Hardeman County, Tennessee

County in Tennessee, United States

County in Tennessee

Hardeman County

County

Hardeman County Courthouse in Bolivar

Location within the U.S. state of Tennessee

Tennessee's location within the U.S.

Coordinates: 35°12′N 89°00′W﻿ / ﻿35.2°N 89°W﻿ / 35.2; -89
Country|  United States
State|  Tennessee
Founded| 1823
Named for| Thomas J. Hardeman[1]
Seat| Bolivar
Largest city| Bolivar
Area

• Total| 670 sq mi (1,700 km2)
• Land| 668 sq mi (1,730 km2)
• Water| 2.6 sq mi (7 km2)  0.4%
Population

(2020)

• Total| 25,462
• Density| 41/sq mi (16/km2)
Time zone| UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)| UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district| 8th

Hardeman County is a county located in the U.S. state of Tennessee. As of the 2020 census, the population was 25,462.[2] Its county seat is Bolivar.[3]

## History

[edit]

Hardeman County was created by the Tennessee General Assembly in 1823 from parts of Hardin County and "Indian lands." It is named for Thomas J. Hardeman[4] (1788-1854), a veteran of the Creek War and the War of 1812 and a prominent figure in the fight for Texas independence. He served as a congressman in the Republic of Texas, and was also the father of Confederate brigadier general William Polk Hardeman.[1]

Settlers began arriving in the area that is now Hardeman County in 1819, following a treaty with the Chickasaw allowing settlement in West Tennessee signed on October 19, 1818.[5] Among these earliest settlers were the county's namesame Thomas Hardeman and Ezekiel Polk, the paternal grandfather of president James K. Polk.[6] Thereafter, further settlers arrived from Middle Tennessee, Alabama, North and South Carolina, and Virginia.[5]

The first permanent settlement was established in 1823 along the Hatchie River, dubbed Hatchie Town. The town's location along the river led to recurrent flooding, and ultimately the decision was made to relocate the settlement approximately one mile south to what is now Bolivar.[5][6]

Hardeman County had notable involvement in the Civil War. The Battle of Hatchie's Bridge took place there on October 5, 1862, seeing 900 total casualties. During the war, the Union Army maintained control of the municipality of Grand Junction. The town was thus made a contraband camp by General Ulysses S. Grant, providing education and shelter to formerly enslaved individuals.[5][6] Relating to these engagements, much of downtown Bolivar was burned down during the war.[5][6]

The county is the location of two of Tennessee's four private prisons, the Whiteville Correctional Facility and the Hardeman County Correctional Center. Both are medium-security facilities for men, operated by the Corrections Corporation of America.[7][8]

## Geography

[edit]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 670 square miles (1,700 km2), of which 668 square miles (1,730 km2) is land and 2.6 square miles (6.7 km2) (0.4%) is water.[9] It is the fifth-largest county in Tennessee by area.

### Adjacent counties

[edit]

* Madison County (north)
* Chester County (northeast)
* McNairy County (east)
* Alcorn County, Mississippi (southeast)
* Tippah County, Mississippi (south)
* Benton County, Mississippi (southwest)
* Fayette County (west)
* Haywood County (northwest)

### National protected areas

[edit]

* Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge

### State protected areas

[edit]

* Chickasaw State Park (part)

## Demographics

[edit]

Historical population Census| Pop.| Note| %±

|
|
|

1830| 11,655| | —
1840| 14,563| | 25.0%
1850| 17,456| | 19.9%
1860| 17,769| | 1.8%
1870| 18,074| | 1.7%
1880| 22,921| | 26.8%
1890| 21,029| | −8.3%
1900| 22,976| | 9.3%
1910| 23,011| | 0.2%
1920| 22,278| | −3.2%
1930| 22,193| | −0.4%
1940| 23,590| | 6.3%
1950| 23,311| | −1.2%
1960| 21,517| | −7.7%
1970| 22,435| | 4.3%
1980| 23,873| | 6.4%
1990| 23,377| | −2.1%
2000| 28,105| | 20.2%
2010| 27,253| | −3.0%
2020| 25,462| | −6.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[10]
1790-1960[11] 1900-1990[12]
1990-2000[13] 2010-2014[2]

Age pyramid Hardeman County[15]

### 2020 census

[edit]

