Portland, Tennessee Population, Hospitals, Airports, and Schools

Portland, Tennessee is a small city located in the heart of Middle Tennessee. It has a population of around 13,000 people and is the county seat of Sumner County. The city is situated on the banks of the Cumberland River, offering residents access to outdoor activities such as fishing, boating, camping and hiking. The climate in Portland is generally mild throughout the year with hot summers and cool winters.

History-wise, Portland has been an important part of Tennessee since its founding in 1810. During the Civil War, it was one of the main supply points for Confederate forces due to its location near the Cumberland River. After the war ended, Portland experienced a period of growth due to its fertile soil and access to transportation routes such as the railroad and river traffic.

Politically, Portland has traditionally voted Republican but has become increasingly Democratic in recent years due to shifting demographics in Sumner County. The city is governed by a mayor-council system with seven members on the council representing each district within the city limits.

Portland’s economy relies mainly on agriculture and manufacturing with some tourism as well. There are several major employers in town including Tyson Foods, Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations and Tractor Supply Company. The city also houses many small businesses that contribute to its overall economic health.

Education-wise, Portland boasts several excellent public schools as well as several private schools for students looking for alternatives to public education options. There are two major universities near Portland: Middle Tennessee State University and Volunteer State Community College both located just outside town limits with campuses open to residents of all ages looking to further their education or pursue job training programs offered by these institutions.

Finally, there are several landmarks that help define what makes Portland unique from other cities in Tennessee including Bledsoe’s Fort Historical Park which offers visitors a glimpse into early American history; Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park which preserves Native American artifacts; Rock Castle Historic Site which was once home to four generations of Daniel Smith’s family; Moss-Wright Park which offers outdoor recreation opportunities; and Cumberland Caverns National Natural Landmark where visitors can explore underground cavern systems filled with breathtaking rock formations created over millions of years by Mother Nature herself!

Population: 8,458. Estimated population in July 2024: 10,342 (+22.3% change)
Males: 4,084 (48.3%), Females: 4,374 (51.7%)

Sumner County

Zip code: 37148

Demographics

Median resident age: 31.4 years
Median household income: $35,644
Median house value: $85,000

Population by Race

Races in Portland:

  • White Non-Hispanic (93.7%)
  • Black (2.7%)
  • Hispanic (2.3%)
  • Other race (1.4%)
  • Two or more races (0.9%)
  • American Indian (0.8%)

Ancestries: United States (28.6%), Irish (10.5%), English (9.7%), German (6.0%), Scotch-Irish (2.7%), Dutch (1.7%).

Elevation: 805 feet

Land area: 11.4 square miles

Population by Education

Portland, Tennessee is a small town located in Sumner County with a population of approximately 13,000. It is known for its natural beauty and vibrant downtown. The cost of living in Portland is slightly lower than the national average and the median household income is $49,845. The unemployment rate stands at 4.3%, which is lower than the national average of 5%. The median home value in Portland is $164,400, which is slightly higher than the national average of $181,200. Renters make up about 28% of the population and typically pay around $800 per month for a one-bedroom apartment.

The public school system in Portland serves over 3,300 students from kindergarten through 12th grade. There are four elementary schools, two middle schools and two high schools that provide quality education to students in this area. The elementary schools are equipped with modern technology and updated materials and offer a range of extracurricular activities to encourage student engagement outside of the classroom setting. Additionally, there are several private schools located near Portland which offer an alternative education option for those who wish to pursue it.

As far as healthcare options go, Portland has numerous hospitals nearby including Sumner Regional Medical Center and Vanderbilt University Medical Center which provide quality care to residents of this area. Additionally there are several pharmacies located within city limits that make it convenient to get prescriptions filled when needed.

For population 25 years and over in Portland

  • High school or higher: 68.1%
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher: 9.5%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 2.1%
  • Unemployed: 2.7%
  • Mean travel time to work: 23.3 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Portland city

  • Never married: 18.6%
  • Now married: 61.1%
  • Separated: 2.2%
  • Widowed: 5.6%
  • Divorced: 12.4%

2.5% Foreign born (2.2% Latin America).

Population change in the 1990s: +2,703 (+47.0%).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near Portland:

  • MEDICAL CENTER AT FRANKLIN,THE (about 13 miles; FRANKLIN, KY)
  • SUMNER REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER (about 14 miles; GALLATIN, TN)
  • HENDERSONVILLE MEDICAL CENTER (about 20 miles; HENDERSONVILLE, TN)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Portland:

  • BOWLING GREEN-WARREN COUNTY RGNL (about 27 miles; BOWLING GREEN, KY; Abbreviation: BWG)
  • NASHVILLE INTL (about 34 miles; NASHVILLE, TN; Abbreviation: BNA)
  • SMYRNA (about 41 miles; SMYRNA, TN; Abbreviation: MQY)

Other public-use airports nearest to Portland:

  • PORTLAND MUNI (about 4 miles; PORTLAND, TN; Abbreviation: 1M5)
  • SUMNER COUNTY REGIONAL (about 17 miles; GALLATIN, TN; Abbreviation: M33)
  • RUSSELLVILLE-LOGAN COUNTY (about 25 miles; RUSSELLVILLE, KY; Abbreviation: 4M7)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Portland:

  • VOLUNTEER STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 14 miles; GALLATIN, TN; Full-time enrollment: 4,215)
  • WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY (about 30 miles; BOWLING GREEN, KY; Full-time enrollment: 12,806)
  • VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY (about 33 miles; NASHVILLE, TN; Full-time enrollment: 9,823)
  • BELMONT UNIVERSITY (about 37 miles; NASHVILLE, TN; Full-time enrollment: 2,654)
  • DAVID LIPSCOMB UNIVERSITY (about 38 miles; NASHVILLE, TN; Full-time enrollment: 2,260)
  • TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY (about 38 miles; NASHVILLE, TN; Full-time enrollment: 7,346)
  • NASHVILLE STATE TECHNICAL INSTITUTE (about 38 miles; NASHVILLE, TN; Full-time enrollment: 3,642)

Schools

Public high school in Portland:

  • PORTLAND HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 995; Location: 600 COLLEGE ST; Grades: 09 – 12)

Private high school in Portland:

  • HIGHLAND ACADEMY (Students: 98; Location: 211 HIGHLAND CIRCLE DRIVE; Grades: 9 – 12)

Public primary/middle schools in Portland:

  • PORTLAND MIDDLE SCHOOL (Students: 866; Location: 604 S BROADWAY; Grades: 06 – 08)
  • WATT HARDISON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 586; Location: 300 GIBSON ST; Grades: KG – 05)
  • J W WISEMAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 497; Location: 922 SOUTH BROADWAY; Grades: KG – 05)
  • CLYDE RIGGS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 470; Location: 211 FOUNTAIN HEAD RD; Grades: KG – 05)

Private primary/middle school in Portland:

  • HIGHLAND ELEM SCHOOL (Students: 85; Location: 234 HIGHLAND CIRCLE DR.; Grades: KG – 8)

Libraries

Library in Portland:

  • ELMER HINTON MEMORIAL PUBLIC LIBRARY (Operating income: $126,940; Location: 301 PORTLAND BOULEVARD; 30,420 books; 707 audio materials; 1,344 video materials; 88 serial subscriptions)