Columbia, Tennessee
From Free net encyclopedia
Columbia is a city located in Maury County, Tennessee. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 33,055. It is the county seat of Maury CountyTemplate:GR.
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Geography
Image:TNMap-doton-Columbia.PNG Columbia is located at 35°36'54" North, 87°2'40" West (35.615022, -87.044464)Template:GR.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 76.7 km² (29.6 mi²). 76.7 km² (29.6 mi²) of it is land and 0.03% is water.
History
A year after the organization of Maury County in 1807, Columbia was laid out in 1808 and lots were sold. The original town, on the south bank of the Duck River, consisted of only four blocks. The town was incorporated in 1817. For years, it was the county seat of the richest county in agricultural wealth in the state. Today, it is an important tourist destination, most of whom are drawn by the numerous historic sites in the area. Attractions include the James K. Polk Home, the Columbia Athenaeum, and nearby plantations.
Famous natives of Columbia include James K. Polk, Governor, Congressman, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives and eleventh President of the United States; A.O.P. Nicholson, state senator, U.S. Senator, and Chief Justice of the Tennessee Supreme Court; Dr. Marion Dorsett, inventor of the serum to control hog cholera; and Fran McKee, first female line admiral in the U.S. Navy.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 33,055 people, 13,059 households, and 8,801 families residing in the city. The population density was 431.2/km² (1,116.8/mi²). There were 14,322 housing units at an average density of 186.8/km² (483.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 74.63% White, 21.13% African American, 0.28% Native American, 0.41% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 2.06% from other races, and 1.46% from two or more races. 4.70% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 13,059 households out of which 32.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.8% were married couples living together, 16.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.6% were non-families. 27.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.98.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.8% under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 28.6% from 25 to 44, 21.0% from 45 to 64, and 14.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 89.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $35,879, and the median income for a family was $42,822. Males had a median income of $34,898 versus $22,093 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,004. 13.9% of the population and 10.9% of families were below the poverty line. 19.7% of those under the age of 18 and 13.2% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
Notable Residents
- Lynnette Cole, Miss USA 2000
- Sterling Marlin, Daytona 500 winner
Trivia
A boyhood home of James K. Polk is located on a main thoroughfare near downtown and is open for touring. The town is also notable for being the self-proclaimed "Mule capital of the world" and honors this fact with Mule Day, a large celebration held annually every April.
