About Livingston

The Town of Livingston was purchased on August 10, 1833. The 40 acre tract sold for $200 and was divided into 120 building lots. One 268 ft lot was reserved for the courthouse, and one with a large spring was reserved for the town’s water supply. The remainder of the lots were then sold on a first-come first-serve basis.

This town is named after Edward Livingston (1764-1836). Livingston served as a U.S. Representative in Congress (1823-1829), a U.S. Senator (1829-1831), and U.S. Secretary of State under President Andrew Jackson (1831-1833).

Brief History

Black and white photo of a street view in Livingston, Tennessee, showing vintage cars parked along the curb in front of the U.S. Post Office and a large tree.
 
Black and white photo of a brick courthouse building with tall windows and an arched doorway, surrounded by trees and parked cars in the background.

Livingston Town Square

Since the mid-1800s, our Town Square has been the heartbeat of Livingston, where history comes alive and stories of the past echo through time. Tales from the Civil War linger, and some say you can still hear the footsteps of young soldiers marching off to the Spanish-American War, World Wars I and II, and the enduring Volunteers of Tennessee. Our Town Square is a cherished landmark, a gathering place for the community in both joyous and challenging times. Here in Tennessee, where history is woven into our daily lives, we take great pride in preserving our Town Square. It’s a place where memories flourish for both the old and the young, and where stories grow richer with each passing day.

Experience the magic of the Town Square in the fall, when the leaves turn to gold, and in the spring, when flowers bloom in vibrant colors. Feel the festive spirit as Christmas bells ring, drawing residents from all over Overton County to celebrate together. Even those who move away always hold fond memories of happy days spent around the Town Square. Come and see for yourself the historic Courthouse Square in beautiful Livingston, Tennessee

Make Livingston Home

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 13.4 km² (5.2 mi²). 13.3 km² (5.1 mi²) of it is land and 0.1 km² (0.04 mi²) of it (0.77%) is water.

Map of Tennessee highlighting cities, lakes, rivers, and major highways, with regions like Great Smoky Mountains, Cumberland, and Mississippi River labeled.
Map of Tennessee showing Memphis, Chattanooga, and Nashville with an inset of the state outline.

Quick Facts

The median household income in Livingston is $37,346, with an employment rate of 56.1%. Additionally, 9.2% of the population has a bachelor’s degree or higher.

Where is Livingston?

The Town of Livingston lies in a valley on the Highland Rim and is the county seat for Overton County. We are approximately 20 miles northeast of Cookeville, situated halfway between Nashville and Knoxville, Tennessee.

Welcome to Livingston sign surrounded by yellow and green plants along a road.

Small Community

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 3,905 people, 1,677 households, and 963 families residing in the town.

A brick building with the words 'Tennessee' and the number '38570' on it.
A Tennessee state flag flying outdoors against a clear blue sky with the sun shining behind it.

City Government

Learn more about how our city operates and meet the dedicated officials serving Livingston by exploring the page below.

Learn about city government
A brick building with white-trimmed windows and the phrase 'In God We Trust' on its front, located at the intersection of Church Street and East Court Square. There are street signs, traffic lights, cars parked, trees, and lampposts in the area. The sky is partly cloudy.
The Tennessee state flag with three white stars inside a blue circle, bordered by a red circle.

Livingston

A place where everyone can live, work, and play in a small town atmosphere that offers a friendly, peaceful, and clean environment with quality jobs and educational opportunities – backed by strong responsible community leaders with an eye to the future.