Lebanon, Tennessee

For other places with the same name, see Lebanon (disambiguation).

City in Tennessee, United States

Lebanon, Tennessee

City

Lebanon's Town Square with a statue of General Robert H. Hatton at the center.

Flag

Logo

Nickname:

"Cedar City"

Location of Lebanon in Wilson County, Tennessee.

Coordinates: 36°12′29″N 86°19′35″W﻿ / ﻿36.20806°N 86.32639°W﻿ / 36.20806; -86.32639
Country| United States
State| Tennessee
County| Wilson
Incorporated| 1801[1]
Named for| Cedars of Lebanon
Government

• Mayor| Rick Bell
Area

[2]

• Total

| 40.08 sq mi (103.80 km2)
• Land| 40.07 sq mi (103.79 km2)
• Water| 0.00 sq mi (0.01 km2)
Elevation

| 528 ft (161 m)
Population

(2020)[3]

• Total

| 38,431
• Density| 959.02/sq mi (370.28/km2)
Time zone| UTC-6 (Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)| UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP codes|

37087, 37088, 37090

Area code| 615
FIPS code| 47-41520[4][failed verification]
GNIS feature ID| 1290901[5]
Website| City of Lebanon, Tennessee

Lebanon /ˈlɛbnən/ is the county seat of Wilson County, Tennessee, United States.[6] The population was 38,431 at the 2020 census.[7] Lebanon is located in Middle Tennessee, approximately 25 miles (40 km) east of downtown Nashville. Lebanon is part of the Nashville Metropolitan Statistical Area.

## History

[edit]

The city was incorporated in 1801,[8] and was named after the biblical cedars of Lebanon (Cedrus libani).[9] Local residents have called Lebanon "Cedar City", mostly a reference to the abundance of "cedar" (Juniperus virginiana) trees in the area. The city is home to Cumberland University, a small, private four-year liberal arts institution, and the Nashville Superspeedway, which hosts NASCAR and IndyCar races.

## Geography

[edit]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 38.63 square miles (100.1 km2), of which 38.5 square miles (100 km2) is land and 0.03% is water. Lebanon is located at Latitude: 36° 12' 17.40" N Longitude: −86° 19' 21.00" W

### Climate

[edit]

Lebanon has a humid subtropical (Köppen Cfa) climate with mild winters and hot summers. Under the Trewartha climate classification, it is a temperate oceanic (Do) climate due to only 7 months having a mean 50 °F (10 °C) or higher.

Climate data for Lebanon, Tennessee (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1902–2021)

Month  | Jan  | Feb  | Mar  | Apr  | May  | Jun  | Jul  | Aug  | Sep  | Oct  | Nov  | Dec  | Year
Record high °F (°C)  | 77
(25)  | 82
(28)  | 89
(32)  | 92
(33)  | 96
(36)  | 108
(42)  | 110
(43)  | 111
(44)  | 109
(43)  | 98
(37)  | 85
(29)  | 79
(26)  | 111
(44)
Mean maximum °F (°C)  | 68.0
(20.0)  | 72.4
(22.4)  | 79.1
(26.2)  | 85.0
(29.4)  | 89.6
(32.0)  | 94.8
(34.9)  | 97.5
(36.4)  | 97.5
(36.4)  | 94.2
(34.6)  | 86.8
(30.4)  | 77.9
(25.5)  | 69.1
(20.6)  | 99.2
(37.3)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)  | 47.4
(8.6)  | 51.7
(10.9)  | 60.7
(15.9)  | 70.8
(21.6)  | 79.2
(26.2)  | 86.9
(30.5)  | 90.2
(32.3)  | 89.6
(32.0)  | 83.6
(28.7)  | 72.9
(22.7)  | 60.5
(15.8)  | 50.7
(10.4)  | 70.4
(21.3)
Daily mean °F (°C)  | 37.6
(3.1)  | 41.0
(5.0)  | 49.2
(9.6)  | 58.6
(14.8)  | 67.6
(19.8)  | 75.9
(24.4)  | 79.7
(26.5)  | 78.2
(25.7)  | 71.6
(22.0)  | 59.7
(15.4)  | 48.7
(9.3)  | 40.9
(4.9)  | 59.1
(15.1)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)  | 27.8
(−2.3)  | 30.2
(−1.0)  | 37.7
(3.2)  | 46.4
(8.0)  | 56.1
(13.4)  | 65.0
(18.3)  | 69.2
(20.7)  | 66.9
(19.4)  | 59.6
(15.3)  | 46.5
(8.1)  | 36.8
(2.7)  | 31.1
(−0.5)  | 47.8
(8.8)
Mean minimum °F (°C)  | 8.6
(−13.0)  | 12.3
(−10.9)  | 19.8
(−6.8)  | 29.8
(−1.2)  | 39.4
(4.1)  | 51.9
(11.1)  | 58.2
(14.6)  | 56.3
(13.5)  | 43.3
(6.3)  | 29.9
(−1.2)  | 20.8
(−6.2)  | 14.4
(−9.8)  | 6.7
(−14.1)
Record low °F (°C)  | −20
(−29)  | −9
(−23)  | −2
(−19)  | 19
(−7)  | 29
(−2)  | 38
(3)  | 47
(8)  | 43
(6)  | 33
(1)  | 20
(−7)  | 4
(−16)  | −11
(−24)  | −20
(−29)
Average precipitation inches (mm)  | 4.67
(119)  | 4.91
(125)  | 4.97
(126)  | 4.93
(125)  | 5.61
(142)  | 4.50
(114)  | 4.84
(123)  | 3.91
(99)  | 3.85
(98)  | 3.39
(86)  | 3.71
(94)  | 5.16
(131)  | 54.45
(1,383)
Average snowfall inches (cm)  | 0.3
(0.76)  | 1.0
(2.5)  | 0.1
(0.25)  | 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)  | 1.5
(3.76)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 10.7  | 9.9  | 11.1  | 10.0  | 10.7  | 10.2  | 10.0  | 8.1  | 7.3  | 8.3  | 8.9  | 11.4  | 116.6
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) | 0.2  | 0.7  | 0.1  | 0.0  | 0.0  | 0.0  | 0.0  | 0.0  | 0.0  | 0.0  | 0.0  | 0.2  | 1.2
Source: NOAA (snow/snow days 1981-2010)[10][11]

