Haywood County | |
---|---|
Coordinates: 35°35′N89°17′W / 35.58°N 89.29°W | |
Country | United States |
State | Tennessee |
Founded | 1823 |
Named for | John Haywood [1] |
Seat | Brownsville |
Largest city | Brownsville |
Government | |
• Mayor | David Livingston |
Area | |
• Total | 534 sq mi (1,380 km2) |
• Land | 533 sq mi (1,380 km2) |
• Water | 0.9 sq mi (2 km2) 0.2% |
Population (2020) | |
• Total | 17,864 |
• Density | 35/sq mi (14/km2) |
Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
Congressional district | 8th |
Website | Haywood County |
Haywood County is a county located in the U.S. state of Tennessee, in the region known as West Tennessee. As of the 2020 census, the population was 17,864. Its county seat and largest city is Brownsville. [2] It is one of only two remaining counties in Tennessee, along with Shelby County, with a majority African-American population.
Haywood County was created from part of Madison County in 1823–24, and was named for Tennessee judge and historian John Haywood. The state legislature designated Brownsville as the county seat. [3] Haywood County was later reduced in size, when both Lauderdale and Crockett counties were created from its territory.
For much of the county's history, agriculture, especially growing cotton, was the basis of the local economy, as it was throughout western Tennessee. Before the Civil War, this was accomplished by a plantation system based on the use of enslaved African-American workers.
After Emancipation in 1865, many planters hired freedmen as tenant farmers and sharecroppers to produce the still-important cotton crops. [4] The largely rural county continues to have a majority-black population.
Whites lynched three African-Americans in the county, most at the county seat of Brownsville, in the period following Reconstruction and into the early 20th century. [5]
On June 20, 1940, Elbert Williams, an African-American, was murdered in Brownsville for "attempting to qualify to vote" and "an interest in Negro affairs." His body was thrown into the Hatchie River, and was later recovered. [6] He had organized a local chapter of the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People). He was the last recorded lynching victim in the state. [7] Like other southern states, Tennessee had raised voter registration barriers at the turn of the century to disenfranchise blacks.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 534 square miles (1,380 km2), of which 533 square miles (1,380 km2) is land and 0.9 square miles (2.3 km2) (0.2%) is water. [8]
Haywood County is situated on the southeastern edge of the New Madrid Seismic Zone, an area with a high earthquake risk.
From 1940 to 1970, the county population declined. Many Black Americans left after confrontations and the murder of Elbert Williams in 1940 related to Black attempts to register to vote. In addition, mechanization of agriculture reduced the need for farm workers, and other African-Americans left as part of the second wave of the Great Migration.
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1830 | 5,334 | — | |
1840 | 13,870 | 160.0% | |
1850 | 17,259 | 24.4% | |
1860 | 19,232 | 11.4% | |
1870 | 25,094 | 30.5% | |
1880 | 26,053 | 3.8% | |
1890 | 23,558 | −9.6% | |
1900 | 25,189 | 6.9% | |
1910 | 25,910 | 2.9% | |
1920 | 25,386 | −2.0% | |
1930 | 26,063 | 2.7% | |
1940 | 27,699 | 6.3% | |
1950 | 26,212 | −5.4% | |
1960 | 23,393 | −10.8% | |
1970 | 19,596 | −16.2% | |
1980 | 20,318 | 3.7% | |
1990 | 19,437 | −4.3% | |
2000 | 19,797 | 1.9% | |
2010 | 18,787 | −5.1% | |
2020 | 17,864 | −4.9% | |
U.S. Decennial Census [9] 1790–1960 [10] 1900–1990 [11] 1990–2000 [12] 2010–2014 [13] |
Race | Num. | Perc. |
---|---|---|
White (non-Hispanic) | 7,554 | 42.29% |
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 8,993 | 50.34% |
Native American | 33 | 0.18% |
Asian | 26 | 0.15% |
Pacific Islander | 6 | 0.03% |
Other/Mixed | 414 | 2.32% |
Hispanic or Latino | 838 | 4.69% |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 17,864 people, 7,181 households, and 4,727 families residing in the county.
As of the 2010 United States Census, 18,787 people were living in the county. 50.4% were Black or African American, 45.9% White, 0.2% Native American, 0.1% Asian, 2.5% of some other race, and 0.9% of two or more races. 3.8% were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
As of the census [16] of 2000, there were 19,797 people, 7,558 households, and 5,419 families living in the county. The population density was 37 people per square mile (14 people/km2). There were 8,086 housing units at an average density of 15 units per square mile (5.8/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 51.05% Black or African American, 46.73% White, 0.12% Native American, 0.09% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 1.38% from other races, and 0.58% from two or more races. 2.65% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Haywood and Shelby Counties are the only counties in Tennessee with a black majority.
There were 7,558 households, out of which 33.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.80% were married couples living together, 22.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.30% were non-families. 25.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.09.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 27.20% under the age of 18, 9.80% from 18 to 24, 27.30% from 25 to 44, 21.90% from 45 to 64, and 13.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.40 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $27,671, and the median income for a family was $32,597. Males had a median income of $27,333 versus $21,361 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,669. About 16.30% of families and 19.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.00% of those under age 18 and 25.70% of those age 65 or over.
