Cookeville, Tennessee facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Cookeville, Tennessee
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Downtown Cookeville, viewed from Dogwood Park
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| Nickname(s):
Hub of the Upper Cumberland, Tennessee's College Town
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Location of Cookeville in Putnam County, Tennessee.
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| Country | United States | ||||
| State | Tennessee | ||||
| County | Putnam | ||||
| Founded | 1854 | ||||
| Incorporated | 1903 | ||||
| Named for | Richard F. Cooke | ||||
| Government | |||||
| • Type | Council-manager | ||||
| Area | |||||
| • City | 35.95 sq mi (93.10 km2) | ||||
| • Land | 35.77 sq mi (92.64 km2) | ||||
| • Water | 0.18 sq mi (0.46 km2) | ||||
| Elevation | 1,089 ft (332 m) | ||||
| Population
(2020)
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| • City | 34,842 | ||||
| • Density | 974.06/sq mi (376.08/km2) | ||||
| • Urban | 44,207 | ||||
| Time zone | UTC−6 (CST) | ||||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) | ||||
| ZIP Codes |
38501–38503, 38505–38506
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| Area code(s) | 931 | ||||
| FIPS code | 47-16920 | ||||
| GNIS feature ID | 2404122 | ||||
Cookeville is a city in Putnam County, Tennessee, United States. It is the main city and the largest one in the county. In 2020, about 34,842 people lived there. Cookeville is known as a "micropolitan area." This means it's a smaller city that acts as a major economic center for the region around it. It's the biggest micropolitan area in Tennessee.
Cookeville is also called a "college town" because it's home to Tennessee Technological University. This university brings many students and new ideas to the city.
Contents
History of Cookeville
How Cookeville Began
Long ago, the Cherokee Native American tribe lived in the Cookeville area. They used the land for hunting. In 1805, they signed a treaty, and the land became open for new settlers.
Around the late 1700s, people from Virginia and North Carolina started to settle here. Many of them were from English and Scotch-Irish families. They traveled along a path called Avery's Trace.
Putnam County was officially formed in 1842. This happened because more people moved in, and the nearby counties couldn't serve everyone well. In 1854, Cookeville was chosen as the county seat. This means it became the main town for the county government. The city was named after Richard Fielding Cooke, an early pioneer who helped create Putnam County.
Cookeville During the Civil War
The land around Cookeville was not ideal for very large farms. Still, some farms existed, and some used enslaved African people.
When Tennessee left the United States in 1861, people in Cookeville had different ideas about the American Civil War. Many wanted to stay with the Union (the United States). People from Cookeville joined both the Confederate and Union armies.
During the war, there were some fights and events in the area. The Putnam County Courthouse in Cookeville was burned down. These conflicts caused problems between neighbors and families.
After the war, things slowly got better. The city's first hotel, the Isbell, opened in 1886. Four years later, the Nashville and Knoxville Railroad arrived. This helped Cookeville grow a lot.
Cookeville in the 20th Century
The railroad brought a lot of growth to Cookeville. In 1903, Cookeville officially became a chartered city. In 1905, the city started providing electricity. The Cookeville Railroad Depot was built in 1909. It offered train rides until 1955.
In 1909, a private university called the University of Dixie was started. Later, in 1915, the state government took it over. They renamed it Tennessee Polytechnic Institute. This school focused on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). It helped Cookeville become a center for education. In 1965, it became Tennessee Technological University.
With better train access, Cookeville started to have more factories. Industries like textile manufacturing and timber production grew. The Great Depression slowed things down.
In the 1930s, a new highway, U.S. Route 70N, was finished. This helped Cookeville's businesses grow even more. The large Center Hill Dam project also created jobs. After it was built, it provided electricity and helped control floods. It also created fun places like Edgar Evins State Park and Burgess Falls State Park.
Other important additions included a water treatment plant in 1946 and the Cookeville General Hospital in 1950.
During the 1950s, a place called John's Place was special. It was a grocery store and restaurant where people of different backgrounds could meet. It was known for its tasty Southern food. John's Place is now on the National Register of Historic Places.
In 1966, Interstate 40 was completed near the city. This led to new businesses and growth. The old Cookeville Depot was saved from being torn down. Local people worked hard to restore it. In 1985, it reopened as a museum.
By 1970, Cookeville's population had grown a lot. This was because of the university and the new interstate highway. The city became an important center for the Upper Cumberland region. New roads like Tennessee State Route 111 also helped connect Cookeville to nearby towns.
