Clinton, Tennessee
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| Clinton, Tennessee | |
|---|---|
| Name | Clinton, Tennessee |
| Settlement type | City |
| Pushpin label | Clinton |
| Subdivision type | Country |
| Subdivision name | United States |
| Subdivision type1 | State |
| Subdivision name1 | Tennessee |
| Subdivision type2 | County |
| Subdivision name2 | Anderson |
| Established title | Founded |
| Established date | 1801 |
| Established title2 | Incorporated |
| Established date2 | 1809 |
| Government type | Mayor–Council |
| Leader title | Mayor |
| Leader name | Scott Burton |
| Area total sq mi | 12.05 |
| Area land sq mi | 11.50 |
| Area water sq mi | 0.55 |
| Elevation ft | 820 |
| Population as of | 2020 |
| Population total | 10056 |
| Population density sq mi | auto |
| Timezone | Eastern (EST) |
| Utc offset | -5 |
| Timezone DST | EDT |
| Utc offset DST | -4 |
| Coordinates | 36, 6, 15, N... |
| Postal code type | ZIP Code |
| Postal code | 37716-37717 |
| Area code | 865 |
| Blank name | FIPS code |
| Blank info | 47-15560 |
| Blank1 name | GNIS feature ID |
| Blank1 info | 1305991 |
| Website | clintontn.net |
Clinton, Tennessee. Clinton is a city in and the county seat of Anderson County, Tennessee, located along the Clinch River in the Tennessee Valley region. Founded in the early 19th century, it is historically significant for its role in the desegregation crisis of 1956, a pivotal event in the Civil Rights Movement. The city serves as a commercial and governmental hub for the surrounding area, with a diverse economy and proximity to major federal facilities like the Y-12 National Security Complex and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
History
The area was originally inhabited by the Cherokee people before European settlement. The city was founded in 1801 and named for either New York Governor George Clinton or his nephew, New York Governor DeWitt Clinton. It was designated the county seat of the newly formed Anderson County, Tennessee in 1801, with the first courthouse built in 1805. Clinton's history was dramatically shaped in the 20th century by the Manhattan Project and the establishment of the nearby Oak Ridge reservation, which brought an influx of workers and federal investment. The city gained national attention in 1956 when Clinton High School became the first state-supported school in the South to be desegregated by court order, leading to the Clinton 12 enrolling and facing violent protests, quelled in part by the Tennessee National Guard and figures like John Kasper and Rev. Paul Turner.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 12.05 square miles, of which 11.50 square miles is land and 0.55 square miles is water. Clinton is situated in the Ridge and Valley physiographic province, with the Clinch River forming part of its southern boundary. The city is bisected by U.S. Route 25W and is approximately 20 miles northwest of Knoxville and 10 miles south of Oak Ridge. Major geographic features include the Bull Run Fossil Plant and the Melton Hill Dam, which creates Melton Hill Lake on the Clinch River.
Demographics
As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 10,056 people residing within the city limits. The racial makeup was approximately 90.5% White, 3.5% African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.8% Asian, and 2.8% identifying as two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race comprised 3.8% of the population. The median household income was below the state average, with a poverty rate higher than the national figure. The population density was about 874 persons per square mile.
Government
Clinton operates under a mayor–council system. The current mayor is Scott Burton, and the city council consists of six members elected from three wards. The city provides services including a police department, fire protection, water and sewer utilities, and parks and recreation. It is part of Tennessee's 3rd congressional district, represented in the U.S. House by Chuck Fleischmann. The city also falls under the jurisdiction of the Anderson County Chancery Court and the Anderson County Sheriff's Department.
Economy
The economy is closely tied to federal employment at the Y-12 National Security Complex, the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and the Department of Energy sites in nearby Oak Ridge. Major private employers include Covenant Health, which operates the Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge, and various retail and service businesses along the U.S. Route 25W corridor. Historically, the Tennessee Valley Authority and operations like the Bull Run Fossil Plant have been significant. The city's downtown area has undergone revitalization efforts to boost local commerce and tourism.
Education
Public education is administered by the Anderson County School District, which operates Clinton High School, Clinton Middle School, and several elementary schools including Clinton Elementary School and South Clinton Elementary School. The system was the site of the historic 1956 desegregation crisis. Roane State Community College maintains a satellite campus in the city. Higher education opportunities are also available nearby at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and Pellissippi State Community College.
Notable people
Notable individuals associated with the city include John Kasper, a segregationist figure during the desegregation crisis; Bobby Scott, the Grammy-winning songwriter and musician; and Alvin K. Bizzell, a former National Football League player. Rev. Paul Turner was a local minister who advocated for peaceful integration. Musician Kenny Chesney spent part of his childhood in the area, and astronaut Margaret Rhea Seddon grew up in nearby Murfreesboro but has connections to the region's medical community.
Category:Cities in Tennessee Category:Anderson County, Tennessee Category:County seats in Tennessee