Portland is a city in Sumner and Robertson counties in Tennessee. The population was 11,486 in 2010 according to estimates by the U.S. census bureau and in 2020 the population was 13,156. Portland is a part of the Nashville Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Portland is located on the Highland Rim in extreme northern Middle Tennessee. This region has always been known for excellent agricultural soils, a spectacular wildlife environment and an enjoyable climate.

People were originally attracted from the tobacco belt in Virginia and the Carolinas to the Highland Rim for land speculation and production of dark tobacco. The Highland Rim offered ideal climate and soil conditions for growing dark tobacco. This lucrative crop increased the value of the land, which benefited land speculators in the area. Eventually these speculators moved on to attempt profits elsewhere. The farmers, however, remained.

The oldest local settlement in Portland is Fountain Head, which is located a couple of miles south of Portland. This settlement was founded in 1792 by the James Gwin family. Within a century, it grew to include a mill, tobacco factory, post office, a Louisville and Nashville Railroad depot, and a number of local retail stores.

William Nolan built a school near Shun Pike in what is now Portland. This stimulated community growth. Portland was originally called Richland. In 1859, the L&N Railroad opened the Nashville-Bowling Green route through Portland. In the same year, a train depot was built in Richland along the railroad on property owned by Thomas Buntin. Buntin was appointed as the depot's first agent and later became Richland's first postmaster. The depot stimulated development in the village. Even today, the railroad runs directly through the center of town.

The first public high school in Sumner County was originally started as a seminary in 1874. It was later named Sumner County High School and opened in 1915.

In 1887, there were two towns in Tennessee named Richland. Officials of the L&N railroad were worried that a telegraph mix-up might result in a train wreck. Postal customers complained of inconvenience as mail was frequently misdirected between the two Richlands. The Railroad administrators and postal authorities decided that Richland in Sumner County would be renamed as Portland to avoid this confusion. The new name was effective on April 10, 1888. Portland was incorporated in April 1904 by legislation passed by the Tennessee Assembly.

In the second decade of the 21st century, Portland is growing at a fast pace buoyed by the growth of the Nashville Metropolitan Area. Daido America operates its US headquarters in Portland. Companies such as Kyowa America and Unipres have manufacturing plants in the city as well.

Geography

thumb|Portland, Tennessee Business District

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which, is land and 0.09% is water.

Portland is the northern terminus of U.S. Bicycle Route 23. Portland is considered the strawberry capital of Tennessee.

Climate

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Portland had a population of 13,156.

There were 4,823 households, including 3,247 families, residing in the city.

{| class="wikitable"

|+ Racial composition as of the 2020 census

! Race !! Number !! Percent

|-

| White || 11,051 || 84.0%

|-

| Black or African American || 608 || 4.6%

|-

| American Indian and Alaska Native || 55 || 0.4%

|-

| Asian || 72 || 0.5%

|-

| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander || 2 || 0.0%

|-

| Some other race || 389 || 3.0%

|-

| Two or more races || 979 || 7.4%

|-

| Hispanic or Latino (of any race) || 955 || 7.3%

|}

2010 Census data

As of the 2010 Census Portland had a population of 11,480. It had a racial and ethnic composition of 90.5% non-Hispanic white, 3.5% black or African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.1% non-Hispanic from some other race, 1.7% two or more races, and 3.9% Hispanic or Latino.

2000 Census data

At the 2000 census there were 8,458 people in 3,226 households, including 2,377 families, in the city. The population density was . There were 3,502 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 94.53% White, 2.70% African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.19% Asian, 1.40% from other races, and 0.86% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.29%.

  • Jackson McLerran,born, raised, and resides in Portland; professional stock car racing driver

Nearby communities

  • Nashville
  • Hendersonville
  • Gallatin
  • White House
  • Mt. Juliet
  • Clarksville
  • Westmoreland
  • Orlinda
  • Mitchellville
  • Franklin
  • Fairfield
  • Oak Grove
  • Bethpage

References

  • Official website of the City of Portland