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Henderson, Tennessee facts for kids

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Henderson, Tennessee
Shops in Henderson
Shops in Henderson
Location of Henderson in Chester County, Tennessee.
Location of Henderson in Chester County, Tennessee.
Country United States
State Tennessee
County Chester
Area
 • Total 7.83 sq mi (20.29 km2)
 • Land 7.80 sq mi (20.22 km2)
 • Water 0.03 sq mi (0.07 km2)
Elevation
446 ft (136 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 6,308
 • Density 808.20/sq mi (312.04/km2)
Time zone UTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
38340
Area code(s) 731
FIPS code 47-33260
GNIS feature ID 1287374

Henderson is a friendly city located in Chester County, Tennessee, in the United States. It is also the county seat of Chester County, which means it's where the main government offices for the county are located.

In 2020, about 6,308 people called Henderson home. This city is a great place to learn about history, enjoy the outdoors, and experience local culture.

A Look Back: The History of Henderson

Henderson was first planned out in 1857. This happened when a railroad line was built and reached this area. The city got its name from Henderson County, Tennessee.

Before it was called Henderson, the city had a different name: Dayton. During the American Civil War, it became known as Henderson Station. Finally, it was officially named Henderson.

Exploring Henderson: Geography and Location

Henderson is located right in the middle of Chester County. It sits to the west of the South Fork Forked Deer River. You can find its exact spot at 35°26′35″N 88°38′40″W / 35.44306°N 88.64444°W / 35.44306; -88.64444.

Major roads like U.S. Route 45 pass through the city. This route can take you about 17 miles northwest to Jackson, Tennessee. It also goes about 20 miles south to Selmer, Tennessee. Another important road, Tennessee State Route 100, runs just south of the city center. It leads east about 32 miles to Decaturville, Tennessee and west about 30 miles to Whiteville, Tennessee.

The city covers a total area of about 7.83 square miles (20.29 square kilometers). Only a very small part of this area, about 0.03 square miles (0.07 square kilometers), is water.

Fun Things to Do: Arts, Culture, and Outdoors

Henderson offers many exciting activities for its residents and visitors.

Arts and Culture in Henderson

The Henderson Arts Commission works hard to bring many art events to the city. They have sponsored programs like the Summer Camp Theatre Experience. These events help people enjoy and learn about different types of art.

Outdoor Adventures at Gene Record Park

The city's main park is called Gene Record Park. It's a fantastic place for outdoor fun! The park has playground equipment where kids can play. There's also a walking trail perfect for a stroll or a run.

For sports lovers, the park features soccer fields. It also has a permanent spot for the local Farmer's Market. You can find picnic tables for outdoor meals and a special dog park for pets. Plus, there's a 9-hole disc golf course for a fun challenge. In 2020, the local newspaper reported that a Splash Pad would be added to the park soon.

Celebrating Barbecue at the Chester County Festival

Since 1978, Henderson has hosted the Chester County Barbecue Festival. This is a big event that celebrates the area's rich barbecue traditions. The first person to cook barbecue for the festival was Bill Howard. He was known as "The Barbecue King" throughout Chester County.

Bill Howard was even chosen by the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. He represented Afro-American barbecue and was invited to serve his delicious food in Washington, DC in 1986.

Local News: The Chester County Independent

If you want to know what's happening in Henderson, you can read the local newspaper. It's called the Chester County Independent and is based right in the city.

Who Lives Here: Population and Demographics

The population of Henderson has changed over the years. Here's how it has grown:

Historical population
Census Pop.
1880 493
1890 1,069 116.8%
1910 1,087
1920 1,181 8.6%
1930 1,503 27.3%
1940 1,771 17.8%
1950 2,532 43.0%
1960 2,691 6.3%
1970 3,581 33.1%
1980 4,449 24.2%
1990 4,760 7.0%
2000 5,670 19.1%
2010 6,309 11.3%
2020 6,308 0.0%
Sources:

Understanding the 2020 Census

The 2020 United States census counted 6,308 people living in Henderson. There were 1,992 households and 1,261 families in the city.

The census also looks at the different groups of people living in a city. Here's a quick look at the racial makeup of Henderson in 2020:

Henderson racial composition
Race Perc.
White (non-Hispanic) 68.6%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 22.2%
Native American 0%
Asian 1.2%
Other/Mixed 3.9%
Hispanic or Latino 6%

Learning in Henderson: Education

Chester county tennessee courthouse
Chester County Courthouse, 2003

Henderson is part of the Chester County School District. It is home to Chester County High School, where many local students attend. The city also has a university, Freed-Hardeman University, which offers higher education.

Famous Faces: Notable People from Henderson

Many interesting people were born or lived in Henderson. Here are a few:

  • Eddy Arnold: A famous country musician, born in Henderson in 1918.
  • Jack Dalton: A Major League Baseball player, born in Henderson in 1885.
  • Dorsey B. Hardeman: A Texas politician, born in Henderson in 1902.
  • Robby Novak: An actor known for playing Kid President, born in Henderson in 2004.
  • Walton Bryan Stewart: A Wisconsin politician, born in Henderson in 1914.
  • Sue Shelton White: A national leader for women's rights and a lawyer who supported voting rights for women, born in Henderson in 1887.
  • Coleman Williams: An American country music singer and songwriter, born in Henderson in 1991.
  • Joseph Alexander Cain: An artist and educator who lived from 1920 to 1980.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Henderson (Tennessee) para niños

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