Hawkins County | |
---|---|
Coordinates: 36°26′N82°57′W / 36.44°N 82.95°W | |
Country | United States |
State | Tennessee |
Founded | 1787 [1] |
Named for | Benjamin Hawkins [2] |
Seat | Rogersville |
Largest city | Church Hill |
Area | |
• Total | 500 sq mi (1,000 km2) |
• Land | 487 sq mi (1,260 km2) |
• Water | 13 sq mi (30 km2) 2.5% |
Population (2020) | |
• Total | 56,721 |
• Density | 117/sq mi (45/km2) |
Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
Congressional district | 1st |
Website | www |
Hawkins County is a county located in the U.S. state of Tennessee. As of the 2020 census, the population was 56,721. [3] Its county seat is Rogersville. [4] Hawkins County is part of the 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.
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The land was given to William Armstrong as a land grant in the 1780s. [5] Armstrong built Stony Point. [5] Armstrong's landholding was established as a county in 1787. [1] [6] It was named for Benjamin Hawkins, a U.S. Senator from North Carolina, the state which it was a part of at that time. [7] In 1797, Louis Philippe (who would become King of the French in 1830) visited Armstrong's estate. [5]
During the American Civil War, Hawkins County saw combat. The Battle of Rogersville took place on November 6, 1863.
Since the 1940s, a 1,900-2,200 acre area western Hawkins County was proposed and planned as state park known as Poor Valley State Park in order to promote economic development efforts in the upper East Tennessee region, the plan would stall in the 1970s. [8] [9]
Hawkins County is governed by a 21-member County Commission, whose members are elected from geographic districts. The chief executive officer of the county is the County Mayor.
The Tennessee Constitution provides for the election of an executive officer – now referred to as the County Mayor – in each county. The County Mayor is elected by popular vote at the regular August election every four years, coinciding with the Governor's election, and may serve an unlimited number of terms. The County Mayor (formerly County Executive) is chief executive officer of the county. The County Mayor exercises a role of leadership in county government and is responsible for the county's fiscal management and other executive functions; however, the other principal officers of the county such as the Sheriff, Trustee, Assessor and most of the various Court Clerks are separately elected, responsible directly to the county's voters, and not under the direct supervision of the county mayor.
The County Mayor is the general agent of the county and may draw warrants upon the General Fund. The County Mayor has custody of county property not placed with other officers, and may also examine the accounts of county officers. The County Mayor is a nonvoting ex-officio member of the County Commission and of all its committees, and may be elected chairman of the county legislative body (a post that the County Mayor is not required to seek or accept). The County Mayor may call special meetings of the County Commission. Unless an optional general law or private act provides otherwise, the County Mayor compiles a budget for all county departments, offices, and agencies, which is presented to the County Commission.
The current mayor of Hawkins County is Mark DeWitte (R-Rogersville).
The Hawkins County Board of Commissioners, also called the County Commission, is the legislative body of the County government and the primary policy-making body in the county. It consists of 14 elected members, two from each of the seven civil districts of Hawkins County. Each member serves a four-year term of office.
The County Commission operates with a committee structure; most Commission business is first considered by a committee of its members before coming to the full Commission. The County Clerk serves as the Secretary to the Board of Commissioners and is responsible for maintaining all official records of the meetings.
The most important function of the county legislative body is the annual adoption of a budget to allocate expenditures within the three major funds of county government - general, school, and highway - and any other funds (such as debt service) that may be in existence in that particular county. The county legislative body has considerable discretion in dealing with the budget for all funds except the school budget, which in most counties must be accepted or rejected as a whole. If rejected, the school board must continue to propose alternatives until a budget is adopted by both the county school board and the county legislative body.
The county legislative body sets a property tax rate which, along with revenues from other county taxes and fees as well as state and federal monies allocated to the county, are used to fund the budget. The county legislative body is subject to various restrictions in imposing most taxes (such as referendum approval or rate limits, for example), although these do not apply to the property tax. The University of Tennessee's County Technical Assistance Service (CTAS) publishes the County Revenue Manual to assist county officials in identifying sources of county revenue.
The county legislative body serves an important role in exercising local approval authority for private acts when the private act does not call for referendum approval. Private acts, which often give additional authority to counties, must be approved by a two-thirds vote of the members of the county legislative body or be approved by a referendum in order to become effective. The form of local approval required is specified in the private act. The county legislative body annually elects a chair and a chair pro tempore.
