Obion County, Tennessee

Obion County is a county located in the northwest corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee. As of the 2020 census, the population was 30,787.[3] The county seat is Union City.[4] The county was formed in 1823 and organized in 1824.[1] It was named after the Obion River.[5]

Obion County
County
Obion County Courthouse
Obion County Courthouse
Flag of Obion County
Flag
Map of Tennessee highlighting Obion County
Location within the U.S. state of Tennessee
Map of the United States highlighting Tennessee
Tennessee's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 36°22′N 89°09′W
Country United States
State Tennessee
Founded1824[1]
Named forObion River[1]
SeatUnion City
Largest cityUnion City
Government
 • MayorSteve Carr [2]
Area
 • Total556 sq mi (1,440 km2)
 • Land545 sq mi (1,410 km2)
 • Water11 sq mi (30 km2)  1.9%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total30,787 Decrease
 • Density58/sq mi (22/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district8th
Websitewww.obioncountytn.gov
Reelfoot Lake

Obion County is part of the Union City, TN–KY Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Martin–Union City, TN Combined Statistical Area.

History

In the year, 1811 there was a large seismic activity located on the New Madrid Fault Line. The series of earthquakes, while devastating, formed Reelfoot Lake.

Obion was later established in 1823 and organized the following year. It was named for the Obion River, which flows through the county and is a tributary of the nearby Mississippi River. The word "Obion" is believed to be derived from a Native American word meaning "many forks," or from an Irish trapper named O'Brien.[1][6][7][8]

The founding of Obion County originally came from the expansion of railroads. The county has since moved towards many agricultural and manufacturing productions.[9]

In 2013, Discovery Park of America opened in Union City. Discovery Park is a 50-acre encyclopedic museum and heritage park with exhibits pertaining to local and national history, military history, art, science, and technology.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 556 square miles (1,440 km2), of which 545 square miles (1,410 km2) is land and 11 square miles (28 km2) (1.9%) is water.[10] It is located in the "rolling hills of northwest Tennessee".[1]

Adjacent counties

National protected area

State protected areas
  • Glover Wetland Wildlife Management Area
  • Gooch Wildlife Management Area
  • Hop-In Refuge
  • Obion River Wildlife Management Area (part)
  • Reelfoot Lake State Natural Area (part)
  • Reelfoot Lake State Park (part)
  • Three Rivers Wildlife Management Area

Major highways

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18302,099—
18404,814129.3%
18507,63358.6%
186012,81767.9%
187015,58421.6%
188022,91247.0%
189027,27319.0%
190028,2863.7%
191029,9465.9%
192028,393−5.2%
193029,0862.4%
194030,9786.5%
195029,056−6.2%
196026,957−7.2%
197029,93611.1%
198032,7819.5%
199031,717−3.2%
200032,4502.3%
201031,807−2.0%
202030,787−3.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[11]
1790-1960[12] 1900-1990[13]
1990-2000[14] 2010-2014[15]
Age pyramid for Obion County[16]

2020 census
Obion County racial composition[17]
Race Num. Perc.
White (non-Hispanic) 24,736 80.35%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 3,137 10.19%
Native American 50 0.16%
Asian 103 0.33%
Other/Mixed 1,187 3.86%
Hispanic or Latino 1,574 5.11%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 30,787 people, 12,717 households, and 8,389 families residing in the county.

2000 census

As of the census[18] of 2000, there were 32,450 people, 13,182 households, and 9,398 families residing in the county. The population density was 60 inhabitants per square mile (23/km2). There were 14,489 housing units at an average density of 27 units per square mile (10/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 88.16% White, 9.85% Black or African American, 0.19% Asian, 0.14% Native American, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.91% from other races, and 0.71% from two or more races. 1.90% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 13,182 households, out of which 31.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.40% were married couples living together, 11.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.70% were non-families. 25.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.89.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.40% under the age of 18, 8.40% from 18 to 24, 27.70% from 25 to 44, 25.40% from 45 to 64, and 15.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,764, and the median income for a family was $40,533. Males had a median income of $32,963 versus $20,032 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,409. About 10.10% of families and 13.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.60% of those under age 18 and 15.10% of those age 65 or over.

Politics
United States presidential election results for Obion County, Tennessee[19]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 10,790 79.80% 2,589 19.15% 142 1.05%
2016 9,526 77.77% 2,426 19.81% 297 2.42%
2012 8,814 71.68% 3,321 27.01% 162 1.32%
2008 8,873 66.26% 4,308 32.17% 211 1.58%
2004 7,859 58.06% 5,549 41.00% 127 0.94%
2000 6,168 49.58% 6,056 48.68% 216 1.74%
1996 4,310 37.36% 6,226 53.97% 1,000 8.67%
1992 4,812 37.41% 6,497 50.51% 1,555 12.09%
1988 6,037 55.60% 4,785 44.07% 36 0.33%
1984 6,384 56.74% 4,769 42.38% 99 0.88%
1980 5,397 47.49% 5,766 50.73% 202 1.78%
1976 2,986 28.93% 7,204 69.81% 130 1.26%
1972 5,800 70.36% 2,243 27.21% 200 2.43%
1968 2,420 25.92% 2,235 23.94% 4,680 50.13%
1964 2,802 33.07% 5,672 66.93% 0 0.00%
1960 3,800 46.36% 4,244 51.78% 152 1.85%
1956 2,349 30.76% 5,185 67.89% 103 1.35%
1952 2,682 36.51% 4,623 62.94% 40 0.54%
1948 642 13.91% 3,490 75.59% 485 10.50%
1944 615 14.31% 3,670 85.39% 13 0.30%
1940 536 10.91% 4,360 88.73% 18 0.37%
1936 417 10.06% 3,728 89.94% 0 0.00%
1932 334 9.36% 3,183 89.18% 52 1.46%
1928 789 24.05% 2,492 75.95% 0 0.00%
1924 485 12.87% 3,223 85.51% 61 1.62%
1920 1,307 22.25% 4,547 77.41% 20 0.34%
1916 591 15.59% 3,170 83.64% 29 0.77%
1912 455 15.89% 2,152 75.17% 256 8.94%

