The city was founded by the Demidov family approximately on October 8, 1722, when the Vyisk plant produced its first batch of cast iron. Nizhny Tagil was home to the Cherepanovs, father and son, who designed Russia's first locomotives. During the Great Patriotic War, Uralvagonzavod adopted eleven plants evacuated from the west of the USSR and produced the larger part of the country's T-34 tanks.
Currently, the city's population is 374,500 people. The average earning between January and May, 2011, was 20,189.9 roubles, which is 24% more than in 2010. As of July 1, 2011, the unemployment rate was 1.06%.
The city's leading enterprises are Nizhny Tagil Iron and Steel Works, Vysokogorsk Mineral Processing Plant, Uralvagonzavod Corporation for Research and Manufacture, Uralchimplast, Nizhny Tagil Institute of Metal Testing, Planta Nizhny Tagil Chemicals Plant, Nizhny Tagil Boiler and Heater Plant, and Nizhny Tagil Steel Construction Plant.
Nizhny Tagil Iron and Steel Works has recently finished the renovation of the steelmaking unit that started in 2006. Uralchimplast has launched a new production line of polyvinyl chlorides and a new reactor for the production of phenol formaldehyde resins; a fluoropolymer furnace has been upgraded.
The city's social sphere is growing along with the economy. A modern maternity clinic for 117 patients has been opened recently as well as children's hospitals and outpatient clinics equipped with the latest technology for comprehensive medical examination of children and adolescents. Two kindergartens equipped for 110 children each that had earlier been redesigned for other purposes were recovered for the education system as part of the programme of pre-school education development in the Sverdlovsk Region in 2010-2014. Two more kindergartens for 130-140 children are under construction.
The federally targeted programme for the development of physical culture and sports in 2006-2015 includes the renovation of the springboard complex on Mount Dolgaya. A sports and health centre with a swimming pool on Mount Belaya was opened in November 2010. The Uralets stadium was renovated.