Claiborne County, Tennessee

Claiborne County is a county located in the U.S. state of Tennessee. As of the 2010 census, the population was 32,213. [2] Its county seat is Tazewell.[3]

Claiborne County
U.S. county
County of Claiborne
Claiborne County Courthouse in Tazewell
Seal
Location within the U.S. state of Tennessee
Tennessee's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 36°29′N 83°40′W
Country United States
State Tennessee
FoundedOctober 29, 1801
Named forWilliam C. C. Claiborne[1]
SeatTazewell
Largest cityHarrogate
Area
 • Total442 sq mi (1,140 km2)
 • Land435 sq mi (1,130 km2)
 • Water7.0 sq mi (18 km2)  1.6%%
Population
 • Estimate 
(2019)
31,959
 • Density74/sq mi (29/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district2nd
Websitewww.claibornepartnership.com

History

Claiborne County was established on October 29, 1801, created from Grainger and Hawkins counties and extended the southern boundary to Anderson County. It was named for Virginia tidewater aristocrat William C. C. Claiborne, one of the first judges of the Tennessee Superior Court and one of the first representatives in U.S. Congress from Tennessee.[4]

Like a few other East Tennessee counties, Claiborne County was largely opposed to secession on the eve of the Civil War. In Tennessee's Ordinance of Secession referendum on June 8, 1861, the county's residents voted against secession by a margin of 1,243 to 250.[5]

The Four Seasons Hotel was built on the location of present-day Lincoln Memorial University in 1892 by an English land company, the American Association Limited, which was led locally by flamboyant businessman Alexander Arthur. At the time, it was reported by its promoters to be the largest hotel in the United States. The main building was four stories high with a lobby 75 feet square and a dining room 50 feet by 160 feet. It was reported to contain 700 rooms. Also included in the complex were a hospital, an inn, a sanitarium, and other smaller buildings. The hotel was not a success and was demolished in 1895. During its operation, the Four Seasons Hotel offered buggy rides to nearby English Cave, which had been improved with wooden stairways, walkways, and bridges. The rotting remains of these wooden structures can still be seen in the cave.[6]

Notable people

from Claiborne County include State Representative Boyd C. Fugate (1884-1967). Claiborne County's musical heritage includes musicians Rodney Atkins, Cindy Morgan and Michael McMeel as well as bluegrass musicians Steve Gulley, Milton Estes, CF Bailey and Shadow Ridge, Vic Graves, Scott and Alan Powers, The Honeycutt Brothers, Buster Turner and the Turner Brothers, Bryan Turner, Jason Beeler, Larry Carter, Randall Massengill, and Jerry Cole. Lincoln Memorial University's literary heritage includes authors Silas House, James Still, and Jesse Stuart.

Geography
Farmlands near Speedwell

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 442 square miles (1,140 km2), of which 435 square miles (1,130 km2) is land and 7.0 square miles (18 km2) (1.6%) is water.[7] Major Waterways include the Powell River and Clinch River, which forms part of Norris Lake. Major high points are Bryson Mountain, Powell Mountain, Lone Mountain, Raven Hill, and Wallen Ridge.

Adjacent counties

National protected area

State protected areas

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
18104,798—
18205,50814.8%
18308,47053.8%
18409,47411.9%
18509,369−1.1%
18609,6432.9%
18709,321−3.3%
188013,37343.5%
189015,10312.9%
190020,69637.0%
191023,50413.6%
192023,286−0.9%
193024,3134.4%
194024,6571.4%
195024,7880.5%
196019,067−23.1%
197019,4201.9%
198024,59526.6%
199026,1376.3%
200029,86214.3%
201032,2137.9%
2019 (est.)31,959[8]−0.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]
1790-1960[10] 1900-1990[11]
1990-2000[12] 2010-2014[2]
Age pyramid Claiborne County[13]

As of the census[14] of 2000, there were 29,862 people, 11,799 households, and 8,684 families residing in the county. The population density was 69 people per square mile (27/km2). There were 13,262 housing units at an average density of 30 per square mile (12/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.79% White, 0.75% Black or African American, 0.24% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.19% from other races, and 0.74% from two or more races. 0.64% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 11,799 households, out of which 32.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.80% were married couples living together, 11.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.40% were non-families. 23.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.60% under the age of 18, 8.90% from 18 to 24, 28.70% from 25 to 44, 25.40% from 45 to 64, and 13.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 93.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $25,782, and the median income for a family was $31,234. Males had a median income of $26,280 versus $19,951 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,032. About 18.40% of families and 22.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.70% of those under age 18 and 19.90% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Tourism [15]

