Cheatham County (/ˈtʃiːtəm/ CHEE-təm) is a county located in the U.S. state of Tennessee. As of the 2020 census, the population was 41,072.[3] Its county seat is Ashland City.[4] Cheatham County is located in Middle Tennessee, and is part of the Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Cheatham County | |
|---|---|
 Cheatham County Courthouse in Ashland City | |
 Flag  Seal | |
 Location within the U.S. state of Tennessee | |
 Tennessee's location within the U.S. | |
| Coordinates: 36°16′N 87°05′W / 36.27°N 87.08°W | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Tennessee |
| Founded | February 28, 1856 |
| Named for | Edward Saunders Cheatham[1] or Benjamin F. Cheatham[2] |
| Seat | Ashland City |
| Largest town | Ashland City |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Austin Carlson |
| Area | |
• Total | 307 sq mi (800 km2) |
| • Land | 302 sq mi (780 km2) |
| • Water | 4.6 sq mi (12 km2) 1.5% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 41,072 |
• Estimate (2023) | 42,254  |
| • Density | 130/sq mi (52/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Congressional district | 7th |
| Website | cheathamcountytn |
History
editCheatham County was created by an Act of the Tennessee General Assembly in 1856, from lands formerly of Davidson, Dickson, Montgomery, and Robertson counties. Cheatham County was named for Edward Saunders Cheatham, a state legislator. It is also possible that Cheatham County was also named for native middle Tennessean and Confederate general Benjamin F. Cheatham, a relative of Edward Saunders Cheatham.[1]
Geography
editAccording to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 307 square miles (800 km2), of which 302 square miles (780 km2) is land and 4.6 square miles (12 km2) (1.5%) is water.[5]
The county is bisected from northwest to southeast by the Cumberland River, with Ashland City located on its northern bank. The southern portion of the county is bisected from southeast to northwest by the Harpeth River, which meanders through generally hilly country, and along whose course are located the communities of Kingston Springs, largely to the north of Interstate 40 (I-40), and Pegram, along U.S. Route 70 (US 70). The western border of the central portion of the county is defined by the course of the Harpeth. The hills east of the Harpeth and south of the Cumberland are partly set aside by the state as the Cheatham State Wildlife Management Area. North of Ashland City the hills subside into more level highlands, where the community of Pleasant View is located just south of I-24, which generally delineates the northern border of the county.
Adjacent counties
edit- Robertson County (northeast)
- Davidson County (east)
- Williamson County (south)
- Dickson County (west)
- Montgomery County (northwest)
State protected areas
edit- Cheatham Wildlife Management Area
- Cheatham Lake Wildlife Management Area (part)
- Harpeth River State Park
Demographics
edit| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1860 | 7,258 | — | |
| 1870 | 6,678 | −8.0% | |
| 1880 | 7,956 | 19.1% | |
| 1890 | 8,845 | 11.2% | |
| 1900 | 10,112 | 14.3% | |
| 1910 | 10,540 | 4.2% | |
| 1920 | 10,039 | −4.8% | |
| 1930 | 9,025 | −10.1% | |
| 1940 | 9,928 | 10.0% | |
| 1950 | 9,167 | −7.7% | |
| 1960 | 9,428 | 2.8% | |
| 1970 | 13,199 | 40.0% | |
| 1980 | 21,616 | 63.8% | |
| 1990 | 27,140 | 25.6% | |
| 2000 | 35,912 | 32.3% | |
| 2010 | 39,105 | 8.9% | |
| 2020 | 41,072 | 5.0% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 42,254 | [6] | 2.9% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[7] 1790–1960[8] 1900–1990[9] 1990–2000[10] 2010–2014[11] | |||
2020 census
edit| Race | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White (non-Hispanic) | 36,299 | 88.38% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 815 | 1.98% |
| Native American | 92 | 0.22% |
| Asian | 184 | 0.45% |
| Pacific Islander | 25 | 0.06% |
| Other/Mixed | 1,818 | 4.43% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 1,839 | 4.48% |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 41,072 people, 15,089 households, and 11,022 families residing in the county.
