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In April 1963, Nashville leaders, facing fierce opposition, took a risk that set the stage for key economic, social and cultural changes for generations to come. By unifying Nashville's urban core with the same government as rural and suburban Davidson County, city leaders pooled resources to create what many say is an ideal mix of small-town charm and big-city amenities.
Here is the story of how modern Music City came to be -- shown through hundreds of photographs, videos, interviews with newsmakers, quizzes and games. Then-and-now images show how Nashville's skyline has changed, and columnist Gail Kerr speaks with the mayors.
Nashville's neighborhoods are profiled with highlights from their pasts and videos that showcase their unique characteristics. We encourage readers to share their own photos and take our community poll.
Finally, we will be inviting everyone to a series of community events kicking off in April. Happy anniversary, Nashville. We hope you enjoy this project and return often as we add to it.
Below is a breakdown of Nashville's demographics and total population, from 1960 to 2010, according to census records.
Nashville demographics: 1960 to 2010
Each dot represents 10 people.
Source: U.S. Census