Sneedville, Tennessee
Sneedville, Tennessee | |
|---|---|
 Main Street (TN-33) in Sneedville | |
 Location of Sneedville, Tennessee | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Tennessee |
| County | Hancock |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.3 sq mi (5.9 km2) |
| • Land | 2.3 sq mi (5.9 km2) |
| • Water | 0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,171 ft (357 m) |
| Population (2010) | |
| • Total | 1,387 |
| • Density | 600/sq mi (240/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code | 37869 |
| Area code | 423 |
| FIPS code | 47-69460Template:GR |
| GNIS feature ID | 1303706Template:GR |
Sneedville is a town in Hancock County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 1,387 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Hancock CountyTemplate:GR.
History
Before European settlement around 1795, the area was settled by the Melungeon, a group of people of mixed European, sub-Saharan African, and Native American ancestry. French traders noted encountering the Melungeons in the late 1600s in the area that is now east Tennessee.[1] Sneedville was named in honor of William Henry Sneed (1812–1869), an attorney from Knoxville who played a key role in the establishment of Hancock County in the 19th century.[2]
Geography
Sneedville is located at 36°31′55″N 83°12′51″W / 36.53194°N 83.21417°W (36.532062, -83.214140)Template:GR.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 2.3 square miles (6.0 km2), all of it land. The Clinch River passes within the city limits.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 1,257 people, 527 households, and 310 families residing in the town. The population density was 551.0 people per square mile (212.9/km²). There were 593 housing units at an average density of 259.9 per square mile (100.4/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.69% White, 0.64% African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.72% from other races, and 0.80% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.24% of the population. Melungeons, a so-called "tri-racial isolate", were also historically present in this area.
There were 527 households out of which 27.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.2% were married couples living together, 14.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.0% were non-families. 38.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.08 and the average family size was 2.77.
In the town the population was spread out with 18.4% under the age of 18, 11.4% from 18 to 24, 28.2% from 25 to 44, 23.5% from 45 to 64, and 18.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 93.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.9 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $13,281, and the median income for a family was $20,208. Males had a median income of $20,500 versus $15,461 for females. The per capita income for the town was $13,173. About 32.9% of families and 36.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 46.9% of those under age 18 and 28.4% of those age 65 or over.
Arts and culture
Annual cultural events
Sneedsville hosts two major festivals yearly: the Jimmy Martin Memorial Bluegrass festival in May[3] and the Hancock County Fall Festival in October.
Sneedville is host to the Hancock County Fall Festival, which takes place every October, and the Jimmy Martin Memorial Bluegrass Festival, which takes place in May.
Museums and related points of interest
The Hancock County Tennessee Historical and Genealogical Society is a non-profit organization located in the Old County Jail. The organization provides access to archival material related to the community and a small museum displaying aspects of traditional mountain life. They publish a bi-yearly newsletter called Our Mountain Heritage for members of the society.[4]
Education
Schools in Sneedville include Hancock County High School and Hancock County Elementary School.
Infrastructure
Hancock County Hospital, which opened in 2005, is located in Sneedville.[5]
Notable people
- Musician Doyle Lawson lived in Sneedville as a child.[6]
- Musician Jimmy Martin was born in Sneedville. He was dubbed "King of Bluegrass" and inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Honor.[7]
See also
Further reading
- Hancock County Tennessee and It’s People, Volume I, II & III. Sneedsville: Hancock County Historical & Genealogical Society.
- Hancock County Tennessee Pictorial History Book. Sneedsville: Hancock County Historical & Genealogical Society.
References
- ^ "Historical Hancock County". Home. Hancock County Tennessee Historical and Genealogical Society. 2008. Retrieved 13 November 2011.
- ^ Goodspeed's History of Hancock County. Retrieved: 25 July 2009.
- ^ "Jimmy Martin Memorial Bluegrass Festival". Home. Hancock County Tennessee Historical and Genealogical Society. 2007. Retrieved 13 November 2011.
- ^ "Hancock County Tennessee Historical and Genealogical Society". Home. Hancock County Tennessee Historical and Genealogical Society. 2008. Retrieved 13 November 2011.
- ^ "Hancock County Hospital". Hancock County Hospital. Wellmont Health System. 2011. Retrieved 13 November 2011.
- ^ "Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver". Artists. Decca Records. 2010. Retrieved 13 November 2011.
- ^ "Jimmy Martin". Bluegrass Masters. International Bluegrass Music Hall of Honor. 2011. Retrieved 13 November 2011.
External links
Municipalities and communities of Hancock County, Tennessee, United States | ||
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| City |  | |
| Unincorporated communities | ||