Smithville, Tennessee
Encyclopedia
Smithville is a city in DeKalb County, Tennessee
, United States
. The population was 3,994 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat
of De Kalb County.
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 5.9 square miles (15.3 km²), all of it land.
As of the census
of 2000, there were 3,994 people, 1,675 households, and 1,065 families residing in the city. The population density
was 679.4 people per square mile (262.3/km²). There were 1,837 housing units at an average density of 312.5 per square mile (120.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.34% White, 2.73% African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.10% Asian, 1.65% from other races
, and 1.03% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.06% of the population.
There were 1,675 households out of which 27.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.0% were married couples
living together, 16.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.4% were non-families. 33.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.85.
In the city the population was spread out with 22.9% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 26.4% from 25 to 44, 22.3% from 45 to 64, and 19.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 83.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $22,482, and the median income for a family was $30,179. Males had a median income of $29,231 versus $20,705 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $16,854. About 15.4% of families and 22.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.3% of those under age 18 and 25.8% of those age 65 or over.
As the home of the late former U.S. Representative
Joe L. Evins
, long-time chairman of the House Appropriations Committee Smithville, perhaps unsurprisingly, has considerably more infrastructure development than could be considered typical of a Southern
town of its size. The two main thoroughfares, U.S. Highway 70 and TN-56, have long had four lanes, with TN-56 officially named "Congress Boulevard". A housing project
of unusual size proportionate to that of the town also exists.
The town's economy
suffered a serious blow when the plant of its largest employer, automotive supplier Federal Mogul, was gutted in an arson
attack by an employee in 2003 and was not reopened in Smithville, but rather in Smyrna, Tennessee
, about an hour's drive away. Federal Mogul re-opened a Smithville branch in 2005. Foutch Industries recently finished rebuilding the original Federal Mogul plant and has moved in a Wal-Mart Supercenter that opened in 2008.
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...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 3,994 at the 2000 census. It is the 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....
of De Kalb County.
Geography
Smithville is located at 35°57′26"N 85°49′15"W (35.957191, -85.820756), approximately 25 miles west of Cookeville and 70 miles east of NashvilleNashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
United 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 city has a total area of 5.9 square miles (15.3 km²), all of it land.
Demographics
Census
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 3,994 people, 1,675 households, and 1,065 families residing in the city. 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 679.4 people per square mile (262.3/km²). There were 1,837 housing units at an average density of 312.5 per square mile (120.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.34% White, 2.73% African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.10% Asian, 1.65% 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 1.03% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.06% of the population.
There were 1,675 households out of which 27.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.0% 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, 16.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.4% were non-families. 33.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.85.
In the city the population was spread out with 22.9% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 26.4% from 25 to 44, 22.3% from 45 to 64, and 19.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 83.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $22,482, and the median income for a family was $30,179. Males had a median income of $29,231 versus $20,705 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 city was $16,854. About 15.4% of families and 22.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.3% of those under age 18 and 25.8% of those age 65 or over.
Economy
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
Joe L. Evins
Joe L. Evins
Joseph Landon Evins was a Democratic U.S. Representative from Tennessee from 1947 to 1977.Evins was a native of the Blend Community of DeKalb County, Tennessee, the son of James Edgar Evins and Myrtie Goodson Evins. His father was a Tennessee state senator and a successful local businessman.Joe L...
, long-time chairman of the House Appropriations Committee Smithville, perhaps unsurprisingly, has considerably more infrastructure development than could be considered typical of a Southern
Southern United States
The Southern United States—commonly referred to as the American South, Dixie, or simply the South—constitutes a large distinctive area in the southeastern and south-central United States...
town of its size. The two main thoroughfares, U.S. Highway 70 and TN-56, have long had four lanes, with TN-56 officially named "Congress Boulevard". A housing project
Public housing
Public housing is a form of housing tenure in which the property is owned by a government authority, which may be central or local. Social housing is an umbrella term referring to rental housing which may be owned and managed by the state, by non-profit organizations, or by a combination of the...
of unusual size proportionate to that of the town also exists.
The town's economy
Economy
An economy consists of the economic system of a country or other area; the labor, capital and land resources; and the manufacturing, trade, distribution, and consumption of goods and services of that area...
suffered a serious blow when the plant of its largest employer, automotive supplier Federal Mogul, was gutted in an arson
Arson
Arson is the crime of intentionally or maliciously setting fire to structures or wildland areas. It may be distinguished from other causes such as spontaneous combustion and natural wildfires...
attack by an employee in 2003 and was not reopened in Smithville, but rather in Smyrna, Tennessee
Smyrna, Tennessee
Smyrna is a town in Rutherford County, Tennessee, United States. Smyrna's population was 25,569 people at the 2000 census. The Census estimate of the 2009 population is 39,142.-Geography:Smyrna is located at ....
, about an hour's drive away. Federal Mogul re-opened a Smithville branch in 2005. Foutch Industries recently finished rebuilding the original Federal Mogul plant and has moved in a Wal-Mart Supercenter that opened in 2008.
Fiddler's Jamboree
Joe L. Evins helped start the world famous Smithville Fiddler's Jamboree & Crafts Festival. The first Jamboree was held in July 1972 on a stage built on the steps of the DeKalb County Courthouse, and has been held there annually for 34 years on the weekend nearest to July 4. The first Jamboree attracted 714 musicians from 16 states, and was attended by an estimated audience of 8,000. Present day audiences are estimated to be well over 100,000 from all over the US, and many from abroad.Famous residents
- John AndersonJohn Anderson (musician)John David Anderson is an American country music artist with a successful career that has lasted more than 30 years...
, country music singer - Billy DeanBilly DeanWilliam Harold "Billy" Dean, Jr. is an American country music singer and songwriter. Billy Dean first gained national attention after appearing on the television talent competition Star Search...
, country music singer/songwriter, lives in nearby LibertyLiberty, TennesseeLiberty is a town in DeKalb County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 367 at the 2000 census. Liberty's main street was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987 as the Liberty Historic District.- History :... - Alan JacksonAlan JacksonAlan Eugene Jackson is an American country music singer, known for blending traditional honky tonk and mainstream country sounds and penning many of his own hits. He has recorded 13 studio albums, 3 Greatest Hits albums, 2 Holiday albums, 1 Gospel album and several compilations, all on the Arista...
, country music singer; former resident - Lonnie MackLonnie MackLonnie Mack is an American rock, blues and country guitarist and vocalist....
, blues guitarist - Aaron TippinAaron TippinAaron Dupree Tippin is an American country music artist and record producer. Initially a songwriter for Acuff-Rose Music, he gained a recording contract with RCA Records in 1990...
, country music singer; former resident, lives in nearby DowelltownDowelltown, TennesseeDowelltown is a town in DeKalb County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 355 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Dowelltown is located at ....