Overton County, Tennessee

Overton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Tennessee. As of the 2020 census, the population was 22,511.[2] Its county seat is Livingston.[3] Overton County is part of the Cookeville, TN Micropolitan Statistical Area.

Overton County
Overton County Courthouse in Livingston
Overton County Courthouse in Livingston
Map of Tennessee highlighting Overton 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°20′N 85°17′W / 36.34°N 85.29°W / 36.34; -85.29
Country United States
State Tennessee
FoundedSeptember 1806
Named forJohn Overton[1]
SeatLivingston
Largest townLivingston
Area
 • Total
435 sq mi (1,130 km2)
 • Land433 sq mi (1,120 km2)
 • Water1.4 sq mi (4 km2)  0.3%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
22,511 Increase
 • Density51/sq mi (20/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district6th
Websitewww.overtoncountytn.com

History

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On May 10, 1933, a half-mile wide F4 tornado struck the small community of Beatty Swamps (also referred to as Bethsadia). The tornado destroyed every structure in the town and either killed or injured nearly every inhabitant, with 33 of the 35 deaths occurring in the area. Much of the area was swept clean of debris, a reaper-binder was thrown 500 yards (460 m), and cars were moved hundreds of feet.[4][5][6]

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 435 square miles (1,130 km2), of which 433 square miles (1,120 km2) is land and 1.4 square miles (3.6 km2) (0.3%) is water.[7]

Overton County straddles the Eastern Highland Rim, and generally consists of low, rolling hills divided by narrow creek valleys. The backwaters of Dale Hollow Lake, namely the Mitchell Creek and Big Eagle Creek sections, spill over into the northern part of the county. The county is located on the Cumberland Plateau.

Adjacent counties

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State protected areas

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note
18105,643
18207,12826.3%
18308,24215.6%
18409,27912.6%
185011,21120.8%
186012,63712.7%
187011,297−10.6%
188012,1537.6%
189012,039−0.9%
190013,35310.9%
191015,85418.7%
192017,61711.1%
193018,0792.6%
194018,8834.4%
195017,566−7.0%
196014,661−16.5%
197014,8661.4%
198017,57518.2%
199017,6360.3%
200020,11814.1%
201022,0839.8%
202022,5111.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
1790-1960[9] 1900-1990[10]
1990-2000[11] 2010-2014[2]
 
Age pyramid Overton County[13]

2020 census

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Overton County racial composition[14]
Race Number Percentage
White (non-Hispanic) 21,223 94.28%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 86 0.38%
Native American 60 0.27%
Asian 61 0.27%
Other/Mixed 737 3.27%
Hispanic or Latino 344 1.53%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 22,511 people, 9,140 households, and 6,220 families residing in the county.

2000 census

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As of the census[15] of 2000, there were 20,118 people, 8,110 households, and 5,920 families residing in the county. The population density was 46 people per square mile (18 people/km2). There were 9,168 housing units at an average density of 21 units per square mile (8.1/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 94.59% White, 0.28% Black or African American, 2.28% Native American, 0.09% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.22% from other races, and 0.49% from two or more races. 2.69% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 8,110 households, out of which 29.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.20% were married couples living together, 9.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.00% were non-families. 24.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.90.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.00% under the age of 18, 8.40% from 18 to 24, 27.70% from 25 to 44, 25.90% from 45 to 64, and 15.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $26,915, and the median income for a family was $32,156. Males had a median income of $25,287 versus $19,674 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,910. About 12.30% of families and 16.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.40% of those under age 18 and 20.50% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

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Town

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Unincorporated communities

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Notable people

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Politics

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United States presidential election results for Overton County, Tennessee[16]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 9,042 81.69% 1,931 17.45% 96 0.87%
2020 7,918 78.89% 2,033 20.26% 86 0.86%
2016 6,059 73.63% 1,945 23.64% 225 2.73%
2012 4,775 62.30% 2,805 36.60% 84 1.10%
2008 4,497 55.57% 3,419 42.25% 176 2.17%
2004 3,941 46.31% 4,518 53.09% 51 0.60%
2000 2,875 38.35% 4,507 60.13% 114 1.52%
1996 1,756 29.11% 3,800 63.00% 476 7.89%
1992 1,657 24.91% 4,489 67.49% 505 7.59%
1988 1,873 42.60% 2,511 57.11% 13 0.30%
1984 2,054 42.53% 2,749 56.92% 27 0.56%
1980 1,869 35.49% 3,343 63.47% 55 1.04%
1976 1,115 22.09% 3,897 77.21% 35 0.69%
1972 1,947 54.17% 1,573 43.77% 74 2.06%
1968 1,258 31.25% 1,592 39.54% 1,176 29.21%
1964 1,155 26.17% 3,258 73.83% 0 0.00%
1960 1,831 43.06% 2,389 56.19% 32 0.75%
1956 1,508 38.44% 2,385 60.80% 30 0.76%
1952 1,453 39.47% 2,209 60.01% 19 0.52%
1948 917 31.57% 1,835 63.17% 153 5.27%
1944 935 39.14% 1,449 60.65% 5 0.21%
1940 988 36.15% 1,718 62.86% 27 0.99%
1936 942 36.85% 1,608 62.91% 6 0.23%
1932 661 22.75% 2,231 76.80% 13 0.45%
1928 1,195 51.80% 1,105 47.90% 7 0.30%
1924 900 36.33% 1,532 61.85% 45 1.82%
1920 1,939 51.91% 1,779 47.63% 17 0.46%
1916 1,030 39.78% 1,512 58.40% 47 1.82%
1912 743 29.47% 1,531 60.73% 247 9.80%

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Michael Birdwell, "Overton County," Tennessee Encyclopedia of History and Culture. Retrieved: March 17, 2013.
  2. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved December 6, 2013.
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ^ Assorted Historical Events in Middle Tennessee. Archived June 6, 2011.
  5. ^ Neal, Samuel K. "20 Dead, Many Hurt in Overton Tornado". Archived from the original on May 23, 2007. Retrieved April 22, 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  6. ^ Grazulis, Significant, pp. 850-851
  7. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved April 9, 2015.
  8. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 9, 2015.
  9. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved April 9, 2015.
  10. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 9, 2015.
  11. ^ "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 9, 2015.
  12. ^ "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved July 20, 2019.
  13. ^ Based on 2000 census data
  14. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 27, 2021.
  15. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  16. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 12, 2018.
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36°20′N 85°17′W / 36.34°N 85.29°W / 36.34; -85.29