Around 190,000 people call Clarksville home, a fast-growing city on the Cumberland River, about 50 miles northwest of Nashville and right next to Fort Campbell. The military shapes the place: you will meet soldiers, veterans and families from all over the world, and hear it in the mix of languages. Austin Peay State University adds a college crowd. The historic downtown and riverfront are the best places to spend an afternoon, with monthly art walks, the Customs House Museum and Fort Defiance overlooking the river. Dunbar Cave State Park is good for a walk, and Beachaven Vineyards is a pleasant side trip. Riverfest in September is the big community party.
Costs are moderate and housing is a good deal compared with Nashville, though prices have risen with commuter demand. Violent crime is above the national average in some corridors, notably along Fort Campbell Boulevard and Madison Street, and car break-ins are the usual visitor risk. Spring storms are serious here, and a tornado hit the area in December 2021.
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- Known as
- Queen City of the Cumberland; Gateway to Fort Campbell; Rivers and Trails City; Home of Austin Peay State University
- Founded
- 1784 settled; 1785 named for General George Rogers Clark; 1819 incorporated as a city
- Languages
- English; Spanish; Korean; German; Tagalog; Arabic (military community influences)
- Airports
- Nashville International (BNA), about 50 miles southeast; Clarksville-Montgomery County Regional (CKV), general aviation only; Fort Campbell Campbell Army Airfield is military only; Evansville Regional (EVV), about 130 miles northwest
- Tipping
- Restaurants 18-20%; bars $1-2 per drink; taxis and rideshare 15-20%; hotel housekeeping $3-5 per night; bellhops $2-5 per bag; food delivery 15-20%; counter service optional
About this data
Population 188,829 (July 1, 2025), land area 99.40 sq mi, median value and rent are Census QuickFacts. Metro figure 330,000 is an approximate Clarksville TN-KY MSA estimate from general knowledge; not verified. Crime rates, hotel ranges, tipping, elevation, sale price, event months and airport distances are approximate; lower confidence. Official URLs found via search but not load-tested.
