About Cheatham County
Cheatham County, Tennessee, is located in Middle Tennessee along the Cumberland River, approximately 25 miles northwest of Nashville. Established in 1856, Cheatham County was named after Edward Saunders Cheatham, a prominent Nashville businessman. Cheatham County Seat is Ashland City, situated on the banks of the Cumberland River. Cheatham County includes approximately 303 square miles and had an estimated population of 41,072 as of the 2020 Census, reflecting steady growth driven by its proximity to the Nashville metropolitan area.
- Cheatham County Government complex is located at 100 Public Square in Ashland City, housing the County Clerk, Register of Deeds, Property Assessor, and Trustee offices.
- The Register of Deeds maintains property records, while the County Clerk handles vital records and court documents.
Cheatham County is characterized by rolling hills, agricultural land, and river access, making it popular for outdoor recreation. Major landmarks include Cheatham Dam and Lock, Montgomery Bell State Park (partially located in Cheatham County), and the Harpeth River State Park. Cheatham County is home to several incorporated municipalities including Ashland City, Kingston Springs, Pegram, and Pleasant View.
Cheatham Property Assessor, located at the same address, manages property tax assessments and maintains tax maps. Cheatham County's economy has historically been based on agriculture and manufacturing, but has diversified with residential growth and small businesses serving the commuter population working in Nashville.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement
Sheriff & Law Enforcement
Cheatham County Sheriff's Office is responsible for maintaining law and order in Cheatham County's unincorporated areas. It oversees the operations of Cheatham County jail, processes arrests, and maintains criminal records. Notable programs include community outreach initiatives and crime prevention efforts meant to enhancing public safety.
Police Departments
Cheatham County is served by several law enforcement agencies, including Cheatham County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments in cities such as Ashland City, Kingston Springs, Pegram, and Pleasant View. Each city department is responsible for policing within its jurisdiction, handling local crimes, traffic enforcement, and community policing efforts.
Law Enforcement & Arrests
Cheatham County Sheriff's Office, located at 100 Public Square, Ashland City, TN 37015, is the primary law enforcement agency for unincorporated areas of Cheatham County. Cheatham County Jail, operated by the Sheriff's Office, houses inmates awaiting trial and those serving misdemeanor sentences.
- Citizens may request arrest records, incident reports, and booking information by submitting a written or in-person request to the Sheriff's Office or the respective municipal police department.
- Mugshots and booking photos are generally available as part of the jail roster and can be viewed online or requested in person.
- Processing fees may apply for copies of arrest records and reports, typically ranging from $0.15 to $0.50 per page for standard copies.
Inmate lookup and jail roster information is available through the Sheriff's Office website and by calling the jail directly for The roster typically includes inmate names, booking photos (mugshots), charges, bond amounts, and booking dates. Municipal law enforcement is provided by the Ashland City Police Department, Kingston Springs Police Department, Pleasant View Police Department, and Pegram Police Department, each serving their respective incorporated areas. Arrest records in Cheatham County are public records under the Tennessee Public Records Act (Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503 and § 10-7-504), which requires governmental entities to provide access to public records upon request.
There is no tribal law enforcement presence in Cheatham County.
Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records
Criminal Records
The criminal records ecosystem in Cheatham County includes records of felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations, and the sex offender registry. Residents can request background checks through the TBI, which offers full reports including arrest records, convictions, and other relevant data.
- The sex offender registry is publicly accessible, allowing residents to stay informed about offenders residing in their area.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in Cheatham County are maintained by Cheatham County Sheriff's Office. These records document the details of an individual's arrest, including the charges, date, and location of the arrest. Residents and attorneys can request arrest records by contacting the Sheriff's Office directly. The records typically include the arrestee's personal information, booking details, and any related court proceedings.
Jail & Inmate Records
Cheatham County Jail, also known as Cheatham County Detention Center, is the primary facility for housing inmates in Cheatham County. The booking process involves fingerprinting, photographing, and recording personal information of the arrestees. Inmate lookup is available through the Sheriff's Office, allowing individuals to find information about current detainees. Visitation rules are specific to the facility, typically requiring visitors to schedule appointments and adhere to security protocols.
- The bond and bail process follows Tennessee state guidelines, enabling defendants to secure release pending trial.
Mugshots & Booking Photos
Mugshots in Cheatham County are taken and retained by Cheatham County Sheriff's Office during the booking process. These booking photos are part of the public record and can be accessed through the Sheriff's Office website or by submitting a request to the office. While Tennessee does not have specific mugshot removal laws, individuals seeking to have their mugshots removed from online databases may need to contact the respective websites directly. Mugshots are typically included in arrest records and may also be available through third-party online services.
