Tipton County, Tennessee

Tipton County is a county located on the western end of the U.S. state of Tennessee, in the Mississippi Delta region. As of the 2010 census, the population was 61,081.[2] Its county seat is Covington.[3]

Tipton County
U.S. county
Tipton County Courthouse in Covington
Location within the U.S. state of Tennessee
Tennessee's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 35°29′N 89°46′W
Country United States
State Tennessee
FoundedOct. 29, 1823
Named forJacob Tipton, 18th-century soldier[1]
SeatCovington
Largest cityCovington
Area
 • Total473 sq mi (1,230 km2)
 • Land458 sq mi (1,190 km2)
 • Water15 sq mi (40 km2)  3.2%%
Population
 • Estimate 
(2018)
61,581
 • Density133/sq mi (51/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district8th
Websitewww.tiptonco.com

Tipton County is part of the Memphis, TN-MS-AR Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Indian cultures
The Tipton Phase and some of its associated sites

From about 10,000 BCE, Paleo-Indians and later Archaic-Indians lived as communities of hunter-gatherers in the area that covers the modern day southern United States.[4][5] From approximately 800 CE to 1600 CE, the Mississippi Delta was populated by tribes of the Mississippian culture, a mound-building Native American people who had developed in the late Woodland Indian period.[5][6] While there were chiefdoms and centers along the Mississippi and its tributaries, their major center was at Cahokia, in present-day Illinois east of St. Louis, Missouri.

The Tipton Phase people were a local expression of the Mississippian culture. They still inhabited the region of modern-day Tipton County during the time of first contact with Europeans, at the arrival of the Spanish Hernando de Soto Expedition. By the end of the Mississippian period, the land was claimed and populated by the Chickasaw tribe.[7] The exact origins of the Chickasaw are uncertain.[8]

Around 1800, Europeans began settling the Chickasaw-inhabited lands east of the Mississippi River. Chickasaw land in what became known as West Tennessee and southwestern Kentucky was ceded in the Jackson Purchase. Both states grew considerably as a result of this purchase.[9] In 1818, both sides agreed to the transfer by signing the Treaty of Tuscaloosa.[10] The Chickasaw were to be paid annuities for 15 years, but the United States was often late with payment, or forced the people to take the value in goods. These were often delayed or were of poor quality.

1811 and 1812 earthquakes

Due to topographic changes caused by the 1811–12 New Madrid earthquakes, part of what is now Tipton County was cut off from the state of Tennessee by a change in the course of the Mississippi River. The earthquake changed the course of the river near the settlement of Reverie, Tennessee. The old riverbed is west of Reverie. The river now runs east of Reverie, putting Reverie on the Arkansas side, while most of the area of Tipton County is located east of the river, on the Tennessee side.[11]

Establishment

Tipton County attracted American settlers who established cotton plantations on its fertile soils and either brought or purchased enslaved African Americans as field laborers and house servants. This area was part of the cotton culture associated with the Mississippi Delta, which extended down to the Yazoo River in Mississippi. With the increase in population, the county was established on October 29, 1823 from parts of Shelby County, which borders Tipton County in the south. The land was former Chickasaw Indian territory. The county was named for Jacob Tipton (1765–1791), whose direct ancestor allegedly was Sir Anthony de Tipton, who in 1282, is said to have slain the Prince of Wales at the Battle of Snowdon. Jacob's father, who was from Armistead Blevins, supervised the organization of Shelby County. Jacob Tipton was killed by Native Americans in 1791 during the conflict over the Northwest Territory.[1] Jacob Tipton was the son of John Tipton, a rival of John Sevier during Tennessee's State of Franklin period.[12]

19th century

Early Mississippi River steamboat commerce flourished in Tipton County. In 1830, the community of Randolph, one of the earliest settlements in Tipton County, was the most important shipping point in Tennessee and an early rival of Memphis for commercial supremacy. But its fortunes declined in later years.[13] Riverboat traffic gradually yielded to freight being shipped by railroad. The first rail service in Tipton County was established in December 1855, when the Memphis and Ohio Railroad completed the route from Memphis to Nashville, running through what is now Mason.

