| Clinton, Tennessee | |
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| Coordinates: | |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| State | Tennessee |
| County | Anderson |
| Area | |
| - Total | 11.5 sq mi (29.7 km²) |
| - Land | 10.9 sq mi (28.2 km²) |
| - Water | 0.6 sq mi (1.4 km²) |
| Elevation | 820 ft (250 m) |
| Population (2000) | |
| - Total | 9,409 |
| - Density | 862.8/sq mi (333.1/km²) |
| Time zone | Eastern (EST) (UTC-5) |
| - Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| ZIP codes | 37716-37717 |
| Area code(s) | 865 |
| FIPS code | 47-15580GR2 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1305981GR3 |
Clinton is a city in Anderson County, Tennessee, United States. Its population was 9,409 at the United States Census, 2000. It is the county seat of Anderson CountyGR6. Clinton is included in the "Knoxville, Tennessee Metropolitan Statistical Area".
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History
Before the formation of Anderson County, Tennessee, that territory was initially land of what is today called the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, which had been settled by several pioneer families including the Wallace, Gibbs, Freels, Frost and Tunnell families. Although the Treaty of Holston, signed in 1791, was intended as a negotiation with the Cherokee to prohibit settlement of the area including what is today Anderson County, the treaty became ineffective as more settlers moved through the Appalachian Mountains from Virginia and North Carolina into Tennessee. The flooding of white settlers into the Indian domain was cause for several skirmishes, which eased after the Treaty of Tellico in 1798, with an origination point for the land to be relinquished from the Cherokee being the Tellico Blockhouse, allowed for greater ease in settling the area. Founded in 1801, the town of Burrville was named in honor of Aaron Burr, first term Vice President under Thomas Jefferson. Land was selected and partitioned for a courthouse, and Burrville was designated as the county seat for the newly formed Anderson County, Tennessee. Anderson County was partitioned from a portion of Grainger County, Tennessee as well as a portion of Knox County, Tennessee, in 1801; neighboring Roane County, Tennessee, was also formed from a portion of Knox County, Tennessee, in 1801, making Anderson and Roane counties effectively called 'sister counties'.
On November 8, 1809, by act of Tennessee State Legislature, the town of Burrville was renamed because of the disgrace of the Burr-Hamilton duel, which resulted in the death of Alexander Hamilton. The selection of the name Clinton was most likely to honor George Clinton, a New York political rival who, along with Alexander Hamilton, destroyed Burr's chance at Governor of the state of New York after his single-term Vice Presidency. George Clinton succeeded Burr as second-term Vice President for Thomas Jefferson in 1805 (and also served as James Madison's Vice President, making Clinton the first Vice President to serve under two presidents and the first Vice President to die in office). The town name was changed from the former Vice President to the current Vice President at that point in history.
Desegregation
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For more details on this topic, see Clinton High School, Tennessee#Integration.
In 1956, Clinton gained national attention when segregationists opposed the desegregation of Clinton High School. Following the U.S. Supreme Court decision in the case of Brown v. Board of Education, a court order required the desegregation of the high school. Twelve African-American students enrolled in the high school in the fall of 1956. On August 27, 1956, the Clinton Twelve entered Clinton High School for the first time. Violent confrontations ensued, and Clinton High School was bombed in 1958.
Quarry controversy
The city has recently approved the placement of an asphalt/concrete plant and rock blasting quarry, in an area zoned for industrial uses that is near a residential neighborhood. Citizens living outside the city limits, in the Bethel community and nearby towns of Andersonville and Norris, have objected to the permit, arguing that the plant will pose health risks, increase traffic flow and lower property values.[1]
Geography
Clinton is located at (36.104772, -84.128487)GR1. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 11.5 square miles (29.7 km²), of which, 10.9 square miles (28.3 km²) of it is land and 0.6 square miles (1.5 km²) of it (4.89%) is water.
Demographics
As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 9,409 people, 4,201 households, and 2,688 families residing in the city. The population density was 862.8 people per square mile (333.0/km²). There were 4,441 housing units at an average density of 407.2/sq mi (157.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.47% White, 2.72% African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.38% Asian, 0.28% from other races, and 0.82% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.85% of the population. There were 4,201 households out of which 27.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.9% were married couples living together, 13.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.0% were non-families. 31.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.78. In the city the population was spread out with 21.6% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 28.2% from 25 to 44, 23.7% from 45 to 64, and 17.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 86.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.7 males. The median income for a household in the city was $32,481, and the median income for a family was $43,099. Males had a median income of $32,120 versus $23,550 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,730. About 11.8% of families and 16.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.1% of those under age 18 and 11.1% of those age 65 or over.
Noted people linked to the town
- John C. Houk - Member of the United States House of Representatives born here.
- The McKameys - Southern Gospel group based in Clinton.
- John R. Neal - Member of the United States House of Representatives born near here.
- Brandon Jones - Emmy nominated television director
- Larry Sievers - All-American Football wide receiver (attended University of Tennessee)
- Charles McRae - NFL 1st round draft choice, All-American football tackle (attended University of Tennessee)
References
External links
- Clinton, Tennessee is at coordinates Coordinates:
