Cannon County, Tennessee

County in Tennessee, United States

County in Tennessee

Cannon County

County

Cannon County Courthouse in Woodbury

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Location within the U.S. state of Tennessee

Tennessee's location within the U.S.

Coordinates: 35°49′N 86°04′W﻿ / ﻿35.81°N 86.06°W﻿ / 35.81; -86.06
Country|  United States
State|  Tennessee
Founded| January 31, 1836
Named after| Newton Cannon[1]
Seat| Woodbury
Largest town| Woodbury
Area

• Total

| 266 sq mi (690 km2)
• Land| 266 sq mi (690 km2)
• Water| 0.06 sq mi (0.2 km2)  0.02%
Population

(2020)

• Total

| 14,506
• Density| 52/sq mi (20/km2)
Time zone| UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)| UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district| 6th
Website| www.cannoncountytn.gov

Cannon County is a county located in the U.S. state of Tennessee. As of the 2020 census, the population was 14,506.[2] Its county seat is Woodbury.[3] Cannon County is part of the Nashville–Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN Metropolitan Statistical Area.

## History

[edit]

Cannon County was established by the Tennessee state legislature on January 31, 1836. It was formed from portions of Rutherford, Smith, Wilson, and Warren counties[4][5] and was named for Governor Newton Cannon. This was part of the Middle Tennessee region, with mixed farming and livestock raising, including of thoroughbred horses.

## Geography

[edit]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 266 square miles (690 km2), of which 266 square miles (690 km2) is land and 0.06 square miles (0.16 km2) (0.02%) is water.[6]

### Adjacent counties

[edit]

* DeKalb County (northeast)
* Warren County (east)
* Coffee County (south)
* Rutherford County (west)
* Wilson County (northwest)

### State protected areas

[edit]

* Headwaters Wildlife Management Area
* Short Mountain State Natural Area

## Demographics

[edit]

Historical population Census| Pop.| Note| %±

|
|
|

1840| 7,193| | —
1850| 8,982| | 24.9%
1860| 9,509| | 5.9%
1870| 10,502| | 10.4%
1880| 11,859| | 12.9%
1890| 12,197| | 2.9%
1900| 12,121| | −0.6%
1910| 10,825| | −10.7%
1920| 10,241| | −5.4%
1930| 8,935| | −12.8%
1940| 9,880| | 10.6%
1950| 9,174| | −7.1%
1960| 8,537| | −6.9%
1970| 8,467| | −0.8%
1980| 10,234| | 20.9%
1990| 10,467| | 2.3%
2000| 12,826| | 22.5%
2010| 13,801| | 7.6%
2020| 14,506| | 5.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9]
1990-2000[10] 2010-2014[2]

Age pyramid, Cannon County[12]

### 2020 census

[edit]

Cannon County racial composition[13] Race  | Number  | Percentage

|
|

White (non-Hispanic)  | 13,064  | 90.06%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic)  | 192  | 1.32%
Native American | 25  | 0.17%
Asian | 38  | 0.26%
Pacific Islander | 4  | 0.03%
Other/Mixed | 788  | 5.43%
Hispanic or Latino | 395  | 2.72%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 14,506 people, 5,488 households, and 3,903 families residing in the county.

### 2000 census

[edit]

As of the census[14] of 2000, there were 12,826 people, 4,998 households, and 3,643 families residing in the county. The population density was 48 people per square mile (19 people/km2). There were 5,420 housing units at an average density of 20 units per square mile (7.7/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.87% White, 1.46% Black or African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.12% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.40% from other races, and 0.81% from two or more races. 1.22% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 4,998 households, out of which 33.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.60% were married couples living together, 9.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.10% were non-families. 24.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.40% under the age of 18, 8.30% from 18 to 24, 28.90% from 25 to 44, 23.70% from 45 to 64, and 13.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.20 males.

Cannon County High School in Woodbury

The median income for a household in the county was $32,809, and the median income for a family was $38,424. Males had a median income of $28,659 versus $21,489 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,405. About 9.60% of families and 12.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.00% of those under age 18 and 17.80% of those age 65 or over.

