By RACHEL STULTS
Staff Writer - read online
FRANKLIN — Williamson County is among the top 15 wealthiest in the country, according to a 2005 U.S. Census Bureau survey that measures economic data in the nation's largest counties.
Per-capita income in the suburban area south of Nashville was an estimated $39,150 over the last 12 months, placing it 15th among the nation's 787 largest counties. Williamson's median family income is $90,087, which puts it 11th, according to the survey.
Wilson County also was high on the list, at 168th for per-capita income, according to the data.
The figures were released Tuesday as part of the Census' American Community Survey, which measured economic data of areas across the nation with a population of 65,000 or more.
Williamson officials say they're pleased but not surprised by the numbers — they've been clocking the growth and watching as wealthier families and business executives have moved into the area.
Williamson County always has been a well-to-do county, but with international companies such as Nissan moving their corporate headquarters to Franklin, local incomes are increasing and creating a better quality of life, said county economic development director Bob Iannacone.
"Williamson County has drawn worldwide attention, and it will continue to," Iannacone said.
As Williamson County becomes more of a business destination than a bedroom community, residential developers say they're changing the way they build. Neighborhoods like Franklin's Westhaven, which offers high-end housing with retail centers, give people from the West Coast a flavor from home, said Jim Cheney, spokesman for developer Southern Land Co.
"Development companies are starting to understand building community as well as just houses," Cheney said. "Some of that's going on in Davidson County, but if you're looking for the opportunity to buy new homes, you're not going to find any place better than Williamson County to do that."
According to the survey, an estimated 5,954 families made $200,000 or more in Williamson County last year. However, an estimated 6,891 individuals are classified at the poverty level.
"When they tell you that everyone in Williamson County is wealthy I say we are forgetting the people who actually need our help," said longtime Williamson County Commissioner Mary Mills. "We're talking about people on a very low income."
Mills wants to see the city of Franklin and Williamson County officials work together to help spur the creation of more affordable housing to benefit people like firefighters, police officers and teachers.
In Wilson County, the rankings came as no surprise. As in Williamson, officials say it's because of the quality of life, the low housing costs and the economic boom occurring in Mt. Juliet.
"That's one of the goals of economic development," said G.C. Hixson, executive director of Wilson County's Joint Economic and Community Development Board. "To increase the per-capita income in your community and diversify the work force and create tax dollars through investments." •