Cookeville Today
In the early 2000s, Cookeville grew even more. It added over 10 square miles to its city limits. In 2007, the city bought land for a large industrial park called Highlands Business Park. Cookeville Regional Medical Center also expanded to serve the growing population.
2020 Tornado Event
On March 3, 2020, a very strong EF4 tornado hit west of Cookeville. It caused a lot of damage, sadly killing 19 people and injuring many more. Tennessee Tech closed for a few days, and students helped with rescue and cleanup efforts. The tornado had winds up to 175 miles per hour.
Cookeville's Location and Climate
Where is Cookeville?
Cookeville is located in the Highland Rim area of Tennessee. It sits higher than cities like Nashville or Knoxville. This means it often has slightly cooler temperatures.
The city is about 79 miles east of Nashville and 101 miles west of Knoxville. Major roads like I-40 and US 70N pass through or near Cookeville.
There are three large man-made lakes near Cookeville: Center Hill Lake, Cordell Hull Lake, and Dale Hollow Lake. These lakes help control floods and offer places for fun activities. Smaller lakes like City Lake and Cane Creek Lake are also in the area.
Cookeville's Weather
Cookeville has a humid subtropical climate. This means it has warm, humid summers and mild, cool winters. Rain is spread out throughout the year.
The hottest temperature ever recorded in Cookeville was 105°F (41°C). The coldest was -22°F (-30°C). On average, Cookeville gets about 60 inches (152 cm) of rain and 6.1 inches (15.5 cm) of snow each year.
| Climate data for Cookeville, Tennessee (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1896–present) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 80 (27) |
82 (28) |
87 (31) |
96 (36) |
98 (37) |
105 (41) |
105 (41) |
105 (41) |
104 (40) |
96 (36) |
88 (31) |
77 (25) |
105 (41) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 66.9 (19.4) |
71.5 (21.9) |
77.9 (25.5) |
83.9 (28.8) |
87.5 (30.8) |
92.0 (33.3) |
93.7 (34.3) |
93.3 (34.1) |
91.3 (32.9) |
85.5 (29.7) |
77.6 (25.3) |
68.7 (20.4) |
95.1 (35.1) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 47.1 (8.4) |
51.4 (10.8) |
60.0 (15.6) |
69.8 (21.0) |
77.5 (25.3) |
84.3 (29.1) |
87.3 (30.7) |
86.9 (30.5) |
81.9 (27.7) |
71.9 (22.2) |
60.4 (15.8) |
50.9 (10.5) |
69.1 (20.6) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 37.0 (2.8) |
40.2 (4.6) |
47.7 (8.7) |
56.5 (13.6) |
65.4 (18.6) |
73.1 (22.8) |
76.7 (24.8) |
75.5 (24.2) |
69.7 (20.9) |
58.4 (14.7) |
47.7 (8.7) |
40.6 (4.8) |
57.4 (14.1) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 27.0 (−2.8) |
29.0 (−1.7) |
35.4 (1.9) |
43.2 (6.2) |
53.3 (11.8) |
61.9 (16.6) |
66.1 (18.9) |
64.2 (17.9) |
57.4 (14.1) |
45.0 (7.2) |
35.1 (1.7) |
30.3 (−0.9) |
45.7 (7.6) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | 8.1 (−13.3) |
11.7 (−11.3) |
19.7 (−6.8) |
28.1 (−2.2) |
37.7 (3.2) |
50.1 (10.1) |
56.9 (13.8) |
55.4 (13.0) |
43.7 (6.5) |
29.7 (−1.3) |
20.7 (−6.3) |
14.9 (−9.5) |
5.4 (−14.8) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −22 (−30) |
−13 (−25) |
−1 (−18) |
20 (−7) |
29 (−2) |
38 (3) |
46 (8) |
43 (6) |
33 (1) |
22 (−6) |
4 (−16) |
−13 (−25) |
−22 (−30) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 5.29 (134) |
5.48 (139) |
5.46 (139) |
5.35 (136) |
5.15 (131) |
5.45 (138) |
5.69 (145) |
3.93 (100) |
4.47 (114) |
3.35 (85) |
4.30 (109) |
6.10 (155) |
60.02 (1,525) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 2.3 (5.8) |
1.8 (4.6) |
0.9 (2.3) |
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) |
1.0 (2.5) |
6.1 (15) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 13.0 | 12.2 | 13.2 | 11.6 | 12.3 | 12.3 | 11.8 | 9.7 | 8.5 | 8.9 | 10.4 | 13.3 | 137.2 |
| Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) | 1.5 | 1.6 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.1 | 4.9 |
| Source: NOAA | |||||||||||||
Cookeville's People
Population Growth Over Time
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1870 | 156 | — | |
| 1880 | 279 | 78.8% | |
| 1890 | 469 | 68.1% | |
| 1910 | 1,848 | — | |
| 1920 | 2,395 | 29.6% | |
| 1930 | 3,738 | 56.1% | |
| 1940 | 4,364 | 16.7% | |
| 1950 | 6,924 | 58.7% | |
| 1960 | 7,805 | 12.7% | |
| 1970 | 14,403 | 84.5% | |
| 1980 | 20,535 | 42.6% | |
| 1990 | 21,744 | 5.9% | |
| 2000 | 23,923 | 10.0% | |
| 2010 | 30,435 | 27.2% | |
| 2020 | 34,842 | 14.5% | |
| Sources: 2020 | |||
Cookeville has grown a lot over the years. In 1870, only 156 people lived there. By 2020, the population was 34,842.
