Editing Gibson County, Tennessee

{{short description|County in Tennessee, United States}}
{{For|the county in [[Indiana]]|Gibson County, Indiana}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Gibson County
 | state                = Tennessee
 | ex image             = Trenton-Gibson-County-Courthouse-tn.jpg 
 | ex image size        = 250px
 | ex image cap         = Gibson County Courthouse in [[Trenton, Tennessee|Trenton]]
 | seal                 = 
 | founded              = 1823
 | seat wl              = Trenton
 | largest city wl      = Milan
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 604
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 603
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 0.9
 | area percentage      = 0.2%
 | census yr            = 2020
 | pop                  = 50429 {{increase}} 
 | density_sq_mi        = 82
 | time zone            = Central
 | footnotes            = 
 | named for            = John H. Gibson
 | district             = 8th 
|website=https://gibsoncounty-tn.com/}}

'''Gibson County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] located in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Tennessee]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population was 50,429.<ref>{{cite web|title=Census - Geography Profile: Gibson County, Tennessee|url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Gibson_County,_Tennessee?g=0500000US47053|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 7, 2023}}</ref> Its [[county seat]] is [[Trenton, Tennessee|Trenton]].<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=June 7, 2011 |title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=May 31, 2011 }}</ref> The county was formed in 1823 and named for John H. Gibson, a soldier of the Natchez Expedition and the [[Creek War]].<ref name=tehc>Fred Culp, "[https://tennesseeencyclopedia.net/entry.php?rec=542 Gibson County]," ''Tennessee Encyclopedia of History and Culture''. Retrieved: June 28, 2013.</ref>

==History==
{{Infobox law enforcement agency
|agencyname	= Gibson County <br /> Sheriff's Department
|patch		=
|imagesize	= 
|subdivtype	= County (United States)
|subdivname	= Gibson
|divtype	= State
|divname	= Tennessee
|country	= United States
|legaljuris	= opsjuris
|police		= yes
|local		= yes
|stations 	= 1
|lockuptype 	= Jail
|lockups	= 1
|boats1		= 
|chief1name	= Paul Thomas
|chief1position = Sheriff
|chief2name	= 
|chief2position = 
|vehicle1type   = Car
|vehicles1      = 
|sizearea       = 604&nbsp;sq&nbsp;mi
}}
Gibson County is located in what was known as "Indian Land": territory that was legally occupied by [[Chickasaw]] [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] people. The Chickasaw Cession, proclaimed on January 7, 1819, eliminated those rights and opened the region to settlement and exploitation by white settlers and speculators.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tngenweb.org/cessions/18181019.html|title=TNGenWeb: Text of the Chickasaw Cession|access-date=December 8, 2010}}</ref>

Soon after the Chickasaw Cession, the first log cabin in what was to become Gibson County had been built by Thomas Fite about {{convert|8|mi|km|spell=in}} east of present-day [[Trenton, Tennessee|Trenton]].
From 1819 the area was part of [[Carroll County, Tennessee|Carroll County]] but, as settlement progressed, citizens petitioned for the formation of a new county. The county was established by private act on October 21, 1823, and was named in honor of Colonel John H. Gibson<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tennessee.gov/tsla/history/county/actgibson.htm|title=Tennessee State Archives: Formation of Gibson County|access-date=December 8, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100529030519/http://www.tennessee.gov/tsla/history/county/actgibson.htm|archive-date=May 29, 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> who had died earlier that year. Gibson was a native of [[Bedford County, Tennessee]] who was commissioned Lieutenant in the Tennessee Militia; he took part in the [[War of 1812]], the campaign to Natchez of 1813, and fought in the [[Creek War]]s of 1813.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tn-roots.com/tngibson/Colgibso.htm|title=TNroots: Gibson County Genealogy: John H. Gibson|access-date=December 8, 2010}}</ref>

In its early years, Gibson County grew rapidly, chiefly because the land had less dense forest growth than some adjacent areas and was therefore more easily prepared to farm [[cotton]] and [[Maize|corn]]. By the end of 1824, the county had {{convert|273,143|acre|km2}} of taxable land. The county's first [[cotton gin]] was built in 1826.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tngenweb.org/records/gibson/history/goodspeed/index.html |title=TNGenWeb: ''Goodspeed's History of Tennessee'' |access-date=December 8, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101206062921/http://www.tngenweb.org/records/gibson/history/goodspeed/index.html |archive-date=December 6, 2010 }}</ref>

