BRENTWOOD, TN

Brentwood is a city in Williamson County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 45,373 as of the 2020 United States census. It is an affluent suburb of Nashville, and included in the Nashville metropolitan area.

History

Successive cultures of prehistoric Native Americans occupied this area for thousands of years. In the first millennium of the Common Era (CE), Mississippian culture people, known locally as the Mound Indians or Stone Box Indians, built complex earthwork mounds topped with ceremonial buildings. Their settlement was part of a culture that throughout the Mississippi Valley and its major tributaries, and traded with other groups across the continent.

Artifacts and mounds of the Mississippian culture have been found during development in the Meadowlake subdivision, and at the library site on Concord Road. Primm Historic Park contains and preserves the largest of the earthwork mounds, which is still visible today. By 1300 these people had largely abandoned this settlement; archeologists have struggled to determine the reasons. There may have been epidemic disease, environmental problems, or warfare with other tribes.

European-American settlement

When early European-American settlers arrived in this area in the late 1700s from east of the Appalachian Mountains, it was largely being used as a hunting ground by Native American tribes from Georgia and Alabama. This resulted in many conflicts as the whites encroached on their territory and competed for their resources. In 1786, soon after the United States gained independence, Creek or Cherokee warriors raided the Mayfield family fort, at a site that is now the intersection of Wilson Pike and Old Smyrna Road. Southerland Mayfield and two other men were killed, and the boy George Mayfield was taken captive. One of the Creek families adopted him, as was their practice with war captives. Most Native American tribes adopted young captives to replace individuals they had lost to illness or warfare. After ten years, George Mayfield was returned to European-American society.

Some of the first European-American families here were those headed by James Sneed, Robert Irvin Moore, Thomas Hardeman, Gersham Hunt, Samuel and Andrew Crockett, and John Edmondson, who arrived well before 1800. The Holts, Herberts, Frosts, Hadleys, Hightowers, McGavocks, and Owens soon followed. Many of these families had received land grants in this area because of the men's service in the Virginia or North Carolina militia during the Revolutionary War. Many of these families' historic homes have been preserved and may be seen in the 21st century.

What is now called the Cool Springs House in Crockett Park, was first owned by Dr. Robert Carothers and his wife Martha Crockett. They built it at where the intersection of Mallory Lane and Cool Springs Boulevard is now located. Through the years, it passed through numerous owners and renovations. In 1974, the city of Brentwood moved the house to its current location of Crockett Park. Its former site was in an area of rapid growth and development that threatened preservation of the historic asset.

The Frost place on Old Smyrna Road was a center of frontier businesses, with a general store, grist mill, and post office soon developed located there. Settlers planted churches, predominately Methodist, and built up community life. When the railroad was constructed through this area, it established a depot in the town. The city realigned around the depot, which was the link to the newest form of transportation. It became the center of commerce for the present downtown area. The village of Brentwood thrived as the area was developed for cotton plantations.

Civil War through the 1930s

During the American Civil War, on March 25, 1863, Confederate Brig. Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest led a column of men into Union-controlled Brentwood, intent on recapturing this section of the Nashville & Decatur Railroad. Forrest performed a quick sneak attack on Union Lt. Col. Edward Bloodgood. Forrest had cut the telegraph wires, isolating Bloodgood as he brought in heavy artillery. Bloodgood surrendered Brentwood that day, which was a significant loss for the Federals. Overall, there were 305 Union and 6 Confederate casualties. Much of Brentwood was destroyed in the battle.

After the war, many of the large plantations were sold or had plots leased to freedmen sharecroppers and tenant farmers. Smaller farms dotted the countryside. Tobacco became the commodity crop of choice. The population was stable for almost 100 years.

In the 1930s, even during the Great Depression, Brentwood began to rebound. One by one, businessmen and merchants from Nashville bought the former plantation houses. They began to revive fox hunting on their estates and raise quality horses.

Late 20th century to present

On April 15, 1969, Brentwood incorporated as a city. That same year the interstate was built through the area, ushering a new period of residential and commercial growth. It made commuting easier for people who worked in Nashville and wanted to live in newer housing. The Maryland Farms office complex was built a few years later on what was once an American Saddle Horse farm and race track. The Brentwood Derby was run there until the mid 1970s.

Development has continued as Nashville has expanded its economy. In August 2016, developers announced a $270 million project in the Cool Springs area. It was to include commercial, hotel and retail development.

Geography

As of the 2000 Census, Brentwood had a land area of , but an annexation in 2001 increased the area to . In 2010, it was found that Brentwood had a population density of 899.9 per square mile.

Climate

Brentwood has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) with hot, humid summers and mild to cool winters. Precipitation occurs year-round, spring being slightly wetter and the late summer to early autumn being slightly drier.

Snow and ice are an occasional nuisance during winter months, but amounts are typically light. Brentwood can experience severe weather year-round, and tornadoes are an enhanced risk from November through May. Three tornadoes that hit Brentwood in recent history occurred on December 24, 1988, January 30, 2013, and March 1, 2017. A little known fact is that Brentwood (as well as the western two-thirds of Tennessee) is within Dixie Alley, a region in the Southern United States that is at high risk from destructive tornadoes. The community also lies within USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 7.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 45,373 people, 13,899 households, and 11,936 families residing in the city.

