Editing Weakley County, Tennessee

{{short description|County in Tennessee, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Weakley County
 | state                = Tennessee
 | ex image             = Weakley-County-Courthouse-tn.jpg
 | ex image size        = 
 | ex image cap         = Weakley County Courthouse in [[Dresden, Tennessee|Dresden]]
 | seal                 = File:Weakley.png
 | founded              = October 21, 1823
 | named for            = [[Robert Weakley]]<ref name=tehc>Virginia Clark Vaughan, "[http://tennesseeencyclopedia.net/entry.php?rec=1480 Weakley County]," ''Tennessee Encyclopedia of History and Culture''. Retrieved: April 24, 2013.</ref>
 | seat wl              = Dresden
 | largest city wl      = Martin
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 582
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 580
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 1.4
 | area percentage      = 0.2%
 | census yr            = 2020
 | pop                  = 32902 {{decrease}}
 | density_sq_mi        = 57
 | time zone            = Central
 | footnotes            = 
 | web                  = www.weakleycountytn.gov
 | district             = 8th 
}}

'''Weakley County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] located in the northwest of the [[U.S. state]] of [[Tennessee]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population was 32,902.<ref>{{cite web|title=Census - Geography Profile: Weakley County, Tennessee|url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Weakley_County,_Tennessee?g=0500000US47183|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 7, 2023}}</ref> Its [[county seat]] is [[Dresden, Tennessee|Dresden]].<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}}</ref> Its largest city is [[Martin, Tennessee|Martin]], the home of the [[University of Tennessee at Martin]]. The county was established by the Tennessee General Assembly on October 21, 1823, and is named for U.S. Congressman [[Robert Weakley]] (1764&ndash;1845). Weakley County comprises the Martin, TN [[Micropolitan Statistical Area]].

==History==
Weakley County was created in October 1823 from some of the land that the [[Chickasaw]] people ceded to the United States in the [[Chickasaw#Treaty of 1818|Treaty of 1818]]. The county was named after Colonel [[Robert Weakley]], a member of the House of Representatives, a speaker of the State Senate, and the man commissioned to treat (negotiate) with the Chickasaw.<ref name="About Dresden">{{cite web|title=About Dresden|url=http://www.cityofdresden.net/community/about-dresden/|website=City of Dresden|access-date=March 4, 2018}}</ref>

During the 19th century, the county was the state's largest corn producer. By the latter half of the 20th century, [[soybeans]] became the county's leading crop.<ref name=tehc />

==Geography==
According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|582|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|580|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|1.4|sqmi}} (0.2%) is water.<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=http://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/counties_list_47.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=April 14, 2015|date=August 22, 2012|title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files}}</ref> The North Fork of the [[Obion River]] flows through the northern half of the county, the Middle Fork flows across the central portion of the county, and the South Fork flows across the southern part of the county. The Obion is a tributary of the [[Mississippi River]].

===Adjacent counties===
*[[Hickman County, Kentucky]] (northwest)
*[[Graves County, Kentucky]] (north)
*[[Henry County, Tennessee|Henry County]] (east)
*[[Carroll County, Tennessee|Carroll County]] (southeast)
*[[Gibson County, Tennessee|Gibson County]] (southwest)
*[[Obion County, Tennessee|Obion County]] (west)

===State protected areas===
*Bean Switch Refuge
*Big Cypress Tree State Natural Area
*[[Big Cypress Tree State Park]]
*Harts Mill Wetland Wildlife Management Area (part)
*Obion River Wildlife Management Area (part)

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1830= 4797
|1840= 9870
|1850= 14608
|1860= 18216
|1870= 20755
|1880= 24538
|1890= 28955
|1900= 32546
|1910= 31929
|1920= 31053
|1930= 29262
|1940= 29498
|1950= 27962
|1960= 24227
|1970= 28827
|1980= 32896
|1990= 31972
|2000= 34895
|2010= 35021
|2020= 32902
|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 14, 2015}}</ref><br />1790-1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=April 14, 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 14, 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 14, 2015}}</ref> 2010-2014<ref name="QF">{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/47/47183.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=December 7, 2013}}</ref>
}}
{{Stack|[[Image:USA Weakley County, Tennessee.csv age pyramid.svg|thumb|left|150px|Age pyramid for Weakley County<ref>Based on 2000 [[census]] data</ref>]]}}

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable"
|+Weakley County racial composition<ref>{{Cite web|title=Explore Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=0500000US47183&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|access-date=December 8, 2021|website=data.census.gov}}</ref>
!Race
!Num.
!Perc.
|-
|[[White (U.S. Census)|White]] (non-Hispanic)
|27,813
|84.53%
|-
|[[African American (U.S. Census)|Black or African American]] (non-Hispanic)
|2,593
|7.88%
|-
|[[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]]
|52
|0.16%
|-
|[[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]]
|192
|0.58%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]]
|3
|0.01%
|-
|[[Race (United States Census)|Other/Mixed]]
|1,344
|4.08%
|-
|[[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]]
|905
|2.75%
|}
As of the [[2020 United States census]], there were 32,902 people, 13,640 households, and 8,677 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 34,895 people, 13,599 households, and 9,124 families residing in the county. The [[population density]] was {{convert|60|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people|}}. There were 14,928 housing units at an average density of {{convert|26|/mi2|/km2|adj=pre|units&nbsp;}}. The racial makeup of the county was 90.27% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 6.95% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.15% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 1.32% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.01% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.52% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.78% from two or more races. 1.15% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.

There were 13,599 households, out of which 29.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.20% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 9.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.90% were non-families. 27.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.89.

The population was spread out, with 21.60% under the age of 18, 15.90% from 18 to 24, 26.10% from 25 to 44, 21.90% from 45 to 64, and 14.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 94.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,008, and the median income for a family was $38,658. Males had a median income of $28,597 versus $20,845 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $15,408. About 11.10% of families and 16.00% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 16.80% of those under age 18 and 16.20% of those age 65 or over.

==Media==

===Radio===
*[[WWGY (FM)|WWGY 99.3]] "Today's Best Music with "[[Ace & TJ Show|Ace & TJ in the Morning]]"
*[[WRQR-FM|WRQR-FM 105.5]] "Today's Best Music with "[[Ace & TJ Show|Ace & TJ in the Morning]]"
*[[WENK-WTPR|WENK-AM 1240]] "The Greatest Hits of All Time"
*[[WENK-WTPR|WTPR-AM 710]] "The Greatest Hits of All Time"
*[[WENK-WTPR|WTPR-FM 101.7]] "The Greatest Hits of All Time"
* [[WCMT-AM|WCMT-AM 1410 100.5FM ]]  
* [[WCMT-FM|WCMT-FM 101.3]]
* [[WUTM|WUTM-FM 90.3]]
*(WCDZ FM 95.1 and 102.9FM)  
* [[WCMT-AM|WCMT-AM 1410 "your best friend"]]

===Print===
*''[[Dresden Enterprise]]'' - located in Dresden, the county seat.<ref>[http://www.dresdenenterprise.com/ Dresden Enterprise official site]. Retrieved: April 24, 2013.</ref>
*''[[The Weakley County Press]]'' - located in Martin
*''[[The Pacer]]'' - Student newspaper of the University of Tennessee at Martin

==Education==

===Weakley County Schools===
School District website - http://www.weakleyschools.com/

