Summertown, Tennessee

Summertown is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Lawrence County, Tennessee, United States.[3] The population of Summertown was 866 at the 2010 census.[2] The town has a ZIP Code of 38483. Some rural areas in neighboring Lewis and Maury counties also use a "Summertown" mailing address, but their population is not included in the Census figures.

Summertown, Tennessee
Census-designated place
Summertown Summertown
Coordinates: 35°26′05″N 87°18′46″W
Country	United States
State	Tennessee
County	Lawrence
Area [1]
• Total	2.011 sq mi (5.21 km^2)
• Land	2.011 sq mi (5.21 km^2)
• Water	0 sq mi (0 km^2)
Elevation	991 ft (302 m)
Population  (2010)[2]
• Total	866
• Density	430.6/sq mi (166.3/km^2)
Time zone	Central (CST)
• Summer (DST)	CDT
ZIP code	38483
Area code(s)	931
GNIS feature ID	1271843[3]
FIPS code	47-72040

Geography

Summertown is in northeastern Lawrence County and is bordered to the north by Lewis County and to the northeast by Maury County. Tennessee State Route 20 passes through the center of town, leading east 2 miles (3 km) to U.S. Route 43 and northwest 19 miles (31 km) to Hohenwald. US-43 leads south 14 miles (23 km) to Lawrenceburg, the Lawrence county seat, and northeast 20 miles (32 km) to Columbia.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the Summertown CDP has an area of 2.0 square miles (5.2 km²), all of it recorded as land.[1] The community is drained by the North and South Forks of Saw Creek, a west-flowing tributary of the Buffalo River, which in turn flows northwest to the Duck River shortly before that river's mouth at the Tennessee River.

Education

Summertown is home to two public schools. Summertown Elementary School educates students from kindergarten through 6th grade, while Summertown High School educates students from 7th through 12th grade. They both have an eagle as their mascot.

Summertown athletic programs have been historically competitive on the state level, with state championships in volleyball, tennis, golf, softball, and baseball.

Tornadoes

The Summertown area historical tornado activity is slightly above Tennessee state average. It is 108% greater than the overall U.S. average.

On May 18, 1995, an F-4 (max. wind speeds 207-260 mph) tornado a mile away from Summertown killed 3 people, injured 32 people and caused between $500,000 and $5,000,000 in damages.

On April 16, 1998, an F-5 (max. wind speeds 261-318 mph) tornado right on Highway 43 in Summertown killed 3 people, injured 36 people and caused $13 million in damages.

There have been several other tornadoes to come through Summertown but these are two of the worst.

Attractions and areas of interest

The following are located in or near Summertown:

• The Farm, an intentional community
• Plenty International, an environmental and human rights organization
• Stillhouse Hollow Falls State Natural Area, a Tennessee natural area
• Turtle Hill Sangha, a Nyingma Buddhist commune
• Spiral Ridge Permaculture, A permaculture education and research center, nursery and design firm.
• Wheelin in the Country An Off-Road Four-Wheelin Park for rock and hill climbing
• McKamey Manor Haunted Attraction

References

1. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
2. "Total Population: 2010 Census DEC Summary File 1 (P1), Summertown CDP, Tennessee". data.census.gov. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
3. "Summertown". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey.