Campbell County, Tennessee
Encyclopedia
Campbell County is a U.S. county
located in the U.S. state
of Tennessee
. As of 2010, the population was 40,716. Its county seat
is Jacksboro
. The Census Bureau has identified the county as a Micropolitan Statistical Area, designated the LaFollette
Micropolitan Statistical Area for the largest city in Campbell County. The LaFollette Micropolitan Statistical Area is a component of the larger Knoxville-Sevierville-La Follette
Combined Statistical Area
.
and Claiborne counties. It was named in honor of Colonel Arthur Campbell
(1743–1811), a member of the Virginia
House of Burgesses
and an officer during the Revolutionary War.
New Mammoth Cave, located in Elk Valley, just west of Jellico, was mined for saltpeter
(the main ingredient of gunpowder) during the War of 1812
. It is possible that this cave was also mined during the Civil War
. In 1921 the cave was developed as a tourist attraction and was open to the public until at least 1928. Today, New Mammoth Cave is securely gated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and is a sanctuary for bats, including the federally endangered Indiana bat
.
During the Civil War
, the county's sympathies were predominantly with the Union, although the state of Tennessee seceded from the Union and joined the Confederacy. On August 1, 1861, Campbell County became the first Tennessee county to form a Union Army
unit for the Civil War, organizing Company B of the 1st Tennessee Infantry
at Jacksboro.
, the county has a total area of 498 square miles (1,289.8 km²), of which 480 square miles (1,243.2 km²) is land and 18 square miles (46.6 km²) (3.65%) is water.
Campbell County is situated amidst a geological border region between the Cumberland Plateau
in the northwest and the Appalachian Ridge-and-Valley Range
in the southeast. This border area is characterized by several large, elongate ridges, namely Cross Mountain in the west and Cumberland Mountain, Walnut Mountain, and Pine Mountain
to the north. Elevations vary widely across the county, ranging from 3534 feet (1,077.2 m) at Cross Mountain to slightly less than 1000 feet (304.8 m) a few miles away at Norris Lake
. Norris Lake— an artificial reservoir created by the Tennessee Valley Authority
in the 1930s— is the main body of water in the region. It is fed by the Clinch
and Powell rivers as well as several large creeks, most notably Davis Creek, Big Creek, and Cove Creek. Cove Creek also feeds the much smaller Cove Lake
— a recreational lake built by TVA in the 1930s as part of the Norris project— which is located near Caryville.
Most of the county's residents live in the southern half of the county, where La Follette
, Jacksboro
, and Caryville
are located. Jellico
, located along the Tennessee-Kentucky border, is the most notable populated area in the county's plateau section.
Portions of the county north of Walnut Mountain are part of the Cumberland River
watershed. Portions of the county south of Walnut Mountain are part of the Tennessee River
watershed. In the northwestern part of the county a large valley, known as Elk Valley, runs from southwest to northeast, from Pioneer to Jellico.
, whereas the southern parts of the county economically resemble East Tennessee. The coal seams near Jellico produced a slow-burning bituminous coal
that helped make Campbell County Tennessee's largest coal-producing county in the early 20th century.
is contained within its boundaries as well as several wildlife management areas such as the North Cumberland Wildlife Management Area. The county is home to two state parks— Cove Lake State Park
near Caryville and Indian Mountain State Park
near Jellico, and portions of Norris Dam State Park
. There are two trail heads that lead to the Cumberland Trail
located in Campbell County.
of 2000, there were 39,854 people, 16,125 households, and 11,577 families residing in the county. The population density
was 83 people per square mile (32/km²). There were 18,527 housing units at an average density of 39 per square mile (15/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.13% White
, 0.30% Black
or African American
, 0.31% Native American
, 0.16% Asian
, 0.04% Pacific Islander
, 0.16% from other races
, and 0.91% from two or more races. 0.67% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 16,125 households out of which 29.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.30% were married couples
living together, 12.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.20% were non-families. 25.40% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.91.
In the county, the population was spread out with 22.90% under the age of 18, 8.50% from 18 to 24, 28.00% from 25 to 44, 25.50% from 45 to 64, and 15.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 93.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $25,285, and the median income for a family was $30,197. Males had a median income of $26,762 versus $19,138 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $13,301. About 18.40% of families and 22.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 32.00% of those under age 18 and 17.70% of those age 65 or over.