The county is part of District 77 of the Tennessee House of Representatives, currently represented by Republican Rusty Grills, and District 76, currently represented by Republican Tandy Darby. The county is part of District 24 of the Tennessee Senate, currently represented by Republican John Stevens.[20] At the federal level, it is part of the state's 8th congressional district, currently represented by Republican David Kustoff.

Education

Obion County Schools
School NameTeam MascotSchool ColorsSchool Website
Lake Road Elementary School Generals Blue/Orange
Hillcrest Elementary School Cougars Red/Navy Blue
Ridgemont Elementary School Mustangs Red/Yellow
Black Oak Elementary School Eagles Yellow/Blue
South Fulton Elementary School Red Devils Red/White
South Fulton Middle/High School Red Devils Red/White
Obion County Central High School Rebels Red/White/Blue

Union City Schools
School NameTeam MascotSchool ColorsSchool Website
Union City Elementary School Tornadoes Purple/Gold 1
Union City Middle School Tornadoes Purple/Gold 1
Union City High School Tornadoes Purple/Gold 1

Attractions
Discovery Park of America in Union City.

Obion County is home to many attractions and activities.

  • Discovery Park of America offers a world-class educational experience that focuses on nature, science, technology, history, and art. Discovery Park is the main source of tourism to Obion County.
  • Reelfoot Lake is a protected area in Obion County. It is an oasis for hiking, boating, and experiencing nature.
  • Masquerade Theatre is a local theater groups and presents many high-quality productions. What started as the historical Capitol Theater has now been renovated to meet the community's needs.[21]
  • The Obion County Fair is one of the biggest events held in the county. Fair Rides, Agricultural displays, pageants, and much more are held in late August every year.[22]

Media
  • WENK-AM 1240 "The Greatest Hits of All Time"
  • WWGY 99.3 "Today's Best Music with Ace & TJ in the Morning"
  • WQAK-FM 105.7 "The Quake" (alternative rock)
  • The Union City Daily Messenger The county's Newspaper since 1926

Other services

Obion County has a public library, with a 30,000-square-foot (2,800 m2) building and a catalog of over 70,000 books, video and audio materials.[23]

Residents of the county's unincorporated communities have the option of paying $75 per year if they want firefighting services from the city of South Fulton.[24][25]

Communities
The Tower at Discovery Park of America

Cities

Towns

Unincorporated communities

See also

References
  1. R.C. Forrester. "Obion County". Tennessee Encyclopedia of History and Culture. Retrieved October 10, 2010.
  2. "Steve Carr Wins Obion County Mayors Race". Thunderbolt Radio. August 5, 2022. Retrieved August 7, 2022.
  3. "Census - Geography Profile: Obion County, Tennessee". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 7, 2023.
  4. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  5. "Origins Of Tennessee County Names" (PDF). Tennessee Blue Book. 2005–2006. p. 512. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved April 18, 2015.
  6. Connection, Sportsman's (July 16, 2016). Western Tennessee Fishing Map Guide. Sportsman's Connection. ISBN 9781885010704 – via Google Books.
  7. Miller, Larry L. (April 27, 2001). Tennessee Place-names. Indiana University Press. ISBN 0253214785 – via Google Books.
  8. "Obion County, Tennessee: History and Information". www.ereferencedesk.com.
  9. "Obion County | Tennessee Encyclopedia". Tennessee Encyclopedia. Retrieved August 16, 2018.
  10. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved April 9, 2015.
  11. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 9, 2015.
  12. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved April 9, 2015.
  13. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 9, 2015.
  14. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved April 9, 2015.
  15. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved December 6, 2013.
  16. Based on 2000 census data.
  17. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 8, 2021.
  18. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  19. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 12, 2018.
  20. Senate District 24 from the website of the Tennessee General Assembly
  21. "Obion County, Tennessee - Home". obioncounty.org. Retrieved August 16, 2018.
  22. "Obion County Fair – A Volunteer Tradition". www.obioncountyfair.net. Retrieved August 16, 2018.
  23. "About". Obion County Public Library. Archived from the original on October 26, 2013. Retrieved October 10, 2010.
  24. "Firefighters watch as home burns to the ground". WPSD-TV. September 30, 2010. Archived from the original on October 3, 2010. Retrieved October 10, 2010.
  25. Jason Hibbs (December 5, 2011). "Home burns while firefighters watch, again". WPSD-TV. Archived from the original on December 8, 2011. Retrieved December 6, 2011.
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