Smyrna works to manage influx of residents

SMYRNA, Tenn. (WKRN) — Smyrna officials are conducting a special census after unprecedented growth, hoping that updated population numbers will bring in more state funding.

News 2 took a deeper look into some of the area’s growth trends.

Since the 2020 census , the city council estimates the town has seen an influx of five to six thousand people. Smyrna Town Councilman Steve Sullivan said that growth in the area is nothing new. However, it now seems to be coming much faster.

“From Nashville to 840 — which comes right through the middle of Smyrna, La Vergne, and Murfreesboro — it’s the busiest corridor in the state,” Sullivan said. “If you have that much traffic and that much business on the road there, then it’s obvious that around that’s going to grow.”

According to Sullivan, many new residents are coming from out of state, especially California.

Realtor Shawn Wright said Smyrna checks the boxes for many of their clients.

“You’ve got affordability, you’ve got good commute time, you’ve got a good park system, you’ve got decent schools,” Wright said.

According to the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce, Smyrna’s median age is 35 years old, and the average median household income is $80,700.

“A lot of single, or younger, demographics have started to kind of migrate towards Rutherford County,” Sullivan said. “Our median age is getting younger and our median income is going up.”

With so many moving to the area, town leaders are working to keep up, especially when it comes to building enough schools.

“We’re encouraging builders and developers to bring in one- and two-bedroom apartments or condos…” Sullivan said. “That has a tendency to mean less school age children.”

The Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce numbers show Smyrna’s population has surpassed 58,000, which could mean an extra $875,000 in state tax revenue for the town.

Sullivan said that the west side of town, near Stewarts Creek schools, continues to see some of the most development.

Wright believes growth will also extend outward from the city.

“Just in the past 20 years, Smyrna and Murfreesboro have almost touched in the middle,” Wright said. “I expect that to happen at some point. I think Smyrna will continue growing towards La Vergne as well and grow towards Brentwood as well.”

Residents will have until March 2025 to participate in Smyrna’s special census. After that, the town will go door-to-door working to get information from homes that did not participate. You can submit your household’s information here or by calling (615) 267-5005 .

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