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Humphreys County, Tennessee

Coordinates: 36°02′N 87°46′W / 36.03°N 87.77°W / 36.03; -87.77
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Humphreys County
County
Humphreys County Courthouse in Waverly
Humphreys County Courthouse in Waverly
Map of Tennessee highlighting Humphreys 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°02′N 87°46′W / 36.03°N 87.77°W / 36.03; -87.77
Country United States
State Tennessee
Founded1809
Named forParry Wayne Humphreys[1]
SeatWaverly
Largest cityWaverly
Area
 • Total557 sq mi (1,440 km2)
 • Land531 sq mi (1,380 km2)
 • Water26 sq mi (70 km2)  4.6%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total18,990 Increase
 • Density34/sq mi (13/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district7th
Websitewww.humphreystn.com

Humphreys County is a county located in the western part of Middle Tennessee, in the U.S. state of Tennessee. As of the 2020 census, the population was 18,990.[2] Its county seat is Waverly.[3]

The county is named after American jurist and politician Parry Wayne Humphreys. It was established in 1809 from the southern portion of Stewart County.[4]

History

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Humphreys County was established in 1809 from parts of Stewart County, and named for Parry Wayne Humphreys, a young Justice of the State Supreme Court, who was later elected as US Congressman from this area. The county seat was initially located at Reynoldsburg, near the mouth of Dry Creek. When the western half of the county was taken to form Benton County to the west in 1835, the seat of Humphreys was newly designated as Waverly, a town that was more centrally located in the redefined jurisdiction.[5][6]

During the Civil War, the Battle of Johnsonville was fought for two days in the western half of the county in November 1864. The remnants of the battle site are preserved and interpreted at Johnsonville State Historic Park. But much of the battlefield has been submerged by Kentucky Lake, created by dams on the Tennessee River for flood control.[7]

Since the mid-20th century, this area developed increasing ties with the major city of Nashville. Agricultural areas have been developed for residential communities and suburban businesses. As Nashville and the region have prospered, businesses and supporting services have also developed in this county.

21st century

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On the morning of August 21, 2021, storms riding along a stationary front in western Middle Tennessee produced widespread flash flooding across the counties of Stewart, Houston, Dickson, Hickman, and Humphreys. Especially hard hit were the towns of McEwen and Waverly, where many homes and businesses were destroyed by floodwaters along Trace Creek. Twenty people were killed as a result of the flooding throughout the county.[8]

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 557 square miles (1,440 km2), of which 531 square miles (1,380 km2) is land and 26 square miles (67 km2) (4.6%) is water.[9]

Adjacent counties

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National protected area

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State protected area

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18101,511—
18204,067169.2%
18306,18752.1%
18405,195−16.0%
18506,42223.6%
18609,09641.6%
18709,3262.5%
188011,37922.0%
189011,7203.0%
190013,39814.3%
191013,9083.8%
192013,482−3.1%
193012,039−10.7%
194012,4213.2%
195011,030−11.2%
196011,5114.4%
197013,56017.8%
198015,95717.7%
199015,795−1.0%
200017,92913.5%
201018,5383.4%
202018,9902.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[10]
1790-1960[11] 1900-1990[12]
1990-2000[13] 2010-2014[2]
Age pyramid Humphreys County[15]

2020 census

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Humphreys County racial composition[16]
Race Number Percentage
White (non-Hispanic) 17,102 90.06%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 494 2.6%
Native American 43 0.23%
Asian 57 0.3%
Other/Mixed 845 4.45%
Hispanic or Latino 449 2.36%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 18,990 people, 6,763 households, and 4,375 families residing in the county.

