Lenoir City, Tennessee: Difference between revisions
Giraffedata (talk | contribs) |
→Demographics: 2022 est |
||
(41 intermediate revisions by 35 users not shown) | |||
Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{ |
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}} |
||
{{Infobox settlement |
{{Infobox settlement |
||
|name = Lenoir City, Tennessee |
| name = Lenoir City, Tennessee |
||
|official_name = City of Lenoir City |
| official_name = City of Lenoir City |
||
|settlement_type = [[City]] |
| settlement_type = [[City]] |
||
|nickname = Lakeway to the Smokies |
| nickname = Lakeway to the Smokies |
||
|image_skyline = LenoirCityTNDowntown.jpg |
| image_skyline = LenoirCityTNDowntown.jpg |
||
|imagesize = |
| imagesize = |
||
|image_caption = Route 11 passing through downtown Lenoir City, Tennessee. |
| image_caption = US Route 11 passing through downtown Lenoir City, Tennessee. |
||
|image_map = File:Loudon County Tennessee Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Lenoir City Highlighted 4741760.svg |
| image_map = File:Loudon County Tennessee Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Lenoir City Highlighted 4741760.svg |
||
|mapsize = 250px |
| mapsize = 250px |
||
|map_caption = Location of Lenoir City in Loudon County, Tennessee. |
| map_caption = Location of Lenoir City in Loudon County, Tennessee. |
||
|image_map1 = |
| image_map1 = |
||
|mapsize1 = |
| mapsize1 = |
||
|map_caption1 = |
| map_caption1 = |
||
|subdivision_type = [[List of sovereign states|Country]] |
| subdivision_type = [[List of sovereign states|Country]] |
||
|subdivision_name = United States |
| subdivision_name = United States |
||
|subdivision_type1 = [[U.S. state|State]] |
| subdivision_type1 = [[U.S. state|State]] |
||
|subdivision_name1 = [[Tennessee]] |
| subdivision_name1 = [[Tennessee]] |
||
|subdivision_type2 = [[List of counties in Tennessee| |
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of counties in Tennessee|Counties]] |
||
|subdivision_name2 = [[Loudon County, Tennessee|Loudon]] |
| subdivision_name2 = [[Loudon County, Tennessee|Loudon]] |
||
|government_type = [[Mayor-council-administrator government|Mayor-council-administrator]] |
| government_type = [[Mayor-council-administrator government|Mayor-council-administrator]] |
||
|leader_title = Mayor |
| leader_title = Mayor |
||
|leader_name = Tony R. Aikens |
| leader_name = Tony R. Aikens |
||
|leader_title1 = Vice Mayor |
| leader_title1 = Vice Mayor |
||
|leader_name1 = Jennifer |
| leader_name1 = Jennifer Wampler |
||
|leader_title2 = City Administrator |
| leader_title2 = City Administrator |
||
|leader_name2 = Amber Scott |
| leader_name2 = Amber Scott |
||
|leader_title3 = City Council |
| leader_title3 = City Council |
||
|leader_name3 = {{Collapsible list |
| leader_name3 = {{Collapsible list |
||
|title = Council members |
|title = Council members |
||
|frame_style = border:none; padding: 0; |
|frame_style = border:none; padding: 0; |
||
|list_style |
|list_style = text-align:left;display:none; |
||
|1 |
|1 = Mike Henline |
||
|2 |
|2 = Douglas "Buddy" Hines |
||
|3 |
|3 = Jim Shields |
||
|4 |
|4 = Eddie Simpson |
||
|5 |
|5 = Jennifer Wampler |
||
}} |
}} |
||
|leader_title4 = Police Chief |
| leader_title4 = Police Chief |
||
|leader_name4 = Don White |
| leader_name4 = Don White |
||
|leader_title5 = Fire Chief |
| leader_title5 = Fire Chief |
||
|leader_name5 = Richard Martin |
| leader_name5 = Richard Martin |
||
|established_title = Settled |
| established_title = Settled |
||
|established_date = 1810 |
| established_date = 1810 |
||
|established_title2 = Founded |
| established_title2 = Founded |
||
|established_date2 = 1840<ref>[http://www.lenoircitygov.com/DT%20Lenoir%20City%20Packet.pdf Lenoir City, Tennessee] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927050656/http://www.lenoircitygov.com/DT%20Lenoir%20City%20Packet.pdf |date= |
| established_date2 = 1840<ref>[http://www.lenoircitygov.com/DT%20Lenoir%20City%20Packet.pdf Lenoir City, Tennessee] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927050656/http://www.lenoircitygov.com/DT%20Lenoir%20City%20Packet.pdf |date=September 27, 2013 }}—city guide. Retrieved: January 15, 2013.</ref> |
||
|established_title3 = Incorporated |
| established_title3 = Incorporated |
||
|established_date3 = 1907<ref>''[http://www.state.tn.us/sos/bluebook/05-06/48-data.pdf Tennessee Blue Book]'', 2005-2006, pp. 618-625.</ref> |
| established_date3 = 1907<ref>''[http://www.state.tn.us/sos/bluebook/05-06/48-data.pdf Tennessee Blue Book]'', 2005-2006, pp. 618-625.</ref> |
||
|named_for = [[William Lenoir (general)|William Lenoir]] and [[William Ballard Lenoir]] |
| named_for = [[William Lenoir (general)|William Lenoir]] and [[William Ballard Lenoir]] |
||
| unit_pref = Imperial |
|||
| area_footnotes = <ref name="TigerWebMapServer">{{cite web|title=ArcGIS REST Services Directory|url=https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/arcgis/rest/services/TIGERweb/Places_CouSub_ConCity_SubMCD/MapServer/5/query?where=STATE='47'&outFields=NAME,STATE,PLACE,AREALAND,AREAWATER,LSADC,CENTLAT,CENTLON&orderByFields=PLACE&returnGeometry=false&returnTrueCurves=false&f=json|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=October 15, 2022}}</ref> |
|||
<!-- Area --> |
|||
| area_magnitude = |
|||
|unit_pref = Imperial |
|||
| area_total_km2 = 22.34 |
|||
|area_footnotes = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2019">{{cite web|title=2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_place_47.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=July 30, 2020}}</ref> |
|||
| |
| area_land_km2 = 22.34 |
||
| |
| area_water_km2 = 0.00 |
||
| |
| area_total_sq_mi = 8.63 |
||
| |
| area_land_sq_mi = 8.63 |
||
| |
| area_water_sq_mi = 0.00 |
||
| population_as_of = [[2020 United States Census|2020]] |
|||
|area_land_sq_mi = 8.40 |
|||
| population_footnotes = <ref name="USCensusDecennial2020CenPopScriptOnly"/> |
|||
|area_water_sq_mi = 0.00 |
|||
| population_total = 10117 |
|||
| population_density_km2 = 452.84 |
|||
<!-- Population --> |
|||
| population_density_sq_mi = 1172.85 |
|||
|population_as_of = [[2010 United States Census|2010]] |
|||
| timezone = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|Eastern (EST)]] |
|||
|population_footnotes = |
|||
| |
| utc_offset = -5 |
||
| timezone_DST = EDT |
|||
|population_density_km2 = 428.80 |
|||
| utc_offset_DST = -4 |
|||
|population_density_sq_mi = 1110.53 |
|||
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/> |
|||
| elevation_ft = 856 |
|||
<!-- General information --> |
|||
| coordinates = {{coord|35|48|43|N|84|16|59|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}} |
|||
|timezone = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|Eastern (EST)]] |
|||
| |
| postal_code_type = [[ZIP code]]s |
||
| |
| postal_code = 37771-37772 |
||
| |
| area_code = [[Area code 865|865]] |
||
| blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]] |
|||
|elevation_footnotes = |
|||
| blank_info = 47-41760<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> |
|||
|elevation_m = 250 |
|||
| blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID |
|||
|elevation_ft = 820 |
|||
| blank1_info = 2404912<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2404912}}</ref> |
|||
|coordinates = {{coord|35|47|51|N|84|16|16|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}} |
|||
| website = {{URL|www.lenoircitytn.gov}} |
|||
