Dandridge, Tennessee Facts for Kids

Dandridge is a town in Jefferson County, Tennessee. It is also the county seat, which means it is where the local government offices are. In 2020, about 3,341 people lived there.

Dandridge is near Knoxville and is considered a suburb of that city. You can easily travel between them using Interstate 40.

The town calls itself the "second oldest town in Tennessee." Only Jonesborough is older. A large stone wall, called a levee, protects most of downtown Dandridge. This levee keeps the waters of Douglas Lake from flooding the town.

History of Dandridge
Geography of Dandridge
- Where is Dandridge?
- Major Roads in Dandridge
People of Dandridge
- Population Changes Over Time
- Who Lives in Dandridge?
Famous People from Dandridge
See also

History of Dandridge

Early Native American Settlements

Long ago, in the 1500s, a large group of Native Americans lived near Dandridge. They were part of a chiefdom called Chiaha. Their main village was on Zimmerman's Island, which is now under Douglas Lake.

Spanish explorers visited this area. Hernando de Soto stayed at Chiaha in 1540. Later, Juan Pardo built a small fort nearby in 1567. Both explorers were on their way to another chiefdom called Coosa in what is now Georgia.

Founding the Town

The first European settlers arrived in Dandridge in 1783. In 1793, the town became the official county seat for Jefferson County. The county had been created just the year before.

The town was named after Martha Dandridge Washington. She was the wife of the first president of the United States.

Dandridge in 1938

Dandridge During the Civil War

On December 24, 1863, during the Civil War, a small battle happened in Dandridge. Confederate General James Longstreet and Union General Ambrose Burnside were fighting for control of Knoxville.

As Longstreet's army was leaving, a part of his army stopped a Union group that was chasing them. This happened just north of Dandridge. The Union soldiers had to go back to New Market.

Saving Downtown Dandridge

In 1942, a large dam called Douglas Dam was built on the French Broad River. This dam was going to create Douglas Lake. The problem was that most of downtown Dandridge was below the water level of the new lake. It was going to be flooded!

The people of Dandridge asked for help from the First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt. They told her that Dandridge was the only town in the U.S. named after George Washington's wife. Because of this, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) built a large stone wall, or levee. This levee protects downtown Dandridge from the lake. It runs right behind the Town Hall.

Modern Growth and Future Plans

In 1975, Interstate 40 was finished north of Dandridge. Town leaders decided to add the area around Exit 412 to the town. This exit connects to SR 92.

In 2015, Dandridge started working to make its downtown and waterfront even better. They plan to add a public dock, better paths for bikes and walking, and a floating stage for events. There will also be a swimming area, a farmer's market, and new shops and a hotel. These improvements are expected to be finished in the early to mid-2020s.

Geography of Dandridge

Where is Dandridge?

Dandridge is in the southern part of Jefferson County. It sits on the northern bank of Douglas Lake, which is part of the French Broad River. This is about 45 miles (72 km) upstream from where the French Broad River meets the Holston and Tennessee rivers in Knoxville. It is also about 12 miles (19 km) upstream from Douglas Dam.

By road, Dandridge is about 9 miles (14 km) south of Jefferson City. It is also about 18 miles (29 km) southwest of Morristown and 16 miles (26 km) northwest of Newport. Sevierville is 18 miles (29 km) northeast, and Knoxville is about 31 miles (50 km) east.

The town covers a total area of about 6.5 square miles (16.9 square kilometers). Most of this is land, but about 0.5 square miles (1.4 square kilometers) is water.

Major Roads in Dandridge

Several important highways pass through or near Dandridge:

I-40
I-81
US 25W
US 70
SR 66
SR 92
SR 113
SR 139

People of Dandridge

Population Changes Over Time

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1880	431	—
1910	447	—
1920	439	−1.8%
1930	446	1.6%
1940	488	9.4%
1950	690	41.4%
1960	829	20.1%
1970	1,270	53.2%
1980	1,383	8.9%
1990	1,540	11.4%
2000	2,078	34.9%
2010	2,812	35.3%
2020	3,344	18.9%
2023 (est.)	3,617	28.6%
Sources:

Who Lives in Dandridge?

The United States Census Bureau collects information about people living in towns. This helps us understand the population.

Dandridge racial composition
Race	Number	Percentage
White (non-Hispanic)	2,958	88.46%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic)	106	3.17%
Native American	15	0.45%
Asian	26	0.78%
Pacific Islander	3	0.09%
Other/Mixed	105	3.14%
Hispanic or Latino	131	3.92%

In 2020, there were 3,344 people living in Dandridge. There were 1,107 households and 796 families.

In 2010, the town had 2,721 people. Most people were White (92.44%). There were also African American, Native American, and Asian residents. About 0.96% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.

The average age in Dandridge in 2010 was 39 years old. About 24% of the population was under 18.

Famous People from Dandridge

Many interesting people have connections to Dandridge:

John Caspar Branner (1850–1922), a famous geologist who studies rocks and the Earth.
Mr. Fuji (1935–2016), a professional wrestler.
Norman C. Gaddis (1923–2024), an Air Force general and a prisoner of war.
Hugh T. Inman (1846–1910), a business person and cotton merchant.
John H. Inman (1844–1896), another business person.
Samuel M. Inman (1843–1915), also a business person and cotton merchant.
Kane (born 1967), a professional wrestler, actor, and the mayor of Knox County.
Peter Malnati (born 1987), a professional golfer.
John Rankin (1795–1886), a person who worked to end slavery.

Dandridge, Tennessee facts for kids

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