Giles County, Tennessee

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Giles County, Tennessee
County
Location within the U.S. state of Tennessee
Country	United States
State	Tennessee
Founded	1809
Named for	William Branch Giles
County seat	Pulaski
Area
• Total	611 sq mi (1,580 km2)
• Land	611 sq mi (1,580 km2)
• Water	0.2 sq mi (0.5 km2)
Population  (2020)
• Total	30,000
• Density	49/sq mi (19/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5

Giles County is a county located in the U.S. state of Tennessee. As of the 2020 census, the population was approximately 30,000. The county seat is Pulaski. The county is named after William Branch Giles, a politician who served as a United States Senator from Virginia.

History

Giles County was established in 1809 from land ceded by the Cherokee and Chickasaw tribes. The county played a significant role during the American Civil War, with several skirmishes and battles occurring within its borders. The county seat, Pulaski, is notably the birthplace of the Ku Klux Klan in 1865.

Geography

Giles County covers an area of approximately 611 square miles, with a small portion of this being water. The county is part of the Nashville Basin and features rolling hills and fertile farmland. Major waterways include the Elk River.

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, Giles County had a population of around 30,000 people. The population density is relatively low, with a mix of urban and rural communities. The largest city and county seat is Pulaski.

Economy

The economy of Giles County is diverse, with agriculture, manufacturing, and retail trade being significant contributors. The county is known for its production of soybeans, corn, and livestock. Manufacturing also plays a crucial role, with several factories and plants located in the area.

Education

Giles County is served by the Giles County School District, which includes several elementary, middle, and high schools. The county is also home to Martin Methodist College, a private liberal arts college located in Pulaski.

Transportation

Major highways that run through Giles County include Interstate 65, U.S. Route 31, and U.S. Route 64. The county is also served by the Giles County Airport, which provides general aviation services.

Communities

Cities

• Pulaski
• Elkton

Towns

• Ardmore
• Lynnville

Unincorporated communities

• Bethel
• Campbellsville
• Frankewing
• Goodspring
• Minor Hill
• Prospect
• Stella

Notable People

• James K. Polk, the 11th President of the United States, was born in Pineville, North Carolina, but his family moved to Tennessee when he was a child, and he spent much of his early life in the state.

See Also

• List of counties in Tennessee
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Giles County, Tennessee
• Tennessee River
• Nashville, Tennessee