Milan is located in the central section of West Tennessee. Situated in Gibson County, the city is 65 miles east of the Mississippi River, 447 miles south of Chicago, 85 miles northeast of Memphis and 140 miles west of Nashville.

Gibson County was created by Act of Legislature in October, 1823 and named for Colonel John H. Gibson who built a trading post in 1818 on the banks of the North Fork of the Forked Deer River. Milan was founded in 1859 and incorporated in 1866.

Among the early settlers in Gibson County was the famous pioneer Davy Crockett who served on the first jury of the Circuit Court in 1824, and who later was elected the first U. S. Congressman of the new territory.

The land in and around Milan is level-to-slightly rolling with an average elevation of 424 feet above sea level. Gibson County farmers take advantage of the good, rich land to produce strawberries, cabbage, and tomatoes in addition to the usual cotton, corn and soybeans. The county has become one of the nation's leading suppliers of the vegetable seedling.

Milan is the trade center for the surrounding area. The town is a pleasant blend of industry, retail trade and agriculture. The largest plant is Milan Army Ammunition Plant, located in the city during World War II and operated by American Ordnance, LLC. Other industrial plants produce clothing, boxes, foam products, concrete products, leather, furniture, electronic equipment, chain saw parts and automotive parts.

Milan is a growing city with active leadership, developed industrial sites and equitable taxes. City officials and local citizens eagerly invite industries to locate here and will assist in acquiring suitable land, buildings and financing for qualified companies as a means of increasing employment and improving the general economy.