Union County, Tennessee

History

Union County was formed in 1850 from portions of Grainger, Claiborne, Campbell, Anderson and Knox counties. There are at least two theories on the source of its name. The name may commemorate the "union" of sections of five counties, or it may reflect East Tennessee's support for the preservation of the Union in the years before the Civil War. The county seat was originally named "Liberty," but renamed "Maynardville" in honor of attorney and congressman, Horace Maynard, who had defended the county in a court case that sought to block its formation.

In the 1930s, the damming of the Clinch River by Norris Dam to form Norris Lake inundated a large part of the county, including the community of Loyston, and displaced many residents. With assistance from the National Park Service and the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) developed Big Ridge State Park as a demonstration park on the shore of the lake in Union County. The park's recreational facilities opened in May 1934.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 247 square miles (640 km²), of which 224 square miles (580 km²) is land and 24 square miles (62 km²) (9.5%) is water. The county is situated in the Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians, a range characterized by long, narrow ridges alternating with similarly-shaped valleys. Prominent ridges in Union County include Copper Ridge, Hinds Ridge and Lone Mountain. The southern end of Clinch Mountain forms part of the county's border with Grainger County to the east.

The Clinch River, Union County's primary stream, flows through the northern part of the county. This section of the river is part of Norris Lake. Big Ridge Dam, a small non-generating dam, impounds an inlet of Norris Lake, creating Big Ridge Lake at Big Ridge State Park. The "Loyston Sea," one of the widest sections of Norris Lake, is located in Union County just north of the state park.

Adjacent counties

State protected areas

Demographics

At the 2000 census, there were 17,808 people, 6,742 households and 5,191 families residing in the county. The population density was 80 per square mile (31/km²). There were 7,916 housing units at an average density of 35 per square mile (14/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.46% White, 0.10% Black or African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.16% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.17% from other races, and 0.86% from two or more races. 0.79% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 6,742 households of which 35.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.20% were married couples living together, 10.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.00% were non-families. 19.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 2.99.

25.70% of the population were under the age of 18, 8.90% from 18 to 24, 31.00% from 25 to 44, 23.60% from 45 to 64, and 10.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 98.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.60 males.

The median household income was $27,335 and the median family income was $31,843. Males had a median income of $26,436 versus $18,665 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,375. About 16.80% of families and 19.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.10% of those under age 18 and 27.80% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Attractions

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Unincorporated communities

Ghost town

Notable people