County (United States)
In the United States, a county is a geographic subdivision of a state , usually assigned some governmental authority. The term "county" is used in 48 of the 50 states; Louisiana is divided into parishes and Alaska into boroughs. Parishes and boroughs are called "county-equivalents" by the U.S...
located in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Tennessee
Tennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
. As of 2010, the population was 40,716. Its county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
is Jacksboro
Jacksboro, Tennessee
Jacksboro is a town in Campbell County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 1,887 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Campbell County.-Geography:Jacksboro is located at...
. The Census Bureau has identified the county as a Micropolitan Statistical Area, designated the LaFollette
La Follette, Tennessee
LaFollette is a city in Campbell County, Tennessee, United States. Its population was 7,926 at the 2000 census. It is the principal city of the La Follette, Tennessee Micropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Campbell County, and is a component of the Knoxville-Sevierville-La Follette...
Micropolitan Statistical Area for the largest city in Campbell County. The LaFollette Micropolitan Statistical Area is a component of the larger Knoxville-Sevierville-La Follette
Knoxville Metropolitan Area
Knoxville Metropolitan Area is the third largest Metropolitan Statistical Area in Tennessee. It consists of Knoxville, Tennessee as its central city and the following counties:*Anderson*Blount*Knox*Loudon*Union...
Combined Statistical Area
Combined Statistical Area
The United States Office of Management and Budget defines micropolitan and metropolitan statistical areas. Metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas consist of one or more counties...
.
History
Campbell County was formed in 1806 from parts of AndersonAnderson County, Tennessee
Anderson County is a U.S. county located in the U.S. state of Tennessee. As of the 2010 census, its population is 75,129. Its county seat is Clinton.It is included in the Knoxville, Tennessee, Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
and Claiborne counties. It was named in honor of Colonel Arthur Campbell
Arthur Campbell (Virginia)
Arthur Campbell was a soldier in the Indian Wars and the American Revolutionary War as well as a member of the Virginia House of Delegates. Campbell County, Tennessee was named after him....
(1743–1811), a member of the Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
House of Burgesses
House of Burgesses
The House of Burgesses was the first assembly of elected representatives of English colonists in North America. The House was established by the Virginia Company, who created the body as part of an effort to encourage English craftsmen to settle in North America...
and an officer during the Revolutionary War.
New Mammoth Cave, located in Elk Valley, just west of Jellico, was mined for saltpeter
Saltpeter
Saltpeter or saltpetre often refers to:*Potassium nitrate, or the mineral niter, the critical oxidizing component of gunpowder, and a food preservative.It may also refer to:...
(the main ingredient of gunpowder) during the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
. It is possible that this cave was also mined during the Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. In 1921 the cave was developed as a tourist attraction and was open to the public until at least 1928. Today, New Mammoth Cave is securely gated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and is a sanctuary for bats, including the federally endangered Indiana bat
Indiana bat
The Indiana bat is a medium-sized mouse-eared bat native to North America. It lives primarily in eastern and midwestern states and in parts of the south of the United States. The Indiana bat is gray, black, or chestnut in colour and is 1.2–2 inches and weighs about 1/4 an ounce...
.
During the Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, the county's sympathies were predominantly with the Union, although the state of Tennessee seceded from the Union and joined the Confederacy. On August 1, 1861, Campbell County became the first Tennessee county to form a Union Army
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
unit for the Civil War, organizing Company B of the 1st Tennessee Infantry
1st Regiment Tennessee Volunteer Infantry
The 1st Regiment Tennessee Volunteer Infantry was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War.-Service:The 1st Tennessee Infantry was organized at Camp Dick Robinson in Garrard County, Kentucky August through September 1861 and mustered in for a three year...
at Jacksboro.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the county has a total area of 498 square miles (1,289.8 km²), of which 480 square miles (1,243.2 km²) is land and 18 square miles (46.6 km²) (3.65%) is water.
Campbell County is situated amidst a geological border region between the Cumberland Plateau
Cumberland Plateau
The Cumberland Plateau is the southern part of the Appalachian Plateau. It includes much of eastern Kentucky and western West Virginia, part of Tennessee, and a small portion of northern Alabama and northwest Georgia . The terms "Allegheny Plateau" and the "Cumberland Plateau" both refer to the...
in the northwest and the Appalachian Ridge-and-Valley Range
Ridge-and-valley Appalachians
The Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians, also called the Ridge and Valley Province or the Valley and Ridge Appalachians, are a physiographic province of the larger Appalachian division and are also a belt within the Appalachian Mountains extending from southeastern New York through northwestern New...
