Originally inhabited by five Native American tribes, including the Cherokee, the Tennessee General Assembly created Williamson County in 1799 by dividing part of Davidson County to the north. Today, with a population of over 247,000 residents, Williamson County is one of the fastest-growing counties in the United States.

Today, Williamson County, TN, is home to the Franklin community, the Brentwood community, the Fairview community, and other smaller towns. Located just 30 minutes south of downtown Nashville, Williamson County has become a desirable option for both Tennessee natives and out-of-state transplants. There are many reasons Williamson County is growing so quickly, such as a healthy job market, tons of amenities, and overall good quality of life. But before deciding to live in Tennessee, read on for a few things you should know about moving to Williamson County.

Cost of Living in Williamson County, TN

While Williamson County, TN, has been a desirable place to live for many years, more people have started to notice and moved in. In fact, Williamson County has become one of the fastest-growing counties in the nation, and the cost of living reflects this. Compared to other areas, living in Williamson County is around 36% more expensive than the national average. One of the biggest reasons for the high overall cost of living is housing costs. Homebuyers can expect to pay anywhere from $250,000 to $12,500,000, depending on the size and style of the home. The rise in home prices in Williamson County correlates with the influx of new transplants to the Nashville area since downtown Nashville is just 30 minutes away.

While housing costs are higher than the national average, other expenses are on par or only slightly above the national average, including:

• Groceries
• Transportation
• Miscellaneous Expenses (Clothing, Repairs, Entertainment, Etc.)

Fortunately, some expenses in Williamson County are actually more affordable than the national average, such as healthcare and utilities.

Job Market in Williamson County, TN

Williamson County is one of the fastest-growing counties in Tennessee. While there are many reasons transplants are flocking to Williamson County, their abundant employment opportunities play a huge role in the massive influx. With a 2.6% unemployment rate, lower than the national average of 3.5%, the area's healthy job market holds many prospects for job seekers. Home to over 25% of Tennessee's Inc. 5000 companies, over 40 major companies have national and international headquarters in Williamson County, including Mitsubishi and Nissan North America.

While the automotive industry plays a huge role in Williamson County's economy, the county's largest employers are in the education and medical fields. In fact, the Williamson County School District is the largest employer in the county, with over 6,300 residents working for them. Other major employers are in the healthcare system, including Community Health Systems, HCA Healthcare Inc, and UnitedHealthcare. Many companies based in Williamson County have 1,000+ employees, including the following top five major employers in Williamson County:

• Williamson County Schools
• UnitedHealthcare
• HCA Healthcare, Inc.
• Williamson County Government
• Nissan North America

Popular Industries in the Area

While Williamson County has many employment opportunities, four main industries dominate the county's job market: professional & business services, retail, leisure & hospitality, and government. Professional services, such as lawyers and accountants, make up 23% of the county's workforce, making it the most popular industry among Williamson County residents. This is followed by retail, where 12% of residents are employed. Leisure/hospitality workers and government workers each make up 11% of the county's workforce. Smaller industries in the area include real estate, manufacturing, management, construction, and more.

Things To Do in Williamson County, TN

With beautiful downtown Franklin as its county seat and its proximity to Nashville, visitors and residents will find plenty of fun things to do in Williamson County. Start by exploring historic downtown Franklin, where you'll find plenty of dining and shopping options. Some of the most popular tourist attractions in Franklin include the Lotz House Museum, Franklin Farmers Market, Gallery 202, and The Factory at Franklin, only to name a few. Other towns worth exploring are the Cool Springs community, Fairview, and the village of Leiper's Fork.

Outdoor Activities

Scenic drives, hiking trails, and parks: Williamson County, Tennessee, is an outdoor lover's paradise. Downtown Franklin has some incredibly gorgeous local parks, including Timberland Park, Bowie Nature Park, and Pinkerton. For thrill-seekers, Williamson County has Soar Adventure Tower, with 110 climbing elements spanning four levels, and Middle Tennessee Hot Air Adventures for those who want a bird's-eye view of the area's rolling hills. From the ground, residents and locals can explore the area by electric bike or take a road trip down Natchez Trace, a 444-mile drive that spans three states.

Restaurants, Breweries, & Bars

Calling all foodies! If you enjoy dining out, then you'll love Williamson County. From luxury dining to eclectic hot spots, Williamson County has every type of restaurant for nearly every type of diner. Some of the most popular food dishes in Williamson County are southern comfort, barbeque, and southern infusion-style cooking. Some of the most popular restaurants in the area are Saffire, an inventive spin on classic southern cooking, and Cork & Cow, which lavishes its meats with sumptuous sauces, and offers spectacular side dishes to boot. Residents and tourists will also find plenty of beverage options, as well. Leiper's Fork Distillery is a historic distillery visitors are sure to appreciate. Wine enthusiasts will also love Arrington Vineyards, one of the area's best wineries.

Nightlife

Thanks to its proximity to Nashville, one of the entertainment capitals of the world, Williamson County is never short on entertainment options—including the nightlife. Some of Franklin's most popular nightlife venues are The Mockingbird Theater, a state-of-the-art music venue, and the historic Franklin Theater, where guests can enjoy a variety of different concerts and shows. Much like its neighbor to the north, the most popular music trends in Williamson County are country, pop, and bluegrass. While Williamson County has plenty of music and nightlife venues, those wanting to venture north of Williamson County will find endless nightlife options in the Nashville community.