{| class="wikitable"
! School Name !! Team Mascot !! School Colors !! School Website
|-
|Dresden Elementary School
|Lions
|Black, Gold
|http://www.des.weakleyschools.com/
|-
|Dresden Middle School
|Lions
|Black/Gold
|http://www.dms.weakleyschools.com/
|-
|Dresden High School
|Lions
|Black/Gold
|http://www.dhs.weakleyschools.com/
|-
|Gleason School
|Bulldogs
|Orange/Black
|http://www.gls.weakleyschools.com/cms/One.aspx
|-
|Greenfield School
|Yellowjackets
|Black/Orange
|http://www.grs.weakleyschools.com/
|-
|Martin Elementary School
|Chargers
|Blue/White
|http://www.mes.weakleyschools.com/
|-
|Martin Middle School
|Chargers
|Blue/White
|http://www.mms.weakleyschools.com/
|-
|Martin Primary School
|N/A
|Blue/Yellow
|http://www.mps.weakleyschools.com/
|-
|Sharon School
|Eagles
|Purple/Yellow
|http://www.ss.weakleyschools.com/
|-
|Westview High School
|Chargers
| Royal Blue/Yellow Gold
|http://www.whs.weakleyschools.com/
|}

==Communities==
[[File:Sharon-Main-park-tn.jpg|right|200px|thumb|[[Sharon, Tennessee|Sharon]]]]

===Cities===
*[[Greenfield, Tennessee|Greenfield]]
*[[Martin, Tennessee|Martin]]
*[[McKenzie, Tennessee|McKenzie]] (mostly in [[Carroll County, Tennessee|Carroll County]] and a small portion in [[Henry County, Tennessee|Henry County]])

===Towns===
*[[Dresden, Tennessee|Dresden]] (county seat)
*[[Gleason, Tennessee|Gleason]]
*[[Sharon, Tennessee|Sharon]]

=== Census-designated places ===

* [[Dukedom, Kentucky and Tennessee|Dukedom]]
* [[Palmersville, Tennessee|Palmersville]]

===Unincorporated communities===
* [[Austin Springs, Weakley County, Tennessee|Austin Springs]]
* [[Boydsville, Kentucky and Tennessee|Boydsville]]
*[[Gardner, Tennessee|Gardner]]
*[[Latham, Tennessee|Latham]]

==Politics==
{{PresHead|place=Weakley County, Tennessee|source=<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|last=Leip|first=David|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=March 13, 2018}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|10,541|2,725|128|Tennessee}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|10,396|3,020|319|Tennessee}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|9,008|2,772|404|Tennessee}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|8,605|3,548|184|Tennessee}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|8,855|4,596|239|Tennessee}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|7,817|5,588|91|Tennessee}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|6,106|5,570|168|Tennessee}}
{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|4,622|5,657|936|Tennessee}}
{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|4,800|5,691|1,378|Tennessee}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|5,701|4,239|49|Tennessee}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|6,480|4,752|55|Tennessee}}
{{PresRow|1980|Democratic|5,668|5,910|193|Tennessee}}
{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|2,875|6,605|216|Tennessee}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|5,836|2,027|302|Tennessee}}
{{PresRow|1968|American Independent|2,858|1,988|4,525|Tennessee}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|2,684|5,161|0|Tennessee}}
{{PresRow|1960|Democratic|3,543|4,488|78|Tennessee}}
{{PresRow|1956|Democratic|2,720|4,717|73|Tennessee}}
{{PresRow|1952|Democratic|3,043|4,198|34|Tennessee}}
{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|1,310|3,099|432|Tennessee}}
{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|1,595|3,434|10|Tennessee}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|1,139|3,474|35|Tennessee}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|928|3,254|30|Tennessee}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|783|3,777|17|Tennessee}}
{{PresRow|1928|Democratic|1,358|2,495|0|Tennessee}}
{{PresRow|1924|Democratic|1,154|3,149|24|Tennessee}}
{{PresRow|1920|Democratic|2,741|4,395|30|Tennessee}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|1,768|3,609|6|Tennessee}}
{{PresFoot|1912|Democratic|1,265|2,810|383|Tennessee}}

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

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*[http://www.weakleycountytn.gov/ Official site]
*[http://www.weakleycountychamber.com/ Weakley County Chamber of Commerce]
*[http://www.weakleycountyschools.com/ Weakley County Schools]
*[http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~tnweakle/ Weakley County TNGenWeb]

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

{{Weakley County, Tennessee}}
{{Tennessee}}

{{coord|36.29|-88.72|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-TN_source:UScensus1990}}

{{authority control}}

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