Shelbyville | |
|---|---|
 Downtown Shelbyville | |
| Nickname(s): The Walking Horse Capital of the World and The Pencil City | |
 Location of Shelbyville in Bedford County, Tennessee. | |
| Coordinates:35°29′20″N86°27′8″W / 35.48889°N 86.45222°W /35.48889; -86.45222 | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Tennessee |
| County | Bedford |
| Platted | 1810 |
| Incorporated | 1819 |
| Named after | Isaac Shelby[1] |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Randy Carroll |
| Area | |
• Total | 18.44 sq mi (47.76 km2) |
| • Land | 18.44 sq mi (47.76 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 755 ft (230 m) |
| Population | |
• Total | 23,557 |
| • Density | 1,277.56/sq mi (493.27/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP codes | 37160-37162 |
| Area code | 931 |
| FIPS code | 47-67760[4] |
| GNIS feature ID | 1269993[5] |
| Website | www |
Shelbyville is a city in and theseat of government ofBedford County, Tennessee.[6] The town was laid out in 1810 and incorporated in 1819.[7] Shelbyville had a population of 20,335 at the 2010 census.[8] The town is a hub of theTennessee Walking Horse industry and has been nicknamed "The Walking Horse Capital of the World".
Shelbyville is inMiddle Tennessee on aHighland Rim limestone bluff upon the banks ofDuck River, which flows around the southern and eastern sides of town.[9]
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 18.6 square miles (48.2 km2), all land.[8]
| Climate data for Shelbyville, Tennessee (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1951–present) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 78 (26) | 82 (28) | 85 (29) | 92 (33) | 96 (36) | 108 (42) | 107 (42) | 105 (41) | 105 (41) | 98 (37) | 87 (31) | 77 (25) | 108 (42) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 67.5 (19.7) | 71.2 (21.8) | 78.8 (26.0) | 84.1 (28.9) | 89.1 (31.7) | 94.0 (34.4) | 95.9 (35.5) | 95.7 (35.4) | 93.1 (33.9) | 85.7 (29.8) | 77.5 (25.3) | 69.0 (20.6) | 97.5 (36.4) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 49.4 (9.7) | 53.8 (12.1) | 62.5 (16.9) | 72.0 (22.2) | 79.5 (26.4) | 86.4 (30.2) | 89.4 (31.9) | 89.0 (31.7) | 83.9 (28.8) | 73.4 (23.0) | 61.6 (16.4) | 52.4 (11.3) | 71.1 (21.7) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 39.1 (3.9) | 42.7 (5.9) | 50.6 (10.3) | 59.5 (15.3) | 67.8 (19.9) | 75.4 (24.1) | 78.8 (26.0) | 77.8 (25.4) | 71.8 (22.1) | 60.6 (15.9) | 49.3 (9.6) | 42.0 (5.6) | 59.6 (15.3) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 28.9 (−1.7) | 31.7 (−0.2) | 38.7 (3.7) | 47.1 (8.4) | 56.2 (13.4) | 64.3 (17.9) | 68.3 (20.2) | 66.6 (19.2) | 59.7 (15.4) | 47.9 (8.8) | 37.1 (2.8) | 31.7 (−0.2) | 48.2 (9.0) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | 9.7 (−12.4) | 14.9 (−9.5) | 21.3 (−5.9) | 30.1 (−1.1) | 40.4 (4.7) | 52.9 (11.6) | 59.4 (15.2) | 57.4 (14.1) | 44.6 (7.0) | 31.6 (−0.2) | 21.7 (−5.7) | 16.0 (−8.9) | 7.7 (−13.5) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −20 (−29) | −7 (−22) | 3 (−16) | 21 (−6) | 30 (−1) | 38 (3) | 49 (9) | 47 (8) | 32 (0) | 18 (−8) | 9 (−13) | −9 (−23) | −20 (−29) |
| Averageprecipitation inches (mm) | 5.29 (134) | 5.63 (143) | 5.79 (147) | 4.99 (127) | 5.05 (128) | 5.03 (128) | 5.07 (129) | 4.24 (108) | 4.22 (107) | 3.65 (93) | 4.35 (110) | 6.05 (154) | 59.36 (1,508) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 0.1 (0.25) | 0.2 (0.51) | 0.7 (1.8) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.1 (0.25) | 1.1 (2.8) |
| Average precipitation days(≥ 0.01 in) | 11.6 | 11.8 | 12.4 | 11.1 | 11.7 | 11.3 | 11.3 | 9.3 | 7.8 | 8.4 | 9.6 | 12.1 | 128.4 |
| Average snowy days(≥ 0.1 in) | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 1.0 |
| Source:NOAA[10][11] | |||||||||||||
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1850 | 1,708 | — | |
| 1860 | 776 | −54.6% | |
| 1870 | 1,719 | 121.5% | |
| 1880 | 1,869 | 8.7% | |
| 1890 | 1,823 | −2.5% | |
| 1900 | 2,236 | 22.7% | |
| 1910 | 2,869 | 28.3% | |
| 1920 | 2,912 | 1.5% | |
| 1930 | 5,010 | 72.0% | |
| 1940 | 6,537 | 30.5% | |
| 1950 | 9,456 | 44.7% | |
| 1960 | 10,466 | 10.7% | |
| 1970 | 12,262 | 17.2% | |
| 1980 | 13,530 | 10.3% | |
| 1990 | 14,049 | 3.8% | |
| 2000 | 16,105 | 14.6% | |
| 2010 | 20,335 | 26.3% | |
| 2020 | 23,557 | 15.8% | |
| Sources:[12][13][3] | |||
| Race | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White (non-Hispanic) | 13,156 | 55.85% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 2,942 | 12.49% |
| Native American | 65 | 0.28% |
| Asian | 173 | 0.73% |
| Pacific Islander | 10 | 0.04% |
| Other/Mixed | 1,045 | 4.44% |
| Hispanic orLatino | 6,166 | 26.17% |
As of the2020 United States census, there were 23,557 people, 7,257 households, and 5,025 families residing in the city.