Union fleet passing Fort Randolph (1865)

Two Civil War forts, Fort Randolph and Fort Wright, were built near the settlement because of its strategic location on the second Chickasaw Bluff of the Mississippi River.[14][15]

Following the Civil War, investment in infrastructure was renewed, and the Memphis and Paducah Railroad completed the tracks to Covington in July 1873. A telegraph line between Memphis and Covington was opened in 1882. In 1894, Covington was connected to electricity. Forced water mains have provided residents of Covington with water since 1898. In 1922, street paving began in the county seat. Since 1929, residents of Covington have had access to natural gas.[16]

In the South Main Historic District in Covington, about 50 residences from the late 19th century and the early 20th century are still intact.[16] The district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Geography
Cotton field in rural Tipton County, 2013

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 473 square miles (1,230 km2), of which 458 square miles (1,190 km2) is land and 15 square miles (39 km2) (3.2%) is water.[17]

The major north–south route, U.S. Highway 51, bisects Tipton County and passes through Covington. The western boundary of Tipton County is the Mississippi River, separating Tennessee and Arkansas. As the river's course was altered in several places by the 1812 New Madrid earthquake, the official boundary still follows the old alignment of the river. As a result, a few of Tipton County's communities — including Reverie and Corona — became stranded on the Arkansas mainland side of the river, rather than the Tennessee side.

Tipton County is situated on the southeastern edge of the New Madrid Seismic Zone, an area with a high earthquake risk.

Adjacent counties

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
18305,317—
18406,80027.9%
18508,88730.7%
186010,70520.5%
187014,88439.0%
188021,03341.3%
189024,27115.4%
190029,27320.6%
191029,4590.6%
192030,2582.7%
193027,498−9.1%
194028,0362.0%
195029,7826.2%
196028,564−4.1%
197028,001−2.0%
198032,93017.6%
199037,56814.1%
200051,27136.5%
201061,08119.1%
2018 (est.)61,581[18]0.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[19]
1790-1960[20] 1900-1990[21]
1990-2000[22] 2010-2014[2]
Age pyramid Tipton County[23]

As of the 2010 United States Census,[24] there were 61,081 people, 21,617 households, and 16,562 families residing in the county. The population density was 133.36 persons per square mile and the housing unit density was 47.20 units per square mile. The racial makeup of the county was 77.77% White, 18.74% Black or African American, 0.60% Asian, 0.41% Native American, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 0.75% from other races, and 1.64% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origins were 2.08% of the population.

As of the census[25] of 2000, there were 51,271 people, 18,106 households, and 14,176 families residing in the county. The population density was 112 people per square mile (43/km2). There were 19,064 housing units at an average density of 42 per square mile (16/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 77.86% White, 19.90% Black or African American, 0.38% Native American, 0.37% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.38% from other races, and 1.04% from two or more races. 1.21% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 18,106 households, out of which 39.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.20% were married couples living together, 13.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.70% were non-families. 18.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.78 and the average family size was 3.17.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 29.30% under the age of 18, 8.60% from 18 to 24, 30.40% from 25 to 44, 21.80% from 45 to 64, and 9.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 97.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $41,856, and the median income for a family was $46,807. Males had a median income of $35,611 versus $23,559 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,952. About 10.30% of families and 12.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.30% of those under age 18 and 17.70% of those age 65 or over.