The county legislative body may elect the county executive or a member of the body to be the chair, although the county executive may refuse to serve. The county executive may veto most resolutions of the county legislative body, subject to a vote to override by a majority of the entire county legislative body. The county executive may break a tie vote while serving as chair of the county legislative body.
Another important function of the county legislative body is its role in electing county officers when there is a vacancy in an elected county office. The person elected by the county legislative body serves in the office for the remainder of the term or until a successor is elected, depending upon when the vacancy occurred. When filling a vacancy in a county office, the county legislative body must publish a notice in a newspaper of general circulation in the county at least one week prior to the meeting in which the vote will be taken. This notice must state the time, place and date of the meeting and the office to be filled. Also, members of the county legislative body must have at least ten days notice. The legislative body holds an open election to fill the vacancy and allows all citizens the privilege of offering as candidates.
Source: [10]
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 500 square miles (1,300 km2), of which 487 square miles (1,260 km2) is land and 13 square miles (34 km2) (2.5%) is water. [11]
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1800 | 6,563 | — | |
1810 | 7,643 | 16.5% | |
1820 | 10,949 | 43.3% | |
1830 | 13,683 | 25.0% | |
1840 | 15,035 | 9.9% | |
1850 | 13,370 | −11.1% | |
1860 | 16,162 | 20.9% | |
1870 | 15,837 | −2.0% | |
1880 | 20,610 | 30.1% | |
1890 | 22,246 | 7.9% | |
1900 | 24,267 | 9.1% | |
1910 | 23,587 | −2.8% | |
1920 | 22,918 | −2.8% | |
1930 | 24,117 | 5.2% | |
1940 | 28,523 | 18.3% | |
1950 | 30,494 | 6.9% | |
1960 | 30,468 | −0.1% | |
1970 | 33,726 | 10.7% | |
1980 | 43,751 | 29.7% | |
1990 | 44,565 | 1.9% | |
2000 | 53,563 | 20.2% | |
2010 | 56,833 | 6.1% | |
2020 | 56,721 | −0.2% | |
U.S. Decennial Census [12] 1790-1960 [13] 1900-1990 [14] 1990-2000 [15] 2010-2014 [3] |
Race | Number | Percentage |
---|---|---|
White (non-Hispanic) | 52,824 | 93.13% |
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 671 | 1.18% |
Native American | 104 | 0.18% |
Asian | 256 | 0.45% |
Pacific Islander | 13 | 0.02% |
Other/Mixed | 1,964 | 3.46% |
Hispanic or Latino | 889 | 1.57% |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 56,721 people, 23,135 households, and 15,917 families residing in the county.
As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 56,833 people living in the county. 96.5% were White, 1.3% Black or African American, 0.5% Asian, 0.2% Native American, 0.4% of some other race and 1.1% of two or more races. 1.2% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race). 47.0% were of American, 9.0% English, 8.0% German and 7.4% Irish ancestry. [18]
As of the census [19] of 2000, there were 53,563 people, 21,936 households, and 15,925 families living in the county. The population density was 110 people per square mile (42 people/km2). There were 24,416 housing units at an average density of 50 units per square mile (19/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.24% White, 1.55% Black or African American, 0.17% Native American, 0.23% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.23% from other races, and 0.56% from two or more races. 0.78% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 21,936 households, out of which 31.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.30% were married couples living together, 9.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.40% were non-families. 24.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.86.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.30% under the, 7.50% from 18 to 24, 30.00% from 25 to 44, 25.90% from 45 to 64, and 13.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.50 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $31,300, and the median income for a family was $37,557. Males had a median income of $30,959 versus $22,082 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,073. About 12.70% of families and 15.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.40% of those under age 18 and 17.70% of those age 65 or over.
According to a data profile produced by the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development in 2018, [20] the top employers in the county are:
# | Employer | # of Employees |
---|---|---|
1 | Hawkins County Board of Education | 1,100 |
2 | BAE Systems Inc. | 850 |
3 | AGC Flat Glass North America, Inc. | 550 |
4 | Barrette Outdoor Living, Inc. | 500 |
5 | Cooper-Standard Automotive | 450 |
6 | Hutchinson Sealing Systems | 370 |
7 | TRW Automotive | 335 |
8 | Walmart (Kingsport) | 300 |
9 | Sam Dong, Inc. | 215 |
10 | Baldor Electric Company | 207 |
State Route 172 formerly went into Hawkins County, it now ends in Greene County at Interstate 81 exit 36 in the town of Baileyton.