==Geography==
According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|604|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|603|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|0.9|sqmi}} (0.2%) is water.<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/counties_list_47.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=April 5, 2015|date=August 22, 2012|title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files}}</ref>

===Adjacent counties===
*[[Weakley County, Tennessee|Weakley County]] (northeast)
*[[Carroll County, Tennessee|Carroll County]] (east)
*[[Madison County, Tennessee|Madison County]] (south)
*[[Crockett County, Tennessee|Crockett County]] (southwest)
*[[Dyer County, Tennessee|Dyer County]] (west)
*[[Obion County, Tennessee|Obion County]] (northwest)

===State protected areas===
*Horns Bluff Refuge (part)
*Maness Swamp Refuge
*Obion River Wildlife Management Area (part)
*Tigrett Wildlife Management Area (part)

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1830= 5801
|1840= 13689
|1850= 19548
|1860= 21777
|1870= 25666
|1880= 32685
|1890= 33859
|1900= 39408
|1910= 41630
|1920= 43388
|1930= 46528
|1940= 44835
|1950= 48132
|1960= 44699
|1970= 47871
|1980= 49467
|1990= 46315
|2000= 48152
|2010= 49683
|2020= 50429
|estref=
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=April 5, 2015}}</ref><br />1790–1960<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=April 5, 2015}}</ref> 1900–1990<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/tn190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|editor-last=Forstall|editor-first=Richard L.|date=March 27, 1995|access-date=April 5, 2015}}</ref><br />1990–2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |url-status=live|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|date=April 2, 2001|access-date=April 5, 2015}}</ref> 2010–2014<ref name="QF">{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/47/47053.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=November 30, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607141736/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/47/47053.html|archive-date=June 7, 2011}}</ref>
}}
{{Stack|[[File:USA Gibson County, Tennessee.csv age pyramid.svg|thumb|left|150px|Age pyramid Gibson County<ref>Based on [[2000 United States Census|2000 census]] data</ref>]]}}

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable"
|+Gibson County racial composition<ref>{{Cite web|title=Explore Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=0500000US47053&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|access-date=December 8, 2021|website=data.census.gov}}</ref>
!Race
!Num.
!Perc.
|-
|[[White (U.S. Census)|White]] (non-Hispanic)
|37,930
|75.21%
|-
|[[African American (U.S. Census)|Black or African American]] (non-Hispanic)
|8,929
|17.71%
|-
|[[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]]
|97
|0.19%
|-
|[[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]]
|200
|0.4%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]]
|15
|0.03%
|-
|[[Race (United States Census)|Other/Mixed]]
|1,819
|3.61%
|-
|[[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]]
|1,439
|2.85%
|}
As of the [[2020 United States census]], there were 50,429 people, 19,320 households, and 12,987 families residing in the county.

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR8">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=May 14, 2011 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> of 2000, there were 48,152 people, 19,518 households, and 13,584 families residing in the county. The [[population density]] was {{convert|80|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people|}}. There were 21,059 housing units at an average density of {{convert|35|/mi2|/km2|adj=pre|units&nbsp;}}. The racial makeup of the county was 78.66% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 19.72% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.20% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.14% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.02% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.50% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.76% from two or more races. 1.12% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.

There were 19,518 households, out of which 30.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.20% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 13.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.40% were non-families. 27.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.00% under the age of 18, 8.10% from 18 to 24, 26.90% from 25 to 44, 23.30% from 45 to 64, and 17.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 89.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $31,105, and the median income for a family was $39,318. Males had a median income of $30,360 versus $21,351 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $16,320. About 9.40% of families and 12.80% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 17.00% of those under age 18 and 15.30% of those age 65 or over.

==Transportation==

===Airports===
There are two airports located in Gibson County:
* [[Humboldt Municipal Airport (Tennessee)|Humboldt Municipal Airport (M53)]], which is owned by City of Humboldt.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.airport-data.com/airport/M53/|title=FAA information: Humboldt City Airport|access-date=December 1, 2010}}</ref>
* Gibson County Airport (TGC), located midway between Trenton and Milan and owned by City of Milan and Gibson Co.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.airport-data.com/airport/TGC|title=FAA information: Gibson County Airport|access-date=December 1, 2010}}</ref>

==Court System==
Trenton is the county seat. However, since just after the [[American Civil War|Civil War]], Gibson County's court system has been geographically divided, with both Trenton and [[Humboldt, Tennessee|Humboldt]] serving as venues for the county's civil and criminal cases.

