Haywood County, Tennessee | |
|---|---|
 Haywood County Courthouse | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofTennessee | |
| Coordinates:35°35′N89°17′W / 35.58°N 89.29°W /35.58; -89.29 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Tennessee |
| Founded | 1823 |
| Named after | John Haywood[1] |
| Seat | Brownsville |
| Largest city | Brownsville |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | David Livingston |
| Area | |
• Total | 534 sq mi (1,380 km2) |
| • Land | 533 sq mi (1,380 km2) |
| • Water | 0.9 sq mi (2.3 km2) 0.2% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 17,864 |
• Estimate (2024)[2] | 17,097 |
| • Density | 33.5/sq mi (12.9/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Congressional district | 8th |
| Website | https://haywoodtn.gov/ |
Haywood County is acounty located in the U.S. state ofTennessee, in the region known asWest Tennessee. As of the2020 census, the population was 17,864. Itscounty seat and largest city isBrownsville.[3] It is one of only two remaining counties in Tennessee, along withShelby County, with a majorityAfrican-American population.
Haywood County was created from part ofMadison County in 1823–24, and was named for Tennessee judge and historianJohn Haywood. The state legislature designated Brownsville as the county seat.[4] Haywood County was later reduced in size, both in 1835 when a western portion was ceded to help formLauderdale County, and in 1870 when all Haywood County territory north of theForked Deer River, save one small district, was given to the newly formedCrockett County.[5]
For much of the county's history, agriculture, primarilycotton production, was the basis of the local economy, as it was throughout western Tennessee. Before theCivil War, this was accomplished by aplantation system based on the use ofenslaved African-American workers.
AfterEmancipation in 1865, many planters hiredfreedmen astenant farmers andsharecroppers to produce the still-important cotton crops.[6] The largely rural county continues to have a majority-black population.
Whites lynched three African-Americans in the county, most at the county seat of Brownsville, in the period following Reconstruction and into the early 20th century.[7]
On June 20, 1940,Elbert Williams, an African-American, was murdered in Brownsville for "attempting to qualify to vote" and "an interest in Negro affairs." His body was thrown into theHatchie River, and was later recovered.[8] He had organized a local chapter of theNAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People). He was the last recorded lynching victim in the state.[9] Like other southern states, Tennessee had raised voter registration barriers at the turn of the century todisenfranchise blacks.
According to theU.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 534 square miles (1,380 km2), of which 533 square miles (1,380 km2) is land and 0.9 square miles (2.3 km2) (0.2%) is water.[10]
Haywood County is situated on the southeastern edge of theNew Madrid Seismic Zone, an area with a high earthquake risk.
Since 1940, the county population has generally declined. Many Black Americans left after confrontations and the murder of Elbert Williams in 1940 related to Black attempts to register to vote. In addition, mechanization of agriculture reduced the need for farm workers, and other African-Americans left as part of the second wave of theGreat Migration.[citation needed]
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1830 | 5,334 | — | |
| 1840 | 13,870 | 160.0% | |
| 1850 | 17,259 | 24.4% | |
| 1860 | 19,232 | 11.4% | |
| 1870 | 25,094 | 30.5% | |
| 1880 | 26,053 | 3.8% | |
| 1890 | 23,558 | −9.6% | |
| 1900 | 25,189 | 6.9% | |
| 1910 | 25,910 | 2.9% | |
| 1920 | 25,386 | −2.0% | |
| 1930 | 26,063 | 2.7% | |
| 1940 | 27,699 | 6.3% | |
| 1950 | 26,212 | −5.4% | |
| 1960 | 23,393 | −10.8% | |
| 1970 | 19,596 | −16.2% | |
| 1980 | 20,318 | 3.7% | |
| 1990 | 19,437 | −4.3% | |
| 2000 | 19,797 | 1.9% | |
| 2010 | 18,787 | −5.1% | |
| 2020 | 17,864 | −4.9% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 17,097 | [11] | −4.3% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[12] 1790–1960[13] 1900–1990[14] 1990–2000[15] 2010–2014[16] | |||
| Race / Ethnicity(NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000[17] | Pop 2010[18] | Pop 2020[19] | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 9,088 | 8,419 | 7,554 | 45.91% | 44.81% | 42.29% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 10,066 | 9,431 | 8,993 | 50.85% | 50.20% | 50.34% |
| Native American orAlaska Native alone (NH) | 18 | 25 | 33 | 0.09% | 0.13% | 0.18% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 18 | 21 | 26 | 0.09% | 0.11% | 0.15% |
| Native Hawaiian orPacific Islander alone (NH) | 3 | 0 | 6 | 0.02% | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 3 | 21 | 56 | 0.02% | 0.11% | 0.31% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 77 | 147 | 358 | 0.39% | 0.78% | 2.00% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 524 | 723 | 838 | 2.65% | 3.85% | 4.69% |
| Total | 19,797 | 18,787 | 17,764 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of the2020 census, there were 17,864 people and 7,424 households in the county, of which 4,727 were families. The median age was 42.8 years.[20]