The Hawkins County Airport is a county-owned public-use airport located six nautical miles (7 mi, 11 km) northeast of the central business district of Rogersville. [21]
Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
2020 | 20,405 | 82.20% | 4,083 | 16.45% | 336 | 1.35% |
2016 | 16,648 | 80.14% | 3,507 | 16.88% | 619 | 2.98% |
2012 | 14,382 | 72.50% | 5,088 | 25.65% | 367 | 1.85% |
2008 | 14,756 | 70.13% | 5,930 | 28.18% | 354 | 1.68% |
2004 | 13,447 | 66.46% | 6,684 | 33.04% | 102 | 0.50% |
2000 | 10,071 | 58.90% | 6,753 | 39.50% | 274 | 1.60% |
1996 | 8,164 | 51.21% | 6,367 | 39.94% | 1,410 | 8.85% |
1992 | 7,758 | 47.64% | 6,623 | 40.67% | 1,904 | 11.69% |
1988 | 9,356 | 63.88% | 5,212 | 35.59% | 78 | 0.53% |
1984 | 9,863 | 66.67% | 4,802 | 32.46% | 128 | 0.87% |
1980 | 7,836 | 57.92% | 5,283 | 39.05% | 410 | 3.03% |
1976 | 6,407 | 51.62% | 5,931 | 47.78% | 74 | 0.60% |
1972 | 7,791 | 72.31% | 2,608 | 24.20% | 376 | 3.49% |
1968 | 6,217 | 60.78% | 2,213 | 21.64% | 1,798 | 17.58% |
1964 | 5,712 | 57.68% | 4,191 | 42.32% | 0 | 0.00% |
1960 | 7,010 | 72.48% | 2,586 | 26.74% | 76 | 0.79% |
1956 | 6,916 | 68.04% | 3,180 | 31.29% | 68 | 0.67% |
1952 | 5,295 | 68.19% | 2,404 | 30.96% | 66 | 0.85% |
1948 | 3,637 | 62.50% | 2,019 | 34.70% | 163 | 2.80% |
1944 | 3,692 | 67.64% | 1,756 | 32.17% | 10 | 0.18% |
1940 | 3,314 | 60.72% | 2,108 | 38.62% | 36 | 0.66% |
1936 | 3,300 | 59.04% | 2,278 | 40.76% | 11 | 0.20% |
1932 | 2,890 | 54.51% | 2,391 | 45.10% | 21 | 0.40% |
1928 | 2,965 | 71.33% | 1,186 | 28.53% | 6 | 0.14% |
1924 | 2,600 | 61.22% | 1,596 | 37.58% | 51 | 1.20% |
1920 | 2,650 | 65.11% | 1,381 | 33.93% | 39 | 0.96% |
1916 | 1,739 | 60.03% | 1,142 | 39.42% | 16 | 0.55% |
1912 | 828 | 32.70% | 1,026 | 40.52% | 678 | 26.78% |
School districts include: [23]
The film, The River , was filmed in Hawkins County and the surrounding area. Universal Studios purchased four hundred forty acres of land for the movie. [24]
The post-apocalyptic novel series "The Living Saga" (by Jaron McFall) takes place largely in Hawkins County. The main character, Cedric, is from Mooresburg and was a student at Cherokee High School in Rogersville. [25]
Sullivan County is a county located in the U.S. state of Tennessee on its northeast border. As of the 2020 census, the population was 158,163. Its county seat is Blountville.
Shelby County is the westernmost county in the U.S. state of Tennessee. As of the 2020 census, the population was 929,744. It is the largest of the state's 95 counties, both in terms of population and geographic area. Its county seat is Memphis, a port on the Mississippi River and the second most populous city in the state. The county was named for Governor Isaac Shelby (1750–1826) of Kentucky. It is one of only two remaining counties in Tennessee with a majority African American population, along with Haywood County. Shelby County is part of the Memphis, TN–MS–AR Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is bordered on the west by the Mississippi River. Located within the Mississippi Delta, the county was developed as a center of cotton plantations in the antebellum era, and cotton continued as an important commodity crop well into the 20th century. The economy has become more diversified.