|postal_code_type = [[ZIP code]]s |
|||
| |
| footnotes = |
||
| |
| pop_est_as_of = |
||
| pop_est_footnotes = |
|||
|blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]] |
|||
| population_est = |
|||
|blank_info = 47-41760<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=2008-01-31|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> |
|||
|blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID |
|||
|blank1_info = 1291019<ref name="GR3">{{cite web|url=http://geonames.usgs.gov|accessdate=2008-01-31|title=US Board on Geographic Names|publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]]|date=2007-10-25}}</ref> |
|||
|website = {{url|www.lenoircitytn.gov}} |
|||
|footnotes = |
|||
|pop_est_as_of = 2019 |
|||
|pop_est_footnotes = <ref name="USCensusEst2019CenPopScriptOnlyDirtyFixDoNotUse"/> |
|||
|population_est = 9324 |
|||
}} |
}} |
||
'''Lenoir City''' is a suburban city in [[Loudon County, Tennessee]] |
'''Lenoir City''' is a suburban city located in [[Loudon County, Tennessee]]. The population was 10,117 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]]. It is included in the [[Knoxville metropolitan area]] in [[East Tennessee]], along the [[Tennessee River]] southwest of [[Knoxville, Tennessee|Knoxville]]. |
||
==History== |
==History== |
||
[[Native Americans in the United States|Native Americans]] were living in the Lenoir City area for thousands of years before the arrival of the first European settlers. |
[[Native Americans in the United States|Native Americans]] were living in the Lenoir City area for thousands of years before the arrival of the first European settlers. On [[Bussell Island]], which lies across the Tennessee River to the south, archaeologists have discovered evidence of habitation dating to as early as the [[Archaic period in the Americas|Archaic Period]] (8000–1000 B.C.). The island is also believed to have been the location of "Coste", a village visited by Spanish explorer [[Hernando de Soto]] in 1540.<ref>Charles Hudson, ''Knights of Spain, Warriors of the Sun'' (Athens, Georgia: University of Georgia Press, 1997), pp. 204–207.</ref> |
||
The |
The [[Cherokee]] called the Lenoir City area ''Wa'ginsi'' and believed it to be the home of a large serpent that brought bad luck to anyone who saw it.<ref>James Mooney, ''Myths of the Cherokee and Sacred Formulas of the Cherokee'' (Nashville, Tenn.: C and R Elder, 1972), p. 414.</ref> By the early 19th century, an early East Tennessee pioneer, Judge David Campbell, had laid claim to part of what is now Lenoir City, where he built a log cabin and a [[gristmill]].<ref name=nrhp>Gail Guymon, [https://web.archive.org/web/20060826201716/http://www.state.tn.us/environment/hist/pdf/LenoirCottonMill.pdf National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form for Lenoir Cotton Mill Warehouse], February 2006. Retrieved: March 3, 2010.</ref> |
||
[[Image:William-ballard-lenoir-house-tn1.jpg|thumb|210px|left|The William Ballard Lenoir House, built in 1821, now part of the Ledbetter Apartments]] |
[[Image:William-ballard-lenoir-house-tn1.jpg|thumb|210px|left|The William Ballard Lenoir House, built in 1821, now part of the Ledbetter Apartments]] |
||
In the early 19th century, the state of North Carolina granted General [[William Lenoir (general)|William Lenoir]] a {{convert|5000|acre|ha|adj=on}} tract of |
In the early 19th century, the state of North Carolina granted General [[William Lenoir (general)|William Lenoir]] a {{convert|5000|acre|ha|adj=on}} tract of land—which included what developed as Lenoir City—as payment for his services in the [[American Revolutionary War]]. David Campbell and another early settler, [[Alexander Outlaw]], filed a case against Lenoir in court, arguing they had already laid claim to parts of the Lenoir tract. After the case was settled in favor of Lenoir in 1809, Lenoir deeded the tract to his eldest son, [[William Ballard Lenoir]]. In 1810 the younger Lenoir moved to the tract with his wife and established a large plantation. His workforce was composed of enslaved African Americans. Lenoir's agricultural enterprise included producing hams from a herd of [[Berkshire pig|Berkshire hogs]]. He also developed several small-scale industries, including a sawmill and flour mill. In the early 1830s, he built the [[Lenoir Cotton Mill]]—one of the earliest in the South—sited along the banks of Town Creek, a tributary of the Tennessee River.<ref name="nrhp" /> |
||
After Lenoir's death, his estate was divided among his children. His sons formed the William Lenoir and Brothers Company to manage the family's businesses. When the railroad reached the Lenoir plantation in 1855, a depot was constructed. The community of Lenoir Station developed around it.<ref name=nrhp /> |
|||
After the case was settled in favor of Lenoir in 1809, Lenoir deeded the tract to his eldest son, [[William Ballard Lenoir]] (1775–1852). In 1810 the younger Lenoir moved to the tract with his wife and established a large plantation. His workforce was composed of enslaved African Americans. Lenoir's agricultural enterprise included producing hams from a herd of [[Berkshire (pig)|Berkshire hogs]]. He also developed several small-scale industries, including a sawmill and flour mill. In the early 1830s, he built the [[Lenoir Cotton Mill]]— one of the earliest in the South— sited along the banks of Town Creek, a tributary of the Tennessee River.<ref name=nrhp /> |
|||
During the Civil War, the Lenoirs supported the [[Confederate States of America|Confederacy]], due in part to associations with Confederate-leaning business interests in [[Knoxville, Tennessee|Knoxville]]. (One of Lenoir's sons was married to the daughter of [[J. G. M. Ramsey]], a Knoxville historian and banker, and an ardent Confederate).<ref name=nrhp /> On June 20, 1863, a [[Union (American Civil War)|Union]] scouting expedition led by General [[William P. Sanders]] arrived at Lenoir Station after having failed to destroy the railroad trestle at [[Loudon, Tennessee|Loudon]]. Sanders burned the depot and the Lenoirs' sawmill and flour mill. He spared the cotton mill because there were few such mills in the area to provide cloth for the army. In addition, both he and the Lenoirs were [[Freemasonry|Masons]].<ref>Tennessee Civil War Trails informational sign in Lenoir City, Tennessee; information accessed September 8, 2009.</ref> |
|||
After Lenoir's death, his estate was divided among his children. His sons formed the William Lenoir and Brothers Company to manage the family's businesses. When the railroad reached the Lenoir plantation in 1855, a depot was constructed. The community of Lenoir Station developed around it.<ref name=nrhp /> |
|||
During the Civil War, the Lenoirs supported the [[Confederate States of America|Confederacy]], due in part to associations with Confederate-leaning business interests in [[Knoxville, Tennessee|Knoxville]]. (One of Lenoir's sons was married to the daughter of [[J. G. M. Ramsey]], a Knoxville historian and banker, and an ardent Confederate).<ref name=nrhp /> On June 20, 1863, a [[Union (American Civil War)|Union]] scouting expedition led by General [[William P. Sanders]] arrived at Lenoir Station after having failed to destroy the railroad trestle at [[Loudon, Tennessee|Loudon]]. Sanders burned the depot and he Lenoirs' sawmill and flour mill. He spared the cotton mill, because there were few such mills in the area to provide cloth for the army. In addition, both he and the Lenoirs were [[Freemasonry|Masons]].<ref>Tennessee Civil War Trails informational sign in Lenoir City, Tennessee; information accessed 8 September 2009.</ref> |
