Seymour, Tennessee facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Seymour
CDP
Seymour, with Chapman Highway on the left, and Bluff Mountain in the distance
Motto(s):  "Gorgeous Views, Great People"
Location of Seymour, Tennessee
Country	United States
State	Tennessee
Counties	Sevier, Blount
Area
• Total	16.03 sq mi (41.51 km2)
• Land	16.02 sq mi (41.49 km2)
• Water	0.01 sq mi (0.02 km2)
Elevation	1,211 ft (369 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	14,705
• Density	917.97/sq mi (354.42/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code	37865
Area code(s)	865
FIPS code	47-67200
GNIS feature ID	2402842

Seymour is a census-designated place (CDP) and unincorporated community in Blount and Sevier counties in the U.S. state of Tennessee. The CDP population was 14,705 at the 2020 U.S. census. It is included in the Knoxville, Tennessee Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Newell's Station plaque

Seymour was originally the site of Newell's Station, a frontier station established by early Sevier County pioneer Samuel Newell (1754–1841) in 1783. The first court of Sevier County, State of Franklin, was held at Newell's Station in March 1785. During the 19th century, the community was known as Trundles Crossroads where the main road from Sevierville forked, with one branch continuing northward to Knoxville and one branch westward to Maryville (now the intersection of Boyds Creek Highway and Old Sevierville Pike).

Upon completion of the Knoxville, Sevierville and Eastern Railway on December 18, 1909, the community's station was named Seymour in honor of the line's chief engineer, Charles Seymour. The Trundles Crossroads Post Office changed its name soon after to reflect the community's new designation.

Unsuccessful attempts to incorporate

On multiple occasions, residents have met to discuss the possibility of incorporating as a town or city. The majority of residents have opposed incorporation, arguing it would bring higher taxes and expanded government, while others have argued the community would benefit from a community center, along with sidewalks that might be constructed with the added revenue. Some Blount County residents want their portion of the 37865 ZIP Code to be included within the proposed city limits; however, the incorporation meeting was geared primarily toward the Sevier County portion of the community. In the end, the voters voted overwhelmingly to keep Seymour unincorporated.

Geography

Seymour is located in the northwest corner of Sevier County and the northeast corner of Blount County. The community is situated in a rolling valley where the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains give way to the Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians. Bluff Mountain, the northern terminus of the Chilhowee Mountain ridge, rises prominently to the south, while the Bays Mountain ridge passes to the north.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 12.6 square miles (32.7 km²), of which 0.008 square miles (0.02 km²), or 0.07%, is water.

Chapman Highway (part of U.S. Route 441) traverses Seymour, connecting the community with Knoxville to the northwest. Near the center of Seymour, Chapman Highway forms a four-way intersection with U.S. Route 411, which approaches from Maryville to the west, and Boyds Creek Highway (State Route 338), which approaches from Boyds Creek to the east. At this intersection, Chapman Highway merges with US 411 and continues eastward to Sevierville.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 14,705 people, 4,403 households, and 3,181 families residing in the CDP.

Education

Private schools in Seymour:

• The Kings Academy
• Seymour Community Christian School

Public schools in Seymour:

• Sevier County Schools
  • Seymour Primary
  • Seymour Intermediate
  • Seymour Junior High
    • SJHS is a newly created school, contains grade levels 7–9.
  • Seymour High
• Blount County Schools
  • Prospect Elementary

See also

In Spanish: Seymour (Tennessee) para niños