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Maynardville, Tennessee

Liberty
City of Maynardville
Maynardville as seen from Hinds Ridge
Maynardville as seen from Hinds Ridge
Official logo of Maynardville, Tennessee
Logo
Nickname(s): 
The Cradle of Country Music
Motto(s): 
"A Friendly Town with an Eye on the Future.", "My Maynardville, My Home."
Location of Maynardville in Union County, Tennessee.
Location of Maynardville in Union County, Tennessee.
Country United States
State Tennessee
County Union
Settled 1850
Incorporated 1870
Named for Horace Maynard
Government
 • Type Commission-Manager
Area
 • Total 5.39 sq mi (13.97 km2)
 • Land 5.39 sq mi (13.97 km2)
 • Water 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
1,197 ft (365 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 2,456
 • Density 455.32/sq mi (175.80/km2)
Time zone UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
37807
Area code(s) 865
FIPS code 47-46700
GNIS feature ID 2405042

Maynardville is a city in Union County, Tennessee, United States. It is also the county seat, which means it's where the main government offices for the county are located. The city was first called Liberty. It was renamed to honor Horace Maynard. He was a lawyer who helped create Union County.

In 2020, about 2,456 people lived in Maynardville. It is part of the larger Knoxville area.

History of Maynardville

Maynardville started as a small community in the early 1800s. It was known as Liberty back then. When Union County was formed in the 1850s, Liberty was chosen as the county seat. This was because it was close to the center of the new county. A local minister named Marcus Monroe gave the land for the courthouse.

How Maynardville Got Its Name

After the state government approved Union County, another county, Knox County, tried to stop it. They went to court because the new county would take some of their land. Supporters of Union County hired Horace Maynard, a lawyer from Knoxville. Maynard successfully defended the new county in court. Because of his help, Liberty was renamed "Maynardville" in his honor. Union County officially became a county in 1856.

Famous People from Maynardville

The famous country music singer Roy Acuff was born in Maynardville in 1903. His family had lived in Union County for a long time. Roy's grandfather, Coram Acuff, even represented Union County in the state government.

Thunder Road Story

In the early to mid-1900s, State Route 33 passed through Maynardville. This road was known as "Thunder Road." It was used for transporting certain goods in a special way. This story later inspired a 1958 movie and a song called "Thunder Road."

Modern Growth

Since the early 2000s, Maynardville has grown more like a suburb. This is because SR 33 (Maynardville Highway) was made wider. This made it quicker and easier to get to Knoxville. There are also plans to make improvements and bring new life to Maynardville.

Geography of Maynardville

Maynardville is located in the middle of Raccoon Valley. This valley is about 15 miles (24 km) long. It sits between two long, narrow ridges called Copper Ridge and Hinds Ridge. These ridges are part of the Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians mountain range. Norris Lake, which is a large body of water, is about 5 miles (8 km) north of Maynardville.

Roads and Connections

Maynardville is mainly located along State Route 33. This road connects the city to Knoxville, which is about 15 miles (24 km) to the southwest. It also connects to Tazewell, about 22 miles (35 km) to the northeast. Other important roads include:

  • State Route 61: Connects Maynardville to Luttrell (8 miles/13 km south) and Blaine (13 miles/21 km south).
  • State Route 144: Connects Maynardville to Plainview (8 miles/13 km southwest).

The city covers a total area of 5.4 square miles (13.97 km2). All of this area is land.

Population Information

Historical population
Census Pop.
1860 188
1870 155 −17.6%
1880 178 14.8%
1890 144 −19.1%
1960 620
1970 702 13.2%
1980 924 31.6%
1990 1,298 40.5%
2000 1,782 37.3%
2010 2,413 35.4%
2020 2,456 1.8%
Sources:
Dr-Carr-office-tn1
The old Dr. Carr office building, now an art gallery, in Maynardville

2020 Census Details

In 2020, the 2020 United States census counted 2,456 people living in Maynardville. There were 896 households and 528 families.

Here's a look at the different groups of people living in Maynardville:

Maynardville population by race
Group Number Percentage
White 2,247 91.49%
Black or African American 5 0.2%
Native American 3 0.12%
Asian 8 0.33%
Other/Mixed 114 4.64%
Hispanic or Latino 79 3.22%

Economy

Maynardville's economy involves several types of jobs. In 2010, the main industries for people living in Maynardville were:

  • Professional services (like doctors or lawyers)
  • Trade (buying and selling goods)
  • Manufacturing (making things)

Many people who live in Maynardville travel outside of Union County for their jobs. In 2010, almost 62% of the city's workers commuted (traveled) to jobs in other areas.

Notable People

  • Roy Acuff (1903–1992): A famous country music singer and songwriter. He was a regular performer at the Grand Ole Opry.
  • Kenny Chesney: A popular country music singer.
  • Carl Smith (1927–2010): Another well-known country music singer and songwriter.

See also

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