Murfreesboro is a city located in Rutherford County, Tennessee. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 68,816. It is the county seat of Rutherford County.

Although Murfreesboro is sometimes considered a suburb or exurb of Nashville, Tennessee, it is far enough away and has a large enough population to maintain a separate identity from its larger neighbor.

Murfreesboro is the location of Middle Tennessee State University.

Dunmire Hollow is an intentional community near the town. [1]

Among Middle Tennesseans, pronunciation of the name "Murfreesboro" sounds like "MUR-fiss-burra."

History

In 1811, the Tennessee State Legislature established a county seat for Rutherford County. The town was first named "Cannonsburgh" in honor of Tennessee politician Newton Cannon, but was soon renamed "Murfreesboro" for Revolutionary War hero Colonel Hardy Murfree, later the great-grandfather of author Mary Noailles Murfree.

As Tennessee grew westward, it became clear that having the state capitol in Knoxville would be a burden to those who had to travel from the western end of the state. So in 1819, Murfreesboro became the capital of Tennessee until 1826, when Nashville became the state capital.

On December 31, 1862 the Battle of Stones River, also called the Battle of Murfreesboro, was fought near Murfreesboro. This was a major engagement of the American Civil War. After the battle, Murfreesboro was used as a supply depot for the Union Army. The battlefield is now a historical site administered by the National Park Service.

Geography

Murfreesboro is located at 35°51'28" North, 86°23'41" West (35.857700, -86.394725)¹.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 101.5 km² (39.2 mi²). 101.0 km² (39.0 mi²) of it is land and 0.5 km² (0.2 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.54% water.

Murfreesboro is home to the geographic center of the state of Tennessee. A stone tower marks the official site on Old Lascassas Pike, about a half-mile (800m) north of MTSU.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 68,816 people, 26,511 households, and 15,747 families residing in the city. The population density is 681.5/km² (1,764.9/mi²). There are 28,815 housing units at an average density of 285.3/km² (739.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 79.85% White, 13.89% African American, 0.28% Native American, 2.69% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.88% from other races, and 1.38% from two or more races. 3.53% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 26,511 households out of which 30.7% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.8% are married couples living together, 11.9% have a female householder with no husband present, and 40.6% are non-families. 28.3% of all households are made up of individuals and 7.0% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.42 and the average family size is 3.02.

In the city the population is spread out with 22.7% under the age of 18, 20.5% from 18 to 24, 30.8% from 25 to 44, 17.3% from 45 to 64, and 8.8% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 29 years. For every 100 females there are 98.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 97.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $39,705, and the median income for a family is $52,654. Males have a median income of $36,078 versus $26,531 for females. The per capita income for the city is $20,219. 14.1% of the population and 8.2% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 12.0% of those under the age of 18 and 11.1% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Notable natives

• Bart Gordon, U.S. Congressman
• Jean MacArthur, wife of Gen. Douglas MacArthur
• Mary Noailles Murfree, author
• Hardy Murfree, Revolutionary War colonel
• Sarah Childress Polk, First Lady of the United States; wife of Pres. James K. Polk
• Grantland Rice, sportswriter
• M. Rhea Seddon, astronaut

External links

• City web page