Courts & Case Records
Cheatham County's judicial system includes the Circuit Court, General Sessions Court, Chancery Court, and Juvenile Court, all located at Cheatham County Courthouse, 100 Public Square, Ashland City, TN 37015. The Circuit Court handles felony criminal cases, civil cases exceeding $50,000, and appeals from lower courts. The General Sessions Court has jurisdiction over misdemeanor criminal cases, civil cases up to $25,000, preliminary hearings for felonies, and is a small claims court.
- Cheatham County provides some online access through the Chancery and Circuit Court Clerk offices.
- Fees for court record copies typically range from $0.50 to $1.00 per page, with certification fees of approximately $5.00 per document.
- Case dockets, judgments, and case dispositions are available upon request, though some records may require written requests under the Public Records Act.
The Chancery Court handles equity matters including divorces, probate, estate administration, adoptions, and land disputes. Contact information for the court clerk offices can be obtained for Court records in Tennessee are governed by Tennessee Code Annotated § 10-7-503 and § 10-7-504, which establish public access to most court documents with limited exceptions for sealed records, juvenile matters, and certain domestic cases. The Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts operates an online case search system, but availability varies by county and court type.
In-person searches are available during regular business hours at the Clerk & Master's office for chancery records and the Circuit Court Clerk for criminal and civil records. Marriage licenses are issued by the County Clerk's office, also located at 100 Public Square.
Property & Public Records
Property and land records for Cheatham County are maintained by Cheatham County Register of Deeds, located at 100 Public Square, Suite 4, Ashland City, TN 37015. The office can be reached at and operates Monday through Friday during regular business hours. The Register of Deeds maintains and records all documents affecting real property, including warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, deeds of trust, mortgages, releases, easements, liens, plat maps, and subdivision plans. Tennessee law requires that all real estate transactions be recorded to establish chain of title and provide public notice.
- Cheatham County offers online access to recorded documents through a subscription-based system available at cheathamregister.com, where users can search by name, book and page, or property parcel number.
- Free index searching is typically available, but document images may require a fee or subscription.
- Cheatham Property Assessor of Property, located at 100 Public Square, Suite 9, Ashland City, TN 37015 (phone: 615-792-5175), maintains property tax assessment records, ownership information, and property characteristics.
- The Assessor's office provides an online GIS mapping system and property search tool where citizens can view parcel maps, ownership information, assessment values, and property characteristics at no charge.
- Document recording fees vary based on document type and number of pages, typically starting at $13.00 for the first page.
Vital Records
Vital records for Cheatham County, Tennessee, including birth and death certificates, are available through Cheatham County Clerk's office at 100 Public Square, Ashland City, TN 37015 (phone: 615-792-5179), and through the Tennessee Department of Health, Office of Vital Records. Birth certificates for births occurring in Cheatham County from 1908 to present can be requested from the County Clerk or the state office. Death certificates for deaths occurring in Cheatham County are similarly available from both sources.
- The fee for a certified copy of a birth or death certificate from the County Clerk is approximately $15.00 for the first copy and $10.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time.
- Processing time for in-person requests is typically immediate if records are readily available, while mail requests may take 2-4 weeks.
- Requesters must demonstrate a direct and tangible interest, and valid government-issued photo identification is required.
The Tennessee Department of Health Office of Vital Records, located in Nashville, can be reached at and offers online ordering through VitalChek at www.vitalchek.com with expedited processing available for additional fees. Marriage licenses are issued by Cheatham County Clerk's office; both parties must appear in person with valid identification and pay a fee of approximately $99.50 (fee is reduced to $60.50 if couples complete premarital counseling). There is no waiting period, and licenses are valid for 30 days from issuance.
Marriage records (not licenses, but certificates of marriage) are also maintained by the County Clerk. Divorce decrees are maintained by the Chancery Court Clerk & Master's office at the courthouse. Tennessee Code Annotated § 68-3-101 et seq.
Governs vital records, establishing confidentiality provisions and eligibility requirements for obtaining certified copies.
Business & Licensing
Business and licensing records in Cheatham County are maintained by multiple agencies depending on the type of business activity and registration. Cheatham County Clerk's office at 100 Public Square, Ashland City, TN 37015 (phone: 615-792-5179) handles certain local business registrations and assumed name (Doing Business As - DBA) filings for sole proprietorships and partnerships operating in Cheatham County.
- The Secretary of State maintains a searchable online database at tnbear.tn.gov where citizens can search for registered business entities, view business status, registered agents, and filing history at no charge.
- This database includes all corporations, LLCs, and registered business names in Tennessee.
- Cheatham County Chamber of Commerce, located in Ashland City, provides business resources and networking; their website is cheathamchamber.org.