|||
===Lenoir City Company=== |
===Lenoir City Company=== |
||
Line 112: | Line 103: | ||
[[Image:Lenoir-city-museum-tn1.jpg|thumb|210px|right|The Lenoir City Company office building, now the Lenoir City Museum, built in 1890 and designed by the [[Baumann family (architects)|Baumann Brothers]]]] |
[[Image:Lenoir-city-museum-tn1.jpg|thumb|210px|right|The Lenoir City Company office building, now the Lenoir City Museum, built in 1890 and designed by the [[Baumann family (architects)|Baumann Brothers]]]] |
||
In the late 1880s, an abundance of financial capital, the popularity of social theories regarding planned cities, and a thriving coal mining industry in East Tennessee's [[Cumberland Plateau]] region led to the development of |
In the late 1880s, an abundance of financial capital, the popularity of social theories regarding [[Planned community|planned cities]], and a thriving coal mining industry in East Tennessee's [[Cumberland Plateau]] region led to the development of several [[company town]]s to support coal mining throughout the upper [[Tennessee Valley]]. Most of these were funded by investors from the Northeastern United States or Knoxville. |
||
In 1889, Knoxville railroad magnate [[Charles McClung McGhee]] and his friend and associate |
In 1889, Knoxville railroad magnate [[Charles McClung McGhee]] and his friend and associate [[Edward J. Sanford]] formed the Lenoir City Company. They believed the Lenoir plantation would be the ideal location to develop such a town. The company incorporated in April 1890 with $800,000 in stock<ref name=nrhp /> and purchased the Lenoir estate, which then consisted of {{convert|2700|acre|ha}}, for $300 per acre.<ref name=nrhp /> When the company issued the stock to the public, the investors each received stock in the company and a lot in the planned town.<ref name=benhart>John Benhart, ''Appalachian Aspirations: The Geography of Urbanization and Development in the Upper Tennessee River Valley, 1865-1900'' (Knoxville, Tenn.: University of Tennessee Press, 2007), pp. 74-79, 90-92, 97.</ref> |
||
Lenoir City was laid out in a grid pattern with four quadrants, west of Town Creek and north of the railroad tracks. |
Lenoir City was laid out in a grid pattern with four quadrants, west of Town Creek and north of the railroad tracks. The city's northwest quadrant was planned for middle class and affluent residents, whereas the northeast quadrant would be for the city's wage-workers. The southwest quadrant would contain heavy industry, such as blast furnaces, steel works, and other large factories, while the southeast quadrant would contain woodworking, furniture, and canning factories. Influenced by late 19th-century reform movements that stressed health and [[temperance movement|temperance]], the developers set aside several lots for public parks, and a large garden area was planned between the railroad tracks and the river.<ref name=benhart /> |
||
A recession in the early 1890s froze financial markets. By 1892, the company had sold only 144 of the town's 3,448 lots. McGhee and Sanford persisted, however, and while Lenoir City never developed as fully as they had conceived, it survived. McGhee convinced a rail car company to open a factory in Lenoir City, and a short time later a knitting mill was established. Both establishments still employed several hundred workers in 1910.<ref>Benhart, pp. 116-117, 122-123.</ref> |
|||
===20th century=== |
===20th century=== |
||
[[File:Business section - NARA - 281362.jpg|right|240px|thumb|Lenoir City in 1940]] |
[[File:Business section - NARA - 281362.jpg|right|240px|thumb|Lenoir City in 1940]] |
||
Beginning in the 1930s during the [[Great Depression]], a series of federal government projects provided a needed boost to Lenoir City's economy and invested in regional infrastructure. |
Beginning in the 1930s during the [[Great Depression]], a series of federal government projects provided a needed boost to Lenoir City's economy and invested in regional infrastructure. The [[Tennessee Valley Authority]]'s construction of [[Fort Loudoun Dam]] and reservoir, which began in 1940, provided hundreds of locals with jobs. It also resulted in numerous road improvements and generation of hydropower for electrification of the region. |
||
In the 1950s and 1960s, construction associated with the [[Interstate Highway System]] resulted in building I-75 and I-40 |
In the 1950s and 1960s, construction associated with the [[Interstate Highway System]] resulted in building [[Interstate 75|I-75]] and [[Interstate 40|I-40]]—two trans-national highways that intersect just northeast of Lenoir City. [[U.S. Route 321|U.S. Highway 321]] was built through Lenoir City in the 1980s primarily to provide greater access to the [[Great Smoky Mountains National Park]], some {{convert|40|mi|km}} southeast. |
||
On February 21, 1993 |
On February 21, 1993, an [[Fujita scale|F-3]] tornado touched down in eastern Roane County (just west of town) and tracked east-southeast directly toward the city. The tornado devastated parts of the city. Parts of downtown, as well as the area near A Street and 5th Avenue, were destroyed. The Lenoir City High School/Middle School property suffered major damage (it was redeveloped as River Oaks Place). The tornado continued east-southeastward, going through the town of Friendsville before lifting in western Maryville. One person died in Lenoir City, and 55 people were injured.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://innovation.srh.noaa.gov/tors/index.php?cw=mrx |title=NWS Morristown Forecast Area Tornado Database |access-date=February 1, 2017 |archive-date=February 7, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170207175438/http://innovation.srh.noaa.gov/tors/index.php?cw=mrx |url-status=dead }}</ref> |
||
In March 1998, a historic landmark, the William B. Lenoir Hotel, the block of Broadway (US 11) between A and B streets, was destroyed by a massive fire. The entire block was lost as it had been built with a common attic and basement, meaning |
In March 1998, a historic landmark, the William B. Lenoir Hotel, the block of Broadway (US 11) between A and B streets, was destroyed by a massive fire. The entire block was lost as it had been built with a common attic and basement, meaning there were no firewalls between buildings. Wilburn's Barbershop, the Lenoir City Public Library, a Mexican grocery, offices for ''TV Readers'' magazine and Habitat for Humanity, a school photography company and photo finishing lab, and several apartments, were all destroyed by the blaze.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1842&dat=19990307&id=12seAAAAIBAJ&sjid=cMkEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2895,824695&hl=en|title=Times Daily—Google News Archive Search|website=news.google.com}}</ref> This block was redeveloped for Roane State Community College, Tennessee Career Center, and a new Lenoir City Public Library. |
||
===21st century=== |
===21st century=== |
||
In the early 2000s, Lenoir City's economy expanded |