## Government

[edit]

The policy-making and legislative authority in Cannon County is vested in the Board of County Commissioners. Commissioners are elected to four-year terms by a simple majority of the residents in their district. Each district has two commissioners, and all ten seats are up for election at the same time. Commissioners set personnel policies for the county, appropriate funds for county departments, and set the property tax rate. The county mayor typically serves as chair of the County Commission and breaks a tie if one occurs during voting. Members typically meet in January, April, July and October with special call meetings taking place when necessary.

County officials:

* County Executive: Greg Mitchell[15]
* Sessions Court Judge: Matthew Cowan
* Circuit Court Clerk: Katina George
* County Clerk: Lana Jones
* Clerk & Master: Dana Davenport
* Register of Deeds: Sandy Hollandsworth
* Property Assessor: Angela Schwartz
* Trustee: Norma Knox
* Sheriff: Darrell Young
* Constable 1st District: None
* Constable 2nd District: Charles Nokes
* Constable 3rd District: None
* Constable 4th District: None
* Constable 5th District: None

Each official is elected to a four-year term. The general sessions judge is elected to an eight-year term, and the clerk and master is appointed to a six-year term by the chancellor.

Board of County Commissioners [16]
Each district is represented by two commissioners.

District 1 (Readyville and parts of Bradyville and Woodbury):

* Nathan Luna
* Nathan Sanders

District 2 (Auburntown, Gassaway and parts of Short Mountain):

* Karen Ashford
* Chris Singleton

District 3 (Woodland, Bradyville and parts of Woodbury):

* Curtis George
* Eddie Mears

District 4 (Eastside, part of Short Mountain, Sunny Slope, and parts of Woodbury):

* Robert B. Brandon
* Randy Gannon

District 5 (city limits of Woodbury):

* Kristal Alexander
* Tony Burnett

### Election results

[edit]

United States presidential election results for Cannon County, Tennessee[17] Year  | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies)

|
|
|

No. | % | No. | % | No. | %
2024 | 5,682  | 82.58% | 1,132  | 16.45%  | 67  | 0.97%
2020 | 5,190  | 79.15% | 1,261  | 19.23%  | 106  | 1.62%
2016 | 4,007  | 75.40% | 1,127  | 21.21%  | 180  | 3.39%
2012 | 3,309  | 66.54% | 1,564  | 31.45%  | 100  | 2.01%
2008 | 3,322  | 60.88% | 2,011  | 36.85%  | 124  | 2.27%
2004 | 2,931  | 53.48% | 2,515  | 45.89%  | 35  | 0.64%
2000 | 1,924  | 40.96%  | 2,697  | 57.42% | 76  | 1.62%
1996 | 1,468  | 35.08%  | 2,318  | 55.39% | 399  | 9.53%
1992 | 1,229  | 28.38%  | 2,593  | 59.87% | 509  | 11.75%
1988 | 1,604  | 47.91%  | 1,726  | 51.55% | 18  | 0.54%
1984 | 1,669  | 46.88%  | 1,846  | 51.85% | 45  | 1.26%
1980 | 1,403  | 36.76%  | 2,351  | 61.59% | 63  | 1.65%
1976 | 908  | 26.71%  | 2,463  | 72.46% | 28  | 0.82%
1972 | 1,615  | 62.38% | 911  | 35.19%  | 63  | 2.43%
1968 | 780  | 25.55%  | 809  | 26.50%  | 1,464  | 47.95%
1964 | 746  | 25.41%  | 2,190  | 74.59% | 0  | 0.00%
1960 | 1,195  | 48.05%  | 1,275  | 51.27% | 17  | 0.68%
1956 | 919  | 37.13%  | 1,547  | 62.51% | 9  | 0.36%
1952 | 930  | 37.97%  | 1,491  | 60.88% | 28  | 1.14%
1948 | 558  | 26.23%  | 1,408  | 66.20% | 161  | 7.57%
1944 | 627  | 38.47%  | 1,002  | 61.47% | 1  | 0.06%
1940 | 638  | 27.06%  | 1,699  | 72.05% | 21  | 0.89%
1936 | 498  | 29.82%  | 1,166  | 69.82% | 6  | 0.36%
1932 | 360  | 22.86%  | 1,207  | 76.63% | 8  | 0.51%
1928 | 588  | 48.60%  | 622  | 51.40% | 0  | 0.00%
1924 | 285  | 32.46%  | 581  | 66.17% | 12  | 1.37%
1920 | 687  | 47.15%  | 770  | 52.85% | 0  | 0.00%
1916 | 456  | 32.76%  | 936  | 67.24% | 0  | 0.00%
1912 | 631  | 33.74%  | 1,184  | 63.32% | 55  | 2.94%

