Image Credit: clarksvilletn.gov
The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
A recent housing assessment shows Clarksville is suffering a housing shortage alongside skyrocketing home prices as the city continues to see surges of new residents.
The fifth-largest city in the state, Clarksville’s population has grown by nearly 20,000 residents in the past four years, and a study from Bowen National Research shows that limited options and higher prices are making it difficult for families to find affordable homes.
According to the assessment, Clarksville will need over 15,000 additional housing units between now and 2029 to meet demand but is lacking in affordable housing options, with a minimal number of homes available under $200,000. Majority of available properties are priced at over $300,000.
Nearly 18,000 homes were sold in the city between 2020 and 2024, and since 2018, the median home price has increased by more than $92,000, which has pushed many prospective buyers out of the local market.
The study also showed that close to 21,000 Clarksville households face affordability challenges, with many paying over 50% of their income toward housing costs. The city’s government-subsidized rental housing program, which serves households earning less than $40,000 is 100% occupied.
And 60% of tax credit-subsidized properties, serving people earning between $40,000-$64,000 annually, have waitlists with one list having an estimated five-year wait.
“It’s really that 35 to 44 age group [that] is significantly growing, and so you’re gonna see a growing demand for family-oriented housing,” said President of Bowen National Research Patrick Bowen.
Montgomery County has not escaped this growth crisis, as the data from the Clarksville Association of Realtors showed that in May, June, and July of 2025, real estate in Montgomery County continues to rise in average listing and home sold prices compared to the same time last year.
One Montgomery County Commissioner has proposed more partnerships with Habitat for Humanity as a possible solution. As most Habitat mortgages are approximately $1,000 or less, she believes it could make homeownership attainable for those who might otherwise be unable to buy a home.
The Commissioner also said the county is working with the economic development council to explore workforce housing options to ensure that teachers, first responders, and other local workers can remain in Clarksville without being priced out.
During the most recent city budget preparation, local firefighters petitioned the city council to include a wage increase, arguing their starting salary is lower than most other departments in the area and not enough for many of them to make ends meet.
The budget ultimately passed without the raise, to the ire of the firefighters, but the Clarksville Public Safety Committee later approved recommending a pay study to determine how local salaries compare to similar communities. Firefighters are hoping the study results result in a step pay plan mirroring other agencies in Tennessee.
“We’re growing 5,000-6,000 people a year both in the city as well as in the county. A couple of years ago we grew more than Metro Nashville. Clarksville was the No. 1 growing city in the state…There’s a lot of things we need to play catch-up on. We have to have the services to go with it, and our housing, just like Nashville of Gallatin or Mount Juliet…our housing has seen the same 60-80% increase in just the last several years; to the point where, I have a 16-year-old- I don’t know where he’s going to live in six or seven years,” said Regional Planning Commission Director Jeffrey Tyndall.
About the Author: Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
