Dunlap, Tennessee facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dunlap, Tennessee
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Location of Dunlap in Sequatchie County, Tennessee.
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| Country | United States |
| State | Tennessee |
| County | Sequatchie |
| Founded | 1858 |
| Incorporated | 1901 |
| Named for | William Dunlap, state legislator |
| Area | |
| • Total | 10.80 sq mi (27.98 km2) |
| • Land | 10.80 sq mi (27.98 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 712 ft (217 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 5,357 |
| • Density | 495.88/sq mi (191.46/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
37327
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| Area code(s) | 423 |
| FIPS code | 47-22000 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1283187 |
Dunlap is a city in Tennessee, United States. It is the main town, or county seat, of Sequatchie County, Tennessee. In 2020, about 5,357 people lived there.
Dunlap is also part of the larger Chattanooga metropolitan area. This means it's connected to the bigger city of Chattanooga.
Contents
History of Dunlap
Dunlap was started in 1858. It became the county seat for Sequatchie County, which was created just one year before. The city got its name from William Claiborne Dunlap. He was a state legislator who helped create the county.
The first 40 acres of land for the city were given by William Rankin. This spot was chosen because it was right in the middle of the new county. Dunlap officially became a city in 1941.
The Dunlap Coke Ovens
Around 1900, a company bought a lot of land near Dunlap. They planned to mine coal and turn it into something called industrial coke. Coke is made by heating coal to remove certain gases. It was mainly used to help make pig iron, a type of metal.
To make coke, the company built 268 special ovens. They used a special railway to bring coal from Fredonia Mountain to these ovens. The company went out of business in 1904. However, another company bought the ovens and kept making coke until 1927.
Later, in the 1980s and 1990s, a local history group bought the old coke oven ruins. They turned the area into the Dunlap Coke Ovens Park. It's now a cool place to visit and learn about history.
Geography and Location
Dunlap is located in the middle of Sequatchie Valley. This valley is long and narrow, stretching about 65 miles through southeastern Tennessee. It also goes into northeastern Alabama.
West of Dunlap, the land rises sharply. This area is called "Fredonia Mountain." It's part of the Cumberland Plateau and rises over 1,000 feet above the valley floor. The Sequatchie River flows along the southeastern edge of the city.
Roads and Travel
Several important roads pass through or near Dunlap.
- U.S. Route 127 goes through Dunlap. It connects the city to Pikeville and Crossville to the north. To the southeast, it leads towards Chattanooga.
- S.R. 28 meets U.S. 127 in Dunlap. This road takes you to Jasper to the southwest.
- S.R. 111 is a few miles north of Dunlap. It connects the city to Chattanooga to the southeast. It also goes to Spencer up on the plateau to the west.
The city of Dunlap covers about 8.6 square miles of land. There is no water area within the city limits.
Population Information
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 133 | — | |
| 1890 | 332 | 149.6% | |
| 1910 | 1,166 | — | |
| 1920 | 1,465 | 25.6% | |
| 1930 | 1,295 | −11.6% | |
| 1940 | 721 | −44.3% | |
| 1950 | 873 | 21.1% | |
| 1960 | 1,488 | 70.4% | |
| 1970 | 1,672 | 12.4% | |
| 1980 | 3,681 | 120.2% | |
| 1990 | 3,731 | 1.4% | |
| 2000 | 4,173 | 11.8% | |
| 2010 | 4,815 | 15.4% | |
| 2020 | 5,357 | 11.3% | |
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How Many People Live Here?
In 2020, the city of Dunlap had 5,357 people living in it. There were 2,007 households and 1,414 families.
Most people in Dunlap are White (about 88%). There are also smaller numbers of Black or African American, Native American, Asian, and Pacific Islander residents. About 6.87% of the people in Dunlap are of Hispanic or Latino background.
Schools in Dunlap
Dunlap is home to the main school system for Sequatchie County. This system has a superintendent and an elected school board.
There are three schools in the Sequatchie County school system:
- Griffith Elementary School (for students in Kindergarten through 4th grade)
- Sequatchie County Middle School (for students in 5th through 8th grade)
- Sequatchie County High School (for students in 9th through 12th grade)
Fun Things to Do in Dunlap
Dunlap has some exciting attractions and events!
Festivals and Parks
The Dunlap Coke Ovens Park hosts several yearly festivals. One popular event is a bluegrass music festival. It's a great place to enjoy music and learn about local history.
Hang Gliding Capital
Dunlap is often called the "Hang Gliding Capital of the East." Many people come here for hang gliding. The city hosts the East Coast Hang Gliding Championships. There's also a group called the Tennessee Tree Toppers, which is all about hang gliding.
Outdoor Activities
If you like golf, the Mount Airy Golf Course is just north of the city. For nature lovers, the Savage Gulf State Natural Area is to the west. Prentice Cooper State Forest is to the east. Both offer beautiful outdoor experiences.
Famous People from Dunlap
- G. Harold Alexander (1902–1967) – A Republican politician who worked in Florida.
- Raymond H. Cooley (1916–1947) – A soldier in World War II who received the Medal of Honor.
- Dakota Hudson – A professional baseball pitcher for the Colorado Rockies.
- Ray Phelps (1903–1971) – A professional baseball player from 1930 to 1936.
- Tom Stewart (1892–1972) – A U.S. Senator and lawyer involved in the famous Scopes Trial.
See also
In Spanish: Dunlap (Tennessee) para niños
