Haywood County, Tennessee

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Haywood County
Brownsville TN 2012-04-08 004.jpg
Haywood County Courthouse
Map of Tennessee highlighting Haywood County.svg
Location within the U.S. state of Tennessee
Tennessee in United States.svg
Tennessee's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 35°35′N89°17′W / 35.58°N 89.29°W / 35.58; -89.29
CountryFlag of the United States.svg United States
StateFlag of Tennessee.svg  Tennessee
Founded1823
Named for John Haywood [1]
Seat Brownsville
Largest cityBrownsville
Government
  MayorDavid Livingston
Area
  Total534 sq mi (1,380 km2)
  Land533 sq mi (1,380 km2)
  Water0.9 sq mi (2 km2)  0.2%
Population
 (2020)
  Total17,864 Decrease2.svg
  Density35/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.

Contents

History

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.

Geography

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.

Adjacent counties

National protected area

Demographics

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.

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1830 5,334
1840 13,870160.0%
1850 17,25924.4%
1860 19,23211.4%
1870 25,09430.5%
1880 26,0533.8%
1890 23,558−9.6%
1900 25,1896.9%
1910 25,9102.9%
1920 25,386−2.0%
1930 26,0632.7%
1940 27,6996.3%
1950 26,212−5.4%
1960 23,393−10.8%
1970 19,596−16.2%
1980 20,3183.7%
1990 19,437−4.3%
2000 19,7971.9%
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]
Age pyramid for Haywood County USA Haywood County, Tennessee.csv age pyramid.svg
Age pyramid for Haywood County

2020 census

Haywood County racial composition [15]
RaceNum.Perc.
White (non-Hispanic)7,55442.29%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic)8,99350.34%
Native American 330.18%
Asian 260.15%
Pacific Islander 60.03%
Other/Mixed 4142.32%
Hispanic or Latino 8384.69%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 17,864 people, 7,181 households, and 4,727 families residing in the county.

2010 census

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.

2000 census

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.

Economy

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]

Communities

Trinity Cemetery in Nutbush provides a final resting place for more than 50 Civil War soldiers. Nutbush Trinity Cem Graves.jpg
Trinity Cemetery in Nutbush provides a final resting place for more than 50 Civil War soldiers.

City

Town

Unincorporated communities

Notable residents

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:

Politics

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]

Haywood County mayoral elections

2018 Haywood County mayoral election results [28]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Nonpartisan David Livingston 1,801 39.34%
Nonpartisan Clinton Neal1,21126.45%
Nonpartisan Sheronda Green1,07923.57%
Nonpartisan Angella Palmer-Banks4159.07%
Nonpartisan Chris Chapman721.57%
Total votes4,578 100.00%
2022 Haywood County mayoral election results [29]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Nonpartisan David Livingston (Incumbent) 1,483 44.02%
Nonpartisan Joe Stephens1,32439.30%
Nonpartisan Cheryl Cole56216.68%
Total votes3,369 100.00%
United States presidential election results for Haywood County, Tennessee [30]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.%No.%No.%
2020 3,34344.94%4,01253.93%841.13%
2016 3,01344.09%3,71154.30%1101.61%
2012 2,96039.11%4,56960.36%400.53%
2008 3,16538.97%4,89360.25%630.78%
2004 3,14041.60%4,35957.75%490.65%
2000 2,55439.43%3,88760.00%370.57%
1996 2,29338.03%3,56559.12%1722.85%
1992 2,51839.49%3,51155.07%3475.44%
1988 2,68747.64%2,92351.83%300.53%
1984 2,83946.04%3,30853.65%190.31%
1980 2,43540.97%3,44557.97%631.06%
1976 1,95234.48%3,68165.02%280.49%
1972 3,12359.45%1,96637.43%1643.12%
1968 1,15220.51%1,70930.42%2,75749.07%
1964 2,40751.25%2,29048.75%00.00%
1960 1,18835.63%1,86756.00%2798.37%
1956 51617.04%2,21773.22%2959.74%
1952 94027.80%2,43271.93%90.27%
1948 1486.95%1,05049.32%93143.73%
1944 2087.61%2,52592.36%10.04%
1940 1283.56%3,46696.33%40.11%
1936 291.65%1,72598.23%20.11%
1932 774.09%1,78895.01%170.90%
1928 1788.08%2,02491.92%00.00%
1924 603.08%1,87296.15%150.77%
1920 1014.64%2,06895.04%70.32%
1916 613.49%1,67795.88%110.63%
1912 342.79%1,06987.69%1169.52%

See also

Further reading

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References

  1. Emma Nunn, "Haywood County," Tennessee Encyclopedia of History and Culture. Retrieved: October 16, 2013.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp.  153.
  4. Nunn, Emma. "Haywood County", in The Tennessee Encyclopedia of History and Culture, Version 2.0
  5. Lynching in America/ Supplement: Lynchings by County Archived June 27, 2018, at the Wayback Machine , Equal Justice Initiative, 2015, p. 6
  6. Jessie P. Guzzman & W. Hardin Hughes, “Lynching-Crime,” Negro Year Book: A Review of Events Affecting Negro Life, 1944-1946, 1947; part of National Humanities Center, The Making of African American Identity, Vol. III, 1917-1968; accessed 04 June 2018
  7. Kathy Bennett, "Lynching", Tennessee Encyclopedia, 2017/updated 2018
  8. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
  9. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
  10. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
  11. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
  12. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
  13. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved December 2, 2013.
  14. Based on 2000 census data
  15. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 8, 2021.
  16. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  17. "2017 Census of Agriculture County Profile" (PDF). US Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
  18. Chad Sisk, $40M approved for West TN megasite development [ permanent dead link ], The Tennessean , September 30, 2009
  19. "Ford to invest $5.6 billion in Memphis-area Megasite to build electric vehicles and batteries". WHBQ-TV . Memphis. September 27, 2021. Retrieved September 28, 2021.
  20. Round, Ian; Dries, Bill; Moore, Rob (September 27, 2021). "Ford, SK Innovation to invest $5.6B in Memphis Regional Megasite". The Daily Memphian. Retrieved September 28, 2021.
  21. Biography at 7digital.com from the Encyclopedia of Popular Music – accessed February 2008
  22. Allaboutjazz.com birth and death details Archived January 18, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  23. Brian Dempsey. "'Sleepy' John Estes". Tennessee Encyclopedia of History and Culture. Retrieved December 16, 2008.
  24. 1 2 Norris, Sharon (2000). Black America Series: Haywood County Tennessee. Mount Pleasant, SC: Arcadia Publishing. ISBN   0-7385-0605-2.
  25. "Haywood County, TN Politics & Voting". BestPlaces. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
  26. "Election Results | Haywood County Election Commission" . Retrieved January 16, 2024.
  27. Senator Marsha Blackburn Endorses Haywood County Mayor David Livingston for Re-election | I am so pleased to give my full endorsement and support to David Livingston for County Mayor of Haywood. I encourage everyone to vote for my friend David... | By Marsha Blackburn | Facebook , retrieved January 15, 2024
  28. "August 2, 2018 General election". Haywood County Election Commission. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  29. "August 4, 2022 General election". Haywood County Election Commission. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  30. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 10, 2018.

35°35′N89°17′W / 35.58°N 89.29°W / 35.58; -89.29