Who Lives in Cookeville?
| Race | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White (non-Hispanic) | 27,333 | 78.45% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 1,671 | 4.8% |
| Native American | 61 | 0.18% |
| Asian | 793 | 2.28% |
| Pacific Islander | 12 | 0.03% |
| Other/Mixed | 1,529 | 4.39% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 3,443 | 9.88% |
According to the 2020 census, Cookeville had 34,842 people. There were 13,743 households living in the city.
In 2010, about 18.6% of the people were under 18 years old. Many young adults aged 18 to 24 lived in Cookeville, making up 25.2% of the population. This is likely because of the university. The average age in Cookeville was 29 years old.
Cookeville's Economy
Cookeville is the biggest city in the Upper Cumberland region. It's known as the "Hub of the Upper Cumberlands" because it's a central place for jobs and businesses. Many people from nearby counties come to Cookeville for work.
The cost of living in Cookeville is low. This means it's cheaper to live there compared to many other places in the United States.
Major Employers in Cookeville
Many places offer jobs in Cookeville. Here are some of the top employers:
| # | Employer | # of Employees |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cookeville Regional Medical Center | 1,600 |
| 2 | Tennessee Tech | 1,500 |
| 3 | Putnam County Board of Education | 1,200 |
| 4 | Averitt Express | 600 |
| 5 | Oreck | 550 |
| 6 | Cummins, Inc. | 470 |
| 7 | State of Tennessee | 440 |
| 8 | City of Cookeville | 400 |
| 9 | Tutco | 360 |
| 10 | SunTrust Banks | 350 |
Industries and Businesses
Manufacturing is the biggest industry in Cookeville. Over 100 factories employ about 8,000 people. Retail trade (stores) is the second largest, with about 4,200 jobs. Health care and education also provide many jobs.
Many companies have their main offices or factories in Cookeville. For example, the vacuum cleaner company Oreck moved its factory here. The trucking company Averitt Express is also based in Cookeville. Other companies like ATC Automation and Ficosa (which makes car mirrors) have large facilities here.
Technology and Shopping
Cookeville is also growing in technology. Science Applications International Corp. (SAIC) opened a center for information technology services. Digital Dream Forge, a software testing company, also has a facility here.
For shopping, Interstate Drive has many popular restaurants and hotels. Downtown Cookeville's West Side has local shops and restaurants. Cookeville is also home to several local breweries.
Cookeville is even known as a "global mecca" for CrossFit. Many top CrossFit athletes live and train at CrossFit Mayhem here.
Fun Things to Do in Cookeville
Places to Visit
- Tennessee Tech
- Dogwood Park: A lovely park in the city.
- Cane Creek Park: A park with a lake.
- Heart of the City Playground: A fun place for kids to play.
- Park View Skate Park: A place for skateboarding.
- Window Cliffs State Natural Area: A beautiful natural area.
- Burgess Falls State Park: Known for its waterfalls.
- Cummins Falls State Park: Another park with stunning waterfalls.
- Gerald D. Coorts Memorial Arboretum: A place with many different trees and plants.
- Cookeville Depot Museum: Learn about the city's train history.
- Cookeville Performing Arts Center: A place for shows and performances.
- Arda E. Lee's Hidden Hollow: A unique natural spot.
- White Plains: A historic home.
Museums to Explore
- Cookeville History Museum: Discover the city's past.
- Cookeville Children's Museum: Fun and learning for younger kids.
- Derryberry Art Gallery: See local art.
- Cumberland Art Society and Gallery: More art to enjoy.
- Appalachian Center for Craft Gallery: Features crafts from the region.