in the southeast. This border area is characterized by several large, elongate ridges, namely Cross Mountain in the west and Cumberland Mountain, Walnut Mountain, and Pine Mountain
Pine Mountain (ridge)
Pine Mountain is a ridge in the Appalachian Mountains running through Kentucky, Virginia and Tennessee. It extends about 125 miles from near Jellico, Tennessee, to a location near Elkhorn City, Kentucky. The highest point is 3,273 feet above sea level, east of Whitesburg, Kentucky...
to the north. Elevations vary widely across the county, ranging from 3534 feet (1,077.2 m) at Cross Mountain to slightly less than 1000 feet (304.8 m) a few miles away at Norris Lake
Norris Lake
Norris Lake may refer to:* Norris Lake, a Tennessee Valley Authority reservoir in Tennessee, impounded by Norris Dam* Lake Norris in Lake County, Florida...
. Norris Lake— an artificial reservoir created by the Tennessee Valley Authority
Tennessee Valley Authority
The Tennessee Valley Authority is a federally owned corporation in the United States created by congressional charter in May 1933 to provide navigation, flood control, electricity generation, fertilizer manufacturing, and economic development in the Tennessee Valley, a region particularly affected...
in the 1930s— is the main body of water in the region. It is fed by the Clinch
Clinch River
The Clinch River rises in Southwest Virginia near Tazewell, Virginia and flows southwest through the Great Appalachian Valley, gathering various tributaries including the Powell River before joining the Tennessee River in East Tennessee.-Course:...
and Powell rivers as well as several large creeks, most notably Davis Creek, Big Creek, and Cove Creek. Cove Creek also feeds the much smaller Cove Lake
Cove Lake State Park
Cove Lake State Park is a state park in Campbell County, Tennessee, in the southeastern United States. The park consists of situated around Cove Lake, an impoundment of Cove Creek created by the completion of Caryville Dam in 1936...
— a recreational lake built by TVA in the 1930s as part of the Norris project— which is located near Caryville.
Most of the county's residents live in the southern half of the county, where La Follette
La Follette, Tennessee
LaFollette is a city in Campbell County, Tennessee, United States. Its population was 7,926 at the 2000 census. It is the principal city of the La Follette, Tennessee Micropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Campbell County, and is a component of the Knoxville-Sevierville-La Follette...
, Jacksboro
Jacksboro, Tennessee
Jacksboro is a town in Campbell County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 1,887 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Campbell County.-Geography:Jacksboro is located at...
, and Caryville
Caryville, Tennessee
Caryville is a town in Campbell County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 2,297 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Caryville is located at ....
are located. Jellico
Jellico, Tennessee
Jellico is a city in Campbell County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 2,448 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Jellico is located at . The city is situated amidst the Cumberland Mountains in the Elk Creek Valley, which runs perpendicular to the Tennessee-Kentucky state line...
, located along the Tennessee-Kentucky border, is the most notable populated area in the county's plateau section.
Portions of the county north of Walnut Mountain are part of the Cumberland River
Cumberland River
The Cumberland River is a waterway in the Southern United States. It is long. It starts in Harlan County in far southeastern Kentucky between Pine and Cumberland mountains, flows through southern Kentucky, crosses into northern Tennessee, and then curves back up into western Kentucky before...
watershed. Portions of the county south of Walnut Mountain are part of the Tennessee River
Tennessee River
The Tennessee River is the largest tributary of the Ohio River. It is approximately 652 miles long and is located in the southeastern United States in the Tennessee Valley. The river was once popularly known as the Cherokee River, among other names...
watershed. In the northwestern part of the county a large valley, known as Elk Valley, runs from southwest to northeast, from Pioneer to Jellico.
Adjacent Counties
- Whitley County, KentuckyWhitley County, KentuckyWhitley County is a county located in the state of Kentucky. 2005 census projections list its population at 38,029 . The county seat is at Williamsburg, though the largest city is Corbin, and the county's District Court sits in both cities...
(north) - Claiborne County (east)
- Union County (southeast)
- Anderson CountyAnderson County, TennesseeAnderson County is a U.S. county located in the U.S. state of Tennessee. As of the 2010 census, its population is 75,129. Its county seat is Clinton.It is included in the Knoxville, Tennessee, Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
(south) - Scott County (west)
- McCreary County, KentuckyMcCreary County, KentuckyMcCreary County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2000, the population was 17,080. Its county seat is Whitley City. The county is named for James B. McCreary, a Confederate war hero and Governor of Kentucky from 1875 to 1879. It is the only Kentucky county to not have a...