==Education==
Gibson County has five special school districts: Bradford, Gibson County, Humboldt, Milan and Trenton.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st47_tn/schooldistrict_maps/c47053_gibson/DC20SD_C47053.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Gibson County, TN|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|access-date=2024-10-06}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st47_tn/schooldistrict_maps/c47053_gibson/DC20SD_C47053_SD2MS.txt Text list]</ref>

Each district has its own school board and director of schools. There are six high schools in the county.

===High schools===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! School
! Location
! Mascot
! Colors
|-
| [[Bradford High School (Tennessee)|Bradford High School]]
| [[Bradford, Tennessee|Bradford]]
| Red Devils
| {{color box|red}} {{color box|white}}
|-
| [[Gibson County High School]]
| [[Dyer, Tennessee|Dyer]]
| Pioneers
| {{color box|red}} {{color box|white}} {{color box|#75B2DD}}
|-
| [[Humboldt High School (Tennessee)|Humboldt High School]]
| [[Humboldt, Tennessee|Humboldt]]
| Vikings
| {{color box|#C41E3A}} {{color box|gold}}
|-
| [[Milan High School (Tennessee)|Milan High School]]
| [[Milan, Tennessee|Milan]]
| Bulldogs
| {{color box|purple}} {{color box|white}}
|-
| [[Peabody High School (Trenton, Tennessee)|Peabody High School]]
| [[Trenton, Tennessee|Trenton]]
| Golden Tide
| {{color box|black}} {{color box|gold}}
|-
| [[South Gibson County High School]]
| [[Medina, Tennessee|Medina]]
| Hornets
| {{color box|darkorange}} {{color box|#75B2DD}} {{color box|black}}
|}

==Media==

===Radio stations===
*Victory 93.7 - The Victory 93.7 FM—WTKB ATWOOD-MILAN
*WJPJ AM 1190 & 99.9 "La Poderosa 99.9 FM & 1190 AM"
*WTJK 105.3 "Fox Sports Jackson 105.3"

===Newspapers===
*Tennessee Magnet Publications (free monthly), based in Huntingdon, but circulates in Gibson and Dyer counties
*''The Tri-City Reporter'', Dyer
*''The Gazette'', Trenton
*''The Chronicle'', Humboldt
*''The Mirror-Exchange'', Milan

==Events==
The Gibson County Fair is held each August in Trenton. The fair is billed as the "oldest continuously running fair in the [[Southern United States|South]]."<ref name=fair>[http://gibsoncountyfair.org/history.html History of the Gibson County Fair] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100724202324/http://gibsoncountyfair.org/history.html |date=July 24, 2010 }}, The Gibson County Fair Association, accessed September 28, 2008</ref> The fair was first held in 1856 and has been held annually since 1869.<ref name=fair/>

Beginning early in 1981, John W. Melton, administrator of the Gibson County General Hospital developed the idea of a “teapot festival;” to draw attention on the rare collection of Porcelain Veilleuses. The festival has grown into a week long event beginning with a ceremonial Lighting of the Teapots and culminates in the Annual Grand Parade. The Teapot Festival begins with the lighting of the teapots ceremony at City Hall.  Music and fireworks show highlight the first evening of the festival.  Other highlights include a parade and the chocolate extravaganza.  Tennis and softball tournaments, along with other athletic competitions, are featured each day during the festival. An arts & crafts show, antique car exhibition, fireworks, display and street dance highlight the final day of the event.  The teapots may be viewed all year round, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.trentontn.net/teapot-festival/ | title=Teapot Festival }}</ref>

The West Tennessee Strawberry Festival had been held annually during the first full week of May in Humboldt since 1934. The festival has drawn up to 100,000 people from across the area.<ref>[http://www.wtsf.org/History/history.html History], West Tennessee Strawberry Festival website, 2013. Retrieved: June 28, 2013.</ref> Popular festival events include Thursday's traditional Jr. Parade, which is one of the world's largest non-motorized parades,<ref>[http://www.humboldttnchamber.org/Quality-of-Life/parks-a-recreation.html Parks and Recreation] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131010032355/http://www.humboldttnchamber.org/Quality-of-Life/parks-a-recreation.html |date=October 10, 2013 }}, Humboldt Chamber of Commerce website. Retrieved: June 28, 2013.</ref> Friday's Grand Floats Parade, the Horse Show, Governor's Luncheon, Carnival, Prayer Breakfast, Car Show, Berry Idol singing contest, 5K and 10K Runs, Shortcake in the Park, multiple concerts, beauty reviews and more.