In the early 2000s, Lenoir City's economy expanded and many new businesses developed along U.S. Highway 321. Fort Loudoun Medical Center was built to replace the old Fort Sander's Loudon Hospital in nearby Loudon. In the late 2000s, two major commercial developments were announced. Creekwood Park is located parallel to I-75 between US-321 and US-70. A new four-lane road was built between the two highways. A luxury apartment complex was built on part of the site. In 2014, business development finally started in the area, with a few medical offices completed. From 2016 to 2017, the city constructed a new community center called "The Venue", and a new headquarters here for the Lenoir City Utilities Board here. |
||
Dr. Bob Overholt, a local physician and TV personality, announced another development: The Market at Town Creek, planned to connect US-321 and Harrison Road near the Lenoir City High School and Middle School property. In 2013 Town Creek Parkway, a four-lane road connecting US-321 and Harrison Road, was completed. In 2016, the city inaugurated its first female city councilwoman, Jennifer Wampler. She was appointed to complete the remainder of the term vacated by the death of her late husband, Harry Wampler. |
|||
In the late 2000s, two major commercial developments were announced. Creekwood Park is located parallel to I-75 between US-321 and US-70. A new four-lane road was built between the two highways. A luxury apartment complex was built on part of the site. In 2014, business development finally started in the area, with a few medical offices completed. From 2016 - 2017, the city constructed a new community center called "The Venue", and a new headquarters here for the Lenoir City Utilities Board here. |
|||
Dr. Bob Overholt, a local physician and TV personality, announced another development: The Market at Town Creek, planned to connect US-321 and Harrison Road near the Lenoir City High School and Middle School property. New businesses there include a Food City grocery store, Bojangles restaurant, Knoxville TVA Employees Credit Union, AT&T Store, Pizza Hut, and a tanning salon. In 2013 Town Creek Parkway, a four-lane road connecting US-321 and Harrison Road, was completed. |
|||
In 2016, the city inaugurated its first female city councilwoman, Jennifer Wampler. She was appointed to complete the remainder of the term vacated by the death of her late husband, Harry Wampler. |
|||
==Geography== |
==Geography== |
||
[[Image:Lenoir-city-us-321-tn1.jpg|thumb| |
[[Image:Lenoir-city-us-321-tn1.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|U.S. Highway 321 (Lamar Alexander Parkway) in Lenoir City]] |
||
The Tennessee River and TVA's Fort Loudoun and [[Watts Bar Lake|Watts Bar]] reservations provide the city's southern boundary. Four major federal highways pass through Lenoir City: [[U.S. Route 11 in Tennessee|U.S. Route 11]], which runs roughly parallel to the river shore, traverses the city east-to-west; [[U.S. Route 321 (Tennessee)|U.S. Route 321]], which crosses Fort Loudon Dam south of the city, traverses the city north-to-south. [[Interstate 75 (Tennessee)|Interstate 75]] and [[U.S. Route 70 (Tennessee)|U.S. Route 70]] intersect US-321 in the northern part of the city. I-75 provides access to the city from exit 81, and leads northeast {{convert|26|mi|km}} to downtown [[Knoxville, Tennessee|Knoxville]] (via a connection with [[Interstate 40 in Tennessee|I-40]]), and southwest {{convert|91|mi|km}} to [[Chattanooga, Tennessee|Chattanooga]]. U.S. 321 runs through the center of town from southeast to northwest, leading northwest {{convert|7|mi|km|spell=in}} to I-40 at exit 364 (the highway's northern terminus), and east {{convert|20|mi|km|spell=in}} to [[Maryville, Tennessee|Maryville]]. U.S. 70 runs to the north of the city, leading northeast {{convert|9|mi|km|spell=in}} to [[Farragut, Tennessee|Farragut]] and northwest {{convert|19|mi|km}} to [[Kingston, Tennessee|Kingston]]. U.S. 11 runs through the center of the city, leading northeast to Farragut and Knoxville, and southwest {{convert|7|mi|km|spell=in}} to the city of [[Loudon, Tennessee|Loudon]]. |
|||
Lenoir City is traditionally spread out along US-11, west of the road's junction with US-321. |
Lenoir City is traditionally spread out along US-11, west of the road's junction with US-321. This section of the city still roughly follows a grid plan laid out in the 1890s. In recent decades, Lenoir City has annexed a {{convert|5|mi|km|adj=on}} corridor of land along US-321 between its US-11 intersection and I-40 intersection. This corridor contains the city's newer, commercial area which caters to the high volume of traffic brought to the area by I-75 and I-40. |
||
==Demographics== |
==Demographics== |
||
Line 160: | Line 147: | ||
|2000= 6819 |
|2000= 6819 |
||
|2010= 8642 |
|2010= 8642 |
||
|2020= 10117 |
|||
|estyear=2019 |
|||
| estyear = 2022 |
|||
|estimate=9324 |
|||
| estimate = 11292 |
|||
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2019CenPopScriptOnlyDirtyFixDoNotUse">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.2019.html|date=May 24, 2020|title=Population and Housing Unit Estimates|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=May 27, 2020}}</ref> |
|||
|footnote=Sources:<ref name="GR9">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]| |
|footnote=Sources:<ref name="GR9">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=March 4, 2012|title=Census of Population and Housing: Decennial Censuses}}</ref><ref name=CensusPopEst>{{cite web|title=Incorporated Places and Minor Civil Divisions Datasets: Subcounty Resident Population Estimates: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2012|url=https://www.census.gov/popest/data/cities/totals/2012/SUB-EST2012.html|work=Population Estimates|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=December 11, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130611010502/http://www.census.gov/popest/data/cities/totals/2012/SUB-EST2012.html|archive-date=June 11, 2013}}</ref><ref name="USCensusDecennial2020CenPopScriptOnly">{{cite web|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/pl?get=P1_001N,NAME&for=place:*&in=state:47&key=5ccd0821c15d9f4520e2dcc0f8d92b2ec9336108|title=Census Population API|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=October 15, 2022}}</ref> |
||
}} |
}} |
||
===2020 census=== |
|||
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right" |
|||
|+Lenoir City racial composition<ref>{{Cite web|title=Explore Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US4741760&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|access-date=December 26, 2021|website=data.census.gov}}</ref> |
|||
!scope="col"| Race |
|||
!scope="col"| Number |
|||
!scope="col"| Percentage |
|||
|- |
|||
!scope="row"| [[White (U.S. Census)|White]] (non-Hispanic) |
|||
| 7,095 |
|||
| 70.13% |
|||
|- |
|||
!scope="row"| [[African American (U.S. Census)|Black or African American]] (non-Hispanic) |
|||
| 134 |
|||
| 1.32% |
|||
|- |
|||
!scope="row"| [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]] |
|||
| 14 |
|||
| 0.14% |
|||
|- |
|||
!scope="row"| [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]] |
|||
| 111 |
|||
| 1.1% |
|||
|- |
|||
!scope="row"| [[Race (United States Census)|Other/Mixed]] |
|||
| 408 |
|||
| 4.03% |
|||
|- |
|||
!scope="row"| [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] |
|||
| 2,355 |
|||
| 23.28% |
|||
|} |
|||
As of the [[2020 United States census]], there were 10,117 people, 3,479 households, and 2,198 families residing in the city. |
|||
===2010 census=== |
|||
