Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
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| Pigeon Forge, Tennessee | |
|---|---|
| Name | Pigeon Forge |
| Settlement type | City |
| Nickname | The Center of Fun in the Smokies |
| Pushpin label | Pigeon Forge |
| Coordinates | 35, 47, 30, N... |
| Subdivision type | Country |
| Subdivision name | United States |
| Subdivision type1 | State |
| Subdivision name1 | Tennessee |
| Subdivision type2 | County |
| Subdivision name2 | Sevier |
| Established title | Settled |
| Established date | c. 1785 |
| Established title1 | Incorporated |
| Established date1 | 1961 |
| Government type | Mayor–Council |
| Leader title | Mayor |
| Leader name | David Wear |
| Leader title1 | Vice Mayor |
| Leader name1 | Kevin McClure |
| Area total sq mi | 12.99 |
| Area land sq mi | 12.99 |
| Area water sq mi | 0.00 |
| Elevation ft | 1020 |
| Population as of | 2020 |
| Population total | 6,343 |
| Population density sq mi | 488.30 |
| Timezone | Eastern (EST) |
| Utc offset | -5 |
| Timezone DST | EDT |
| Utc offset DST | -4 |
| Postal code type | ZIP Code |
| Postal code | 37863, 37868 |
| Area code | 865 |
| Blank name | FIPS code |
| Blank info | 47-58180 |
| Blank1 name | GNIS feature ID |
| Blank1 info | 1297308 |
| Website | www.cityofpigeonforge.com |
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Pigeon Forge is a city in Sevier County, Tennessee, situated in the southeastern United States. It is a major tourist destination, renowned as the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and home to the Dollywood theme park. The city's economy is overwhelmingly driven by entertainment and hospitality, anchored along the busy Parkway corridor.
History
The area's name originates from an iron forge built around 1820 by Isaac Love along the Little Pigeon River, with "Pigeon" referring to the now-extinct passenger pigeons that once populated the region. Early settlement was spurred by veterans of the American Revolutionary War who received land grants, including members of the Cocke and Sevier families. For much of its early history, the community remained a small agricultural hub. The establishment of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 1934 began to shift the local economy toward tourism, a transformation that accelerated dramatically with the opening of the Dollywood theme park in 1986 by entertainer Dolly Parton. The city was officially incorporated in 1961.
Geography
Pigeon Forge is located in the Ridge-and-Valley region of the Appalachian Mountains, entirely within the watershed of the Little Pigeon River. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 12.99 square miles, all of it land. The city lies in a valley flanked by the Great Smoky Mountains to the south and Chilhowee Mountain to the north. Its primary commercial and transportation artery is U.S. Route 441, known locally as the Parkway, which runs from Sevierville through Pigeon Forge and into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park at Gatlinburg.
Demographics
As of the 2020 United States Census, the city had a population of 6,343. The population density was approximately 488 people per square mile. The racial makeup was predominantly non-Hispanic White, with smaller populations of African American, Hispanic or Latino, and Asian residents. The city's permanent population is significantly overshadowed by its tourist visitation, which numbers in the millions annually. The United States Census Bureau designates the area as part of the Knoxville Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Economy and tourism
Tourism is the absolute cornerstone of the local economy, with the city functioning as a major entertainment hub. The flagship attraction is Dollywood, owned by Dolly Parton and Herschend Family Entertainment, which includes the Dollywood's Splash Country water park. Other major venues include the Country Tonite Theatre, the Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud, and Titanic Museum Attraction. The Parkway is lined with numerous attractions such as WonderWorks, The Island in Pigeon Forge, Alcatraz East Crime Museum, and Hollywood Wax Museum. The city also hosts numerous festivals and events, including Dollywood's Harvest Festival and Smoky Mountain Winterfest. Proximity to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park provides a base for outdoor recreational activities like hiking and fishing.
Government
Pigeon Forge operates under a Mayor–Council system. The city's legislative body is the Pigeon Forge City Commission, composed of five elected commissioners, including the mayor and vice mayor. The current mayor is David Wear. The city provides a full range of municipal services, including a Police Department, Fire Department, and public works. The city falls within Tennessee's 1st congressional district, represented in the United States House of Representatives by Diana Harshbarger.
Education
Public education in Pigeon Forge is administered by the Sevier County School System. The city is served by Pigeon Forge Primary School, Pigeon Forge Middle School, and Pigeon Forge High School. The high school's athletic teams, the Pigeon Forge Tigers, compete in the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association. Post-secondary educational opportunities are available nearby at Walters State Community College in Sevierville and the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. The Pigeon Forge Public Library is part of the Sevier County Public Library System.
Category:Cities in Tennessee Category:Sevier County, Tennessee Category:Populated places established in 1961