Blount County, Tennessee
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Blount County is a county located in the state of Tennessee. As of 2000, the population is 105,823. Its county seat is Maryville6.
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History
Before white settlers arrived, what is now Blount County was Cherokee land. In the late 1700s, white settlers of mainly Scottish and Irish decent began farming in the area. In 1795, Blount County became the tenth county created in Tennessee when the Territorial Legislature voted to split Knox County, Tennessee. The new county was named for Territorial Governor William Blount and its county seat, Maryville, was named for his wife Mary Grainger Blount.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,468 km² (567 mi²). 1,447 km² (559 mi²) of it is land and 21 km² (8 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 1.43% water. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park lies partially in Blount County's southeast corner. Foothills of the Appalachian Mountains make up most of Blount County's landscape. The Little River flows through Blount County and forms several man-made lakes created by the Tennessee Valley Authority.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 105,823 people, 42,667 households, and 30,634 families residing in the county. The population density is 73/km² (190/mi²). There are 47,059 housing units at an average density of 33/km² (84/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 94.73% White, 2.91% Black or African American, 0.29% Native American, 0.72% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.34% from other races, and 0.99% from two or more races. 1.06% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 42,667 households out of which 30.50% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.40% are married couples living together, 10.00% have a female householder with no husband present, and 28.20% are non-families. 24.40% of all households are made up of individuals and 9.50% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.43 and the average family size is 2.88.
In the county, the population is spread out with 22.80% under the age of 18, 8.30% from 18 to 24, 29.40% from 25 to 44, 25.40% from 45 to 64, and 14.10% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 38 years. For every 100 females there are 93.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 90.80 males.
The median income for a household in the county is $37,862, and the median income for a family is $45,038. Males have a median income of $31,877 versus $23,007 for females. The per capita income for the county is $19,416. 9.70% of the population and 7.30% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 12.30% of those under the age of 18 and 9.10% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Cities and towns
