Decatur County, Tennessee

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Decatur County is a county located in the U.S. state of Tennessee. As of the 2020 census, the population was 11,435. The county seat is Decaturville. The county was created in 1845 and named for Stephen Decatur, a prominent U.S. naval officer.

History

Decatur County was established in 1845 from parts of Perry County. It was named in honor of Stephen Decatur, a hero of the War of 1812 and the First Barbary War. The county has a rich history, including its involvement in the American Civil War, where it was a site of several skirmishes and troop movements.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 345 square miles (890 km²), of which 334 square miles (870 km²) is land and 11 square miles (28 km²) (3.1%) is water. The Tennessee River forms the eastern boundary of the county.

Adjacent counties

• Benton County (north)
• Perry County (east)
• Wayne County (south)
• Hardin County (southwest)
• Henderson County (west)
• Carroll County (northwest)

Major highways

• U.S. Route 641
• Tennessee State Route 69
• Tennessee State Route 100

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, there were 11,435 people, 4,732 households, and 3,234 families residing in the county. The population density was 34 people per square mile (13/km²). The racial makeup of the county was predominantly White, with small percentages of African American, Native American, and other races.

Communities

Towns

• Decaturville (county seat)
• Parsons

Unincorporated communities

• Bath Springs
• Scotts Hill (partly in Henderson County)

Education

Decatur County is served by the Decatur County School District, which includes several elementary schools, a middle school, and Riverside High School.

Economy

The economy of Decatur County is primarily based on agriculture, manufacturing, and services. The county has a mix of small businesses and larger employers, contributing to the local economy.

Notable people

• Billy Joe Shaver, country music singer and songwriter
• Sonny Boy Williamson II, blues harmonica player and singer

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Decatur County, Tennessee
• List of counties in Tennessee

External links

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