The largest industry in Haywood County is agriculture. Haywood County grows more cotton that any other county in Tennessee and produced 189,000 bales in 2003 on 103,000 acres (420 km2). Soybeans were the county's #2 crop, followed by corn. Agriculture and other related businesses contributed more than $130 million to the Haywood County economy in 2004. By 2017, grains, oilseeds, drybeans, drypeas and tobacco drew the most income, but Haywood County still grew the most cotton in the state. [17]
In 2009, under the leadership of Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen and Haywood County Mayor Franklin Smith, a 3,836-acre (1,552 ha) tract in southwestern Haywood County near Stanton was designated for a state-supported industrial "megasite," intended for a large-scale industrial or business development such as an automobile assembly plant. In September 2009, Tennessee's State Building Commission authorized spending of $40 million for purchase of the land. [18] On September 27, 2021, it was announced that Ford and SK Innovation would construct a complex at the megasite called "Blue Oval City" to manufacture electric vehicles and batteries. The facility, which is expected to be operational in 2025, will cost approximately $5.6 billion, making it the most expensive single investment in state history, and employ approximately 5,700. [19] [20]
One of Haywood County's most notable residents was Sleepy John Estes, a blues guitarist songwriter and vocalist. Born in 1899 or 1900 in Ripley, Tennessee, he lived most of his life in Brownsville. [21] He died on June 5, 1977, in Brownsville. [22] [23] [24] Sleepy John is buried at Elam Baptist Church Cemetery in Durhamville, Lauderdale County. [24]
Other notable county residents include:
Haywood County has recently been recognized as competitive county politically. [25] In most presidential elections, Haywood has supported Democratic candidates. In 2020, however, Democrat Joe Biden defeated Donald Trump by a 9 point margin. This was the smallest margin of victory by a Democrat since the 1988 presidential election.
Republicans have gained more momentum in the county in recent years, with them electing county mayor David Livingston in 2018. [26] Republicans have also started to win Haywood in statewide races. In the 2018 and 2022 county mayoral elections, Republican-backed candidate David Livingston narrowly won re-election with 44% of the vote. He had a high-profile endorsement from Republican U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn. [27]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Nonpartisan | David Livingston | 1,801 | 39.34% | |
Nonpartisan | Clinton Neal | 1,211 | 26.45% | |
Nonpartisan | Sheronda Green | 1,079 | 23.57% | |
Nonpartisan | Angella Palmer-Banks | 415 | 9.07% | |
Nonpartisan | Chris Chapman | 72 | 1.57% | |
Total votes | 4,578 | 100.00% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Nonpartisan | David Livingston (Incumbent) | 1,483 | 44.02% | |
Nonpartisan | Joe Stephens | 1,324 | 39.30% | |
Nonpartisan | Cheryl Cole | 562 | 16.68% | |
Total votes | 3,369 | 100.00% |
Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
2020 | 3,343 | 44.94% | 4,012 | 53.93% | 84 | 1.13% |
2016 | 3,013 | 44.09% | 3,711 | 54.30% | 110 | 1.61% |
2012 | 2,960 | 39.11% | 4,569 | 60.36% | 40 | 0.53% |
2008 | 3,165 | 38.97% | 4,893 | 60.25% | 63 | 0.78% |
2004 | 3,140 | 41.60% | 4,359 | 57.75% | 49 | 0.65% |
2000 | 2,554 | 39.43% | 3,887 | 60.00% | 37 | 0.57% |
1996 | 2,293 | 38.03% | 3,565 | 59.12% | 172 | 2.85% |
1992 | 2,518 | 39.49% | 3,511 | 55.07% | 347 | 5.44% |
1988 | 2,687 | 47.64% | 2,923 | 51.83% | 30 | 0.53% |
1984 | 2,839 | 46.04% | 3,308 | 53.65% | 19 | 0.31% |
1980 | 2,435 | 40.97% | 3,445 | 57.97% | 63 | 1.06% |
1976 | 1,952 | 34.48% | 3,681 | 65.02% | 28 | 0.49% |
1972 | 3,123 | 59.45% | 1,966 | 37.43% | 164 | 3.12% |
1968 | 1,152 | 20.51% | 1,709 | 30.42% | 2,757 | 49.07% |
1964 | 2,407 | 51.25% | 2,290 | 48.75% | 0 | 0.00% |
1960 | 1,188 | 35.63% | 1,867 | 56.00% | 279 | 8.37% |
1956 | 516 | 17.04% | 2,217 | 73.22% | 295 | 9.74% |
1952 | 940 | 27.80% | 2,432 | 71.93% | 9 | 0.27% |
1948 | 148 | 6.95% | 1,050 | 49.32% | 931 | 43.73% |
1944 | 208 | 7.61% | 2,525 | 92.36% | 1 | 0.04% |
1940 | 128 | 3.56% | 3,466 | 96.33% | 4 | 0.11% |
1936 | 29 | 1.65% | 1,725 | 98.23% | 2 | 0.11% |
1932 | 77 | 4.09% | 1,788 | 95.01% | 17 | 0.90% |
1928 | 178 | 8.08% | 2,024 | 91.92% | 0 | 0.00% |
1924 | 60 | 3.08% | 1,872 | 96.15% | 15 | 0.77% |
1920 | 101 | 4.64% | 2,068 | 95.04% | 7 | 0.32% |
1916 | 61 | 3.49% | 1,677 | 95.88% | 11 | 0.63% |
1912 | 34 | 2.79% | 1,069 | 87.69% | 116 | 9.52% |
Montgomery County is a county located in the U.S. state of Mississippi. As of the 2020 census, the population was 9,822. Its county seat is Winona.