2000 census

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As of the census[17] of 2000, there were 17,929 people, 7,238 households, and 5,146 families residing in the county. The population density was 33.7 people per square mile (13.0 people/km2). There were 8,482 housing units at an average density of 15.9 units per square mile (6.1 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 95.52% White, 2.94% Black or African American, 0.27% Native American, 0.26% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.16% from other races, and 0.85% from two or more races. 0.83% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 7,238 households, out of which 30.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.30% were married couples living together, 10.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.90% were non-families. 25.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.60% 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 2.90.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.90% under the age of 18, 7.60% from 18 to 24, 27.50% from 25 to 44, 26.20% from 45 to 64, and 14.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 96.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,786, and the median income for a family was $42,129. Males had a median income of $31,657 versus $20,736 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,757. About 7.60% of families and 10.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.50% of those under age 18 and 13.70% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

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Cities

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Unincorporated communities

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Politics

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Like most other counties in Middle Tennessee, Humphreys is historically a Democratic stronghold: it voted Democrat in almost every US presidential election up until 2004, making exceptions for Independent segregationist George Wallace in 1968 and Republican landslide winner Richard Nixon four years later. However, like other rural Middle Tennessee counties, Humphreys is nowadays solid ground for the Republican Party, with the GOP margin of victory dramatically increasing in each presidential election since John McCain's narrow win in 2008.

United States presidential election results for Humphreys County, Tennessee[18]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 6,120 74.31% 2,017 24.49% 99 1.20%
2016 4,930 68.92% 1,967 27.50% 256 3.58%
2012 3,833 55.85% 2,905 42.33% 125 1.82%
2008 3,818 50.37% 3,600 47.49% 162 2.14%
2004 3,261 41.85% 4,485 57.55% 47 0.60%
2000 2,387 35.73% 4,205 62.94% 89 1.33%
1996 1,892 31.43% 3,675 61.05% 453 7.52%
1992 1,641 26.75% 3,875 63.16% 619 10.09%
1988 2,132 41.09% 3,037 58.54% 19 0.37%
1984 2,249 37.91% 3,668 61.82% 16 0.27%
1980 1,897 31.80% 3,974 66.61% 95 1.59%
1976 1,338 24.72% 4,021 74.28% 54 1.00%
1972 2,263 52.17% 1,973 45.48% 102 2.35%
1968 866 19.90% 1,391 31.96% 2,095 48.14%
1964 916 22.09% 3,230 77.91% 0 0.00%
1960 1,126 29.90% 2,592 68.83% 48 1.27%
1956 713 19.99% 2,841 79.67% 12 0.34%
1952 898 25.16% 2,670 74.81% 1 0.03%
1948 355 15.85% 1,327 59.24% 558 24.91%
1944 367 21.58% 1,327 78.01% 7 0.41%
1940 377 17.98% 1,717 81.88% 3 0.14%
1936 297 18.81% 1,279 81.00% 3 0.19%
1932 231 13.56% 1,455 85.44% 17 1.00%
1928 441 36.21% 771 63.30% 6 0.49%
1924 216 17.17% 1,005 79.89% 37 2.94%
1920 674 30.21% 1,534 68.76% 23 1.03%
1916 452 27.95% 1,148 71.00% 17 1.05%
1912 343 18.59% 1,283 69.54% 219 11.87%

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "About Tennessee: Origins of Tennessee County Names" (PDF). Tennessee Blue Book. State of Tennessee. 2011–2012. p. 599. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved October 17, 2013.
  2. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved December 2, 2013.
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ^ Goodspeed, Arthur Weston (1886). Goodspeed's History of Humphreys County, Tennessee. Nashville: Goodspeed Publishing Company. Archived from the original on August 11, 2019.
  5. ^ Binkley, Trina L. (January 1, 2010). "Humphreys County". Tennessee Encyclopedia of History and Culture. Retrieved October 17, 2013.
  6. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Geological Survey Bulletin, no. 258 (2nd ed.). Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office. p. 163. OCLC 1156805.
  7. ^ "Johnsonville State Historic Park". Tennessee State Parks. Archived from the original on October 19, 2013. Retrieved October 17, 2013.
  8. ^ "Flood-related deaths in Humphreys County rises to 20".
  9. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
  10. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
  11. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
  12. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
  13. ^ "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 5, 2015.
  14. ^ "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved July 20, 2019.
  15. ^ Based on 2000 census data.
  16. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 27, 2021.
  17. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  18. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 10, 2018.
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