Montgomery County, Tennessee | |
|---|---|
 Montgomery County Courthouse in Clarksville | |
 Seal  Logo | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofTennessee | |
| Coordinates:36°30′N87°23′W / 36.5°N 87.38°W /36.5; -87.38 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Tennessee |
| Founded | April 9, 1796 |
| Named after | John Montgomery[2] |
| Seat | Clarksville |
| Largest city | Clarksville |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Wes Golden (R)[1] |
| Area | |
• Total | 544 sq mi (1,410 km2) |
| • Land | 539 sq mi (1,400 km2) |
| • Water | 4.7 sq mi (12 km2) 0.9% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 220,069 |
• Estimate (2024)[3] | 246,025 |
| • Density | 408/sq mi (158/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Area code | 931 |
| Congressional district | 7th |
| Website | mcgtn |
Montgomery County is acounty in theU.S. state ofTennessee. As of the2020 United States census, the population was 220,069.[4] Thecounty seat and only incorporated municipality isClarksville.[5] The county was created in 1796.[6][7] Montgomery County is included in the Clarksville, TN–KYMetropolitan Statistical Area.
The county was named forJohn Montgomery, a soldier in theAmerican Revolutionary War and an early settler who founded the city of Clarksville. It was authorized on April 9, 1796, when the western portion of Tennessee County, which since 1790 had been part of theTerritory South of the River Ohio, became part of the new state of Tennessee. (In 1790, North Carolina had ceded its western lands to the Federal government to create what was also known as the Southwest Territory.) The eastern portion of old Tennessee County was, at the same time Montgomery County was formed, combined with land taken fromSumner County to formRobertson County, Tennessee. Later acts of theTennessee General Assembly had further reduced Montgomery County by 1871 to its current size and boundaries.[7]
Montgomery County was the site of several earlysaltpeter mines. Saltpeter is the main ingredient of gunpowder and was obtained by leaching the earth from local caves. Bellamy Cave near Stringtown still contains the remains of two dozen saltpeter leaching vats. It appears to have been a large operation. Cooper Creek Cave shows evidence of extensive mining and contains the remains of "many saltpeter hoppers." Both were probably mined during theWar of 1812. Dunbar Cave is reported to have been mined for saltpeter during theMexican War of 1848, but commercial development has destroyed any evidence of this. Little mining is likely to have happened here during theCivil War, since theUnion Army captured and occupied this part of Tennessee in early 1862.[8]
Montgomery County lies on the northern line of Tennessee; its northern border abuts the state of Kentucky. The hilly terrain is marked by drainages and largely covered with trees. TheCumberland River meanders westward through the lower central part of the county.[9] The highest point on the county terrain (806 feet/246 meters ASL) is a small hill 3.7 miles (6.0 km) ENE fromSlayden in Dickson County.[10]
According to theUS Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 544 square miles (1,410 km2), of which 539 square miles (1,400 km2) is land and 4.7 square miles (12 km2) (0.9%) is water.[11]
Unlike most of Tennessee, a sizable part of northern Montgomery County is outside of theSun Belt due to a past error surveying the northern border ofMiddle andEast Tennessee. Most of Clarksville in particular is north of the Sun Belt.[12] The Sun Belt is defined by the Kinder Institute as being south of36°30'N latitude, which was intended to be the northern border of Tennessee and is the actual northern border ofWest Tennessee.[13]
Montgomery County lies in a region of well-developedkarst topography. A large cave system under the county is named Dunbar Cave; it is the centerpiece ofDunbar Cave State Park, which encompasses approximately 110 acres and is one of the most visited units in the Tennessee State Park System.
Dunbar Cave was extensively used byprehistoric Indians, who inhabited this area for thousands of years before European encounters. Remains of their cane torches have been found in the cave, andarchaeologists have excavated numerous artifacts inside the entrance.[14][15] During a research trip into the cave on January 15, 2005, Park Ranger Amy Wallace, History professor Joe Douglas, local historian Billyfrank Morrison, and Geologist Larry E. Matthews discovered Indianglyphs on the walls of the cave. Subsequent investigations by archaeologists from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville confirmed the drawings were from people of theMississippian culture, which was active about 1000-1300 CE.[16][17] These glyphs were featured for a few years on the tour of the cave.
