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Ashland City, Tennessee facts for kids

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Ashland City, Tennessee
Cheatham County Courthouse in Ashland City
Cheatham County Courthouse in Ashland City
Location of Ashland City in Cheatham County, Tennessee
Location of Ashland City in Cheatham County, Tennessee
Ashland City, Tennessee is located in Tennessee
Ashland City, Tennessee
Ashland City, Tennessee
Location in Tennessee
Ashland City, Tennessee is located in the United States
Ashland City, Tennessee
Ashland City, Tennessee
Location in the United States
Country United States
State Tennessee
County Cheatham
Founded 1856
Incorporated 1859
Area
 • Total 11.41 sq mi (29.56 km2)
 • Land 10.67 sq mi (27.63 km2)
 • Water 0.75 sq mi (1.93 km2)
Elevation
430 ft (130 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 5,193
 • Density 486.78/sq mi (187.95/km2)
Time zone UTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
37015
Area code(s) 615, 629
FIPS code 47-02180
GNIS feature ID 1304885

Ashland City is a town in Tennessee, United States. It is the main town and county seat of Cheatham County, Tennessee. This means it's where the county government offices are located. Ashland City is part of the larger Nashville area. In 2020, about 5,193 people lived there.

History of Ashland City

Ashland City was created in 1856. It became the county seat for the new Cheatham County. The county bought 50 acres of land to start the town. A temporary courthouse was built, and then a permanent one in 1869. Ashland City officially became a town in 1859.

Early Industries

The first big business in the area was a forge (a place where metal is heated and shaped). It was run by Montgomery Bell starting in 1818. Later, in 1835, Samuel Watson started a gristmill (for grinding grain) and a powder mill. Watson's powder mill grew to be one of the biggest in the South. It kept running until 1904.

How Ashland City Got Its Name

The town's name might have come from Henry Clay's estate, called Ashland. Another idea is that the General Assembly of Tennessee named it in 1859. They were inspired by the many ash trees in the area. At first, it was just called Ashland. "City" was added after it officially became a town.

Geography

Ashland City is located in the middle of Cheatham County. It sits on the northeast bank of the Cumberland River. This is a few miles upstream from where the Cumberland River meets the Harpeth River. Across the Cumberland River, you'll find the Cheatham State Wildlife Management Area. This area has many hills and is great for nature.

Roads and Connections

Ashland City is at a key meeting point for two main roads. Tennessee State Route 12 connects the town to Nashville to the southeast. It also goes to Clarksville to the northwest. Tennessee State Route 49 connects Ashland City to Springfield and Kentucky to the northeast. It also goes to Charlotte to the west.

The town covers about 11.41 square miles (29.56 square kilometers). Most of this is land, with a small part being water.

Landmarks

Sydney's Bluff

Sydney's Bluff is a jagged cliff system. It is located across the Cumberland River from Ashland City. You can see it from many parts of the town. The Cumberland River carved out these cliffs. They are popular for rock climbing and hiking. The bluff is said to be named after a girl who fell from it long ago.

Cheatham Lake

Cheatham Lake is a large area for fun and relaxation. It stretches up the Cumberland River past Ashland City. The US Army Corps of Engineers manages it. The lake was formed by the Cheatham Lock and Dam. This dam is about 11 miles northwest of the town. Cheatham Lake offers many outdoor activities. These include camping, fishing, watching wildlife, and water sports. It's a popular spot for a rustic weekend trip.

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1870 121
1880 170 40.5%
1890 358 110.6%
1910 641
1920 649 1.2%
1930 712 9.7%
1940 957 34.4%
1950 1,024 7.0%
1960 1,400 36.7%
1970 2,027 44.8%
1980 2,329 14.9%
1990 2,552 9.6%
2000 3,641 42.7%
2010 4,541 24.7%
2020 5,193 14.4%
Sources:

2020 Census Information

Ashland City racial composition
Race Number Percentage
White (non-Hispanic) 4,175 80.4%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 309 5.95%
Native American 10 0.19%
Asian 32 0.62%
Pacific Islander 11 0.21%
Other/Mixed 230 4.43%
Hispanic or Latino 426 8.2%

In 2020, there were 5,193 people living in Ashland City. These people lived in 1,986 households. There were also 1,129 families in the town.

Economy

Ashland City has several important businesses. The biggest factory is A. O. Smith. This company makes water heaters. The town's borders recently grew to include the Cheatham County Industrial Park. This park has businesses like Caymas Boats. It also has companies that build barges, make paper products, and produce concrete. These businesses are located along the Cumberland River. The Nashville & Western Railroad helps serve the industries in Ashland City.

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See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Ashland City para niños

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