## Education

[edit]

Beginning with the 2022–2023 school year, Auburn, East Side, and Short Mountain schools were closed. West Side, Woodbury Grammar, and Woodland schools were renamed Cannon North Elementary, Cannon County Elementary, and Cannon South Elementary, respectively, and house grades PreK–5. A new middle school, Cannon County Middle (grades 6–8), was housed temporarily with Cannon County Elementary.

The Cannon County School District operates five schools:[18]

* Cannon County High School, Woodbury (9–12)
* Cannon County Middle School, Woodbury (6–8) – Opened in 2022
* Cannon North Elementary School (formerly West Side School, PreK–8), Readyville (PreK–5) – Renamed in 2022
* Cannon County Elementary School (formerly Woodbury Grammar School, PreK–8), Woodbury (PreK–5) – Renamed in 2022
* Cannon South Elementary School (formerly Woodland School, PreK–8), Bradyville (PreK–5) – Opened in 1955, renamed in 2022[19]

Three elementary schools were closed during consolidation after the 2021–2022 school year:

* Auburn School, Auburntown (K–8) – Closed in 2022
* East Side Elementary School, Woodbury (K–8) – Closed in 2022
* Short Mountain Elementary School, Woodbury (K–8) – Opened in 1955, closed in 2022[20][19]

### Future

[edit]

Long-term plans call for construction of a new Cannon County Middle School building, as well as the closure of Cannon North and Cannon South by 2025.[21]

## Communities

[edit]

### Towns

[edit]

* Auburntown
* Woodbury (county seat)

### Unincorporated communities

[edit]

* Bluewing
* Bradyville
* Gassaway
* Hopewell
* Iconium
* Midway
* Readyville
* Sugar Tree Knob

## See also

[edit]

* National Register of Historic Places listings in Cannon County, Tennessee

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Carroll Van West, "Cannon County," Tennessee Encyclopedia of History and Culture. Retrieved: April 19, 2013.
2. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved November 29, 2013.
3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
4. ^ "(1839) Map of Kentucky & Tennessee exhibiting ht post offices, post roads, canals, etc". Library of Congress. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
5. ^ "Map of the state of Tennessee taken from survey (1832AD)". Library of Congress. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
6. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved April 2, 2015.
7. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 2, 2015.
8. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved April 2, 2015.
9. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 2, 2015.
10. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved April 2, 2015.
11. ^ "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved July 20, 2019.
12. ^ Based on 2000 census data
13. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 26, 2021.
14. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
15. ^ "County Executive". cannoncountytn.gov. Retrieved April 24, 2025.
16. ^ "County Commissioners". cannoncountytn.gov. Retrieved April 24, 2025.
17. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 10, 2018.
18. ^ "Cannon County School District". Cannon County School District. June 28, 2022.
19. ^ a b "Woodland Warriors - About Our School".
20. ^ "Short Mountain Elementary School".
21. ^ "Cannon County Board Adopts – 5 Year Plan at January 13th, 2022 Meeting" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on April 24, 2022.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Cannon County, Tennessee.

* Cannon County Official website
* Chamber of Commerce
* TNGenWeb
* Cannon County on FamilySearch Wiki.

* v
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Places adjacent to Cannon County, Tennessee

| Wilson County |  | DeKalb County

|
|

|  |
Rutherford County |

Cannon County, Tennessee

| Warren County
|  |
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Municipalities and communities of Cannon County, Tennessee, United States

County seat: Woodbury

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* Woodbury

Unincorporated
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* Bluewing
* Bradyville
* Gassaway
* Hopewell
* Iconium
* Midway
* Readyville‡
* Sugar Tree Knob

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‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties

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35°49′N 86°04′W﻿ / ﻿35.81°N 86.06°W﻿ / 35.81; -86.06

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