Sneedville, Tennessee facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sneedville
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Main Street (TN-33) in Sneedville
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| Nickname(s):
Overhome
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Location of Sneedville in Hancock County, Tennessee.
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| Country | United States |
| State | Tennessee |
| County | Hancock |
| Settled | 1790s |
| Incorporated | 1850 |
| Named for | William Henry Sneed |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor-council |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.30 sq mi (5.95 km2) |
| • Land | 2.30 sq mi (5.95 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,171 ft (357 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,282 |
| • Density | 558.12/sq mi (215.50/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
37869
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| Area code(s) | 423 |
| FIPS code | 47-69460 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1303706 |
Sneedville is the only city in and the county seat of Hancock County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 1,282 per the 2020 census.
Contents
History
Settlement began in the 1790s, following the American Revolutionary War, as migrants moved into the area from the Piedmont frontiers of Virginia and North Carolina. Such migrants had formed families in colonial Virginia. Among them was a multi-racial group of settlers who became known as Melungeons. They have been documented as having primarily European and sub-Saharan African ancestry. They also have a lesser amount of Native American heritage.
The county historical society asserts that French traders noted encountering the Melungeons in the late 1600s in the area that is now east Tennessee. Such early settlement is not supported by the research of Edward Price, a cultural geographer who wrote a 1950 dissertation on the Melungeons; Dr. Virginia DeMarce, a professional genealogist; and Paul Heinegg, a genealogist; each of whom has documented the migration of ancestors of the first families known as Melungeon from Virginia and North Carolina in the late eighteenth century
When Hancock County was formed from parts of Hawkins and Claiborne counties in the 1840s, Greasy Rock was chosen as the county seat. The city was renamed in honor of William Henry Sneed (1812–1869), a Confederate and attorney from Knoxville who helped legally defend the new county when several residents sued in an attempt to block its creation.
Geography
Sneedville is located at 36°31′55″N 83°12′51″W / 36.53194°N 83.21417°W (36.532062, -83.214140).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.3 square miles (6.0 km2), all land. The Clinch River passes within the city limits.
Climate
According to the Köppen climate classification, Sneedville has a humid subtropical climate, typical for Tennessee. The plant hardiness zone is 6b.
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1870 | 177 | — | |
| 1880 | 157 | −11.3% | |
| 1890 | 156 | −0.6% | |
| 1960 | 799 | — | |
| 1970 | 874 | 9.4% | |
| 1980 | 1,110 | 27.0% | |
| 1990 | 1,446 | 30.3% | |
| 2000 | 1,257 | −13.1% | |
| 2010 | 1,387 | 10.3% | |
| 2020 | 1,282 | −7.6% | |
| Sources: | |||
2020 census
| Race | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White (non-Hispanic) | 1,199 | 93.53% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 18 | 1.4% |
| Native American | 11 | 0.86% |
| Asian | 1 | 0.08% |
| Other/Mixed | 44 | 3.43% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 9 | 0.7% |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,282 people, 573 households, and 369 families residing in the town.
2010 census
As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 1,387 people living in the city. 97.4% were White, 0.6% Black or African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.1% Asian and 1.7% of two or more races. 0.3% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race).
Arts and culture
The Hancock County Tennessee Historical and Genealogical Society is a non-profit organization located in the Old County Jail. The organization provides access to archival material related to the community and maintains a small museum displaying aspects of traditional mountain life, such as was practiced by the Melungeons. They publish a bi-yearly newsletter called Our Mountain Heritage for members of the society.
Education
There is one school district in the county, Hancock County School District.
Schools in Sneedville include Hancock County Middle/High School and Hancock County Elementary School.
Infrastructure
Hancock County Hospital, which opened in 2005, is located in Sneedville.
Notable people
- Doyle Lawson — musician, lived in Sneedville as a child
- Jimmy Martin — musician; born in Sneedville, dubbed "King of Bluegrass" and inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Honor
- Morgan Wallen — multi-platinum country music artist
See also
In Spanish: Sneedville para niños