Performing Arts and Shows
- Cookeville Community Band: Enjoy music from local musicians.
- Cookeville Children's Theatre: Plays put on by and for children.
- Dogwood Outdoor Performance Pavilion: Outdoor concerts and shows.
- Bryan Symphony Orchestra: Classical music performances.
- Bryan Fine Arts Center: A venue for various arts events.
- Mastersingers: A singing group.
- Cookeville Performing Arts Center: A main spot for plays and concerts.
- Backdoor Playhouse: A theater for performances.
- Drama Center Backstage: Another theater space.
- Wesley Arena Theatre: More live shows.
- Shakespeare in the Park: Enjoy plays by Shakespeare outdoors.
- StoryTeller Theatre and Academy: Learn about and watch theater.
- Brown Bag Lunch Concerts: Free concerts during lunchtime.
Education in Cookeville
Cookeville is a big center for education.
Colleges and Universities
The city is home to Tennessee Tech, a public university. It focuses on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects. U.S. News & World Report has ranked it highly among regional universities in the South. Tennessee Tech is also known for its music groups, like the Mastersingers.
Cookeville also has a campus of Volunteer State Community College. And, Tennessee Bible College is a Christian college located here.
Public Schools
Public schools in Cookeville are part of the Putnam County Schools system. There are many elementary, middle, and high schools. Some schools in Cookeville include Cookeville High School, Prescott Middle School, and Avery Trace Middle.
Cookeville High School is one of the largest high schools in Tennessee. Both Cookeville High School and Avery Trace Middle School offer the International Baccalaureate program. This is a special program for students who want a challenging education.
Media in Cookeville
Cookeville has its own local media.
The main daily newspaper is the Herald-Citizen. It publishes news six days a week. There's also the Upper Cumberland Business Journal, which covers business news for the region.
Cookeville has one public television station, WCTE TV 22 (PBS). You can also get cable and satellite TV services.
For radio stations, Cookeville has many choices. WTTU 88.5 FM is Tennessee Tech University's student radio station. WHRS 91.7 FM broadcasts National Public Radio (NPR). You can find music stations for rock and roll, Top 40, and country music. There are also Christian music stations and talk radio stations.
Getting Around Cookeville
Roads and Highways
Cookeville is easy to reach by car. It's about 80 miles east of Nashville and 100 miles west of Knoxville along Interstate 40 (I-40). Chattanooga is about 98 miles south.
Major streets in Cookeville include Spring Street (US 70N), North Washington Ave., South Jefferson Ave., and Willow Ave. Interstate Drive, near I-40, has many restaurants and hotels.
Air and Bus Travel
There are no commercial airports in Cookeville itself. The closest major airport for commercial flights is Nashville International Airport (BNA), about 72 miles west. You can find airport shuttles to get there.
The Upper Cumberland Human Resource Agency (UCHRA) also offers a bus service called Connect Upper Cumberland. It provides daily bus service to Nashville and Murfreesboro.
Railroad History and Trails
Trains were once very important to Cookeville's economy. The Tennessee Central Railway connected Nashville and Knoxville. It helped transport coal and other goods. However, train service stopped in 1968.
Now, there are plans to turn parts of the old railway path into a bicycle trail. This trail will connect the Cookeville Depot Museum with another depot in Monterey.
Famous People from Cookeville
- Mack Brown – a well-known college football coach.
- Watson Brown – also a college football coach, and Mack Brown's older brother.
- Jim Carlen – a former college football coach.
- Sunny Choi – an Olympic breakdancer.
- Rich Froning Jr. – a famous CrossFit athlete, winning many championships.
- Robert Ben Garant – an actor, known from the TV show Reno 911!.
- Bobby Greenwood – a professional golfer.
- Jake Hoot – the winner of the 17th season of The Voice.
- Huda Kattan – a makeup artist and founder of Huda Beauty cosmetics.
- Harold E. Martin – a Pulitzer Prize-winning newspaperman.
- Billy Napier – a college football coach.
- Jack Norton – a children's musician and TV show host.
- Alison Piepmeier – a scholar and feminist writer.
- J. J. Redick – a former professional basketball player.
- Elmo Stoll – a former Amish bishop who founded the "Christian Communities."
- Maria Taylor – a sportscaster for major sports networks.
- Trent Taylor – a professional American football player.
- Lonnie Warwick – a former professional football player.
- William Eldridge Odom – a former director of the National Security Agency.
Images for kids
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Aftermath of the March 2020 tornado in West Cookeville
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See also
In Spanish: Cookeville (Tennessee) para niños