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 37,060 people, comprising 11,791 households residing in the city. The population density was . There were 12,577 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 90.0% Caucasian, 3.0% African American, 0.2% Native American, 5.0% Asian, and 1.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.1% of the population.

Educationally, at the 2010 census 98.4% of adult residents 25 and older held a high school diploma and 68.4% of adults possessed a bachelor's degree or higher. In 2014, the median household income in Brentwood was $138,395. The per capita income for the city was $58,745. About 2.0% of the population were below the poverty line. Real-estate firm Movoto ranked Brentwood as the seventh-wealthiest small town in the United States in 2014. In 2010, the average home sale in Brentwood was for $625,000.

In 2017, Brentwood, Tennessee had a population of 41.5k with a median age of 41.2 and a median household income of $151,722.

There were 11,791 households, out of which 48.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 82.2% were married couples living together, 4.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 11.5% were non-families. 10.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.02 and the average family size was 3.24.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 31.5% under the age of 18, 4.3% from 18 to 24, 23.6% from 25 to 44, 32.4% from 45 to 64, and 8.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.2 males.

Education

Brentwood is served by Williamson County Schools. Some of the high schools in Williamson County are ranked among the highest in the state according to US News, with Brentwood High School ranked fifth in Tennessee in 2018 and Ravenwood High School sixth.

Elementary schools

Middle schools

High schools

Parks

Concord Park

Concord Park is a park at Concord Road and Knox Valley Drive. It is home to the Brentwood Library and near Lipscomb Elementary School. Concord Park features paved walking and biking trails. A trailhead for a portion of the Concord Park walking trail is located adjacent to the Brentwood Family YMCA. There are also soccer fields.

Crockett Park

Crockett Park is Brentwood's 2nd largest park, at more than . It features seven lit tennis courts, restroom/concessions buildings, eight lit ball fields, 11 multi-purpose fields, bikeway/jogging trails, a disc golf course, two historic homes, a community playground, picnic shelters, and the Eddy Arnold amphitheater. Crockett Park also has an indoor arena used for soccer, lacrosse, and flag football. It also serves as the home for Brentwood's yearly Fourth of July fireworks celebration. The City of Brentwood sponsors an annual summer concert series at the Eddy Arnold Amphitheater in Crockett Park, with free admission to the public.

Deerwood Arboretum and Nature Area

The Deerwood Arboretum and Nature Area is and has an observation deck, covered outdoor classrooms, and an amphitheater. The Arboretum contains man-made lakes, nature trails, and indigenous wildlife, and the Little Harpeth River flows through it.

Granny White Park

Granny White Park is a park with several sporting facilities including four lighted tennis courts, softball/baseball fields, jogging/biking trails, a multi-purpose field (soccer and lacrosse goals provided), sand volleyball court, playground, and picnic pavilion and is located near Brentwood Middle School.

Marcella Vivrette Smith Park

Smith Park is located off of Wilson Pike abutting the city limits. Comprising 397 acres, this park was purchased in 2010/2013 and has become Brentwood's largest park. Initial plans include walking, biking, and hiking trails, as well as multipurpose fields. The 1825 Ravenswood (Brentwood, Tennessee) mansion is a center piece to be used as a meeting place for the public. Many have used the mansion to hold weddings, receptions, or other gatherings. Phase I of the park was opened in the spring of 2014. Smith Park is the largest park in Brentwood, and has several walking and hiking trails.

Maryland Way Park

Maryland Way Park is located in the Maryland Farms area and includes a paved walking and biking path with 20 exercise stations on . Maryland Way park is adjacent to the Maryland Farms YMCA.

Primm Park

Primm Park is a park off Moores Lane. Located on the site is Boiling Spring Academy, a historic schoolhouse built in 1832 and restored in 2003. The park is also home to the Fewkes Group Archaeological Site, a Mississippian mound complex consisting of five mounds arrayed around a central plaza. The Fewkes site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Owl Creek Park

Owl Creek Park is Brentwood's newest park, completed in the summer of 2007. It is and includes a playground, picnic shelters, walking paths, and basketball courts.

River Park

River Park is a park adjacent to Concord Park. It features a restroom facility, playground, outdoor basketball court, and borders the YMCA soccer fields. Adjacent to River Park is the Brentwood Family YMCA, now complete with a skate park.

Tower Park

Tower Park is a park north of the WSM Tower off Concord Road. It includes multi-purpose fields, natural open spaces, and jogging and biking trails. The new Williamson County Indoor Sports Complex is located here. At , it consists of a fifty-meter indoor pool, five indoor tennis courts, a fitness center, locker rooms, a childcare room, and a multi-purpose room.

Economy

Top employers

According to the City's 2015 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top employers in the city are:

Notable people

Actors

Athletes

Musicians

Other

Sister cities

Brentwood is a participant in the Sister Cities program and has a relationship with the British town of the same name.