In 2006, according to the U.S. Census Bureau population estimate, 57,380 people resided in 22,551 housing units in Tipton County. In comparison to a population of 51,271 in the year 2000, the county population increased by 11.9% in six years. 50.7% of the population in 2006 was female, 49.3% was male. Of the population in 2006, 79.2% were White, 18.8% were Black, .4% were of Native American or Alaska Native race and 1.6% were of another ethnicity.[26]

Parks and recreation
Welcome sign at the county border
Cannon in front of the Nature Center and Veteran's Memorial in Covington. Marker in the background shows Nathan Bedford Forrest's last speech. (2007)

Tipton County Museum

The Tipton County Museum is located in Covington. The museum houses various history exhibits featuring artifacts from Tipton County's rich heritage and a nature center depicting the unique ecosystem of West Tennessee. Taxidermies of local species and mastodon bone fragments give insight into the natural history. Adjacent to the museum, a 20-acre (8.1 ha) park with a .5-mile (800 m) walking trail can be found. Natural woodland and man-made wetlands are the sites for a few smaller local species, such as turtles and birds. The Veterans Memorial in front of the museum commemorates the soldiers from the county who lost their lives in wars.[16][27]

County parks

The county's parks include:[16]

Munford

  • Centennial Park - Walking Track, 5 Baseball/Softball Fields, Picnic Area, Concessions, Restrooms, Covered Playground, Media Room
  • City Park - Gazebo, Walking Track, Playground, Open Space
  • Poplar Park - Football Field, 2 Tennis Courts, Restrooms, Concessions Stand, Covered Picnic Areas, Gazebo, Playground, Open Practice Area, Skate Park
  • Valentine Park - 2 Playgrounds, Picnic Pavilion, Restroom Facilities, Soccer Fields, 2 18 Hole DISC Golf Course, Stocked Lake, Nature Trail
  • Hope Park - Walking Track, Outdoor Fitness Equipment, Pavilion [28]

Atoka

  • Adkison Park - a 1/8 mile asphalt walking track, a small playground feature, benches and picnic tables, "The Bobby McDill Scout Hut - the home base of Boy Scout Troop 60 - is located within the park."
  • Nancy Lane Park - 18 hole disc golf course, 4-diamond softball complex with concession stand, 1 playground, nature trail
  • Pioneer Park - fishing pond, fountain, playerground, 1/3 mile walking track
  • Walker Park - Concession stand, splash pad, lighted athletic field, sand volleyball courts, playground, 1.15 mile walking track[29]

Covington

  • Shelton Park - a 1-acre (0.40 ha) landscaped garden park with gazebo and picnic tables.
  • Patriot Park - opened in 2004; its centerpiece is an A-4 Skyhawk attack bomber.
  • Cobb Parr Memorial Park - Large playground, Tipton County Bar-B-Q Festival is held here annually
  • Frazier Park - a 10-acre (4.0 ha) park with a .5-mile (800 m) fitness trail, playgrounds and ballfields.[30]

Communities
Civil War exhibit in the Tipton County Museum (2008)

Tipton county is composed of 12 communities, four of which are unincorporated communities.[31]

Cities

Towns

Unincorporated communities

Politics
Presidential election results
Presidential Elections Results[32]
Year Republican Democratic Third Parties
2016 72.0% 16,910 24.6% 5,785 3.4% 786
2012 69.2% 16,672 29.6% 7,133 1.2% 276
2008 67.8% 17,165 31.3% 7,931 0.9% 220
2004 65.4% 14,178 34.0% 7,379 0.6% 120
2000 60.8% 10,070 38.1% 6,300 1.1% 182
1996 50.4% 7,585 43.8% 6,596 5.8% 870
1992 49.3% 6,757 41.2% 5,652 9.5% 1,308
1988 61.0% 6,052 38.6% 3,824 0.4% 42
1984 60.2% 5,945 39.5% 3,895 0.3% 34
1980 46.2% 4,339 52.5% 4,934 1.4% 128
1976 36.7% 3,329 62.5% 5,667 0.8% 76
1972 71.5% 5,542 23.9% 1,853 4.6% 354
1968 16.9% 1,422 24.6% 2,071 58.6% 4,943
1964 44.6% 3,073 55.4% 3,821
1960 30.9% 1,829 65.1% 3,853 4.0% 235
1956 16.3% 983 79.9% 4,828 3.9% 234
1952 19.5% 1,312 79.7% 5,351 0.8% 53
1948 4.5% 209 65.5% 3,066 30.0% 1,406
1944 7.1% 310 92.8% 4,046 0.1% 4
1940 4.7% 288 95.1% 5,815 0.2% 10
1936 2.4% 116 97.6% 4,683
1932 5.0% 154 94.2% 2,892 0.8% 23
1928 18.3% 425 81.1% 1,889 0.6% 15
1924 10.0% 218 88.1% 1,917 1.9% 42
1920 24.0% 906 74.6% 2,816 1.4% 54
1916 11.8% 281 85.5% 2,035 2.7% 65
1912 31.6% 564 55.3% 987 13.1% 234