Williamson County, TN Climate

The weather in Williamson County varies drastically throughout the year. With lows reaching 27 degrees F in the winter and highs reaching above 90 degrees F in the summer, Williamson County has a less temperate climate than other areas of the country. The Franklin area receives 208 sunny days a year, which is just above the national average. Williamson County, Tennessee, does experience quite a bit of precipitation throughout the year. On average, the Franklin area receives 54 inches of rain a year, which is well above the national average, and around 3 inches of snow annually. The rainiest months are in December and January.

That said, Williamson County has very nice weather year-round, especially during the late spring and early fall months, with plenty of opportunities to enjoy outdoor activities throughout the year. The ideal times to visit Williamson County are April through June before the weather becomes hot and humid, and September and October, while the weather is still warm, but temperatures are lower than in the summer months. The busiest months for tourism are June through August when temperatures range from 64 to 90 degrees during the day.

Williamson County, TN Traffic

As Williamson County continues to grow, so does the number of commuters going to and from work every day. Williamson County, Tennessee, is just south of Davidson County, which is where Nashville is located. Because of the number of businesses headquartered in either Nashville or Williamson County, over 55,000 commuters daily commute from Williamson County into Davidson County or vice versa. As a result, traffic is heaviest during the early morning rush hour and driving home during the evening. Commuters, on average, spend just over 30 minutes on the road getting to or from work. This is slightly higher than the national average, which is around 25 minutes when commuting one way. However, it is much lower than more congested metropolitan areas, such as New York, Los Angeles, or Atlanta.

Because Williamson County is centrally located, there are many highways and freeways that run through it. One of the most heavily trafficked highways in the county is I-65, which runs north and south and is the main route to get from Franklin to downtown Nashville. The most heavily trafficked highway running east to west is I-840, which cuts through the southern half of Williamson County. From Franklin, the most direct routes to I-840 are I-65, 31, 431, and 246.

Alternative Routes

I-65 serves as the main artery for traffic, running north and south through Williamson County into Nashville. This means I-65 has the heaviest traffic during rush hour and should be avoided during the busiest times. Fortunately, there are other routes you can take in Williamson County to get to Nashville, or the opposite if you're trying to commute from Nashville to Franklin. To get from Franklin to Nashville, you can take 31 or 431 north into downtown. From Fairview, you can take 100 into Nashville. From the Nolensville community, you can take 41A into downtown Nashville.

Williamson County, TN Public Transportation

People who want to move to Williamson County aren't limited to car ownership to get around. Williamson County, Tennessee, has a great selection of public transportation options, connecting many areas of Williamson County and surrounding areas, including Davidson County and Rutherford County. While public transportation primarily services Franklin, it also runs in other Williamson County towns, including Cool Springs and Fairview. The TMA Group, which oversees public transportation for the Franklin area, runs and operates many of Williamson County's transportation operations, including the Franklin Transit Authority and VanStar. The Franklin Transit Authority, based out of Franklin, connects residents of the Franklin and Cool Springs area to many transit routes throughout the area, even into downtown Nashville in Davidson County. Commuters have the option of taking predesignated routes, such as Route 91x or Route 95x, or they can request TODD (Transport On DemanD), which is a pre-arranged, curb-to-curb pick-up and drop-off service that can take residents to school, medical appointments, etc.

For commuters who either don't have a car or don't want to drive for other reasons, there are rideshare programs available in Williamson County, including VanStar, Hytch, and Uber/Lyft.

Those wanting to travel out of town can take the Amtrak train or Greyhound buses from Nashville.

Williamson County, TN Schools

When it comes to education, students in Williamson County have several options. In fact, there are two school districts in Williamson County: Williamson County School District and Franklin Special School District. The Williamson County School District is the larger of the two districts.

As of 2021, there were approximately 40,000 students enrolled in 49 schools in the Williamson County School District: one K-8 school, 27 elementary schools, 11 middle schools, and 10 high schools. Since Williamson County serves so many students, the Williamson County School District has established where students will attend based on zones. Because of how rapidly Williamson County is growing, the district often changes school zones yearly, based on whether a school is filled to capacity or whether a new school has been built.

Franklin Special School District, the smaller of the two districts, services students in grades K–9. They have 5 elementary schools and 3 middle schools. Like the Williamson County School District, Franklin Special School District is a public school district. It mainly services Franklin and the surrounding area. Its schools are also divided into zones, based geographically on where students live.

Thinking About Moving to Williamson County, TN?

Williamson County has so much to offer visitors and residents alike with its proximity to Nashville, its healthy job market, and many amenities to suit nearly every taste. Because of Williamson County's upward trajectory, the area will likely see a rise in more amenities and more corporations moving in, providing even more opportunities for residents. And with its historic downtowns and rolling hills, Williamson County provides an inviting atmosphere for residents and visitors alike.

This central Tennessee county is punctuated with a ton of outdoor activities, local festivities, lively entertainment, and southern hospitality. The wonders of Williamson County are best appreciated in the late spring and early fall, when the weather is at its best, and the tourist hot spots aren't quite as crowded. Whether you're seeking historical charm or an abundance of outdoor activities, Williamson County, Tennessee, is an ideal place to be.

If the opportunities of Williamson County, TN, excite you, contact The Ashton Real Estate Group of RE/MAX Advantage with Nashville's MLS at (615) 603-3602 to get in touch with local real estate agents who can help find the perfect Williamson County, Tennessee, home for you today.