2000 census
editAt the 2000 census there were 35,912 people, 12,878 households, and 10,160 families in the county. The population density was 119 people per square mile (46 people/km2). There were 13,508 housing units at an average density of 45 units per square mile (17/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.86% White, 1.48% Black or African American, 0.38% Native American, 0.18% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.36% from other races, and 0.70% from two or more races. 1.22%.[14] were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
In 2005 The racial makeup of the county was 94.8% non-Hispanic whites, 2.1% African-Americans and 1.7% Latinos. In 2000 Of the 12,878 households 39.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.90% were married couples living together, 9.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.10% were non-families. 16.90% of households were one person and 5.30% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.76 and the average family size was 3.08.
The age distribution was 27.70% under the age of 18, 7.30% from 18 to 24, 33.50% from 25 to 44, 23.00% from 45 to 64, and 8.60% 65 or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.40 males.
The median household income was $45,836 and the median family income was $49,143. Males had a median income of $34,476 versus $25,191 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,882. About 5.30% of families and 7.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.60% of those under age 18 and 9.40% of those age 65 or over.
Communities
editCity
editTowns
edit- Ashland City (county seat)
- Kingston Springs
- Pegram
Unincorporated communities
editPolitics
editCheatham County is currently recognized as a Republican stronghold. The last Democrat to carry this county on a presidential level was Bill Clinton in 1996. Cheatham was a typical "Solid South" county until the mid 1960s, until it eventually solidified as a Republican county in the 21st century.
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2024 | 14,977 | 72.33% | 5,459 | 26.36% | 271 | 1.31% |
| 2020 | 14,438 | 71.26% | 5,514 | 27.22% | 308 | 1.52% |
| 2016 | 11,297 | 70.94% | 3,878 | 24.35% | 749 | 4.70% |
| 2012 | 10,268 | 67.63% | 4,659 | 30.69% | 255 | 1.68% |
| 2008 | 10,702 | 65.14% | 5,498 | 33.47% | 228 | 1.39% |
| 2004 | 9,676 | 61.64% | 5,918 | 37.70% | 103 | 0.66% |
| 2000 | 6,356 | 50.38% | 6,062 | 48.05% | 198 | 1.57% |
| 1996 | 4,283 | 42.98% | 4,883 | 49.01% | 798 | 8.01% |
| 1992 | 3,496 | 35.72% | 4,817 | 49.21% | 1,475 | 15.07% |
| 1988 | 4,132 | 56.99% | 3,067 | 42.30% | 51 | 0.70% |
| 1984 | 4,109 | 57.32% | 3,007 | 41.94% | 53 | 0.74% |
| 1980 | 2,296 | 37.03% | 3,771 | 60.81% | 134 | 2.16% |
| 1976 | 1,376 | 24.29% | 4,225 | 74.59% | 63 | 1.11% |
| 1972 | 2,235 | 60.10% | 1,321 | 35.52% | 163 | 4.38% |
| 1968 | 669 | 16.96% | 778 | 19.73% | 2,497 | 63.31% |
| 1964 | 803 | 22.60% | 2,750 | 77.40% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 683 | 26.20% | 1,883 | 72.23% | 41 | 1.57% |
| 1956 | 498 | 17.72% | 2,297 | 81.71% | 16 | 0.57% |
| 1952 | 536 | 19.31% | 2,222 | 80.04% | 18 | 0.65% |
| 1948 | 193 | 6.26% | 2,731 | 88.58% | 159 | 5.16% |
| 1944 | 216 | 13.37% | 1,398 | 86.51% | 2 | 0.12% |
| 1940 | 331 | 14.61% | 1,932 | 85.26% | 3 | 0.13% |
| 1936 | 183 | 11.86% | 1,352 | 87.62% | 8 | 0.52% |
| 1932 | 180 | 11.52% | 1,370 | 87.71% | 12 | 0.77% |
| 1928 | 488 | 34.78% | 913 | 65.07% | 2 | 0.14% |
| 1924 | 181 | 16.98% | 868 | 81.43% | 17 | 1.59% |
| 1920 | 569 | 31.77% | 1,219 | 68.06% | 3 | 0.17% |
| 1916 | 439 | 28.10% | 1,117 | 71.51% | 6 | 0.38% |
| 1912 | 317 | 20.33% | 1,096 | 70.30% | 146 | 9.36% |
| 1908 | 526 | 30.33% | 1,206 | 69.55% | 2 | 0.12% |
| 1904 | 420 | 28.99% | 1,015 | 70.05% | 14 | 0.97% |
