| County: | Hamblen County |
| State: | Tennessee |
| Motto: | Service, Community, Industry |
| Founded: | 1870 |
| Named For: | Hezekiah Hamblen[1] |
| Seat Wl: | Morristown |
| Largest City Wl: | Morristown |
| Area Total Sq Mi: | 176 |
| Area Land Sq Mi: | 161 |
| Area Water Sq Mi: | 15 |
| Area Percentage: | 8.3% |
| Census Yr: | 2020 |
| Pop: | 64499 |
| Density Sq Mi: | 400.61 |
| Time Zone: | Eastern |
| Web: | www.hamblencountytn.gov |
| Ex Image: | Hamblen-county-courthouse-tn1.jpg |
| Ex Image Cap: | Hamblen County Courthouse in Morristown |
| District: | 1st |
| Leader Name: | Bill Brittain[2] (R)[3] |
Hamblen County is a county located in the U.S. state of Tennessee. As of the 2020 census, the population was 64,499.[4] Its county seat and only incorporated city is Morristown.[5] Hamblen County is the core county of the Morristown, Tennessee Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes Hamblen, Jefferson, and Grainger counties. The county and the Morristown MSA are included in the Knoxville-Morristown-Sevierville, TN Combined Statistical Area.[6]
Hamblen County was created in 1870 from parts of Jefferson, Grainger, and Hawkins counties. The county is named in honor of Hezekiah Hamblen (1775 - 1854),[7] an early settler, landowner, attorney, and member of the Hawkins County Court for many years. Governor Dewitt Clinton Senter, a resident of the county, used his influence to assist in its establishment.[8] The Hamblen County Courthouse was completed in 1874.
During World War I, Hamblen County was the only county in the United States to have two Medal of Honor recipients. Edward R. Talley and Calvin Ward both earned them while fighting on the Western Front.[9]
During World War II, the attack transport naval ship USS Hamblen was named after the county.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of, of which is land and (8.3%) is water.[10] It is the third-smallest county in Tennessee by land area and fourth-smallest by total area.
The main source of water on Hamblen County is the man-made Cherokee Lake. Cherokee Lake was created during WWII as part of the TVA hydroelectric project. The lake is fed by multiple sources, including a series of natural creeks and runoff waters. The lake begins with its first source at Poor Valley Creek in Hawkins County, extends through neighboring Grainger County and then Hamblen County. Cherokee Lake then ends with Cherokee Dam where the water is drained into the Holston River. In total, Cherokee Lake has 28,780 acres of surface area and extends for 400 miles of shoreline, though only a portion of this resides in Hamblen County.[11]
| Number | Percentage | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| White (non-Hispanic) | 49,197 | 76.28% | |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 1,605 | 5.27% | |
| Native American | 130 | 0.2% | |
| Asian | 712 | 1.1% | |
| Pacific Islander | 268 | 0.42% | |
| Other/mixed | 2,603 | 4.04% | |
| Hispanic or Latino | 9,483 | 14.7% |
As of the census[12] of 2010, there were 62,544 people, 29,693 households, and 17,161 families residing in the county. The population density was 388/mi2. There were 24,560 housing units at an average density of 153adj=preNaNadj=pre. The racial makeup of the county was 91.74% White, 4.22% African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.70% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, and 1.42% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origins constituted 10.73% of the population.
There were 24,560 households, out of which 28.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.3% were married couples living together, 13.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.1% were non-families. 25.70% of all households were made up of individuals living alone, and 11.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 2.98.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.30% under the age of 20, 5.7% from 20 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 26.7% from 45 to 64, and 15.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.6 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.30 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $39,807, and the median income for a family was $48,353. Males had a median income of $36,166 versus $27,094 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,162. 17.7% of the population and 13.2% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 15.7% are under the age of 65 and 19.3% are 65 or older.
Hamblen County's economic development in recent decades has been phenomenal. Several large industrial parks on the eastern, western, and southern parts of the county are home to manufacturing facilities for regionally, nationally, and internationally based corporations.[13]
The Hamblen County government consists of 26 elected officials, twelve appointed officials, and the staffing and offices therein. In addition to these offices, the county also houses a liaison office with the University of Tennessee for its Agricultural Extension office.[14] [15]
The Hamblen County Department of Education has two high schools, four middle schools, eleven elementary/intermediate schools, and one alternative-placement school. The Tennessee Board of Regents also has a community college located in Morristown, as well as a technical college for vocational training. Hamblen County's department of education's current mission statement, as of the 2019–2020 school year, is, "The mission of Hamblen County Department of Education is to educate students so they can be challenged to successfully compete in their chosen fields."[25] The current superintendent of Hamblen County Schools is Arnold Bunch[26] As of the 2019–2020 school year, Hamblen County Department of Education has 10,424 students enrolled.[27]
Lakeway Christian Schools is a private school system that contains three schools in Hamblen County. Cornerstone Christian Academy enrolls students from grades PreK through 5. Lakeway Christian Academy enrolls students from grades 6 through 12. Tri-Cities Cristian Academy enrolls students from grades 9 through 12.[28] The current mission statement is, "Partnering with families to provide a Christ-centered and academically challenging education, equipping students with a biblical worldview and a heart for Christ, that they may grow in wisdom, stature and in favor with God and man."[29] [30]
All Saints' Episcopal School was founded in 1967 as a preschool. In 1985, the school was expanded to include first grade. Since then, the school has further expanded (completion in 1992) to enroll students from PreK to 8th grade.[31]
Faith Christian Academy enrolls students from grades 1 through 12.[32]
Morristown Covenant Academy was founded in 1985 and enrolls students in grades Kindergarten through 12. In their high school educational program, students can choose an educational path for general education, college/university readiness, or vocational readiness.[33] The Morristown Covenant Academy also houses a day care and PreK program.[34]
Like almost all of East Tennessee, Hamblen County has long voted overwhelmingly Republican, starting with its powerful Unionist sentiment during the Civil War. The last Democratic candidate to carry the county was Jimmy Carter in 1976.