kids encyclopedia robot

Perry County, Tennessee facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Perry County
Perry County Courthouse in Linden
Map of Tennessee highlighting Perry County
Location within the U.S. state of Tennessee
Map of the United States highlighting Tennessee
Tennessee's location within the U.S.
Country  United States
State  Tennessee
Founded November 14, 1819
Named for Oliver Hazard Perry
Seat Linden
Largest town Linden
Area
 • Total 423 sq mi (1,100 km2)
 • Land 415 sq mi (1,070 km2)
 • Water 8.1 sq mi (21 km2)  1.9%%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 8,366 Increase
 • Density 19/sq mi (7/km2)
Time zone UTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district 7th

Perry County is a county located in the U.S. state of Tennessee. As of the 2020 census, the population was 8,366. Its county seat and largest town is Linden. The county is bisected east-to-west by US Highway 412 and north-to-south by State Route 13. Perry County is the most sparsely populated county in Tennessee, with an average population density of 18.6 persons/square mile. Mousetail Landing State Park is located in the county.

History

Perry County was formed in 1819 from parts of Humphreys and Hickman counties. It is named in honor of Oliver Hazard Perry (1785–1819), American War of 1812 naval officer who, after his flagship was severely damaged, continued the fight from another ship and forced the surrender of the British fleet at the Battle of Lake Erie. Decatur County was formed from the portions of Perry County west of the Tennessee River. The first settlements in the county were along Toms Creek near the Tennessee River, with the first known birth in the area occurring in 1818. This is the first written date involving the area that would become Perry County, but it is evident that the area had some European permanent settlement prior to this. The seat of government and courts were originally located in a small town known as Harrisburg approximately 4 miles (6.4 km) south of the current seat of Linden. The county seat was transferred to its current location in Linden in 1848, where the current courthouse stands today. Harrisburg no longer exists as a municipal entity or recognized location.

Perry County was severely impacted by the economic recession of 2008 and 2009. Unemployment reached 27%, making it the highest in the state of Tennessee, and one of the highest in the United States. The massive amount of unemployment was due to the closure of a major automotive parts plant that employed a significant portion of the county's residents.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 423 square miles (1,100 km2), of which 415 square miles (1,070 km2) is land and 8.1 square miles (21 km2) (1.9%) is water. Perry County is bordered on the west by the Tennessee River (Kentucky Lake), and is bisected (north-south) by the Buffalo River. The eastern portion of Perry County is entirely drained by the Buffalo River and the western portion by the Tennessee River.

Adjacent counties

State protected areas

  • Mousetail Landing State Park

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1820 2,384
1830 7,094 197.6%
1840 7,419 4.6%
1850 5,821 −21.5%
1860 6,042 3.8%
1870 6,925 14.6%
1880 7,174 3.6%
1890 7,785 8.5%
1900 8,800 13.0%
1910 8,815 0.2%
1920 7,765 −11.9%
1930 7,147 −8.0%
1940 7,535 5.4%
1950 6,462 −14.2%
1960 5,273 −18.4%
1970 5,238 −0.7%
1980 6,111 16.7%
1990 6,612 8.2%
2000 7,631 15.4%
2010 7,915 3.7%
2020 8,366 5.7%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790-1960 1900-1990
1990-2000 2010-2014
USA Perry County, Tennessee.csv age pyramid
Age pyramid Perry County

2020 census

Perry County racial composition
Race Number Percentage
White (non-Hispanic) 7,700 92.04%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 195 2.33%
Native American 41 0.49%
Asian 26 0.31%
Pacific Islander 1 0.01%
Other/Mixed 276 3.3%
Hispanic or Latino 127 1.52%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 8,366 people, 3,073 households, and 2,068 families residing in the county.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 7,915 people, and 2,977 households residing in the county. The average household size was 2.55. The population density was 19.1 people per square mile. There were 4,599 housing units. The racial makeup of the county was 95.8% White, 1.5% Black or African American, 0.6% Native American, 0.2% Asian, and 1.5% from two or more races. 1.7% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Communities

City

Town

Unincorporated communities

Economy

In 2019, the poverty rate in the county was estimated at 16.1%, three percent higher than the statewide average. The median household income was $41,034, and the per capita income was $27,970. Typical of many rural counties, the rate of broadband internet adoption and availability remains low, with about 59% of households reporting access to broadband internet, compared to 78% statewide.

Property values in the county are significantly below the statewide average. In 2019, the median value of owner-occupied housing was $88,100, compared to $167,200 statewide. The rate of owner-occupied housing however, was significantly higher at 82% versus 66%.

Perry County was severely impacted by the economic recession of 2008 and 2009. Unemployment reached nearly 29%, making it the highest in the state of Tennessee, and one of the highest in the United States. The massive amount of unemployment was due to the closure of a major automotive parts plant that employed a significant portion of the county's residents. In April 2020, seasonally unadjusted unemployment peaked again at over 24%, compared to the state average of 15.6%. In 2020, a rubber parts manufacturer that was the largest employer in Lobelville shut down, significantly adding to the county's unemployment rate. As of December 2021 unemployment had fallen to 7.9%, which was still substantially higher than the state average of 3.3%.

Education

Perry County has one unified school district, the Perry County School System, with four schools. It is managed by the Perry County Board of Education.

Approximately 75% of the population over age 25 has a high school diploma or equivalent, while 12% have a bachelor's degree or higher. Both are significantly below the statewide average of 87% and 27%, respectively.

High schools

  • Perry County High School

Primary schools

  • Linden Elementary School
  • Linden Middle School
  • Lobelville Elementary School

Transportation

Transportation infrastructure in Perry County includes one federal highway, numerous state highways, and one general aviation airport. No railroads or interstate highways are present within the county.

Major highways

  • US 412
  • SR 13
  • SR 20
  • SR 48
  • SR 100
  • SR 128
  • SR 438

Airports

Perry County is served by a small public general aviation airport, James Tucker Airport, located south of Linden. Previously, a private-use helipad (FAA identifier 5TN8) was located at the now-closed Perry Community Hospital in Linden.

Pipelines

Tennessee Gas Pipeline operates a natural gas pipeline that bisects Perry County. A pumping station along the line that is a listed EPA Supefund site is located in Lobelville. This pipeline and pumping station was the subject of a suit against Tennessee Gas Pipeline alleging the release of PCB contaminates into the local environment.

Notable individuals

  • Kelsie B. Harder – American professor and onomastician (name scholar)

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Condado de Perry (Tennessee) para niños

kids search engine
Perry County, Tennessee Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.