Smyrna, Tennessee
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| Smyrna, Tennessee | |
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| — Town — | |
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| Coordinates: 35°58′46″N 86°31′16″W / 35.97944°N 86.52111°WCoordinates: 35°58′46″N 86°31′16″W / 35.97944°N 86.52111°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Tennessee |
| County | Rutherford |
| Area | |
| • Total | 23.0 sq mi (59.5 km2) |
| • Land | 22.8 sq mi (59.1 km2) |
| • Water | 0.1 sq mi (0.4 km2) |
| Elevation | 545 ft (166 m) |
| Population (2000) | |
| • Total | 25,569 |
| • Density | 1,119.8/sq mi (432.3/km2) |
| Time zone | Central (CST) (UTC-6) |
| • Summer (DST) | CDT (UTC-5) |
| ZIP code | 37167 |
| Area code(s) | 615 |
| FIPS code | 47-69420[1] |
| GNIS feature ID | 1270735[2] |
Smyrna is a town in Rutherford County, Tennessee, United States. Smyrna's population was 25,569 people at the 2000 census. The Census estimate of the 2009 population is 39,142.[3]
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[edit] Geography
Smyrna is located at 35°58′46″N 86°31′16″W / 35.97944°N 86.52111°W (35.979574, -86.521108)[4].
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 23.0 square miles (60 km2), of which, 22.8 square miles (59 km2) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km2) of it (0.61%) is water.
[edit] History
The town of Smyrna has its roots in the early 19th century and began as an agrarian community. The American Civil War played an important role in the area due to its railroad station which lies between Nashville and Chattanooga. One of the major events of the war for the town involved the Confederate States hero Sam Davis who after being charged with spying gave up his life instead of giving any information to the Union Army. He was captured Nov. 20, 1863 and was hanged by Union forces Nov. 27.[5] The Sam Davis Plantation, located on 160 acres (0.65 km2) of well-maintained farmland,[6] is the town's most important historical site.[7]
Smyrna was originally incorporated in 1869 but its charter was rescinded by the state several years later. In 1915 the town re-incorporated and adopted a commission form of government and mayor.
In 1941 Sewart Air Force Base was established and served as a B-24 advanced training facility. During the 1950s and 60s the military personnel and dependents totaled more than 10,000 persons stationed at the base. The base was scheduled for closing in 1971. Most of the property was divided among the State of Tennessee, Rutherford County and the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority. The property the state received was developed in a Tennessee Army National Guard base and the site for the Tennessee Rehabilitation Center. Much of the additional land was turned into the Smyrna/Rutherford County Airport Authority in 1990.[8]
During the 1970s many new industries moved to the area and the city began a period of growth with such companies as Better Built Aluminum, Cumberland Swan, and Square D building plants in the town. In the early 1980s planning began to build a Nissan Motors manufacturing plant and in 1983 the first vehicle was produced. The Nissan plant now employees around 6,000 workers, has a production capacity of 500,000 vehicles annually and covers an area of 5,200,000 sq ft (480,000 m2).[9] By 2012, Smyrna will be a manufacturing site for Nissan's electric car, the Nissan Leaf.[10]
On March 14, 2000, the mayor and board of commissioners adopted a new charter and now operate under the city manager form of government.[11]
[edit] Demographics
As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 25,569 people, 9,608 households, and 7,061 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,119.8 people per square mile (432.4/km²). There were 10,016 housing units at an average density of 438.6 per square mile (169.4/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 87.23% White, 7.82% African American, 0.29% Native American, 1.21% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 1.81% from other races, and 1.56% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.31% of the population.
There were 9,608 households out of which 39.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.0% were married couples living together, 14.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.5% were non-families. 21.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.04.
In the town the population was spread out with 27.6% under the age of 18, 10.5% from 18 to 24, 35.1% from 25 to 44, 19.9% from 45 to 64, and 6.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 95.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.9 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $44,405, and the median income for a family was $51,550. Males had a median income of $37,130 versus $27,325 for females. The per capita income for the town was $19,704. About 6.7% of families and 8.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.4% of those under age 18 and 8.2% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Economy
Prior to their dissolution, RegionsAir (formerly Corporate Airlines) and Capitol Air were headquartered in Smyrna. Smyrna will also serve as the US production site for the Nissan Leaf. Nissan's goal is that the plant in Smyrna will eventually produce 150,000 cars, and 200,000 electric car batteries per year.[12]
[edit] Education
Smyrna is served by the Rutherford County Schools school district.
[edit] Landmarks
- Nissan plant
- Sam Davis Home
- Smyrna Airport/Sewart Air Force Base
[edit] References
- ^ a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. http://geonames.usgs.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ Tennessee GCT-T1-R. Population Estimates: 2009 Population Estimates, US Census Bureau
- ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
- ^ http://www.samdavishome.org/history.php
- ^ http://www.samdavishome.org
- ^ http://www.townofsmyrna.org/smyrnahistory/index.htm
- ^ http://www.townofsmyrna.org/smyrnahistory/index.htm
- ^ http://www.nissanusa.com/about/careers/
- ^ http://www.tennessean.com/article/20100909/BUSINESS01/9090349/Tennessee-to-offer-2-500-rebates-on-Nissan-Leaf-electric-car/
- ^ http://www.townofsmyrna.org/smyrnahistory/index.htm
- ^ US Department of Energy on Nissan Leaf plans in Smyrna
[edit] External links
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