Recent Awards and Recognition

  • Received Chuck Davis award in 2013 for “Best Practices” in Tourism development.
  • The Claiborne County Fair Association was awarded the 2014 “Most Improved Fair in Tennessee” by the TN State Fair Association.  
  • Cumberland Gap Genealogy Jamboree and Pioneer Days was named one of the top 20 events in the Southeast for June in: 2015 and 2017 by the Southeast Tourism Society.
  • The White Lightning Trail Festival was named one of the top 20 events in the Southeast for June in: 2013, 2014, and 2015 by the Southeast Tourism Society.
  • The Claiborne County Fair Association was awarded the 2016 “Merit Award” by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture.  
  • Cumberland Gap National Historic Park received the 2017 “Keeper of the Light Award” as part of the National Park Service Centennial celebration.
  • The Powell River Blueway Trail received the 2018 “Excellence Award” from the East Tennessee Development District.
  • The Powell River Blueway Trail received the 2018 “Excellence in Communication and Outreach Award” from the Tennessee River Basin Network.

Communities

Cities

Towns

Unincorporated communities

Politics

Claiborne County is a Republican stronghold. The last Democrat to carry this county was Bill Clinton in 1992.

Presidential election results
Presidential Elections Results[16]
Year Republican Democratic Third Parties
2020 81.9% 10,598 17.0% 2,201 1.1% 136
2016 80.1% 8,602 17.1% 1,832 2.9% 306
2012 74.8% 7,617 23.9% 2,433 1.3% 128
2008 68.9% 7,175 29.5% 3,078 1.6% 167
2004 61.2% 6,448 38.3% 4,034 0.6% 58
2000 55.8% 5,023 42.7% 3,841 1.5% 136
1996 46.4% 4,023 44.5% 3,861 9.2% 795
1992 42.9% 4,065 47.5% 4,509 9.6% 911
1988 57.5% 4,071 42.0% 2,977 0.5% 34
1984 60.7% 4,474 38.9% 2,870 0.4% 27
1980 59.1% 4,289 39.2% 2,844 1.8% 130
1976 47.9% 3,227 51.3% 3,461 0.8% 55
1972 73.9% 3,632 25.0% 1,230 1.0% 50
1968 59.8% 3,101 25.3% 1,314 14.9% 775
1964 52.5% 2,852 47.5% 2,581
1960 64.2% 3,888 35.4% 2,142 0.4% 26
1956 62.2% 3,377 36.4% 1,973 1.4% 78
1952 59.6% 3,221 40.4% 2,182
1948 53.5% 2,507 44.1% 2,068 2.4% 111
1944 59.2% 2,426 40.2% 1,649 0.6% 23
1940 50.0% 2,879 48.4% 2,792 1.6% 93
1936 44.0% 2,400 55.7% 3,036 0.3% 14
1932 32.8% 1,725 66.8% 3,518 0.4% 22
1928 67.7% 2,565 32.3% 1,225
1924 60.0% 1,775 36.9% 1,091 3.2% 94
1920 67.9% 2,612 32.1% 1,236
1916 56.6% 1,398 42.6% 1,053 0.8% 19
1912 22.6% 589 34.6% 903 42.8% 1,117

See also

References
  1. John Kivett, "Claiborne County," Tennessee Encyclopedia of History and Culture. Retrieved: 24 June 2013.
  2. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 8, 2011. Retrieved November 29, 2013.
  3. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on 2011-05-31. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  4. Origins Of Tennessee County Names, Tennessee Blue Book 2005-2006, page 509
  5. Oliver Perry Temple, East Tennessee and the Civil War (R. Clarke Company, 1899), p. 199.
  6. Larry E. Matthews, Caves of Knoxville and the Great Smoky Mountains, 2008, Published by the National Speleological Society, ISBN 978-1-879961-30-2, Chapter 2 - English Cave, pages 37–46.
  7. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved April 2, 2015.
  8. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved July 20, 2019.
  9. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 2, 2015.
  10. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved April 2, 2015.
  11. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 2, 2015.
  12. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved April 2, 2015.
  13. Based on 2000 census data
  14. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2011-05-14.
  15. "Claiborne Economic Partnership".
  16. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved 2018-03-10.

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