22.5% of residents were under the age of 18 and 19.5% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 87.7 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 84.9 males.[20]
The racial makeup of the county was 43.1%White, 50.6%Black or African American, 0.3%American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%Asian, 0.1%Native Hawaiian andPacific Islander, 2.9% from some other race, and 2.9% fromtwo or more races.Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 4.7% of the population.[21]
53.9% of residents lived in urban areas, while 46.1% lived in rural areas.[22]
There were 7,424 households in the county, of which 29.5% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 38.0% were married-couple households, 19.3% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 37.6% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 30.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[20]
There were 8,240 housing units, of which 9.9% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 61.0% were owner-occupied and 39.0% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.6% and the rental vacancy rate was 8.4%.[20]
As of the2010 United States census, 18,787 people were living in the county. 50.4% wereBlack or African American, 45.9%White, 0.2% Native American, 0.1%Asian, 2.5% of some other race, and 0.9%of two or more races. 3.8% wereHispanic or Latino of any race.
As of the census[23] of 2000, there were 19,797 people, 7,558 households, and 5,419 families living in the county. The population density was 37 people per square mile (14 people/km2). There were 8,086 housing units at an average density of 15 units per square mile (5.8/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 51.05%Black orAfrican American, 46.73%White, 0.12%Native American, 0.09%Asian, 0.05%Pacific Islander, 1.38% fromother races, and 0.58% from two or more races. 2.65% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race. Haywood and Shelby Counties are the only counties in Tennessee with a black majority.
There were 7,558 households, out of which 33.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.80% were married couples living together, 22.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.30% were non-families. 25.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.09.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 27.20% under the age of 18, 9.80% from 18 to 24, 27.30% from 25 to 44, 21.90% from 45 to 64, and 13.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.40 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $27,671, and the median income for a family was $32,597. Males had a median income of $27,333 versus $21,361 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,669. About 16.30% of families and 19.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.00% of those under age 18 and 25.70% of those age 65 or over.
The largest industry in Haywood County is agriculture. Haywood County grows more cotton than any other county in Tennessee and produced 189,000 bales in 2003 on 103,000 acres (420 km2). Soybeans were the county's secondary crop, followed by corn. Agriculture and other related businesses contributed more than $130 million to the Haywood County economy in 2004. By 2017, grains, oilseeds, drybeans, drypeas and tobacco drew the most income, but Haywood County still grew the most cotton in the state.[24]
In 2009, under the leadership of Tennessee GovernorPhil Bredesen and Haywood County Mayor Franklin Smith, a 3,836-acre (1,552 ha) tract in southwestern Haywood County near Stanton was designated for a state-supported industrial megasite, intended for a large-scale industrial or business development such as an automobile assembly plant. In September 2009, Tennessee's State Building Commission authorized spending of $40 million for purchase of the land.[25] On September 27, 2021, it was announced thatFord andSK Innovation would construct a complex at the megasite called "Blue Oval City" to manufactureelectric vehicles andbatteries. The facility, which is expected to be operational in 2025, will cost approximately $5.6 billion, making it the most expensive single investment in state history, and employ approximately 5,700.[26][27]
One of Haywood County's most notable residents wasSleepy John Estes, ablues guitarist songwriter and vocalist. Born in 1899 or 1900 inRipley, Tennessee, he lived most of his life in Brownsville.[28] He died on June 5, 1977, in Brownsville.[29][30][31] Sleepy John is buried at Elam Baptist Church Cemetery inDurhamville,Lauderdale County.[31]
Other notable county residents include:
Haywood County has recently been recognized as competitive county politically. The county has been depopulating, similar to some other ruralBlack Belt counties.[32] In most presidential elections, Haywood has supportedDemocratic candidates. In 2024, however, DemocratKamala Harris defeatedDonald Trump by just 25 votes. This was the smallest margin of victory by a Democrat in the county since the 1972 landslide reelection ofRichard Nixon, the last time a Republican carried Haywood County.
