Smithville, Tennessee

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Smithville is a city in DeKalb County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 3,994 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of De Kalb County^GR6.

1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 Details
4 Famous Residents
5 References
6 External links

[edit] Geography

Smithville is located at 35°57′26″N, 85°49′15″W (35.957191, -85.820756)^GR1, approximately 25 miles west of Cookeville and 50 miles east of Nashville.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 15.2 km² (5.9 mi²), all land.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 3,994 people, 1,675 households, and 1,065 families residing in the city. The population density was 262.3/km² (679.4/mi²). There were 1,837 housing units at an average density of 120.6/km² (312.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.34% White, 2.73% African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.10% Asian, 1.65% from other races, and 1.03% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.06% of the population.

There were 1,675 households out of which 27.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.0% were married couples living together, 16.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.4% were non-families. 33.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.85.

In the city the population was spread out with 22.9% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 26.4% from 25 to 44, 22.3% from 45 to 64, and 19.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 83.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $22,482, and the median income for a family was $30,179. Males had a median income of $29,231 versus $20,705 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,854. About 15.4% of families and 22.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.3% of those under age 18 and 25.8% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Details

As the home of the late former U.S. Representative Joe L. Evins, long-time chairman of the House Appropriations Committee Smithville, perhaps unsurprisingly, has considerably more infrastructure development than could be considered typical of a Southern town of its size. The main thoroughfare, U.S. Highway 70, has long been four lanes, and is designated in the area as "Congressional Boulevard". A housing project of unusual size proportionate to that of the town also exists. The town's economy suffered a serious blow when the plant of its largest employer, automotive supplier Federal Mogul, was gutted in an arson fire set by an employee in 2003 and was not reopened in Smithville, but rather in Smyrna, Tennessee, about an hour's drive away.

Evins helped start the world famous Smithville Fiddler's Jamboree & Crafts Festival. The first Jamboree was held in July 1972 on a stage built on the steps of the DeKalb County Courthouse, and has been held there annually for 34 years on the weekend nearest to July 4th. The first Jamboree attracted 714 musicians from 16 states, and was attended by an estimated audience of 8,000. Present day audiences are estimated to be well over 100,000 from all over the US, and many from abroad. [Information paraphrased from: http://www.smithvilletn.com/jamboree/ See also: http://www.smithvilletn.com/jamboree/congress.htm and http://www.smithvilletn.com/jamboree/2006.htm]

A Wal-Mart Supercenter is being constructed in the city. It will be completed late 2006-early 2007.