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2010, there were 8,642 people, 3,369 households, and 2,183 families residing in the city. There were 3,703 housing units. The racial makeup of the city was 87.30% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 1.60% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.50% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.60% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.30% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 8.0% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.80% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 17.50% of the population. |
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2010, there were 8,642 people, 3,369 households, and 2,183 families residing in the city. There were 3,703 housing units. The racial makeup of the city was 87.30% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 1.60% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.50% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.60% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.30% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 8.0% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.80% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 17.50% of the population. |
||
As of the 2000 [[census]], there were 2,910 households, out of which 30.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.5% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 13.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.6% were non-families. 33.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.95. |
As of the 2000 [[census]], there were 2,910 households, out of which 30.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.5% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 13.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.6% were non-families. 33.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.95. |
||
In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.0% under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 30.3% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 14.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every |
In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.0% under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 30.3% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 14.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every hundred females, there were 90.3 males; for every hundred females age 18 and over, there were 85.5 males. |
||
The median income for a household in the city was $28,889, and the median income for a family was $33,462. Males had a median income of $27,229 versus $20,744 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $16,632. About 13.4% of families and 16.0% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 22.1% of those under age 18 and 8.9% of those age 65 or over. |
The median income for a household in the city was $28,889, and the median income for a family was $33,462. Males had a median income of $27,229 versus $20,744 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $16,632. About 13.4% of families and 16.0% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 22.1% of those under age 18 and 8.9% of those age 65 or over. |
||
Line 176: | Line 197: | ||
==Government== |
==Government== |
||
The City of Lenoir City operates under a Mayor/City Council Form. The mayor is elected on |
The City of Lenoir City operates under a Mayor/City Council Form. The mayor is elected on four-year terms. The City Council is elected every four years. |
||
==Education== |
==Education== |
||
Line 182: | Line 203: | ||
===Lenoir City Schools=== |
===Lenoir City Schools=== |
||
* |
*Lenoir City Elementary School |
||
* |
*Lenoir City Middle School |
||
* |
*Lenoir City High School |
||
===Loudon County Schools within Lenoir City=== |
===Loudon County Schools within Lenoir City=== |
||
* |
*Eaton Elementary School |
||
* |
*North Middle School |
||
* |
*Highland Park Elementary School |
||
==Climate== |
==Climate== |
||
The climate in this area is characterized by relatively high temperatures and evenly distributed precipitation throughout the year. |
The climate in this area is characterized by relatively high temperatures and evenly distributed precipitation throughout the year. According to the [[Köppen Climate Classification]] system, Lenoir City has a [[Humid subtropical climate]], abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=851504&cityname=Lenoir+City,+Tennessee,+United+States+of+America&units=|title=Lenoir City, Tennessee Köppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase)|website=Weatherbase}}</ref> |
||
{{Weather box |
{{Weather box |
||
|location = Lenoir City, Tennessee |
|location = Lenoir City, Tennessee (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1962–present) |
||
|single line = |
|single line = Y |
||
|Jan record high F = 75 |
|||
|metric first = Yes |
|||
| |
|Feb record high F = 80 |
||
| |
|Mar record high F = 85 |
||
| |
|Apr record high F = 91 |
||
| |
|May record high F = 95 |
||
| |
|Jun record high F = 102 |
||
| |
|Jul record high F = 106 |
||
| |
|Aug record high F = 104 |
||
| |
|Sep record high F = 99 |
||
| |
|Oct record high F = 97 |
||
| |
|Nov record high F = 85 |
||
| |
|Dec record high F = 77 |
||
| |
|year record high F = 106 |
||
| |
|Jan high F = 48.6 |
||
| |
|Feb high F = 53.1 |
||
| |
|Mar high F = 62.0 |
||
| |
|Apr high F = 71.4 |
||
| |
|May high F = 79.0 |
||
| |
|Jun high F = 85.9 |
||
| |
|Jul high F = 89.0 |
||
| |
|Aug high F = 88.4 |
||
| |
|Sep high F = 83.5 |
||
| |
|Oct high F = 72.9 |
||
| |
|Nov high F = 61.2 |
||
| |
|Dec high F = 52.0 |
||
| |
|year high F = 70.6 |
||
| |
|Jan mean F = 38.3 |
||
| |
|Feb mean F = 41.9 |
||
| |
|Mar mean F = 49.7 |
||
| |
|Apr mean F = 58.5 |
||
| |
|May mean F = 67.1 |
||
| |
|Jun mean F = 75.0 |
||
| |
|Jul mean F = 78.5 |
||
| |
|Aug mean F = 77.6 |
||
| |
|Sep mean F = 71.9 |
||
| |
|Oct mean F = 60.3 |
||
|Nov mean F = 48.9 |
|||
|Oct precipitation inch = 3 |
|||
| |
|Dec mean F = 41.7 |
||
|year mean F = 59.1 |
|||
|Dec precipitation inch = 5 |
|||
| |
|Jan low F = 28.0 |
||
|Feb low F = 30.7 |
|||
|source 1 = Weatherbase <ref name=Weatherbase> |
|||
|Mar low F = 37.4 |
|||
|Apr low F = 45.5 |
|||
|May low F = 55.2 |
|||
|Jun low F = 64.1 |
|||
|Jul low F = 68.1 |
|||
|Aug low F = 66.8 |
|||
|Sep low F = 60.2 |
|||
|Oct low F = 47.6 |
|||
|Nov low F = 36.6 |
|||
|Dec low F = 31.3 |
|||
|year low F = 47.6 |
|||
|Jan record low F = -14 |
|||
|Feb record low F = -7 |
|||
|Mar record low F = 1 |
|||
|Apr record low F = 23 |
|||
|May record low F = 32 |
|||
|Jun record low F = 39 |
|||
|Jul record low F = 50 |
|||
|Aug record low F = 48 |
|||
|Sep record low F = 33 |
|||
|Oct record low F = 24 |
|||
|Nov record low F = 11 |
|||
|Dec record low F = −5 |
|||
|year record low F = -14 |
|||
|precipitation colour = green |
|||
|Jan precipitation inch = 4.99 |
|||
|Feb precipitation inch = 5.22 |
|||
|Mar precipitation inch = 5.09 |
|||
|Apr precipitation inch = 5.16 |
|||
|May precipitation inch = 4.29 |
|||
|Jun precipitation inch = 4.24 |
|||
|Jul precipitation inch = 5.12 |
|||
|Aug precipitation inch = 3.82 |
|||
|Sep precipitation inch = 4.25 |
|||
|Oct precipitation inch = 3.02 |
|||
|Nov precipitation inch = 4.14 |
|||
|Dec precipitation inch = 5.86 |
|||
|year precipitation inch = 55.20 |
|||
|Jan snow inch = 1.6 |
|||
|Feb snow inch = 1.3 |
|||
|Mar snow inch = 0.6 |
|||
|Apr snow inch = 0.0 |
|||
|May snow inch = 0.0 |
|||
|Jun snow inch = 0.0 |
|||
|Jul snow inch = 0.0 |
|||
|Aug snow inch = 0.0 |
|||
|Sep snow inch = 0.0 |
|||
|Oct snow inch = 0.0 |