==Communities==

[[File:Skullbone Store.jpg|right|thumb|220px|[[Skullbone, Tennessee|Skullbone]]]]

===Cities===
{{div col}}
*[[Dyer, Tennessee|Dyer]]
*[[Humboldt, Tennessee|Humboldt]] (partly in [[Madison County, Tennessee|Madison County]])
*[[Medina, Tennessee|Medina]]
*[[Milan, Tennessee|Milan]]
*[[Trenton, Tennessee|Trenton]] (county seat)
*[[Yorkville, Tennessee|Yorkville]]
{{div col end}}

===Towns===
{{div col}}
*[[Bradford, Tennessee|Bradford]]
*[[Gibson, Tennessee|Gibson]]
*[[Kenton, Tennessee|Kenton]] (partly in [[Obion County, Tennessee|Obion County]])
*[[Rutherford, Tennessee|Rutherford]]
{{div col end}}

===Unincorporated communities===
{{div col}}
* [[Brazil, Tennessee|Brazil]]
* [[Eaton, Tennessee|Eaton]]
* [[Frog Jump, Gibson County, Tennessee|Frog Jump]]
* [[Graball, Gibson County, Tennessee|Graball]]
* [[Hopewell, Gibson County, Tennessee|Hopewell]]
* [[Idlewild, Tennessee|Idlewild]]
* [[Skullbone, Tennessee|Skullbone]]
{{div col end}}

==Politics==
Gibson County has voted for the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] in the last six presidential elections. The last [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]] to carry this county was [[Al Gore]] in [[2000 United States presidential election|2000]].
{{PresHead|place=Gibson County, Tennessee|source=<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|last=Leip|first=David|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=March 10, 2018}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|16,346|5,100|264|Tennessee}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|16,259|5,771|305|Tennessee}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|13,786|5,258|503|Tennessee}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|12,883|6,564|220|Tennessee}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|13,516|7,406|331|Tennessee}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|10,596|8,511|114|Tennessee}}
{{PresRow|2000|Democratic|8,286|8,663|188|Tennessee}}
{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|6,614|8,851|963|Tennessee}}
{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|7,161|9,555|1,616|Tennessee}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|8,415|7,542|81|Tennessee}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|9,484|8,334|174|Tennessee}}
{{PresRow|1980|Democratic|6,792|9,829|302|Tennessee}}
{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|5,563|10,356|112|Tennessee}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|9,900|3,625|409|Tennessee}}
{{PresRow|1968|American Independent|4,093|3,962|7,233|Tennessee}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|4,614|8,119|0|Tennessee}}
{{PresRow|1960|Democratic|5,173|5,796|360|Tennessee}}
{{PresRow|1956|Democratic|3,481|7,884|348|Tennessee}}
{{PresRow|1952|Democratic|3,766|6,687|38|Tennessee}}
{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|1,137|3,917|917|Tennessee}}
{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|1,568|4,632|12|Tennessee}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|1,233|5,103|20|Tennessee}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|958|4,744|28|Tennessee}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|704|3,972|29|Tennessee}}
{{PresRow|1928|Democratic|1,365|2,898|9|Tennessee}}
{{PresRow|1924|Democratic|1,037|3,235|39|Tennessee}}
{{PresRow|1920|Democratic|3,209|5,942|19|Tennessee}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|1,443|3,609|22|Tennessee}}
{{PresFoot|1912|Democratic|1,002|2,671|553|Tennessee}}

==Notable natives==
*[[Doug Atkins]], Hall of Fame NFL football player
*[[Wallace Wade]], football coach
*[[Avery Williamson]], NFL linebacker

==See also==
*[[National Register of Historic Places listings in Gibson County, Tennessee]]

==References==
;Specific
{{Reflist|30em}}

;General
* https://www.wbbjtv.com/2016/10/21/former-gibson-co-sheriff-chuck-arnold-pleads-guilty-avoids-prison-time/

==External links==
{{Commons category}}

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Gibson County, Tennessee
|North     =
|Northeast = [[Weakley County, Tennessee|Weakley County]]
|East      = [[Carroll County, Tennessee|Carroll County]]
|Southeast =
|South     = [[Madison County, Tennessee|Madison County]]
|Southwest = [[Crockett County, Tennessee|Crockett County]]
|West      = [[Dyer County, Tennessee|Dyer County]]
|Northwest = [[Obion County, Tennessee|Obion County]]
}}

{{Gibson County, Tennessee}}
{{Tennessee}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Coord|36.00|-88.93|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-TN_source:UScensus1990}}

[[Category:Gibson County, Tennessee| ]]
[[Category:1823 establishments in Tennessee]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1823]]
[[Category:West Tennessee]]