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Lake and Waterfront Properties on Old Hickory Lake
About Old Hickory Lake
Old Hickory Lake is the defining waterway of Middle Tennessee's residential lake market. Created in 1954 by the completion of the Old Hickory Lock and Dam on the Cumberland River, the lake was named in honor of President Andrew Jackson, whose nearby estate The Hermitage earned him the nickname "Old Hickory" during the War of 1812. Originally developed for flood control, hydroelectric power, and navigation, it has grown into one of Tennessee's most sought-after destinations for waterfront living.
The lake covers nearly 100 miles of shoreline across multiple Middle Tennessee counties, with established waterfront communities in Hendersonville, Gallatin, Old Hickory, Mount Juliet, and Lebanon. Each community has its own character, price range, and type of waterfront access — from gated golf and lake developments to private lakefront estates on open water.
One common point of confusion: there is both a lake named Old Hickory Lake and a town named Old Hickory located on its shores. When searching for waterfront properties across the full lake, be sure to search Old Hickory Lake properties rather than filtering by the town of Old Hickory specifically, which will only return a subset of available homes.
Waterfront Communities on Old Hickory Lake
Hendersonville has more Old Hickory Lake shoreline than any other city on the lake — 26 miles across two peninsulas. It is the most active and competitive segment of the Old Hickory waterfront market, with a wide range of properties from lake cottages to large private estates. Hendersonville's combination of lake access, Sumner County Schools, and Nashville proximity makes it consistently one of the strongest waterfront markets in Middle Tennessee.
Gallatin has two premier master-planned lake communities that attract buyers from across the region. Fairvue Plantation is a gated resort style golf and lake community with homes from the high $700,000s into the millions. Foxland Harbor is a well-established golf and waterfront community with strong owner-occupancy. Gallatin also has private lakefront homes scattered along the shoreline outside of these two communities.
Mount Juliet offers Old Hickory Lake access from Wilson County with strong I-40 connectivity and relatively accessible pricing compared to Hendersonville and Gallatin. It is a growing market that appeals to buyers who need Nashville access without the Sumner County price premium.
Lebanon sits along the eastern reach of Old Hickory Lake in Wilson County. Waterfront properties here tend to be more affordable than comparable homes further west on the lake, and the city's historic downtown square and proximity to Cedars of Lebanon State Park add to its appeal for buyers who want lake access with small-city character.
Old Hickory is a historic Davidson County community approximately 15 miles from downtown Nashville. It offers some of the most affordable waterfront pricing on Old Hickory Lake combined with a genuine neighborhood character and a commute to Nashville that most other lake markets cannot match.
What to Know Before Buying on Old Hickory Lake
Old Hickory Lake is managed by the Army Corps of Engineers, which means dock permits are federally regulated and property-specific. Not every waterfront lot has a permitted dock, and adding one involves a permitting process separate from the home purchase. This is worth confirming early in the due diligence process on any waterfront property.
Flood zone designation varies significantly across the lake. Properties on open water, protected coves, and canal lots all carry different flood insurance requirements and costs. Seasonal water levels on the Cumberland River system also affect how waterfront lots look and function at different times of year — a shoreline that looks ideal in summer photographs may have limited water access in drier months depending on the TVA's management schedule.
Kim Blanton has specialised in Old Hickory Lake waterfront properties throughout her 30-year career. She can help buyers understand the dock permit status, flood zone classification, and practical waterfront characteristics of any specific property before making an offer. Contact Kim at 615-969-1460 with any questions.
Lake Homes For Sale on Old Hickory
- All Listings
- Under $100,000
- $200,000 - $300,000
- $300,000 - $400,000
- $400,000 - $500,000
- $500,000 - $600,000
- $600,000 - $700,000
- $700,000 - $800,000
- $800,000 - $900,000
- $900,000 - $1,000,000
- Over $1,000,000
Current Old Hickory Lake Real Estate Statistics
| Average Price | $2.3M |
|---|---|
| Lowest Price | $0 |
| Highest Price | $54M |
| Total Listings | 83 |
| Avg. Days On Market | 80 |
| Avg. Price/SQFT | $639 |
Property Types
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Frequently Asked Questions About Old Hickory Lake
What cities are on Old Hickory Lake?
Old Hickory Lake runs through several Middle Tennessee counties with waterfront communities in Hendersonville, Gallatin, Mount Juliet, Lebanon, and Old Hickory. Hendersonville has the most shoreline of any single city on the lake. Each community has distinct pricing, character, and level of waterfront development.
What is the price range for homes on Old Hickory Lake?
Old Hickory Lake waterfront home prices vary considerably by location and property type. Entry-level lake-access properties in communities like Old Hickory and Lebanon start in the mid-to-high $500,000s. Mid-range waterfront homes in Hendersonville and Mount Juliet typically range from the $500,000s to the $900,000s, and larger properties can expand into the millions. Premier properties in Gallatin's Fairvue Plantation and Hendersonville's established lakefront neighborhoods regularly exceed $1 million, with large open-water estates extending well above that.
What lake communities are on Old Hickory Lake?
The most prominent planned lake communities on Old Hickory Lake are Fairvue Plantation and Foxland Harbor in Gallatin. Hendersonville has several established waterfront neighborhoods along its 26 miles of shoreline. Mount Juliet has growing lake-access developments. Old Hickory has an established waterfront neighborhood close to Nashville.
Do Old Hickory Lake homes have private boat docks?
Many waterfront properties on Old Hickory Lake have private boat docks permitted through the Army Corps of Engineers. Dock permits are property-specific and not all lots are eligible or currently permitted. Buyers should confirm the dock status of any specific property during due diligence. Kim Blanton can advise on the dock permit status and the permitting process for any property on the lake.
What is the difference between Old Hickory Lake and the town of Old Hickory?
Old Hickory Lake is the reservoir that spans multiple Middle Tennessee counties. The town of Old Hickory is a specific Davidson County community located on the lake's western shore near Nashville. Searching by the town name will only return properties in that specific community. To see all available waterfront homes across the full lake, search for Old Hickory Lake properties rather than filtering by the town of Old Hickory.
Does Kim Blanton specialize in Old Hickory Lake waterfront properties?
Yes. Kim Blanton has specialised in Old Hickory Lake waterfront transactions throughout her 30-year career in Middle Tennessee real estate. She serves buyers and sellers across all communities on the lake including Hendersonville, Gallatin, Mount Juliet, Lebanon, and Old Hickory. She can be reached at 615-969-1460 or through the contact form on this site.