Blount County, Tennessee
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| Image:Map of Tennessee highlighting Blount County.png Counties in Tennessee | |
| County seat | Maryville |
| Largest city | Maryville |
| Area —Total —Land —Water, % | 1,468 km² (567 mi²) 1,447 km² (559 mi²) 21 km² (8 mi²), 1.43% |
| Population —Total (2000) —Density | 105,823 73/km² (190/mi²) |
| Established | July 11, 1795 |
| Time zone | Eastern : UTC-5/-4 |
Blount County is a county located in the U.S. state of Tennessee. As of 2000, the population is 105,823. 2004 census shows 113,744. Its county seat is Maryville6.
Contents |
History
Before white settlers arrived, what is now Blount County was Cherokee land. In the late 1700s, white settlers of mainly Scottish and Irish descent began farming in the area. In 1795, Blount County became the tenth county created in Tennessee when the Territorial Legislature voted to split Knox County. The new county was named for Territorial Governor William Blount and its county seat, Maryville, was named for his wife Mary Grainger Blount.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,468 km² (567 mi²). 1,447 km² (559 mi²) of it is land and 21 km² (8 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 1.43% water. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park lies partially in Blount County's southeast corner. Foothills of the Appalachian Mountains make up most of Blount County's landscape. The Little River flows through Blount County and forms several man-made lakes created by the Tennessee Valley Authority.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there were 105,823 people, 42,667 households, and 30,634 families residing in the county. The population density was 73/km² (190/mi²). There were 47,059 housing units at an average density of 33/km² (84/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 94.73% White, 2.91% Black or African American, 0.29% Native American, 0.72% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.34% from other races, and 0.99% from two or more races. 1.06% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 42,667 households out of which 30.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.40% were married couples living together, 10.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.20% are classified as non-families by the United States Census Bureau. Of the 42,667 households, 1,384 are unmarried partner households: 1,147 heterosexual, 107 same-sex male, 130 same-sex female. 24.40% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.88.
In the county, the population was spread out with 22.80% under the age of 18, 8.30% from 18 to 24, 29.40% from 25 to 44, 25.40% from 45 to 64, and 14.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 93.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.80 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $37,862, and the median income for a family was $45,038. Males had a median income of $31,877 versus $23,007 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,416. 9.70% of the population and 7.30% of families were below the poverty line. 12.30% of those under the age of 18 and 9.10% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
Cities and towns
References
- Inez Burns (1995). History of Blount County, Tennessee. Windmill Publications.