In 2010, the State of Tennessee closed Dunbar Cave to the public becauseWhite Nose Syndrome was diagnosed in a bat, and they did not want the disease to spread. The cave has since reopened, and tours are conducted seasonally, from May to August (with special hygiene procedures in place).[18]
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1800 | 2,899 | — | |
| 1810 | 8,021 | 176.7% | |
| 1820 | 12,219 | 52.3% | |
| 1830 | 14,349 | 17.4% | |
| 1840 | 16,927 | 18.0% | |
| 1850 | 21,045 | 24.3% | |
| 1860 | 20,895 | −0.7% | |
| 1870 | 24,747 | 18.4% | |
| 1880 | 28,481 | 15.1% | |
| 1890 | 29,697 | 4.3% | |
| 1900 | 36,017 | 21.3% | |
| 1910 | 33,672 | −6.5% | |
| 1920 | 32,265 | −4.2% | |
| 1930 | 30,882 | −4.3% | |
| 1940 | 33,346 | 8.0% | |
| 1950 | 44,186 | 32.5% | |
| 1960 | 55,645 | 25.9% | |
| 1970 | 62,721 | 12.7% | |
| 1980 | 83,342 | 32.9% | |
| 1990 | 100,498 | 20.6% | |
| 2000 | 134,768 | 34.1% | |
| 2010 | 172,331 | 27.9% | |
| 2020 | 220,069 | 27.7% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 246,025 | [19] | 11.8% |
| US Decennial Census[20] 1790-1960[21] 1900-1990[22] 1990-2000[23] 2010-2014[4] | |||
| Race | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White (non-Hispanic) | 131,294 | 59.66% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 43,349 | 19.7% |
| Native American | 757 | 0.34% |
| Asian | 5,039 | 2.29% |
| Pacific Islander | 936 | 0.43% |
| Other/Mixed | 15,760 | 7.16% |
| Hispanic orLatino | 22,934 | 10.42% |
As of the2020 United States census, there were 220,069 people, 76,974 households, and 53,563 families residing in the county.[25]
The median age was 31.3 years, with 27.0% of residents under the age of 18 and 10.0% who were 65 years of age or older; for every 100 females there were 97.4 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 94.8 males age 18 and over.[25]
The racial makeup of the county was 62.6%White, 20.3%Black or African American, 0.5%American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.4%Asian, 0.5%Native Hawaiian andPacific Islander, 3.6% from some other race, and 10.2% fromtwo or more races;Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 10.4% of the population.[26]
82.3% of residents lived in urban areas, while 17.7% lived in rural areas.[27]
There were 79,841 households in the county, of which 38.8% had children under the age of 18 living in them; 51.0% were married-couple households, 17.4% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 25.1% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 22.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[25]
There were 85,714 housing units, of which 6.9% were vacant; among occupied housing units, 60.2% were owner-occupied and 39.8% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.1% and the rental vacancy rate was 7.3%.[25]
As of the2000 United States census,[28] there were 134,768 people, 48,330 households, and 35,957 families in the county. The population density was 250 inhabitants per square mile (97/km2). There were 52,167 housing units at an average density of 97 per square mile (37/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 73.17%White, 19.18%Black orAfrican American, 0.53%Native American, 1.82%Asian, 0.21%Pacific Islander, 2.18% fromother races, and 2.91% from two or more races. 5.16% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race.
There were 48,330 households, out of which 40.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.70% weremarried couples living together, 12.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.60% were non-families. 20.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.70, and the average family size was 3.11.
The county population contained 28.40% under the age of 18, 12.30% from 18 to 24, 34.30% from 25 to 44, 17.20% from 45 to 64, and 7.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.80 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $38,981, and the median income for a family was $43,023. Males had a median income of $30,696 versus $22,581 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $17,265. About 7.90% of families and 10.00% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 12.70% of those under age 18 and 10.70% of those age 65 or over.