|||
|Nov snow inch = 0.1 |
|||
|Dec snow inch = 0.4 |
|||
|year snow inch = 4.0 |
|||
|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in |
|||
|Jan precipitation days = 11.2 |
|||
|Feb precipitation days = 10.5 |
|||
|Mar precipitation days = 11.4 |
|||
|Apr precipitation days = 10.4 |
|||
|May precipitation days = 10.6 |
|||
|Jun precipitation days = 11.2 |
|||
|Jul precipitation days = 11.1 |
|||
|Aug precipitation days = 9.4 |
|||
|Sep precipitation days = 7.8 |
|||
|Oct precipitation days = 7.5 |
|||
|Nov precipitation days = 9.0 |
|||
|Dec precipitation days = 11.1 |
|||
|year precipitation days = 121.2 |
|||
|unit snow days = 0.1 in |
|||
|Jan snow days = 0.6 |
|||
|Feb snow days = 0.6 |
|||
|Mar snow days = 0.3 |
|||
|Apr snow days = 0.0 |
|||
|May snow days = 0.0 |
|||
|Jun snow days = 0.0 |
|||
|Jul snow days = 0.0 |
|||
|Aug snow days = 0.0 |
|||
|Sep snow days = 0.0 |
|||
|Oct snow days = 0.0 |
|||
|Nov snow days = 0.1 |
|||
|Dec snow days = 0.1 |
|||
|year snow days = 1.7 |
|||
|source 1 = [[NOAA]]<ref name= NOAA> |
|||
{{cite web |
{{cite web |
||
| url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/Climate?wfo=mrx |
|||
|url =http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather.php3?s=851504&cityname=Lenoir-City-Tennessee |
|||
| title = NowData - NOAA Online Weather Data |
|||
|publisher=Weatherbase |
|||
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |
|||
|title=Weatherbase.com |
|||
| access-date = October 8, 2021}}</ref><ref name=NCEI> |
|||
|year=2013 |
|||
{{cite web |
|||
| url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USC00405158&format=pdf |
|||
| title = Station: Lenoir City, TN |
|||
| work = U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991–2020) |
|||
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |
|||
| access-date = October 8, 2021}}</ref> |
|||
}} |
}} |
||
Retrieved on September 20, 2013. |
|||
</ref> |
|||
|date=September 2013 |
|||
}} |
|||
==Notable Attractions== |
|||
*[[Hindu Community Center of Knoxville]] |
|||
*[[Fort Loudoun Dam]] |
|||
==Notable people== |
==Notable people== |
||
Line 260: | Line 360: | ||
*[[Lee Guetterman]], baseball pitcher |
*[[Lee Guetterman]], baseball pitcher |
||
*[[Graig Nettles]], baseball player |
*[[Graig Nettles]], baseball player |
||
*[[Kenny Roberts (musician)|Kenny Roberts]], |
*[[Kenny Roberts (musician)|Kenny Roberts]], country musician |
||
==References== |
==References== |
||
Line 270: | Line 370: | ||
{{Loudon County, Tennessee}} |
{{Loudon County, Tennessee}} |
||
{{Roane County, Tennessee}} |
|||
{{Knoxville Metro}} |
{{Knoxville Metro}} |
||
Line 276: | Line 377: | ||
[[Category:Cities in Tennessee]] |
[[Category:Cities in Tennessee]] |
||
[[Category:Cities in Loudon County, Tennessee]] |
[[Category:Cities in Loudon County, Tennessee]] |
||
[[Category:Cities in Roane County, Tennessee]] |
|||
[[Category:Knoxville metropolitan area]] |
[[Category:Knoxville metropolitan area]] |
||
[[Category:Company towns in Tennessee]] |
[[Category:Company towns in Tennessee]] |
Latest revision as of 15:37, 15 May 2024
Lenoir City, Tennessee | |
---|---|
City of Lenoir City | |
Nickname: Lakeway to the Smokies | |
Coordinates: 35°48′43″N 84°16′59″W / 35.81194°N 84.28306°W | |
Country | United States |
State | Tennessee |
Counties | Loudon |
Settled | 1810 |
Founded | 1840[1] |
Incorporated | 1907[2] |
Named for | William Lenoir and William Ballard Lenoir |
Government | |
• Type | Mayor-council-administrator |
• Mayor | Tony R. Aikens |
• Vice Mayor | Jennifer Wampler |
• City Administrator | Amber Scott |
• City Council | Council members |
• Police Chief | Don White |
Area | |
• Total | 8.63 sq mi (22.34 km2) |
• Land | 8.63 sq mi (22.34 km2) |
• Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
Elevation | 856 ft (261 m) |
Population | |
• Total | 10,117 |
• Density | 1,172.85/sq mi (452.84/km2) |
Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
ZIP codes | 37771-37772 |
Area code | 865 |
FIPS code | 47-41760[6] |
GNIS feature ID | 2404912[4] |
Website | www |
Lenoir City is a suburban city located in Loudon County, Tennessee. The population was 10,117 at the 2020 census. It is included in the Knoxville metropolitan area in East Tennessee, along the Tennessee River southwest of Knoxville.
History[edit]
Native Americans were living in the Lenoir City area for thousands of years before the arrival of the first European settlers. On Bussell Island, which lies across the Tennessee River to the south, archaeologists have discovered evidence of habitation dating to as early as the Archaic Period (8000–1000 B.C.). The island is also believed to have been the location of "Coste", a village visited by Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto in 1540.[7]
The Cherokee called the Lenoir City area Wa'ginsi and believed it to be the home of a large serpent that brought bad luck to anyone who saw it.[8] By the early 19th century, an early East Tennessee pioneer, Judge David Campbell, had laid claim to part of what is now Lenoir City, where he built a log cabin and a gristmill.[9]
In the early 19th century, the state of North Carolina granted General William Lenoir a 5,000-acre (2,000 ha) tract of land—which included what developed as Lenoir City—as payment for his services in the American Revolutionary War. David Campbell and another early settler, Alexander Outlaw, filed a case against Lenoir in court, arguing they had already laid claim to parts of the Lenoir tract. After the case was settled in favor of Lenoir in 1809, Lenoir deeded the tract to his eldest son, William Ballard Lenoir. In 1810 the younger Lenoir moved to the tract with his wife and established a large plantation. His workforce was composed of enslaved African Americans. Lenoir's agricultural enterprise included producing hams from a herd of Berkshire hogs. He also developed several small-scale industries, including a sawmill and flour mill. In the early 1830s, he built the Lenoir Cotton Mill—one of the earliest in the South—sited along the banks of Town Creek, a tributary of the Tennessee River.[9]
After Lenoir's death, his estate was divided among his children. His sons formed the William Lenoir and Brothers Company to manage the family's businesses. When the railroad reached the Lenoir plantation in 1855, a depot was constructed. The community of Lenoir Station developed around it.[9]
During the Civil War, the Lenoirs supported the Confederacy, due in part to associations with Confederate-leaning business interests in Knoxville. (One of Lenoir's sons was married to the daughter of J. G. M. Ramsey, a Knoxville historian and banker, and an ardent Confederate).[9] On June 20, 1863, a Union scouting expedition led by General William P. Sanders arrived at Lenoir Station after having failed to destroy the railroad trestle at Loudon. Sanders burned the depot and the Lenoirs' sawmill and flour mill. He spared the cotton mill because there were few such mills in the area to provide cloth for the army. In addition, both he and the Lenoirs were Masons.[10]
Lenoir City Company[edit]
In the late 1880s, an abundance of financial capital, the popularity of social theories regarding planned cities, and a thriving coal mining industry in East Tennessee's Cumberland Plateau region led to the development of several company towns to support coal mining throughout the upper Tennessee Valley. Most of these were funded by investors from the Northeastern United States or Knoxville.
