Murfreesboro and Rutherford County benefit from strong economic growth, and have for over two decades. In March 2008, it was declared the fastest growing county in the state.

Annual population growth has averaged approximately six percent for each of the last 20 years. This population growth has generated a construction boom that has been a major contributor to the economic strength.

Another element of the community's economic development is the growth in retail trade. Approximately 229,000 residents call Rutherford County home, but the trade area is over 1.5 million with consumers from a nine-county area regularly shopping with local merchants. Over $3.4 billion in retail sales were recorded in 2007. The community is a regional center for health care with Middle Tennessee Medical Center in Murfreesboro. Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, with over 24,000 students, is the largest state university in the Tennessee.

The local population continues to grow with an estimated population of 228,829 living in Rutherford County with a reported median household income of $52,332. (2006 Census est.)