Parsons, Tennessee

Last updated
Parsons, Tennessee
Motto: 
Take Pride In Parsons!
Decatur County Tennessee Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Parsons Highlighted 4757080.svg
Location of Parsons in Decatur County, Tennessee.
Coordinates: 35°38′56″N88°7′24″W / 35.64889°N 88.12333°W / 35.64889; -88.12333
Country United States
State Tennessee
County Decatur
Area
[1]
  Total4.05 sq mi (10.48 km2)
  Land4.05 sq mi (10.48 km2)
  Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
495 ft (151 m)
Population
 (2020) [2]
  Total2,100
  Density518.90/sq mi (200.37/km2)
Time zone UTC-6 (Central (CST))
  Summer (DST) UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
38363
Area code 731
FIPS code 47-57080
GNIS feature ID1296893
Website www.cityofparsons.com

Parsons is a city in Decatur County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 2,373 at the 2010 census. [3] Parsons is the largest city by population in Decatur County.

Contents

It is located at the intersection of U.S. Routes 412 and 641 and is in proximity to Decaturville, the county seat, and Perryville, the oldest settlement in the county. The city covers an area of 4.1 square miles, all land, and is characterized by a humid subtropical climate.

Parsons was founded circa 1889 by the Tennessee Midland Railroad Company (TMRC) when Henry Myracle deeded 1431⁄3 acres of his land for the town's establishment. Over the years, the town has developed around its initial railway infrastructure, with a water tank, livestock pens, and farmers' produce packing houses once situated near the rail depot.

Notable people from Parsons include basketball player Calvin Garrett, singer and pianist Little David Wilkins, folk singer and professional basketball player Joshua Sinclair, and professional Turkish oil wrestler Wilma Cox.

Geography

Parsons is located in central Decatur County at 35°38′56″N88°7′24″W / 35.64889°N 88.12333°W / 35.64889; -88.12333 (35.648780, -88.123386). U.S. Routes 412 and 641 cross in the center of town. US 412 leads east 69 miles (111 km) to Columbia and west 42 miles (68 km) to Jackson, while US 641 leads north 30 miles (48 km) to Camden and south 24 miles (39 km) to Clifton. Decaturville, the county seat, is 5 miles (8 km) south on US 641.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Parsons has a total area of 4.1 square miles (10.7 km2), all land. [3]

The unincorporated community of Perryville, the oldest settlement in Decatur County, is 5 miles (8 km) east of Parsons, along the Tennessee River. [4] Tennessee's highest recorded temperature at 113 °F (45 °C) was recorded there on August 9, 1930.

Climate

According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Parsons has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps. The hottest temperature recorded in Parsons was 109 °F (42.8 °C) on August 16, 2007, while the coldest temperature recorded was −1 °F (−18.3 °C) on December 2324, 2022. [5]