In 1889, Knoxville railroad magnate Charles McClung McGhee and his friend and associate Edward J. Sanford formed the Lenoir City Company. They believed the Lenoir plantation would be the ideal location to develop such a town. The company incorporated in April 1890 with $800,000 in stock[9] and purchased the Lenoir estate, which then consisted of 2,700 acres (1,100 ha), for $300 per acre.[9] When the company issued the stock to the public, the investors each received stock in the company and a lot in the planned town.[11]
Lenoir City was laid out in a grid pattern with four quadrants, west of Town Creek and north of the railroad tracks. The city's northwest quadrant was planned for middle class and affluent residents, whereas the northeast quadrant would be for the city's wage-workers. The southwest quadrant would contain heavy industry, such as blast furnaces, steel works, and other large factories, while the southeast quadrant would contain woodworking, furniture, and canning factories. Influenced by late 19th-century reform movements that stressed health and temperance, the developers set aside several lots for public parks, and a large garden area was planned between the railroad tracks and the river.[11]
A recession in the early 1890s froze financial markets. By 1892, the company had sold only 144 of the town's 3,448 lots. McGhee and Sanford persisted, however, and while Lenoir City never developed as fully as they had conceived, it survived. McGhee convinced a rail car company to open a factory in Lenoir City, and a short time later a knitting mill was established. Both establishments still employed several hundred workers in 1910.[12]
20th century[edit]
Beginning in the 1930s during the Great Depression, a series of federal government projects provided a needed boost to Lenoir City's economy and invested in regional infrastructure. The Tennessee Valley Authority's construction of Fort Loudoun Dam and reservoir, which began in 1940, provided hundreds of locals with jobs. It also resulted in numerous road improvements and generation of hydropower for electrification of the region.
In the 1950s and 1960s, construction associated with the Interstate Highway System resulted in building I-75 and I-40—two trans-national highways that intersect just northeast of Lenoir City. U.S. Highway 321 was built through Lenoir City in the 1980s primarily to provide greater access to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, some 40 miles (64 km) southeast.
On February 21, 1993, an F-3 tornado touched down in eastern Roane County (just west of town) and tracked east-southeast directly toward the city. The tornado devastated parts of the city. Parts of downtown, as well as the area near A Street and 5th Avenue, were destroyed. The Lenoir City High School/Middle School property suffered major damage (it was redeveloped as River Oaks Place). The tornado continued east-southeastward, going through the town of Friendsville before lifting in western Maryville. One person died in Lenoir City, and 55 people were injured.[13]
In March 1998, a historic landmark, the William B. Lenoir Hotel, the block of Broadway (US 11) between A and B streets, was destroyed by a massive fire. The entire block was lost as it had been built with a common attic and basement, meaning there were no firewalls between buildings. Wilburn's Barbershop, the Lenoir City Public Library, a Mexican grocery, offices for TV Readers magazine and Habitat for Humanity, a school photography company and photo finishing lab, and several apartments, were all destroyed by the blaze.[14] This block was redeveloped for Roane State Community College, Tennessee Career Center, and a new Lenoir City Public Library.
21st century[edit]
In the early 2000s, Lenoir City's economy expanded and many new businesses developed along U.S. Highway 321. Fort Loudoun Medical Center was built to replace the old Fort Sander's Loudon Hospital in nearby Loudon. In the late 2000s, two major commercial developments were announced. Creekwood Park is located parallel to I-75 between US-321 and US-70. A new four-lane road was built between the two highways. A luxury apartment complex was built on part of the site. In 2014, business development finally started in the area, with a few medical offices completed. From 2016 to 2017, the city constructed a new community center called "The Venue", and a new headquarters here for the Lenoir City Utilities Board here.
Dr. Bob Overholt, a local physician and TV personality, announced another development: The Market at Town Creek, planned to connect US-321 and Harrison Road near the Lenoir City High School and Middle School property. In 2013 Town Creek Parkway, a four-lane road connecting US-321 and Harrison Road, was completed. In 2016, the city inaugurated its first female city councilwoman, Jennifer Wampler. She was appointed to complete the remainder of the term vacated by the death of her late husband, Harry Wampler.
Geography[edit]
The Tennessee River and TVA's Fort Loudoun and Watts Bar reservations provide the city's southern boundary. Four major federal highways pass through Lenoir City: U.S. Route 11, which runs roughly parallel to the river shore, traverses the city east-to-west; U.S. Route 321, which crosses Fort Loudon Dam south of the city, traverses the city north-to-south. Interstate 75 and U.S. Route 70 intersect US-321 in the northern part of the city. I-75 provides access to the city from exit 81, and leads northeast 26 miles (42 km) to downtown Knoxville (via a connection with I-40), and southwest 91 miles (146 km) to Chattanooga. U.S. 321 runs through the center of town from southeast to northwest, leading northwest seven miles (11 km) to I-40 at exit 364 (the highway's northern terminus), and east twenty miles (32 km) to Maryville. U.S. 70 runs to the north of the city, leading northeast nine miles (14 km) to Farragut and northwest 19 miles (31 km) to Kingston. U.S. 11 runs through the center of the city, leading northeast to Farragut and Knoxville, and southwest seven miles (11 km) to the city of Loudon.
Lenoir City is traditionally spread out along US-11, west of the road's junction with US-321. This section of the city still roughly follows a grid plan laid out in the 1890s. In recent decades, Lenoir City has annexed a 5-mile (8.0 km) corridor of land along US-321 between its US-11 intersection and I-40 intersection. This corridor contains the city's newer, commercial area which caters to the high volume of traffic brought to the area by I-75 and I-40.
