves pre-kindergarten through eighth grade and has a B-minus from Niche. From there, they'll attend Nashville Community High School, which has a B. The high school's football team made the quarterfinal playoffs in 2024, while its girls basketball team won the state championship in 2025. “We’re very big on sports here,” says Zapp. “But we’re especially big on our high school sports.” Trinity-St. John Lutheran School is a private option for pre-k through eighth grade. It has not been graded by Niche.
Locals are fond of camping, hunting and golfing
In addition to its military monuments, Nashville Memorial Park is a central hub for locals, who visit to play tennis, have a picnic or cast a line into the fishing pond. The park's pool is open all summer and offers swimming lessons and private pool parties. The Nashville Community Center hosts public events year-round, including trivia nights, wine tastings and golf tournaments. The Washington County State Recreation Area has over 900 acres of wilderness for hiking, camping, fishing and hunting. The Nashville Municipal Golf Course is a 9-hole public course with a clubhouse and a view of the surrounding woodlands.
Most shopping is on Mill and St. Louis streets
Shopping centers around the convergence of Mill and St. Louis streets, with a cluster of locally owned boutique stores, pharmacies and other services. Kroger is available for groceries. Opened in 2022, Jules Joint puts an upscale spin on the standard bar and grill fare, offering daily specials like their Nashville hot honey chicken sandwich or a tossed boneless wing salad. The Blue Room is a classic watering hole with a full bar and signatures covering every wall and ceiling tile. Their menu is a laid-back selection of country favorites like mac and cheese, wings and fried chicken livers.
The Washington County Fair is held every summer
Held every summer since 1944, the Washington County Fair brings visitors to the fairgrounds for five days of food and entertainment. Activities include carnival rides, tractor pulls and a demolition derby.
St. Louis is about 60 miles away
Nashville's main highways are Interstate 64 and State Routes 15 and 127. The nearest metro area is St. Louis, about 60 miles away. Washington County Hospital provides emergency services, supportive care and a walk-in clinic for the surrounding communities.