Hardeman County, Tennessee – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race. Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000[16] | Pop 2010[17] | Pop 2020[18] | % 20010  | % 2010  | % 2020

|
|
|
|
|
|

White alone (NH)  | 15,994  | 15,197  | 13,970  | 56.91%  | 55.76%  | 54.87%
Black or African American alone (NH)  | 11,474  | 11,228  | 10,150  | 40.83%  | 41.20%  | 39.86%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)  | 66  | 56  | 46  | 0.23%  | 0.21%  | 0.18%
Asian alone (NH)  | 78  | 145  | 162  | 0.28%  | 0.53%  | 0.64%
Pacific Islander alone (NH)  | 5  | 0  | 6  | 0.02%  | 0.00%  | 0.02%
Some Other Race alone (NH)  | 13  | 18  | 68  | 0.05%  | 0.07%  | 0.27%
Mixed Race or Multi-Racial (NH)  | 202  | 233  | 566  | 0.72%  | 0.85%  | 2.22%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)  | 273  | 376  | 494  | 0.97%  | 1.38%  | 1.94%
Total | 28,105 | 27,253 | 25,462 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 25,462 people, 8,891 households, and 5,816 families residing in the county.

### 2010 census

[edit]

As of the census[19] of 2010 the racial makeup of the county was 56.1% White (non-Hispanic) or European American, 41.01% Black or African American, 0.24% Native American, 0.29% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.2% from other races, and 0.79% from two or more races. 0.96% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

### 2000 census

[edit]

As of the census[19] of 2000, there were 28,105 people, 9,412 households, and 6,767 families residing in the county. The population density was 42 people per square mile (16 people/km2). There were 10,694 housing units at an average density of 16 units per square mile (6.2/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 57.34% White (non-Hispanic) or European American, 40.97% Black or African American, 0.26% Native American, 0.31% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.30% from other races, and 0.79% from two or more races. 0.97% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 9,412 households, out of which 32.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.00% were married couples living together, 17.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.10% were non-families. 25.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.06.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.90% under the age of 18, 9.80% from 18 to 24, 31.30% from 25 to 44, 22.40% from 45 to 64, and 12.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 116.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 121.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $29,111, and the median income for a family was $34,746. Males had a median income of $27,828 versus $20,759 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,349. About 16.90% of families and 19.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.40% of those under age 18 and 20.80% of those age 65 or over.

## Schools

[edit]

* Bolivar Central High School
* Bolivar Middle School
* Bolivar Elementary School
* Whiteville Elementary School
* Middleton High School
* Middleton Elementary School
* Toone Elementary School
* Grand Junction Elementary School
* Hornsby Elementary School

## Communities

[edit]

### Cities

[edit]

* Bolivar (county seat and largest city)
* Grand Junction (partial)
* Middleton
* Medon (mostly in Madison County)

### Towns

[edit]

* Hickory Valley
* Hornsby (partly in Mcnairy County)
* Saulsbury
* Silerton (partial)
* Toone
* Whiteville

### Unincorporated and historic communities

[edit]

* Cloverport
* Essary Springs
* Middleburg
* New Castle
* Piney Grove
* Pocahontas
* Rogers Springs
* Serles
* Van Buren
* Vildo

## Politics

[edit]

This section does not cite any sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (October 2021) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

|

Apart from its powerful vote against Hubert Humphrey in 1968 and George McGovern in 1972 as well as George H. W. Bush's 21-vote plurality in 1988, Hardeman County was a solidly Democratic county up until it flipped to Donald Trump in 2016.

United States presidential election results for Hardeman County, Tennessee[20] Year  | Republican | Democratic | Third party