For formal business entity formation, including corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), limited partnerships, and other registered entities, filings must be made with the Tennessee Secretary of State, Business Services Division. Local business licenses and permits are handled by individual municipalities; businesses operating in Ashland City must contact Ashland City Hall, while those in Kingston Springs, Pegram, or Pleasant View should contact their respective city offices. Cheatham County Planning and Zoning Department, located at the County Complex, handles building permits, zoning compliance, and development permits for unincorporated areas; contact for information.
Professional and occupational licenses are typically regulated at the state level by the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance. Sales tax permits are issued by the Tennessee Department of Revenue. Beer permits and certain alcohol licenses may be handled locally depending on jurisdiction and type of establishment.
Elections & Voter Records
Elections in Cheatham County, Tennessee, are administered by Cheatham County Election Commission, located at 102 Public Square, Ashland City, TN 37015. The Election Commission can be reached at and operates during regular business hours, Monday through Friday. Voter registration in Tennessee is available online through the Tennessee Secretary of State's website at ovr.govote.tn.gov, by mail, or in person at the Election Commission office. Tennessee law requires voters to register at least 30 days before an election to be eligible to vote in that election.
- Registered voters can verify their registration status, find their polling place, and view sample ballots through the Tennessee Voter Information Lookup at tnmap.tn.gov/voterlookup.
- Absentee ballot applications can be requested from the Election Commission and must be received by specific deadlines outlined in Tennessee Code Annotated § 2-6-201.
Cheatham County typically operates multiple polling locations on election day, with assignments based on voter precinct; specific polling locations can be confirmed through the Election Commission or the online lookup tool. Early voting is available at designated locations for approximately two weeks prior to each election, including some Saturday hours. Public election records include voter registration rolls (with certain personal information redacted), campaign finance reports filed by candidates and political action committees, candidate qualifying petitions, and precinct-level election results.
These records are available for inspection and copying under the Tennessee Public Records Act. In the November 2024 general election, Cheatham County experienced voter turnout of approximately 65-70%, consistent with typical Tennessee county turnout in presidential election years. The next major election is scheduled for November 3, 2026, featuring U.S.
House of Representatives races for Tennessee's congressional districts, potential U.S. Senate races, Tennessee gubernatorial and state legislative elections, and local county offices depending on term schedules. Absentee voting by mail is available for Tennessee voters who meet specific criteria, including being 60 years of age or older, acting as a juror, hospitalized or ill, being a caretaker, being a student or out of county on election day, or election day falling on a religious holiday.
The Election Commission maintains transparency by providing election results on election night, publishing unofficial results, and making certified results available after canvassing. Campaign finance disclosure reports for county-level candidates are filed with the County Election Commission and are available for public inspection.
Economy & Demographics
Cheatham County's economy has evolved significantly over the past two decades, transitioning from a primarily agricultural and manufacturing base to a more diverse economy driven by residential growth and proximity to Nashville. As of recent estimates, the median household income in Cheatham County is approximately $72,000 to $78,000, above the Tennessee state average, reflecting the influx of commuters working in higher-wage Nashville jobs.
Cheatham County's unemployment rate has historically tracked close to or slightly below the state average, ranging from 3% to 5% in recent years depending on economic conditions. Major economic sectors include construction and residential development, retail trade, healthcare and social assistance, manufacturing, and agriculture. Significant employers in Cheatham County include Cheatham County School System, county and municipal governments, retail establishments, and small manufacturing facilities.
The Kingston Springs area has seen particular growth with new residential subdivisions attracting families seeking affordable housing with Nashville access. Agriculture remains important, with cattle farming, hay production, and timber being primary agricultural activities. Cheatham County Industrial Park near Pleasant View has attracted light manufacturing and distribution operations.
Tourism and recreation contribute to the local economy through the Cumberland River access, Harpeth River activities, and proximity to recreational areas. The Tennessee Valley Authority's Cheatham Dam facility is a significant infrastructure asset. Economic development efforts are coordinated through Cheatham County Economic Development Council and local municipal development offices.
Cheatham County has benefited from spillover growth from Nashville's booming economy, with increasing commercial development along Highway 12 and Highway 49 corridors. Recent development projects include expanded retail options in Ashland City and continued residential subdivision growth throughout Cheatham County.
Transparency Score
Court Records: Limited: Online | Property: Yes: Online GIS/Assessor | Arrest/Jail: Yes: Online Roster | Vital Records: Limited: In-Person/Mail Required | Business: Yes: State Online (Secretary of State) | Elections: Yes: Voter Lookup Online | Overall Score: 7/10, Cheatham County provides good access to property, jail, and election records online, but court and vital records require in-person or mail requests.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Cities & Towns in Cheatham County
Explore public records for 5 cities and communities in Cheatham County, Tennessee.