See also

References
  1. Angela Wallace Finley, "Tipton County," Tennessee Encyclopedia of History and Culture, 2009. Retrieved: 9 February 2013.
  2. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 7, 2013.
  3. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  4. Guy Prentice (2003). "Pushmataha, Choctaw Indian Chief". Southeast Chronicles. Retrieved 2008-02-11.
  5. Smith, Gerald P. (1996). "The Mississippi River Drainage of Western Tennessee". In Charles H. McNutt (ed.). Prehistory of the Central Mississippi Valley. University of Alabama Press. pp. 97–118. ISBN 0-8173-0807-5.
  6. "History & Archaeology: Mississippian Period: Overview". The New Georgia Encyclopedia. 2002-10-03. Retrieved 10 December 2008.
  7. Smith, Gerald P. (1990). "The Walls Phase and its Neighbors". In David H. Dye; Sheryl Ann Cox (eds.). Towns and Temples Along the Mississippi. University of Alabama Press. pp. 135–169. ISBN 0-8173-0455-X.
  8. Cushman, Horatio (1899). "Choctaw, Chickasaw, and Natchez". History of the Choctaw, Chickasaw and Natchez Indians. Norman, Oklahoma: University of Oklahoma Press. pp. 18–19. ISBN 0-8061-3127-6.
  9. "Jackson Purchase". excerpt from The Kentucky Encyclopedia edited by John E. Kleber. 1992. Archived from the original on 2008-10-06. Retrieved 2008-10-24.
  10. "Treaties". Tennessee Encyclopedia of History and Culture. Retrieved 9 February 2013.
  11. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2010-07-06. Retrieved 2010-04-20.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) www.tnhistoryforkids.org
  12. Als Colonel John Tipton: Sons. Retrieved: 18 April 2013.
  13. Tennessee Historical Markers (8th ed.). Tennessee Historical Commission. 1996. ISBN 0-87402-021-2.
  14. "TN Encyclopedia: Fort Wright". The Tennessee Encyclopedia of History and Culture. Retrieved 9 February 2013.
  15. Foote, A. H. (March 5, 1862). "The Evacuation of Columbus. The Town Reduced to a Heap of Ruins by the Rebels. Their Retreat to Fort Randolph (...) - (Dispatch from Flag-Officer Foote)" (PDF). The New York Times. Retrieved 10 January 2009.
  16. Covington-Tipton County Community Guide. Covington, Tennessee: Tipton County Chamber of Commerce. 2005.
  17. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved April 14, 2015.
  18. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved July 20, 2019.
  19. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 14, 2015.
  20. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved April 14, 2015.
  21. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 14, 2015.
  22. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved April 14, 2015.
  23. Based on 2000 census data
  24. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2020-03-20.
  25. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2011-05-14.
  26. "Tipton County QuickFacts from the U.S. Census Bureau". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-10-04.
  27. "Tipton County Museum". Tipton County. Archived from the original on June 14, 2007. Retrieved 2008-10-04.CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  28. http://www.munford.com/departments/parks_and_recreation/city_parks.php
  29. https://www.townofatoka.com/pview.aspx?id=2612&catID=29
  30. http://www.covingtontn.com/parks.html
  31. https://www.tiptonco.com/document_center/ec_ELECTED_AND_APPOINTED_OFFICIALS.pdf
  32. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved 2018-03-12.

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