As of thecensus[4] of 2000, there were 16,105 people, 6,066 households, and 4,155 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,041.3 inhabitants per square mile (402.0/km2). There were 6,550 housing units at an average density of 423.5 per square mile (163.5/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 77.14%White, 14.98%African American, 0.70%Asian, 0.35%Native American, 0.05%Pacific Islander, 5.02% fromother races, and 1.78% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino residents of any race made up 14.55% of the population.
Of the 6,066 households, 31.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.0% weremarried couples living together, 16.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.5% were non-families. A total of 26.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.4% 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 3.05.
In the city, 25.2% of the population was under the age of 18, 11.9% was from 18 to 24, 28.9% from 25 to 44, 18.8% from 45 to 64, and 15.2% was 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $27,593, and the median income for a family was $30,465. Males had a median income of $23,754 versus $16,065 for females. Theper capita income for the city was $11,260. About 14.4% of families and 25.2% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 18.4% of those under age 18 and 22.1% of those age 65 or over.
Shelbyville is known as "The Pencil City" because of its historical importance as a center of wood-casedpencil manufacturing.[15][16] It is still a site for manufacture of writing instruments. In 1982, National Pen Corporation purchased its largest competitor, U.S. Pencil and Stationery Company.[17]Sanford Corporation produced theSharpie, the world's top-selling writing instrument, in the city.[16] It was in Shelbyville in 1991 that the world's longest pencil was produced, a plastic-cased pencil 1,091 feet (333 m) long, weighing 27 pounds (12 kg).[18]
One of last four pencil manufacturers in the United States,Musgrave Pencil Company, is located in Shelbyville.[19]
Other major business operations in Shelbyville include manufacturersCalsonic Kansei,Newell Rubbermaid, Cebal America, andJostens; it is also home to aTyson Foods facility and adistribution center forWal-Mart, as well as several nationwide trucking businesses.[16][20]
Shelbyville is at the intersection ofU.S. Route 231 andU.S. Route 41A. It was the terminus of abranch line (fromWartrace[21]), located along what is now known as Railroad Avenue, connecting with what was once known as theSaint Louis, Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad.[9]
TheTennessee Walking Horse National Celebration[22] takes place each year during the 11 days and nights prior toLabor Day. It is the largest show for theTennessee Walking Horse, during which the breed's World Grand Champion and over 20 World Champions are named. The Celebration is a festival event where more than $650,000 in prizes and awards are given. The Celebration began in 1939, and the first winner wasStrolling Jim.[23]
Bedford County School District operates primary and secondary schools.Shelbyville Central High School is the local public high school.
After theend of non-penal slavery in the United States theAME Church opened a school for African-American children. The public school system graduated its first black class in 1890. The schools for African-American children operated by the district were East Bedford School andBedford County Training School for Negroes (a.k.a. John McAdams High School and also Harris High School for Negroes). Schools racially integrated after 1964.[24]
TheTennessee College of Applied Technology - Shelbyville is one of 46 institutions in theTennessee Board of Regents System, the seventh largest system of higher education in the nation. This system comprises six universities, fourteen community colleges, and twenty-six technology centers. More than 80 percent of all Tennessee students attending public institutions are enrolled in a Tennessee Board of Regents institution.
Shelbyville was the home ofTurner College, aHBCU established in October 1885 with support from the Kentucky Annual ConferenceAME Church. Bishop Henry M. Turner was its founding leader, and eventually the school was renamed for him. A private school supported by local people, there was a high school, anormal school, an "industrial institute," and a Bible study institute included in the institution.[25][26] Located in two brick buildings, between 1920 and 1924 the institution had 385 students.[27] Apparently the fiscal support for the school didn't continue though, and in the late 1920s the "starving little school" was permanently closed.[28]
The City of Shelbyville, Tennessee Government consists of an elected mayor, six member elected city council, and appointed city manager.[29]
The Bedford County Post launched in August 2023 when theShelbyville Times-Gazette closed its doors.[30]
Shelbyville has three news media outlets,Bedford County Post,[31]Shelbyville Times-Gazette[32] andShelbyville Now.[33]
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Shelbyville was featured inMiranda Lambert's video "Famous in a Small Town".[citation needed]
The city was also profiled in the filmWelcome to Shelbyville, as part of thePBS documentary film seriesIndependent Lens. The film spotlights recent demographic changes in the community, with a focus on the growing number of immigrants fromLatin America andSomalia (bothSomalis and people from theBantu minority ethnic group).
Shelbyville was also featured in GADA film'sOur Very Own (2005 Film), directed by Cameron Watson. The film, dubbed "a love story to Shelbyville", highlighted some of the peculiar and humorous memories of Shelbyville in the 1970s. The film follows five teenagers who are determined to meet Shelbyville's ownSondra Locke. Filmed in 2004, it highlights the square, Capri Theater, Pope's Cafe, Central High School, Duck River Dam, TWHNC, and many other landmarks.
Shelbyville was mentioned in the lyrics of Nashville country duoBirdcloud's song "Saving Myself For Jesus"
A resident of Shelbyville during his congressional days, Cooper grew up in decidedly genteel circumstances.
Municipalities and communities ofBedford County, Tennessee,United States | ||
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