Thecounty mayor is the chief executive officer of Montgomery County, responsible for overseeing county administration and implementing policies adopted by the County Commission. Voters elect the county mayorat-large, along with several other countywide offices, including the sheriff. The current mayor isRepublican Wes Golden.[29]
| Office[30] | Name |
|---|---|
| District 19 Attorney | Robert Nash (R) |
| County Mayor | Wes Golden (R) |
| Sheriff | John Fuson (R) |
| Trustee | Kimberly B. Wiggins (I) |
| Assessor of Property | Erinne Hester (R) |
| Highway Supervisor | Jeff Bryant (R) |
| County Clerk | Teresa Cottrell (R) |
| Register of Deeds | Julie Chadwick Runyon (R) |
| Circuit Court Clerk | Wendy Davis (R) |
Montgomery County is represented in theTennessee General Assembly by 4 Republicans and 1Democrat in theHouse.
| Office | Name |
|---|---|
| State Senator,District 22 | Bill Powers (R) |
| State Senator,District 23 | Kerry Roberts (R) |
| Office | Name |
|---|---|
| State Representative,District 67 | Ronnie Glynn (D) |
| State Representative,District 68 | Aron Maberry (R) |
| State Representative,District 75 | Michael Lankford (R) |
All 21 districts 11 seats needed for a majority | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 As of 2026 Republican Democratic Independent | |||||||||||||||||
The Board of County Commissioners, the legislative body of Montgomery County, consists of 21 members elected for four‑year terms fromsingle-member districts with roughly equal populations.[31]Republicans currently hold 9 seats,Democrats hold 7 seats, and 6 commissioners areIndependent.[32][33]
Each year at the first session on or after September 1, the commission elects a chair and a chair pro tempore. Since 2022, County Mayor Wes Golden has been elected as chair of the commission, including for the 2025–2026 term, and Commissioner Joe Smith (R - District 3) currently serves as chair pro tempore.[34] If the county mayor is elected chair and accepts, they relinquishveto power over legislative resolutions. A chair who is a commissioner may vote as a regular member but may not cast a tie‑breaking vote.[35][36]
If the county mayor does not serve as chair, they retain veto power over legislative resolutions (excluding administrative or appellate resolutions). A vetoed resolution must be returned to the commission with the mayor’s reasons within 10 days, and the commission may override the veto at the next regular meeting or within 20 days of receiving the veto.[36]
When the chair is absent, the chair pro tempore presides. If both are absent, the county clerk calls the meeting to order to elect a temporary chair. The chair may designate another commissioner to act in their place on boards or commissions, and the designee may exercise all powers and vote as if the chair were present.[37]
County commissioners’ districts do not correspond with the city ofClarksville, which has its own mayor and city council. Residents living within Clarksville city limits vote in both city and county elections, are represented by both mayors, and pay city and county taxes
All 7 districts 4 seats needed for a majority | |||||||||||||
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 As of 2026 Republican Democratic | |||||||||||||
Public education in Montgomery County is overseen by the Clarksville–Montgomery County School Board, which governs the Clarksville–Montgomery County School System (CMCSS). The board consists of 7 members elected from single-member districts, serving staggered four-year terms. The board functions as a single governing body, making decisions that apply to the entire school system, including policies, budgets, and superintendent oversight. The board currently has a Republican majority, with 5 Republicans and 2 Democrats.[38][39][40] The board appoints a director of schools to lead the district; the current director, Jean Luna-Vedder, was appointed on May 10, 2022, and began serving on July 1, 2022. She previously served as Chief of Student Readiness for the Tennessee State Department of Education.[41][42]
Montgomery County has historically been aDemocratic stronghold. Since the2000 presidential election, however, the county started voting for theRepublican Party, and is now a Republican stronghold.
The last time Montgomery County voted for a Democratic candidate in a statewide race was forPhil Bredesen in2006, and the last time it voted for a Democratic candidate on a presidential level, was in1996 when it voted for DemocratBill Clinton.
