North of Manchester on Route 53
Woodbury, TN: Homes and Cannon County Guide
Woodbury is the county seat of Cannon County, directly north of Manchester. Buyers who want a small town between Manchester and Murfreesboro sometimes look here. This guide covers the basics.
Where Woodbury is
Woodbury sits near the center of Cannon County in the valley of the East Fork of the Stones River. State Route 53 runs south from Woodbury about 24 miles to Manchester. US 70S runs west about 19 miles to Murfreesboro and southeast about 20 miles to McMinnville. The Middle Tennessee Industrial Development Association lists Woodbury at 53 miles from Nashville.
Size and history
The 2020 Census counted 2,703 residents in Woodbury and 14,506 in Cannon County, according to the Middle Tennessee Industrial Development Association quick facts. The town was established in 1819 and incorporated in 1838, the same year as Manchester. Woodbury is part of the Nashville metropolitan area, while Manchester and Coffee County are part of the Tullahoma, Manchester micropolitan area.
Why buyers compare Woodbury and Manchester
The two towns are connected by Route 53 and are similar in size as county seats, but they point in different directions. Woodbury looks west toward Murfreesboro on US 70S. Manchester sits right on Interstate 24, which leads to both Nashville and Chattanooga. If your commute runs to Murfreesboro, compare both drives at the hours you would travel. My commuting guide covers the Manchester side.
Name and setting
Woodbury takes its name from Levi Woodbury, a national political figure of the early 1800s. The town is small, about two square miles, and sits in a river valley with the rolling hills of Cannon County around it. Because the East Fork of the Stones River flows toward Nashville, Woodbury is part of the Cumberland River watershed, while Manchester sits in the Duck River watershed.
Getting around from Woodbury
Besides Route 53 to Manchester and US 70S to Murfreesboro and McMinnville, State Route 53 also runs north about 16 miles to Liberty, and State Route 145 leads about 10 miles north to Auburntown. Those two state routes make Woodbury a crossroads for the rural communities around it. If you will commute, drive the route at the hours you would actually travel before you decide, and try it once in bad weather too.
A small county seat
Cannon County is small, and Woodbury is its only sizable town. For many buyers that is the appeal: a quiet county seat with Murfreesboro within reach. It also means some services and shopping require a drive, so map out your weekly errands before you choose.
What to check before you buy in Cannon County
- County services. Property taxes, schools and permits come from Cannon County, not Coffee County.
- Schools. Confirm the school assignment for the specific address with the Cannon County school district.
- Utilities. Rural homes may use wells and septic systems. Request the septic permit record from the state.
- Land use. If you plan to build or divide land, check with the county first. My land buying guide explains the Tennessee rules that apply statewide.
Thinking about Woodbury or Manchester?
I help buyers across this part of Middle Tennessee think through location, commute and property type. If you are weighing Woodbury against Manchester, I am glad to talk through the tradeoffs. Read my Living in Manchester guide or start with the buyer guide.
Common questions
How far is Woodbury TN from Manchester TN?
About 24 miles along State Route 53.
What county is Woodbury TN in?
Woodbury is the county seat of Cannon County, Tennessee.
What is the population of Woodbury TN?
The 2020 Census counted 2,703 residents in Woodbury.
Matt Sargent is a Tennessee licensed affiliate broker with Keller Williams who helps buyers and sellers in Manchester and Coffee County. Call (615) 497 1658 or send a message.