Demographics[edit]
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1880 | 236 | — | |
1910 | 3,392 | — | |
1920 | 4,210 | 24.1% | |
1930 | 4,470 | 6.2% | |
1940 | 4,373 | −2.2% | |
1950 | 5,159 | 18.0% | |
1960 | 4,979 | −3.5% | |
1970 | 5,324 | 6.9% | |
1980 | 5,180 | −2.7% | |
1990 | 6,147 | 18.7% | |
2000 | 6,819 | 10.9% | |
2010 | 8,642 | 26.7% | |
2020 | 10,117 | 17.1% | |
2022 (est.) | 11,292 | 11.6% | |
Sources:[15][16][5] |
2020 census[edit]
Race | Number | Percentage |
---|---|---|
White (non-Hispanic) | 7,095 | 70.13% |
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 134 | 1.32% |
Native American | 14 | 0.14% |
Asian | 111 | 1.1% |
Other/Mixed | 408 | 4.03% |
Hispanic or Latino | 2,355 | 23.28% |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 10,117 people, 3,479 households, and 2,198 families residing in the city.
2010 census[edit]
As of the census[6] of 2010, there were 8,642 people, 3,369 households, and 2,183 families residing in the city. There were 3,703 housing units. The racial makeup of the city was 87.30% White, 1.60% African American, 0.50% Native American, 0.60% Asian, 0.30% Pacific Islander, 8.0% from other races, and 1.80% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 17.50% of the population.
As of the 2000 census, there were 2,910 households, out of which 30.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.5% were married couples living together, 13.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.6% were non-families. 33.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.95.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.0% under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 30.3% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 14.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every hundred females, there were 90.3 males; for every hundred females age 18 and over, there were 85.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $28,889, and the median income for a family was $33,462. Males had a median income of $27,229 versus $20,744 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,632. About 13.4% of families and 16.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.1% of those under age 18 and 8.9% of those age 65 or over.
Government[edit]
The City of Lenoir City operates under a Mayor/City Council Form. The mayor is elected on four-year terms. The City Council is elected every four years.
Education[edit]
Residents are zoned to both city and county schools. Because of the proximity of the county schools to Lenoir City and the distance to the county high schools (Loudon High School and Greenback School), most students who attend county schools within the city through elementary and middle grades (Kindergarten through eighth) transfer to the city school system upon enrolling in high school.
Lenoir City Schools[edit]
- Lenoir City Elementary School
- Lenoir City Middle School
- Lenoir City High School
Loudon County Schools within Lenoir City[edit]
- Eaton Elementary School
- North Middle School
- Highland Park Elementary School
Climate[edit]
The climate in this area is characterized by relatively high temperatures and evenly distributed precipitation throughout the year. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Lenoir City has a Humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.[18]
Climate data for Lenoir City, Tennessee (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1962–present) | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °F (°C) | 75 (24) |
80 (27) |
85 (29) |
91 (33) |
95 (35) |
102 (39) |
106 (41) |
104 (40) |
99 (37) |
97 (36) |
85 (29) |
77 (25) |
106 (41) |
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 48.6 (9.2) |
53.1 (11.7) |
62.0 (16.7) |
71.4 (21.9) |
79.0 (26.1) |
85.9 (29.9) |
89.0 (31.7) |
88.4 (31.3) |
83.5 (28.6) |
72.9 (22.7) |
61.2 (16.2) |
52.0 (11.1) |
70.6 (21.4) |
Daily mean °F (°C) | 38.3 (3.5) |
41.9 (5.5) |
49.7 (9.8) |
58.5 (14.7) |
67.1 (19.5) |
75.0 (23.9) |
78.5 (25.8) |
77.6 (25.3) |
71.9 (22.2) |
60.3 (15.7) |
48.9 (9.4) |
41.7 (5.4) |
59.1 (15.1) |
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 28.0 (−2.2) |
30.7 (−0.7) |
37.4 (3.0) |
45.5 (7.5) |
55.2 (12.9) |
64.1 (17.8) |
68.1 (20.1) |
66.8 (19.3) |
60.2 (15.7) |
47.6 (8.7) |
36.6 (2.6) |
31.3 (−0.4) |
47.6 (8.7) |
Record low °F (°C) | −14 (−26) |
−7 (−22) |
1 (−17) |
23 (−5) |
32 (0) |
39 (4) |
50 (10) |
48 (9) |
33 (1) |
24 (−4) |
11 (−12) |
−5 (−21) |
−14 (−26) |
Average precipitation inches (mm) | 4.99 (127) |
5.22 (133) |
5.09 (129) |
5.16 (131) |
4.29 (109) |
4.24 (108) |
5.12 (130) |
3.82 (97) |
4.25 (108) |
3.02 (77) |
4.14 (105) |
5.86 (149) |
55.20 (1,402) |
Average snowfall inches (cm) | 1.6 (4.1) |
1.3 (3.3) |
0.6 (1.5) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.1 (0.25) |
0.4 (1.0) |
4.0 (10) |
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 11.2 | 10.5 | 11.4 | 10.4 | 10.6 | 11.2 | 11.1 | 9.4 | 7.8 | 7.5 | 9.0 | 11.1 | 121.2 |
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 1.7 |
Source: NOAA[19][20] |
Notable people[edit]
- Tommy Bartlett, basketball coach
- John Bowers, author
- Tom Collins, music producer
- Claire Donahue, Olympic gold-medal swimmer
- Lee Guetterman, baseball pitcher
- Graig Nettles, baseball player
- Kenny Roberts, country musician
References[edit]
- ^ Lenoir City, Tennessee Archived September 27, 2013, at the Wayback Machine—city guide. Retrieved: January 15, 2013.
- ^ Tennessee Blue Book, 2005-2006, pp. 618-625.
- ^ "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
- ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Lenoir City, Tennessee
- ^ a b "Census Population API". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
- ^ a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ Charles Hudson, Knights of Spain, Warriors of the Sun (Athens, Georgia: University of Georgia Press, 1997), pp. 204–207.
- ^ James Mooney, Myths of the Cherokee and Sacred Formulas of the Cherokee (Nashville, Tenn.: C and R Elder, 1972), p. 414.
- ^ a b c d e f Gail Guymon, National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form for Lenoir Cotton Mill Warehouse, February 2006. Retrieved: March 3, 2010.
- ^ Tennessee Civil War Trails informational sign in Lenoir City, Tennessee; information accessed September 8, 2009.
- ^ a b John Benhart, Appalachian Aspirations: The Geography of Urbanization and Development in the Upper Tennessee River Valley, 1865-1900 (Knoxville, Tenn.: University of Tennessee Press, 2007), pp. 74-79, 90-92, 97.
- ^ Benhart, pp. 116-117, 122-123.
- ^ "NWS Morristown Forecast Area Tornado Database". Archived from the original on February 7, 2017. Retrieved February 1, 2017.
- ^ "Times Daily—Google News Archive Search". news.google.com.
- ^ "Census of Population and Housing: Decennial Censuses". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 4, 2012.
- ^ "Incorporated Places and Minor Civil Divisions Datasets: Subcounty Resident Population Estimates: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2012". Population Estimates. U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 11, 2013. Retrieved December 11, 2013.
- ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 26, 2021.
- ^ "Lenoir City, Tennessee Köppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase)". Weatherbase.
- ^ "NowData - NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
- ^ "Station: Lenoir City, TN". U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991–2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved October 8, 2021.