| 1900 | 440 | 26.55% | 1,190 | 71.82% | 27 | 1.63% |
| 1896 | 496 | 27.99% | 1,237 | 69.81% | 39 | 2.20% |
| 1892 | 242 | 15.64% | 732 | 47.32% | 573 | 37.04% |
| 1888 | 305 | 21.66% | 1,063 | 75.50% | 40 | 2.84% |
| 1884 | 335 | 25.89% | 959 | 74.11% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1880 | 291 | 24.85% | 794 | 67.81% | 86 | 7.34% |
| 1876 | 267 | 22.90% | 899 | 77.10% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1872 | 284 | 28.80% | 702 | 71.20% | 0 | 0.00% |
Notable people
edit- Caleb Plant, professional boxer[16][17]
- Clive Westlake, British songwriter[18]
- Gene Allison, R&B singer[19]
- Hickok45, firearm content YouTuber[20]
- Horace McCoy, writer[21]
- Mark Green, politician, physician, and retired U.S. Army major, current Republican U.S. representative for Tennessee's 7th congressional district[22][23]
- Pat Summitt, women's college basketball head coach[24]
- Ryan Stack, former professional basketball player[25][26]
- Upchurch, rapper, singer-songwriter, and comedian[27]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b James B. Hallums, "Cheatham County," Tennessee Encyclopedia of History and Culture. Retrieved: June 23, 2013.
- ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. p. 77.
- ^ "Census – Geography Profile: Cheatham County, Tennessee". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved April 2, 2015.
- ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
- ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 2, 2015.
- ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved April 2, 2015.
- ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 2, 2015.
- ^ "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 2, 2015.
- ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved November 29, 2013.
- ^ Based on 2000 census data
- ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 26, 2021.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
- ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
- ^ "Caleb Plant - Next Fight, Fighter Bio, Stats & News". PBC Boxing. January 22, 2015. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
- ^ Fisher, Kelly. "Cheatham County deputies won't face charges in officer-involved shootings, including one that killed Caleb Plant's mother". The Tennessean. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
- ^ "Clive Westlake | Music Department, Soundtrack". IMDb. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
- ^ Sweetland, Phil (March 14, 2004). "Gene Allison, 69, Soul Singer Who Fused Sacred to Secular". The New York Times. Retrieved June 30, 2021.
- ^ "Information". opencorporates.com. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
- ^ Liukkonen, Petri. "Horace McCoy". Books and Writers (kirjasto.sci.fi). Finland: Kuusankoski Public Library. Archived from the original on April 27, 2009.
- ^ "Tennessee State Senator Mark Green Launches new website". Clarksvilleonline.com. February 2, 2013. Retrieved August 13, 2013.
- ^ Green's listing at Tennessee State Senate page
- ^ Organ, Mike. "Legendary Lady Pat Summitt: Pride of Cheatham County". The Tennessean. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
- ^ Episode 3 - Tennessee Hoop Talk - Former NBA, College & Cheatham County Legend, Ryan Stack, Talks About His Successful Basketball Career - Tennessee Hoop Talk. Retrieved April 7, 2024 – via tennesseehooptalk.buzzsprout.com.
- ^ Centonze, Tony. "Inaugural Cheatham County Sports Hall of Fame class honored, nominations accepted for new inductees". The Tennessean. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
- ^ Kellman, Andy. "Upchurch | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved May 13, 2016.
External links
edit
- Official site
- Cheatham County Chamber of Commerce
- Cheatham County, TNGenWeb – free genealogy resources for the county