Unicoi County, Tennessee facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Unicoi County
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Unicoi County Courthouse in Erwin
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Location within the U.S. state of Tennessee
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 Tennessee's location within the U.S. |
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| Country |  United States |
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| State |  Tennessee |
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| Founded | March 23, 1875 | ||
| Named for | Cherokee word for "fog-draped" or "hazy" | ||
| Seat | Erwin | ||
| Largest town | Erwin | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 186 sq mi (480 km2) | ||
| • Land | 186 sq mi (480 km2) | ||
| • Water | 0.3 sq mi (0.8 km2) 0.2%% | ||
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 17,928  |
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| • Density | 98/sq mi (38/km2) | ||
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) | ||
| Congressional district | 1st | ||
Unicoi County (/ˈjuːnɪˌkɔɪ/) is a county located in the U.S. state of Tennessee. As of the 2020 census, the population was 17,928. Its county seat is Erwin. Unicoi is a Cherokee word meaning "white," "hazy," "fog-like," or "fog draped," and refers to the mist often seen in the foothills and mountains of this far northeast county. Unicoi County is part of the Johnson City Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is a component of the Johnson City–Kingsport–Bristol, TN-VA Combined Statistical Area, commonly known as the "Tri-Cities" region.
Contents
History
Unicoi County was created in 1875 from portions of Washington and Carter counties, though the first settlers had arrived more than century earlier. The county remained predominantly agrarian until the arrival of railroads in the area in the 1880s.
During the 1910s, the Clinchfield Railroad established a pottery in Erwin, which eventually incorporated under the name, "Southern Potteries." This company produced a popular brand of dishware, commonly called Blue Ridge China, which featured hand-painted underglaze designs. While the company folded in the 1950s, Blue Ridge dishes remain popular with antique collectors.
Pronunciation
Hear it spoken (Voice of Unicoi County Mayor Greg Lynch, 2010)
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 186 square miles (480 km2), of which 186 square miles (480 km2) is land and 0.3 square miles (0.78 km2) (0.2%) is water. It is the fifth-smallest county in Tennessee by total area. The Nolichucky River, which enters Unicoi County from North Carolina, is the county's primary drainage.
Unicoi County is situated entirely within the Blue Ridge Mountains, specifically the Bald Mountains (south of the Nolichucky) and the Unaka Range (north of the Nolichucky). Big Bald, which at 5,516 feet (1,681 m) is the highest mountain in the Balds, is also Unicoi County's high point. Traversed by the Appalachian Trail, the mountain is topped by a grassy bald, allowing a 360-degree view of the surrounding mountains.
Adjacent counties
- Washington County (north)
- Carter County (northeast)
- Mitchell County, North Carolina (east)
- Yancey County, North Carolina (south)
- Madison County, North Carolina (southwest)
- Greene County (west)
National protected areas
- Appalachian Trail (part)
- Cherokee National Forest (part)
State protected areas
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 3,645 | — | |
| 1890 | 4,619 | 26.7% | |
| 1900 | 5,851 | 26.7% | |
| 1910 | 7,201 | 23.1% | |
| 1920 | 10,120 | 40.5% | |
| 1930 | 12,678 | 25.3% | |
| 1940 | 14,128 | 11.4% | |
| 1950 | 15,886 | 12.4% | |
| 1960 | 15,082 | −5.1% | |
| 1970 | 15,254 | 1.1% | |
| 1980 | 16,362 | 7.3% | |
| 1990 | 16,549 | 1.1% | |
| 2000 | 17,667 | 6.8% | |
| 2010 | 18,313 | 3.7% | |
| 2020 | 17,928 | −2.1% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010-2014 |
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2020 census
| Race | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White (non-Hispanic) | 16,175 | 90.22% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 44 | 0.25% |
| Native American | 38 | 0.21% |
| Asian | 37 | 0.21% |
| Other/Mixed | 527 | 2.94% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 1,107 | 6.17% |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 17,928 people, 7,658 households, and 4,953 families residing in the county.
Communities
Towns
Census-designated place
Unincorporated communities
- Bumpas Cove (partial)
- Flag Pond
- Limestone Cove
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Unicoi para niños