Republicans have gained more momentum in the county in recent years, with them electing county mayor David Livingston in 2018 and re-electing him in 2022. He had a high-profile endorsement from Republican U.S. SenatorMarsha Blackburn.[33][34] RepublicanGovernorBill Lee won the county in his2022 re-election bid and Marsha Blackburn won the county in her2024 re-election bid as well.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonpartisan | David Livingston | 1,801 | 39.34% | |
| Nonpartisan | Clinton Neal | 1,211 | 26.45% | |
| Nonpartisan | Sheronda Green | 1,079 | 23.57% | |
| Nonpartisan | Angella Palmer-Banks | 415 | 9.07% | |
| Nonpartisan | Chris Chapman | 72 | 1.57% | |
| Total votes | 4,578 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonpartisan | David Livingston (Incumbent) | 1,483 | 44.02% | |
| Nonpartisan | Joe Stephens | 1,324 | 39.30% | |
| Nonpartisan | Cheryl Cole | 562 | 16.68% | |
| Total votes | 3,369 | 100.00% | ||
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1912 | 34 | 2.79% | 1,069 | 87.69% | 116 | 9.52% |
| 1916 | 61 | 3.49% | 1,677 | 95.88% | 11 | 0.63% |
| 1920 | 101 | 4.64% | 2,068 | 95.04% | 7 | 0.32% |
| 1924 | 60 | 3.08% | 1,872 | 96.15% | 15 | 0.77% |
| 1928 | 178 | 8.08% | 2,024 | 91.92% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1932 | 77 | 4.09% | 1,788 | 95.01% | 17 | 0.90% |
| 1936 | 29 | 1.65% | 1,725 | 98.23% | 2 | 0.11% |
| 1940 | 128 | 3.56% | 3,466 | 96.33% | 4 | 0.11% |
| 1944 | 208 | 7.61% | 2,525 | 92.36% | 1 | 0.04% |
| 1948 | 148 | 6.95% | 1,050 | 49.32% | 931 | 43.73% |
| 1952 | 940 | 27.80% | 2,432 | 71.93% | 9 | 0.27% |
| 1956 | 516 | 17.04% | 2,217 | 73.22% | 295 | 9.74% |
| 1960 | 1,188 | 35.63% | 1,867 | 56.00% | 279 | 8.37% |
| 1964 | 2,407 | 51.25% | 2,290 | 48.75% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1968 | 1,152 | 20.51% | 1,709 | 30.42% | 2,757 | 49.07% |
| 1972 | 3,123 | 59.45% | 1,966 | 37.43% | 164 | 3.12% |
| 1976 | 1,952 | 34.48% | 3,681 | 65.02% | 28 | 0.49% |
| 1980 | 2,435 | 40.97% | 3,445 | 57.97% | 63 | 1.06% |
| 1984 | 2,839 | 46.04% | 3,308 | 53.65% | 19 | 0.31% |
| 1988 | 2,687 | 47.64% | 2,923 | 51.83% | 30 | 0.53% |
| 1992 | 2,518 | 39.49% | 3,511 | 55.07% | 347 | 5.44% |
| 1996 | 2,293 | 38.03% | 3,565 | 59.12% | 172 | 2.85% |
| 2000 | 2,554 | 39.43% | 3,887 | 60.00% | 37 | 0.57% |
| 2004 | 3,140 | 41.60% | 4,359 | 57.75% | 49 | 0.65% |
| 2008 | 3,165 | 38.97% | 4,893 | 60.25% | 63 | 0.78% |
| 2012 | 2,960 | 39.11% | 4,569 | 60.36% | 40 | 0.53% |
| 2016 | 3,013 | 44.09% | 3,711 | 54.30% | 110 | 1.61% |
| 2020 | 3,343 | 44.94% | 4,012 | 53.93% | 84 | 1.13% |
| 2024 | 3,286 | 49.40% | 3,311 | 49.77% | 55 | 0.83% |
Places adjacent to Haywood County, Tennessee | ||||||||||||||||
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Municipalities and communities ofHaywood County, Tennessee,United States | ||
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