Obion County, Tennessee

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Obion County, Tennessee

Obion County, Tennessee is a county located in the northwestern part of the U.S. state of Tennessee. As of the 2020 census, the population was 30,787. The county seat is Union City. The county was formed in 1823 and named after the Obion River.

History

Obion County was established in 1823 from lands ceded by the Chickasaw in the Jackson Purchase. The county's name is derived from the Obion River, which flows through the area. The region was initially settled by European Americans in the early 19th century, and the economy was primarily based on agriculture.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 556 square miles (1,440 km²), of which 545 square miles (1,410 km²) is land and 11 square miles (28 km²) (2.0%) is water. The county is part of the Jackson Purchase and is characterized by its fertile soil and flat terrain.

Adjacent counties

• Fulton County, Kentucky (north)
• Weakley County, Tennessee (east)
• Gibson County, Tennessee (southeast)
• Dyer County, Tennessee (south)
• Lake County, Tennessee (west)

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, there were 30,787 people, 12,500 households, and 8,500 families residing in the county. The population density was 56 people per square mile (22/km²). The racial makeup of the county was predominantly White, with significant African American and smaller Hispanic populations.

Economy

The economy of Obion County has traditionally been based on agriculture, with major crops including corn, soybeans, and wheat. In recent years, the county has diversified its economy with the addition of manufacturing and service industries. The presence of the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company plant in Union City was a significant contributor to the local economy until its closure in 2011.

Education

Obion County is served by the Obion County School District, which operates several elementary, middle, and high schools. The county is also home to the University of Tennessee at Martin's satellite campus in Union City.

Transportation

Major highways in Obion County include U.S. Route 51, U.S. Route 45, and State Route 22. The county is also served by the Canadian National Railway and the Everett-Stewart Regional Airport.

Communities

Cities

• Union City
• South Fulton

Towns

• Troy
• Hornbeak
• Obion
• Samburg

Unincorporated communities

• Cloverdale
• Rives
• Woodland Mills

Notable people

• David Crockett, a 19th-century American folk hero, frontiersman, soldier, and politician, lived in the area.

See also

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

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