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Columbia, TN

Frequently asked questions

Columbia, TN

Columbia is a city in and the county seat of Maury County, Tennessee. The population was 41,690 as of the 2020 United States census. Columbia is included in the Nashville metropolitan area. 

The self-proclaimed "mule capital of the world," Columbia celebrates the city-designated Mule Day each April. Columbia and Maury County are acknowledged as the "Antebellum Homes Capital of Tennessee"; the county has more antebellum houses than any other county in the state. The city is home to one of the last two surviving residences of James Knox Polk, the 11th President of the United States; the other is the White House.

A year after the organization of Maury County in 1807, Columbia was laid out in 1808 and lots were sold. The original town, on the south bank of the Duck River, consisted of four blocks. The town was incorporated in 1817. Columbia was the site of Jackson College from 1837 until it was burned, along with most of Jackson, by Union troops during the American Civil War.

Columbia had five documented lynchings in the 20th century. In 1924 a black man was shot and killed in the courthouse after his sentence was commuted, by the brother of his victim. In 1927 and 1933, young black men were lynched in Maury County for alleged assaults against white women; the first, Henry Choate, was being held as a suspect when he was lynched and hanged from the courthouse. In 1933 Cordie Cheek, a black 17-year-old was accused of raping a white girl. After a grand jury declined to indict him, he was abducted from Nashville by white men including law officials, and taken back to Columbia. There he was castrated and lynched by a white mob.

Columbia is located at 35°36′54″N 87°2′40″W (35.615022, −87.044464). It developed along the banks of the Duck River at the southern edge of the Nashville Basin; the higher elevated ridges of the Highland Rim are located to the south and west of the city.

The Duck River is the longest river located entirely within the state of Tennessee. Free-flowing for most of its length, the Duck River is home to over 50 species of freshwater mussels and 151 species of fish, making it the most biologically diverse river in North America. It enters the city of Manchester and meets its confluence with a major tributary, The Little Duck River, at Old Stone Fort State Park. The fort was named after an ancient Native American structure, between the two rivers, believed to be nearly 2,000 years old. The Duck River is sacred to most of the founding Native American tribes east of the Mississippi River.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 29.6 square miles (77 km²), of which 29.6 square miles (77 km²) is land and 0.03% is water. Incorporated in 1817, the city is at an elevation of 637 feet (194 m).

Columbia places a strong emphasis on the health and wellness of its residents. Maury Regional Medical Center offers comprehensive health services, including wellness check-ups and preventive care programs. Columbia Fitness Center offers comprehensive fitness programs including cardio, strength training, and group exercise classes. For those looking for a fitness center, Anytime Fitness offers 24/7 access to top-of-the-line gym equipment and classes. Stoneybrook Golf Course is ideal for those who enjoy staying active outdoors. To relax and rejuvenate, visit Harpeth River State Park, which offers hiking, kayaking, and beautiful natural scenery. Lotus Rising Yoga provides a variety of yoga classes to enhance both physical and mental well-being. 

The top sites in Columba, TN are President James K. Polk Home and Museum, Athenaeum, Chickasaw Trace Park

ZIP Code: 38401. Population: 43,340 (2021). Area code: 931. Elevation: 643 ft (196 m). Area: 29.6 square miles (77 km²)

FAQs

What is Columbia, TN famous for?

Today, the county is a heritage tourism destination, because of its numerous historic sites. Attractions include President James K. Polk's Home, the Columbia Athenaeum, Mule Day, and nearby plantation homes. For instance, Clifton Place is a historic plantation mansion located southwest of the city on Mt. Pleasant Pike (Columbia highway). Master builder Nathan Vaught started construction in 1838, and the mansion and other buildings were completed in 1839, for Gideon Johnson Pillow (1806-1877) on land inherited from Gideon Pillow.

Is Columbia, TN a nice place to live?

Columbia is a town in Tennessee with a population of 42,474. Columbia is in Maury County. Living in Columbia offers residents a sparse suburban feel and most residents own their homes. Many families live in Columbia and residents tend to lean conservative.

Is it expensive to live in Columbia, TN?

The cost of living in Columbia, TN is 7% higher than the state average and 4% lower than the national average. Columbia, TN housing is 3% cheaper than the U.S. average, while utilities are about 10% less pricey. When it comes to necessities such as food and clothing, groceries are around 1% less in Columbia, TN than in the rest of the country, while clothing costs around 1% less. Healthcare services such as doctor check-ups and dentistry cost 11% less here compared to the U.S. average. At the same time, non-necessary expenses such as entertainment and grooming services are 1% cheaper in Columbia, TN.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Columbia

Rentcafe

Niche

President James K. Polk Home and Museum

Athenaeum

Chickasaw Trace Park

Maury Regional Medical Center

Columbia Fitness Center

Anytime Fitness

Stoneybrook Golf Course

Harpeth River State Park

Lotus Rising Yoga

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 (in the United States) immediately.