Grainger County, Tennessee

Grainger County is a located in the  of  known for its. Together with and  counties, it is part of the   which is, as of December 2005, considered a component of the Knoxville--, TN . As of 2000, the population was 20,659. The 2005 Census Estimate placed the population at 22,283. Its is.

History
Grainger County holds the distinction of being the only Tennessee county named for a woman, Mary Grainger Blount, the wife of Territorial Governor. The state legislature formed the county in 1796 from parts of Hawkins and Knox Counties, and it once included parts of Campbell, Claiborne, Hamblen, and Union Counties. The county seat was located in in North Grainger County, for some time before moving to  in 1801.

Nestled between the Holston and Clinch Rivers, Grainger County retains much of its rural nature. , the county seat, has a population approaching 2,500. Founded in 1798, the town was named in honor of General George Rutledge of Sullivan County. traces its origins to the 1700s, when it was known as Blaine's Crossroads because of its proximity to the residence of Robert Blaine. George Bean Sr., goldsmith, jeweler, and gun maker, settled Bean Station, the county's most recently chartered town (1997). served as a crossroads along the Old Kentucky Road and the New Orleans to Washington Road. These towns lie to the south of, which splits the county into two geographical sections. Communities north of the mountain include Thorn Hill,, and Powder Springs.

Agriculture still accounts for a significant portion of the county economy, with tobacco the major money crop, though cattle raising continues to make important gains. Grainger County tomatoes have become a national trademark.

Small businesses represented a second source of economic development. Grist mills, hatters, saddle makers, tailors, lawyers, and dry goods merchants supplied the necessities for isolated agricultural communities. Taverns such as the nationally renowned Bean Station Hotel along the New Orleans to Washington Road provided accommodations and refreshments to weary travelers.

By the late 1800s a tourism industry had developed around the mineral springs flowing from Clinch Mountain. The most famous, Tate's Springs, flourished until the. It included mineral baths and waters, an enormous hotel, cabins, and a golf course. The resort declined and closed following the Great Depression and a major fire. Today a gazebo is the most important reminder of its former grandeur. More recently, the 's construction of lakes on both sides of the county, to the south and  to the north, has revived the recreational industry. Fishing, camping, water sports, and development of lakefront property continue to contribute to the county's economy.

Grainger County's industrial growth has been limited. The Shields family operated Holston Paper Mill, one of the earliest local industries. The Knoxville and Bristol Railway, which once ran through the Richland Creek Valley, succumbed to flooding. The vegetable canneries of the 1910s closed after a tomato blight destroyed their primary produce. Locally owned Clinchdale Lumber Company logged the county's timber in the early part of the century. Later, timbering gave way to knitting mills and zinc mining. Black is quarried in Thorn Hill. In 1974 the county built an industrial park to spark economic growth with mixed results. Almost half the people of the county now travel to surrounding towns for employment. Overall, the county remains one of small businesses and agriculture, although a 1999 count identified 3,643 residents employed in the industrial sector.

During the a state of near-guerrilla warfare brought economic, political, and social chaos. A major skirmish occurred near Blaine around Christmas of 1862. A year later the battle of Bean's Station pitted the forces of Confederate General against a Union army under General  in a planned surprise attack that failed through the blunders of Longstreet's staff.

Grainger County claims a number of notable citizens. , pioneer Indian fighter and Knoxville merchant, was one of the county's first settlers. Several members of the Cocke family served in the state and national legislatures, including (1796-1801, 1807-13, 1843-45),  (1815-19),  (1813-15), and  (1855-57). Members of the Lea family associated with, founded a city in , surveyed the Iowa territory, and taught at the University of Tennessee. operated a tailor's shop in Rutledge. , successor to Governor, grew up in Grainger County, as did , a U.S. senator (1843-47). held posts as chief justice and U.S. senator (1913-25). His brother, Knoxville banker, provided the land for the University of Tennessee football stadium. served as U.S. minister to. achieved national recognition as a surgeon. became attorney general of Tennessee. was, and served as governor of.

Geography
Grainger County is bounded on the northwest by the (impounded by  to form Norris Lake) and on the southeast by the  (including ). According to the, the county has a total area of 783 (302 ). 726 km² (280 sq mi) of it is land and 57 km² (22 sq mi) of it (7.31%) is water. is a major geographic feature that effectively separates the county into a southern section (including Rutledge) and a northern section (including Washburn).

Adjacent Counties

 * and (northeast)
 * (east)
 * (south)
 * (southwest)
 * (west)
 * (northwest)

Demographics
As of the of 2000, there were 20,659 people, 8,270 households, and 6,161 families residing in the county. The was 28/km² (74/sq mi). There were 9,732 housing units at an average density of 13/km² (35/sq mi). The racial makeup of the county was 98.41%, 0.32% or , 0.15% , 0.09% , 0.02% , 0.40% from , and 0.61% from two or more races. 1.09% of the population were or  of any race.

There were 8,270 households out of which 31.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.90% were living together, 8.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.50% were non-families. 22.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 2.89.

In the county, the population was spread out with 22.90% under the age of 18, 8.20% from 18 to 24, 30.50% from 25 to 44, 25.80% from 45 to 64, and 12.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 99.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $27,997, and the median income for a family was $33,347. Males had a median income of $25,781 versus $19,410 for females. The for the county was $14,505. About 15.10% of families and 18.70% of the population were below the, including 22.40% of those under age 18 and 26.00% of those age 65 or over.