Although Montgomery County is a Republican stronghold, the city of Clarksville has been competitive for both major political parties. In the 2024 presidential election, Clarksville voted forDonald Trump by a margin of 6.2%.[43]
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1880 | 2,039 | 41.74% | 2,846 | 58.26% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1884 | 1,922 | 43.07% | 2,516 | 56.37% | 25 | 0.56% |
| 1888 | 2,164 | 44.08% | 2,628 | 53.53% | 117 | 2.38% |
| 1892 | 1,927 | 35.46% | 2,405 | 44.25% | 1,103 | 20.29% |
| 1896 | 2,934 | 48.17% | 2,804 | 46.04% | 353 | 5.80% |
| 1900 | 1,815 | 41.42% | 2,248 | 51.30% | 319 | 7.28% |
| 1904 | 843 | 31.41% | 1,697 | 63.23% | 144 | 5.37% |
| 1908 | 1,903 | 38.67% | 2,961 | 60.17% | 57 | 1.16% |
| 1912 | 514 | 21.13% | 1,638 | 67.32% | 281 | 11.55% |
| 1916 | 991 | 32.83% | 1,976 | 65.45% | 52 | 1.72% |
| 1920 | 1,780 | 40.60% | 2,564 | 58.49% | 40 | 0.91% |
| 1924 | 941 | 32.00% | 1,946 | 66.17% | 54 | 1.84% |
| 1928 | 1,743 | 48.30% | 1,866 | 51.70% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1932 | 799 | 22.53% | 2,747 | 77.47% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1936 | 838 | 20.05% | 3,314 | 79.28% | 28 | 0.67% |
| 1940 | 819 | 20.53% | 3,158 | 79.15% | 13 | 0.33% |
| 1944 | 702 | 19.05% | 2,971 | 80.60% | 13 | 0.35% |
| 1948 | 646 | 14.34% | 3,310 | 73.47% | 549 | 12.19% |
| 1952 | 2,573 | 30.78% | 5,759 | 68.90% | 27 | 0.32% |
| 1956 | 2,778 | 25.41% | 8,034 | 73.48% | 122 | 1.12% |
| 1960 | 2,550 | 24.83% | 7,635 | 74.34% | 85 | 0.83% |
| 1964 | 2,814 | 21.66% | 10,178 | 78.34% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1968 | 3,248 | 22.52% | 5,538 | 38.39% | 5,638 | 39.09% |
| 1972 | 7,839 | 56.40% | 5,691 | 40.95% | 369 | 2.65% |
| 1976 | 5,923 | 32.11% | 12,310 | 66.73% | 215 | 1.17% |
| 1980 | 8,503 | 41.08% | 11,573 | 55.91% | 622 | 3.01% |
| 1984 | 13,228 | 56.61% | 9,939 | 42.54% | 198 | 0.85% |
| 1988 | 12,599 | 57.65% | 9,145 | 41.84% | 112 | 0.51% |
| 1992 | 13,011 | 41.51% | 14,507 | 46.29% | 3,823 | 12.20% |
| 1996 | 15,133 | 45.01% | 16,498 | 49.06% | 1,994 | 5.93% |
| 2000 | 19,644 | 50.31% | 18,818 | 48.20% | 582 | 1.49% |
| 2004 | 28,627 | 58.42% | 20,070 | 40.96% | 301 | 0.61% |
| 2008 | 30,175 | 53.28% | 25,716 | 45.40% | 748 | 1.32% |
| 2012 | 30,245 | 54.28% | 24,499 | 43.97% | 976 | 1.75% |
| 2016 | 32,341 | 56.13% | 21,699 | 37.66% | 3,580 | 6.21% |
| 2020 | 42,187 | 54.96% | 32,472 | 42.30% | 2,099 | 2.73% |
| 2024 | 47,795 | 58.46% | 32,736 | 40.04% | 1,224 | 1.50% |
Clarksville-Montgomery County School System serves most of the county. Portions inFort Campbell however are zoned toDepartment of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools.[46]Fort Campbell High School is the zoned high school for Fort Campbell.
Places adjacent to Montgomery County, Tennessee | |
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Municipalities and communities ofMontgomery County, Tennessee,United States | ||
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| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Military base | ||
| Ghost town | ||
| International | |
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| Geographic | |
| Other | |
