Shelbyville, Tennessee

Shelbyville, Tennessee is a city located in Bedford County, Tennessee, situated near the Duck River and surrounded by the Cumberland Plateau. The city is part of the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN Metropolitan Statistical Area and is close to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Shelbyville is also near the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration grounds, which hosts the annual Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration event, featuring Tennessee Walking Horse breeds. The city is home to the Shelbyville Municipal Airport and is accessible via U.S. Route 231 and Tennessee State Route 16.

Geography

Shelbyville is situated in the Central Time Zone and has a total area of approximately 18.6 square miles, with an elevation of around 850 feet above sea level. The city is surrounded by the Duck River Valley and is near the Normandy Reservoir and the Tims Ford Lake. The geography of the area is characterized by the presence of the Cumberland Plateau and the Highland Rim, which provide a diverse range of landscapes and ecosystems. The city is also close to the Fall Creek Falls State Park and the Edgar Evins State Park, which offer opportunities for outdoor recreation and nature conservation. Shelbyville is part of the Tennessee River watershed and is near the Cumberland River and the Tennessee River.

History

The area that is now Shelbyville was originally inhabited by the Cherokee Native American tribe and was later settled by European-American pioneers, including Daniel Boone and John Sevier. The city was founded in 1810 and was named after Isaac Shelby, a Governor of Kentucky and a War of 1812 veteran. During the American Civil War, Shelbyville was a key location for the Confederate States of America and was occupied by Union Army forces in 1863. The city is also home to the Shelbyville Historic District, which features several historic buildings, including the Bedford County Courthouse and the Shelbyville Railroad Museum. Shelbyville is near the Stones River National Battlefield and the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, which commemorate the Battle of Stones River and the Chickamauga Campaign.

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States Census, the population of Shelbyville was approximately 21,000 people, with a diverse range of ethnic and cultural backgrounds. The city has a mix of African American, European American, Hispanic and Latino American, and Asian American populations. Shelbyville is part of the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN Metropolitan Statistical Area and is close to the Murfreesboro, Tennessee and Franklin, Tennessee cities. The city is also near the Vanderbilt University and the Middle Tennessee State University, which provide educational and cultural opportunities for residents. Shelbyville is home to the Shelbyville Community Center and the Bedford County Public Library, which offer community programs and services.

Economy

The economy of Shelbyville is driven by a range of industries, including manufacturing, agriculture, and tourism. The city is home to several major employers, including the Shelbyville Manufacturing Company and the Calsonic Kansei automotive parts manufacturer. Shelbyville is also a key location for the Tennessee Walking Horse industry, with several horse farms and training facilities in the area. The city is close to the Nissan North America headquarters and the General Motors manufacturing plant in Spring Hill, Tennessee. Shelbyville is part of the Tennessee Valley Authority region and is near the Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation and the Duck River Electric Membership Corporation.

Education

Shelbyville is served by the Bedford County School System, which operates several schools in the area, including Shelbyville Central High School and Harris Middle School. The city is also home to the Motlow State Community College and the Tennessee College of Applied Technology, which provide post-secondary education and training opportunities. Shelbyville is near the University of Tennessee and the Tennessee State University, which offer a range of academic programs and research opportunities. The city is also close to the Vanderbilt University Medical Center and the Middle Tennessee State University College of Education, which provide medical and educational services.

Infrastructure

Shelbyville has a range of infrastructure facilities, including the Shelbyville Municipal Airport and the U.S. Route 231 and Tennessee State Route 16 highways. The city is also served by the CSX Transportation railroad and the Tennessee Southern Railroad. Shelbyville is part of the Tennessee Department of Transportation region and is near the Nashville International Airport and the Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport. The city is home to the Shelbyville Water and Sewer Department and the Bedford County Emergency Management Agency, which provide essential services and emergency response. Shelbyville is also close to the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region IV headquarters. Category: Cities in Tennessee