Etowah County is a county located in the northeastern part of the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2020 census the population was 103,436. Its county seat is Gadsden. Its name is from a Cherokee word meaning "edible tree". In total area, it is the smallest county in Alabama, but one of the most densely populated. Etowah County comprises the Gadsden Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Williamson County is a county in the U.S. state of Tennessee. As of the 2020 United States census, the population was 247,726. The county seat is Franklin, and the county is located in Middle Tennessee. The county is named after Hugh Williamson, a North Carolina politician who signed the U.S. Constitution. Williamson County is part of the Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN Metropolitan Statistical Area. In the 19th century, tobacco and hemp were cultivated here, and planters also raised blooded livestock, including horses and cattle.
Maury County is a county located in the U.S. state of Tennessee, in the Middle Tennessee region. As of the 2020 census, the population was 100,974. Its county seat is Columbia. Maury County is part of the Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN metropolitan statistical area.
Marshall County is a county located in the U.S. state of Tennessee. As of the 2020 census, the population was 34,318. Its county seat is Lewisburg. Marshall County comprises the Lewisburg Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is in Middle Tennessee, one of the three Grand Divisions of the state.
Madison County is a county located in the western part of the U.S. state of Tennessee. As of the 2020 census, the population was 98,823. Its county seat is Jackson. Madison County is included in the Jackson, TN Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Lauderdale County is a county located on the western edge of the U.S. state of Tennessee, with its border the Mississippi River. As of the 2020 census, the population was 25,143. Its county seat is Ripley. Since the antebellum years, it has been developed for cotton as a major commodity crop.
Hardeman County is a county located in the U.S. state of Tennessee. As of the 2020 census, the population was 25,462. Its county seat is Bolivar.
Logan County is a county in the southwest Pennyroyal Plateau area of the U.S. Commonwealth of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 27,432. Its county seat is Russellville.
Fulton County is the westernmost county in the U.S. state of Kentucky, with the Mississippi River forming its western boundary. As of the 2020 census, the population was 6,515. Its county seat is Hickman and its largest city is Fulton. The county was formed in 1845 from Hickman County, Kentucky and named for Robert Fulton, the inventor of the steamboat.
Elbert County is a county located in the U.S. state of Colorado. As of the 2020 census, the population was 26,062. The county seat is Kiowa and the largest town is Elizabeth.
Tollette is a town in southern Howard County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 240 at the 2010 census, down from 324 in 2000.
Brownsville is a city in and the county seat of Haywood County, Tennessee, United States. Its population as of the 2020 census was 9,788. The city is named after General Jacob Jennings Brown, an American officer of the War of 1812.
Stanton is a town in Haywood County, Tennessee. The population was 615 as of the 2000 census and 452 at the 2010 census, showing a population decrease of 163.
Livingston is a town in Overton County, Tennessee, United States, and serves as the county seat. The population was 3,905 at the 2020 census and 4,058 at the 2010 census. The current mayor, Curtis Hayes, began serving his mayoral position in September 2006.
Goodlettsville is a city in Davidson and Sumner counties, Tennessee. Goodlettsville was incorporated as a city in 1958 with a population of just over 3,000 residents; in 2020 the population was 17,789.
West Tennessee is one of the three Grand Divisions of Tennessee that roughly comprises the western quarter of the state. The region includes 21 counties between the Tennessee and Mississippi rivers, delineated by state law. Its geography consists primarily of flat lands with rich soil and vast floodplain areas of the Mississippi River. Of the three regions, West Tennessee is the most sharply defined geographically, and is the lowest-lying. It is both the least populous and smallest, in land area, of the three Grand Divisions. Its largest city is Memphis, the state's second most populous city.
Nutbush is a rural unincorporated community in Haywood County, Tennessee, United States, in the western part of the state, approximately 50 miles northeast of Memphis. It was established in the early 19th century by European-American settlers who bought enslaved African Americans to develop the area's cotton plantations. The houses and churches that were built during this time still stand.
State Route 19 or the Tina Turner Highway is a state highway in Haywood and Lauderdale counties in Tennessee, United States. State Route 19 is 42.81 mi (69 km) long.
Elbert Williams was an African-American civil rights leader from Brownsville, Tennessee who was killed by unknown persons. He was one of the five charter members of the NAACP branch in Brownsville. Killed in 1940, Williams is the first known NAACP member to be lynched for his civil rights activities.