Rutherford County, Tennessee is the state’s fifth-largest county by population with 262,604 residents. The county is continuing to grow, with a population increase of more than 40 percent in the last decade. Only 15 miles southeast of Nashville, Rutherford County offers the benefits of small-town living with the amenities of a major metropolitan area.
Cities and towns in the county are La Vergne, Smyrna and Murfreesboro, the county seat. Murfreesboro is also the geographic center of Tennessee. People are drawn to the cities in Rutherford County for their moderate climate, diverse cultural and entertainment offerings, top-quality healthcare and affordable housing. Although the quality of life here is one of the highest, the cost of living in general is very low. Grocery items, housing, utilities, transportation and health care all rate lower on the cost of living index compared to other cities.
Six of Rutherford County’s middle schools ranked as top performers in the state’s “Top 50 Schools.” Murfreesboro’s elementary school system rates sixth statewide; Discovery School at Reeves Rogers is ranked number one in the state for math and English proficiency.
Many teachers in Rutherford County schools come from Middle Tennessee State University, the state’s largest public undergraduate university. Middle Tennessee State, or MTSU, is also an anchor employer for the county. Founded in 1911 as a two-year school for teacher training, MTSU is now the oldest and largest public university in Middle Tennessee.
In 1936, the school added a Bachelor of Arts program; the Graduate School was established in 1951. As MTSU developed and grew the Doctor of Arts program was added in 1970 and the Specialist in Education in 1974. Today, the school’s campus is an academic city of 500-plus acres, more than 26,000 students and a faculty of more than 900.
Notable attractions include the Sam Davis Home and Museum in Smyrna, a state historic site dedicated to this Confederate hero. Davis was executed for refusing to reveal information to Union forces in exchange for his life. Oaklands Historic House Museum, another nationally-registered landmark plantation home, served as headquarters for Confederate President Jefferson Davis.
At the Heritage Center in Murfreesboro, visitors can discover the stories of the city’s downtown square and the historic Rutherford County Courthouse through exhibits, public programming, and guided tours of the square.
Data provided by GreatSchools.org 2025 © 2025. All rights reserved.
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