Location and Commute

Smyrna sits right along Interstate 24, about 18 miles southeast of downtown Nashville and just north of Murfreesboro. That location is one of the biggest draws. You can get to downtown Nashville in about 30 minutes depending on traffic. Nashville International Airport is about 20 minutes away. And if you work in Murfreesboro, you are looking at a 10 to 15 minute drive south on I-24 or Route 41/Murfreesboro Road.

Smyrna also has its own airport. The Smyrna/Rutherford County Airport is the busiest general aviation airport in the state and the third largest airport in Tennessee. That is a fact that surprises a lot of people.

For people who work from home or have flexible schedules, Smyrna gives you the ability to be close to everything Nashville offers without paying Nashville prices or dealing with Nashville traffic every day.

Jobs and Economy

The biggest employer in Smyrna is the Nissan vehicle assembly plant. It is one of the largest automotive manufacturing plants in North America and employs around 5,700 people directly. When you factor in the supplier jobs and service industry jobs that exist because of the plant, the impact is much larger. The National Association of Manufacturers estimates that for every one Nissan employee, about 2.79 additional jobs are created in other sectors.

Beyond Nissan, Smyrna is home to Asurion, Schneider Electric, Taylor Farms, and several other major employers. Schneider Electric recently announced an $85 million expansion that is expected to create over 700 new jobs. The Tennessee Army National Guard also has a presence at the airport. The job market here is diverse enough that you are not dependent on any single industry.

Schools

Smyrna is served by the Rutherford County School System, which is one of the larger districts in the state. Stewarts Creek High School has been recognized for above-average test scores and college readiness. Smyrna High School and La Vergne High School also serve the area. For younger students, there are several well-regarded elementary and middle schools throughout the town.

For higher education, Motlow State Community College has a campus nearby and TCAT Murfreesboro operates a campus in Smyrna in partnership with Nissan, focused on advanced manufacturing and technical training. Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro is just a short drive south.

Things to Do

One of the best things about living in Smyrna is the access to outdoor recreation. Percy Priest Lake borders the town and offers boating, fishing, kayaking, and hiking. The Stewart Creek Greenway system is popular with runners and walkers. The town has over 800 acres of parkland, including the newer Cedar Stone Park and Lee Victory Recreation Park, which has ball fields, playgrounds, and a disc golf course.

Downtown Smyrna has a historic feel centered around the old railroad depot. The Smyrna Depot Farmers Market runs from May through September and brings together local farmers, food vendors, and live music. Community events are a big part of life here. The Fourth of July celebration draws close to 15,000 people. Depot Days, Simply Smyrna, and the Christmas Parade are annual traditions that give the town its small-town character even as it grows.

For history buffs, the Sam Davis Home is a 200-acre historical site preserved as a state landmark. It dates back to the Civil War era and offers tours and educational programs year-round.

Housing and Cost of Living

One of the reasons Smyrna continues to attract new residents is affordability compared to Nashville. The median household income in Smyrna is around $81,900, and property taxes are among the lowest in the state. That combination of solid income and low taxes means your dollar goes further here.

The housing market in Smyrna offers everything from starter homes and townhomes to newer construction in planned communities. Neighborhoods like Stewart Creek Farms offer modern suburban living. Rock Springs area on the west side has a more established feel, but with newer subdivision as well. Waldron Crossing to the southeast is known for quiet, tree-lined streets. And for the 55-plus crowd, Stewart's Glen is a newer community specifically designed for active adults.

Right now, Smyrna is part of the broader Rutherford County market where inventory is up 42% over the three-year average, which means buyers have more options than they have had in recent years. If you want to see how the overall market is performing, this week's Rutherford County market update has the full breakdown by price range.

The Small-Town Feel That Keeps People Here

Smyrna has been named one of the 50 Best Places to Live for Families by Fortune magazine, and it is easy to see why. Even with a population over 63,000, residents consistently describe it as having a small-town feel. The town is growing, new businesses are opening, and infrastructure is keeping up. But it has not lost the community atmosphere that draws people in the first place.

If you are considering a move to Smyrna or anywhere in Rutherford County, we would love to help you explore the area. We have helped over 4,200 families buy and sell homes across Middle Tennessee and we know these communities inside and out. If you are curious about what it takes to sell a home in this market, we have you covered there too.