Davidson County remained the fastest-growing county in Tennessee in 2025, according to new U.S. Census Bureau data.

Why it matters: Seemingly every major challenge — and opportunity — facing Nashville right now traces back to its propulsive growth.

The big picture: Skyrocketing home prices. Traffic snarls. Eye-popping tax bills. Transformative construction projects. Innovation. New corporations and big-ticket jobs.

• All of it reflects our city's booming population, and the power and pain that comes with it.

By the numbers: Davidson County added nearly 9,300 new residents in 2025, according to the Census numbers. That's the highest raw total among all of Tennessee's 95 counties by a solid margin.

• It represents 1.3% growth year over year.

Between the lines: Of course Nashville's secret weapons are neighboring suburban counties, which have been growing at an even higher rate for years.

• Rutherford, Wilson, Williamson and Sumner counties were all in the state's top 10 for population growth from 2024 to 2025.

Zoom out: Other Middle Tennessee counties further from the city, such as Montgomery and Maury, were also big growers, showing that residents continue to show willingness to look to the Nashville "exurbs" for housing deals, schools and quality of life.

Driving the news: Domestic migration from other states continues to power this broad growth.

• According to an analysis from the University of Tennessee, that pipeline is easing back from a post-pandemic high and has leveled out to pre-pandemic levels.

Yes, but: A nationwide nosedive in international migration following President Trump's immigration crackdown blunted Tennessee's growth.

Stunning stat: International migration hit a high point in 2024, according to the UT analysis. But in 2025 every county in Tennessee saw international migration flatline or decline.

• Statewide, international migration slipped 62%.

Zoom in: Davidson County logged a population boost of 14,102 from international migration in 2024.

• In 2025, that number fell 58%, to 5,887.

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Tennessee's biggest population centers lost the most international migration, according to the Census data.

Zoom out: That trend holds true for large counties across the country.

• "The nation's largest counties ... are often international migration hubs, gaining large numbers of international migrants and losing people that move to other parts of the country via domestic migration," Census Bureau demographer George M. Hayward said in a statement.
• "With fewer gains from international migration, these types of counties saw their population growth diminish or even turn into loss."

Case in point: California's Los Angeles County lost nearly 54,000 people from 2024 to 2025, down about -0.6%. (It remains the biggest U.S. county, with about 9.7 million people.)

🚌 The state House advanced proposals to allow dedicated bus lanes on Gallatin Pike, Nolensville Pike and downtown. The Tennessee Department of Transportation still must sign off.

• The dedicated lanes are a key part of Mayor Freddie O'Connell's Choose How You Move program. (Nashville Banner)

🚁 The Army suspended the aircrew that flew helicopters past Kid Rock's Nashville home last weekend. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth subsequently lifted the suspensions. (NBC News)

🏗️ Top Titans executives made a presentation to the NFL this week about progress on Nissan Stadium construction and the surrounding East Bank development as the city continues its push to host a Super Bowl.

• The next chance for Nashville to host the big game is 2030. (Tennessean)

The Catbird Seat earned another prestigious culinary honor yesterday as it was named a finalist for the James Beard Award for best restaurant in the entire country.

Why it matters: It's the highest honor a restaurant can earn at the highly coveted James Beard Awards.

• Although Nashville was otherwise shut out this year, just being named a finalist shows the Catbird Seat is one of the most highly regarded restaurants in the country.

Zoom out: The Catbird Seat was one of three Nashville restaurants to earn a Michelin star last year. It's the first time the dining guide has made recommendations for Nashville.

• After over a decade at its original spot on Division Street, The Catbird Seat and its sister bar Patterson House moved to a new location in the Gulch last year.