(northwest)
Coal mining
The Cumberland Plateau section of Campbell County is part of the massive Appalachian coalfield that dominates much of Central Appalachia, and thus the Jellico section of the county has more in common economically with southeastern Kentucky and West VirginiaWest Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
, whereas the southern parts of the county economically resemble East Tennessee. The coal seams near Jellico produced a slow-burning bituminous coal
Bituminous coal
Bituminous coal or black coal is a relatively soft coal containing a tarlike substance called bitumen. It is of higher quality than lignite coal but of poorer quality than Anthracite...
that helped make Campbell County Tennessee's largest coal-producing county in the early 20th century.
Tourism
Campbell County is part of the Norris Highlands. Much of Norris LakeNorris Lake
Norris Lake may refer to:* Norris Lake, a Tennessee Valley Authority reservoir in Tennessee, impounded by Norris Dam* Lake Norris in Lake County, Florida...
is contained within its boundaries as well as several wildlife management areas such as the North Cumberland Wildlife Management Area. The county is home to two state parks— Cove Lake State Park
Cove Lake State Park
Cove Lake State Park is a state park in Campbell County, Tennessee, in the southeastern United States. The park consists of situated around Cove Lake, an impoundment of Cove Creek created by the completion of Caryville Dam in 1936...
near Caryville and Indian Mountain State Park
Indian Mountain State Park
Indian Mountain State Park is a state park in Campbell County, Tennessee, in the southeastern United States. Established in 1971, the park consists of situated at the base of Indian Mountain, a summit that overlooks the Elk Valley in the Cumberland Mountains...
near Jellico, and portions of Norris Dam State Park
Norris Dam State Park
Norris Dam State Park is a state park in Anderson County and Campbell County, Tennessee, in the southeastern United States. The park is situated along the shores of Norris Lake, an impoundment of the Clinch River created by the completion of Norris Dam in 1936. The park consists of managed by...
. There are two trail heads that lead to the Cumberland Trail
Cumberland Trail
The Cumberland Trail is a hiking trail following a line of ridges and gorges along the eastern escarpment of the Cumberland Plateau in Tennessee. The trail begins at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park and ends at Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park and Prentice Cooper Wildlife...
located in Campbell County.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 39,854 people, 16,125 households, and 11,577 families residing in the county. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 83 people per square mile (32/km²). There were 18,527 housing units at an average density of 39 per square mile (15/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.13% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.30% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.31% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.16% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.04% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.16% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.91% from two or more races. 0.67% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race.
There were 16,125 households out of which 29.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.30% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 12.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.20% were non-families. 25.40% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.91.
In the county, the population was spread out with 22.90% under the age of 18, 8.50% from 18 to 24, 28.00% from 25 to 44, 25.50% from 45 to 64, and 15.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 93.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $25,285, and the median income for a family was $30,197. Males had a median income of $26,762 versus $19,138 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the county was $13,301. About 18.40% of families and 22.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 32.00% of those under age 18 and 17.70% of those age 65 or over.
Cities and towns
- CaryvilleCaryville, TennesseeCaryville is a town in Campbell County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 2,297 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Caryville is located at ....
- JacksboroJacksboro, TennesseeJacksboro is a town in Campbell County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 1,887 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Campbell County.-Geography:Jacksboro is located at...
- JellicoJellico, TennesseeJellico is a city in Campbell County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 2,448 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Jellico is located at . The city is situated amidst the Cumberland Mountains in the Elk Creek Valley, which runs perpendicular to the Tennessee-Kentucky state line...
- La FolletteLa Follette, TennesseeLaFollette is a city in Campbell County, Tennessee, United States. Its population was 7,926 at the 2000 census. It is the principal city of the La Follette, Tennessee Micropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Campbell County, and is a component of the Knoxville-Sevierville-La Follette...
- Lake CityLake City, TennesseeLake City is a town in Anderson and Campbell counties in the eastern part of the U.S. state of Tennessee, northwest of Knoxville. The population was 1,888 at the 2000 census...
(primarily in Anderson County)
Unincorporated communities
- Clinchmore
- Coolidge
- Duff
- Elk Valley
- Habersham
- Fincastle
- NewcombNewcomb, TennesseeNewcomb is an unincorporated community in Campbell County, Tennessee.-History:Newcomb formed in the 19th century as the location of a railroad station on the Knoxville and Ohio Railroad . A post office was established in Newcomb in 1883. It is still in operation, with assigned zip code...
- Pinecrest
- Pioneer
- Stony Fork
- White Oak
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Campbell County, Tennessee
External links
- Campbell County on FamilySearch Wiki. Resources for tracing your family tree in Campbell County.
- Campbell County History