|
|
|

No. | % | No. | % | No. | %
2020 | 5,760  | 57.24% | 4,180  | 41.54%  | 123  | 1.22%
2016 | 4,919  | 53.05% | 4,185  | 45.13%  | 169  | 1.82%
2012 | 4,865  | 46.60%  | 5,482  | 52.51% | 92  | 0.88%
2008 | 5,225  | 46.50%  | 5,919  | 52.67% | 93  | 0.83%
2004 | 4,704  | 44.95%  | 5,685  | 54.32% | 77  | 0.74%
2000 | 3,729  | 42.36%  | 4,953  | 56.26% | 121  | 1.37%
1996 | 2,961  | 35.97%  | 4,859  | 59.03% | 411  | 4.99%
1992 | 3,122  | 36.19%  | 4,832  | 56.01% | 673  | 7.80%
1988 | 3,547  | 49.69% | 3,526  | 49.40%  | 65  | 0.91%
1984 | 3,712  | 48.68%  | 3,797  | 49.79% | 117  | 1.53%
1980 | 2,931  | 40.68%  | 4,153  | 57.64% | 121  | 1.68%
1976 | 2,254  | 35.95%  | 3,934  | 62.74% | 82  | 1.31%
1972 | 3,494  | 66.00% | 1,550  | 29.28%  | 250  | 4.72%
1968 | 1,171  | 20.18%  | 1,709  | 29.45%  | 2,924  | 50.38%
1964 | 2,450  | 47.80%  | 2,675  | 52.20% | 0  | 0.00%
1960 | 1,601  | 44.42%  | 1,711  | 47.48% | 292  | 8.10%
1956 | 818  | 24.40%  | 1,754  | 52.31% | 781  | 23.29%
1952 | 1,256  | 31.17%  | 2,747  | 68.18% | 26  | 0.65%
1948 | 317  | 9.61%  | 1,609  | 48.76% | 1,374  | 41.64%
1944 | 444  | 18.50%  | 1,949  | 81.21% | 7  | 0.29%
1940 | 319  | 11.10%  | 2,549  | 88.66% | 7  | 0.24%
1936 | 157  | 7.74%  | 1,869  | 92.11% | 3  | 0.15%
1932 | 281  | 10.49%  | 2,377  | 88.69% | 22  | 0.82%
1928 | 491  | 25.04%  | 1,453  | 74.09% | 17  | 0.87%
1924 | 254  | 13.39%  | 1,586  | 83.61% | 57  | 3.00%
1920 | 895  | 28.59%  | 2,212  | 70.67% | 23  | 0.73%
1916 | 485  | 21.89%  | 1,724  | 77.80% | 7  | 0.32%
1912 | 320  | 16.71%  | 1,323  | 69.09% | 272  | 14.20%

## See also

[edit]

* National Register of Historic Places listings in Hardeman County, Tennessee
* John Chisum
* Bailey Hardeman, brother of Thomas J. Hardeman
* Hardeman County, Texas
* Bolivar Female Academy

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b Faye Tennyson Davidson, "Hardeman County" Tennessee Encyclopedia of History and Culture; retrieved October 16, 2013.
2. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved December 2, 2013.
3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
4. ^ "HAIRSTON - (surname unknown) Mary Ophelia POLK". www.hairston.org. Retrieved March 10, 2018.
5. ^ a b c d e "Hardeman County Tennessee". hardemancounty.org. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
6. ^ a b c d "History". Hardeman County Tennessee. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
7. ^ "Tennessee Department of Correction - Hardeman County Correctional Facility". Archived from the original on April 12, 2014. Retrieved March 21, 2014.
8. ^ "Tennessee Department of Correction - Whiteville Correctional Facility". Archived from the original on April 12, 2014. Retrieved March 21, 2014.
9. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
10. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
11. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
12. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
13. ^ "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 5, 2015.
14. ^ "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved July 20, 2019.
15. ^ Based on 2000 census data
16. ^ "P004 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Hardeman County, Tennessee". United States Census Bureau.
17. ^ "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Hardeman County, Tennessee". United States Census Bureau.
18. ^ "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Hardeman County, Tennessee". United States Census Bureau.
19. ^ a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
20. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 10, 2018.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Hardeman County, Tennessee.

* Chamber of Commerce site Archived May 1, 2019, at the Wayback Machine
* Hardeman County at Curlie
* Hardeman County at Tennessee Encyclopedia of History and Culture

Places adjacent to Hardeman County, Tennessee

| Haywood County | Madison County | Chester County

|
|

|  |
Fayette County |

Hardeman County, Tennessee

| McNairy County
|  |
Benton County, Mississippi | Tippah County, Mississippi | Alcorn County, Mississippi

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of Hardeman County, Tennessee, United States

County seat: Bolivar

Cities|

* Bolivar
* Grand Junction‡
* Middleton

Hardeman County map

Towns|

* Hickory Valley
* Hornsby
* Saulsbury
* Silerton‡
* Toone
* Whiteville

CDPs|

* Essary Springs
* Pocahontas

Other
communities|

* Forty Five
* Van Buren

Footnotes|

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

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35°12′N 89°00′W﻿ / ﻿35.20°N 89.00°W﻿ / 35.20; -89.00

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