Climate data for Parsons, Tennessee, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1998–present
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Record high °F (°C)75
(24)
82
(28)
88
(31)
92
(33)
95
(35)
106
(41)
105
(41)
109
(43)
103
(39)
97
(36)
88
(31)
78
(26)
109
(43)
Mean maximum °F (°C)69.1
(20.6)
73.3
(22.9)
81.7
(27.6)
86.8
(30.4)
90.7
(32.6)
95.6
(35.3)
97.5
(36.4)
98.3
(36.8)
94.8
(34.9)
88.9
(31.6)
78.5
(25.8)
71.6
(22.0)
99.7
(37.6)
Average high °F (°C)50.4
(10.2)
54.8
(12.7)
64.0
(17.8)
73.5
(23.1)
80.7
(27.1)
87.3
(30.7)
90.9
(32.7)
90.6
(32.6)
85.1
(29.5)
75.2
(24.0)
63.1
(17.3)
53.2
(11.8)
72.4
(22.5)
Daily mean °F (°C)39.4
(4.1)
43.1
(6.2)
51.3
(10.7)
60.1
(15.6)
68.7
(20.4)
76.2
(24.6)
79.9
(26.6)
78.9
(26.1)
72.3
(22.4)
61.0
(16.1)
49.9
(9.9)
42.1
(5.6)
60.2
(15.7)
Average low °F (°C)28.4
(−2.0)
31.3
(−0.4)
38.5
(3.6)
46.7
(8.2)
56.8
(13.8)
65.2
(18.4)
69.0
(20.6)
67.2
(19.6)
59.6
(15.3)
46.8
(8.2)
36.7
(2.6)
31.1
(−0.5)
48.1
(9.0)
Mean minimum °F (°C)11.7
(−11.3)
14.4
(−9.8)
22.2
(−5.4)
30.7
(−0.7)
41.1
(5.1)
53.9
(12.2)
58.8
(14.9)
57.8
(14.3)
46.7
(8.2)
30.6
(−0.8)
20.8
(−6.2)
16.4
(−8.7)
9.3
(−12.6)
Record low °F (°C)1
(−17)
5
(−15)
8
(−13)
21
(−6)
35
(2)
45
(7)
54
(12)
48
(9)
36
(2)
21
(−6)
14
(−10)
−1
(−18)
−1
(−18)
Average precipitation inches (mm)4.43
(113)
5.03
(128)
5.59
(142)
5.29
(134)
5.53
(140)
4.04
(103)
4.95
(126)
4.05
(103)
4.35
(110)
4.23
(107)
4.08
(104)
5.51
(140)
57.08
(1,450)
Average snowfall inches (cm)0.8
(2.0)
0.4
(1.0)
0.4
(1.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
1.6
(4)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in)11.610.811.910.010.89.79.28.47.38.29.311.7118.9
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in)1.00.40.10.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.10.31.9
Source 1: NOAA [6]
Source 2: National Weather Service (mean maxima/minima 20062020) [5]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1920 429
1930 915113.3%
1940 1,07917.9%
1950 1,64052.0%
1960 1,85913.4%
1970 2,16716.6%
1980 2,42211.8%
1990 2,033−16.1%
2000 2,45220.6%
2010 2,373−3.2%
2020 2,100−11.5%
Sources: [7] [8] [2]

2020 census

Parsons Racial Composition [9]
RaceNum.Perc.
White 1,79685.52%
Black or African American 1085.14%
Native American 20.1%
Asian 221.05%
Other/Mixed 602.86%
Hispanic or Latino 1125.33%

As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 2,100 people, 870 households, and 527 families residing in the city.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 2,452 people, 1,063 households, and 646 families residing in the city. The population density was 627.3 inhabitants per square mile (242.2/km2). There were 1,205 housing units at an average density of 308.3 per square mile (119.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 87.97% White, 8.16% African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.33% Asian, 2.45% from other races, and 0.94% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.57% of the population.

There were 1,063 households, out of which 24.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.9% were married couples living together, 12.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.2% were non-families. 36.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.17 and the average family size was 2.81.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 20.9% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 23.6% from 25 to 44, 23.8% from 45 to 64, and 23.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 80.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 73.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $22,688, and the median income for a family was $35,764. Males had a median income of $27,326 versus $17,326 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,077. About 15.6% of families and 19.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.2% of those under age 18 and 28.5% of those age 65 or over.


History

Parsons business district, 1940 Business district - NARA - 280631.tif
Parsons business district, 1940

Created circa 1889 by the Tennessee Midland Railroad Company (TMRC), the city of Parsons was founded by Henry Myracle as he deeded 14313 acres to the TMRC to start a town on his land. The railroad established Parsons Improvement Co. and Myracle maintained the town. The rail depot was located where the present day BP One Stop is located. A commercial lot, which was used as a tie yard was at present location of CB&S Bank. A storage lot and livestock pens were located where Townsend Chevrolet is presently located. There was a large water tank beside the depot and two packing houses nearby for farmers' produce. There was also a town pump and a small park near the water tank.

The Perryville branch of the railroad (TMRC) was known as the "Pea Vine". The train itself was known as the "Hot Shot" or "Cannonball". [10]

Notable people

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References

  1. "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
  2. 1 2 "Census Population API". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved Oct 15, 2022.
  3. 1 2 "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Parsons city, Tennessee". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 6, 2016.
  4. "Decatur County TN Historical Society".
  5. 1 2 "NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS Memphis". National Weather Service. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
  6. "U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Parsons WTP, TN". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
  7. "Census of Population and Housing: Decennial Censuses". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved 2012-03-04.
  8. "Incorporated Places and Minor Civil Divisions Datasets: Subcounty Resident Population Estimates: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2012". Population Estimates. U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 11, 2013. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
  9. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved 2021-12-08.
  10. "City of Parsons Tennessee - History of Parsons".