Knox County is a county located in the U.S. state of Tennessee. As of the 2020 census, the population was 478,971, making it the third-most populous county in Tennessee. Its county seat is Knoxville, which is the third-most populous city in Tennessee. Knox County is included in the Knoxville metropolitan area. The county is located at the geographical center of the Great Valley of East Tennessee. Near the heart of the county is the origin of the Tennessee River, at the confluence of the Holston and French Broad rivers.
Baileyton is a town in northern Greene County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 431 at the 2010 census, down from 504 at the 2000 census. Baileyton is located 13 miles (21 km) north of Greeneville and 18 miles (29 km) southeast of Rogersville.
Bulls Gap is a town in Hawkins County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 756 at the 2020 census. It is part of the 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.
Church Hill is a city in Hawkins County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 6,998 at the 2020 census and 6,737 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Kingsport-Bristol-Bristol, TN-VA Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is a component of the "Tri-Cities" region. It is the largest municipality located entirely within Hawkins County.
Mount Carmel is a city in Hawkins County, Tennessee, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 5,429, an increase of 634 since the 2000 census. It is part of the Kingsport-Bristol-Bristol, TN-VA Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is a component of the "Tri-Cities" region.
Rogersville is a town in and the county seat of Hawkins County, Tennessee, United States. It was settled in 1775 by the grandparents of Davy Crockett. It is named for its founder, Joseph Rogers. Tennessee's second oldest courthouse, the Hawkins County Courthouse, first newspaper The Knoxville Gazette, and first post office are all located in Rogersville. The Rogersville Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Surgoinsville is a town in Hawkins County, Tennessee, United States. The 2020 census showed a population of 1,882, an increase over the figure of 1,801 tabulated in 2010. It is part of the Kingsport–Bristol (TN)–Bristol (VA) 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.
Kingsport is a city in Sullivan and Hawkins counties in the U.S. state of Tennessee. As of the 2020 census, its population was 55,442. Lying along the Holston River, Kingsport is commonly included in what is known as the Mountain Empire, which spans a portion of southwest Virginia and the mountainous counties in northeastern Tennessee. It is the largest city in the Kingsport–Bristol metropolitan area, which had a population of 307,613 in 2020. The metro area is a component of the larger Tri-Cities region of Tennessee and Virginia, with a population of 508,260 in 2020.
The Tri-Cities is the region comprising the cities of Kingsport, Johnson City, and Bristol and the surrounding smaller towns and communities in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. All three cities are located in Northeast Tennessee, while Bristol has a twin city of the same name in Virginia.
The Kingsport–Bristol–Bristol metropolitan area is a metropolitan statistical area (MSA) in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia, United States, as defined by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). It was formed in December 2003 by the merger of the Bristol, VA MSA and Kingsport–Bristol, TN–VA MSA.
Bean Station is a town split between the counties of Grainger and Hawkins in Tennessee, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 2,967. It is part of the Kingsport and Knoxville metropolitan statistical areas.
U.S. Route 11W (US 11W) is the western branch of US 11 from the twin cities of Bristol, Tennessee/Bristol, Virginia, where US 11 splits into US 11E and US 11W, to Knoxville, Tennessee, where the two highways rejoin. The highway serves the Appalachia region's Ridge-and-Valley section of East Tennessee, bounded by the Clinch Mountain ridge to the north and the Holston River to the south. US 11W from Bristol to Bean Station and Blaine to Knoxville are designated as part of the National Highway System.
The Hawkins County Courthouse is the seat of county government for Hawkins County, Tennessee, United States, located in the city of Rogersville. It was built in 1836, it is one of six antebellum courthouses still in use in Tennessee, and it is the second oldest courthouse still in use in the state.
Cherokee High School, also known as Cherokee Comprehensive High School, is a secondary school within the Hawkins County School System within Persia, unincorporated Hawkins County, Tennessee, United States, near Rogersville.
Mooresburg is a census-designated place (CDP) and an unincorporated town in Hawkins County, Tennessee. Its population was 941 as of the 2010 census. It is located along U.S. Route 11W between Rogersville and Bean Station.
Persia is an unincorporated community in Hawkins County, Tennessee, south of Rogersville.
Rogersville City School or Rogersville City Schools is a school district headquartered in Rogersville, Tennessee. It operates one K-8 school, Rogersville Elementary School. The district's boundary parallels that of the municipality of Rogersville, and high school students move on to Hawkins County School District.
Hawkins County School District, also known as Hawkins County School System or Hawkins County Schools (HCS), is a school district headquartered in Rogersville, Tennessee.