## Demographics

[edit]

This section needs to be updated. The reason given is: Demographics from 2010 and 2020 census reports are missing. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (August 2021)

|

Historical population Census| Pop.| Note| %±

|
|
|

1850| 1,554| | —
1870| 2,073| | —
1880| 2,296| | 10.8%
1890| 1,883| | −18.0%
1900| 1,956| | 3.9%
1910| 3,659| | 87.1%
1920| 4,084| | 11.6%
1930| 4,656| | 14.0%
1940| 5,950| | 27.8%
1950| 7,913| | 33.0%
1960| 10,512| | 32.8%
1970| 12,492| | 18.8%
1980| 11,872| | −5.0%
1990| 15,208| | 28.1%
2000| 20,235| | 33.1%
2010| 26,190| | 29.4%
2020| 38,431| | 46.7%
2023 (est.)| 48,112| [12]| 25.2%
Sources:[13][14][7][3]

### 2020 census

[edit]

Lebanon racial composition[15] Race  | Number  | Percentage

|
|

White (non-Hispanic)  | 28,254  | 73.52%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic)  | 4,325  | 11.25%
Native American | 121  | 0.31%
Asian | 571  | 1.49%
Pacific Islander | 13  | 0.03%
Other/Mixed | 1,828  | 4.76%
Hispanic or Latino | 3,319  | 8.64%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 38,431 people, 11,925 households, and 8,349 families residing in the city. The population estimate from the United States census has the population at 44,166 as of July 1, 2022. The population density was 692.0 inhabitants per square mile (267.2/km2). There were 8,693 housing units at an average density of 297.3 per square mile (114.8/km2). There were 11,925 households, out of which 30.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.7% were married couples living together, 15.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.4% were non-families. 28.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.9% under the age of 18, 11.2% from 18 to 24, 29.0% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 14.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $35,118, and the median income for a family was $45,094. Males had a median income of $31,207 versus $24,420 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,366. About 9.3% of families and 13.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.0% of those under age 18 and 16.4% of those age 65 or over.

## Government

[edit]

See also: List of mayors of Lebanon, Tennessee

## Economy

[edit]

* Cracker Barrel was founded in Lebanon by Dan Evins in 1969 and has its corporate headquarters there.[16]
* Lochinvar Corporation, a water products manufacturer, is based in Lebanon.[17]
* The city threatened to sue Dell Inc. for eliminating 700 of the 1,000 jobs the company proffered as part of a tax deal on which the company later reneged.[18]
* In 2015, Chinese tile company Wonderful Group invested $150 million to build their company's first manufacturing location in North America.[19]
* The fraternity Sigma Pi was headquartered in Lebanon from 2013 until 2019, when it sold the historic Mitchell House to the city of Lebanon.[20]
* In 2022, Tritium DCFC Limited opened a EV fast charger manufacturing plant.[21]

## Arts and culture

[edit]

Lebanon City Hall

Lebanon hosts the annual Tennessee State / Wilson County Fair.

## Education

[edit]

The Lebanon Special School District, which includes most of Lebanon,[22] encompasses four elementary schools and two middle schools. Wilson County Schools operates several additional primary and secondary schools in and around Lebanon, including Wilson Central High School and the newly reconstructed Lebanon High School.[23] Small portions of Lebanon are in the Wilson County Schools for all years K–12.[22] Schools serving those portions for K–8 include Carroll-Oakland School and Southside Elementary School.[24] All of Lebanon is zoned to Wilson County Schools for grades 9–12.[22]

Lebanon also has one private school, Friendship Christian School.

Lebanon is also home to Cumberland University, which was founded in 1842. The university has a rich heritage and has produced over eighty representatives and senators, such as Albert Gore Sr. and Thomas Gore. The institution has also produced a Nobel Peace Prize recipient, Cordell Hull, who served as Secretary of State from March 1933 to November 1944.[25]

## Media

[edit]

### Newspapers

[edit]

* Lebanon Democrat, published Tuesday through Saturday
* The Wilson Post, published twice a week

### Radio

[edit]

* WANT 98.9 FM, country music/local sports and affairs[26]
* WCOR 1490 AM (simulcast of WANT)
* WRVW 107.5 FM, licensed to Lebanon but primarily serves Nashville[27]
* WTWW, shortwave on several different frequencies

### Television

[edit]

* WJFB 44, MeTV affiliate targeting Nashville
* WRTN-LD 6, general/local programming

## Infrastructure

[edit]

### Transportation

[edit]

Interstate 40, runs south of the city, and has three exits that serve Lebanon. U.S. Route 70 connects the city to Nashville to the west and Smithville to the southeast. The western terminus of U.S. Route 70N is located in Lebanon, which connects to Carthage to the east. U.S. Route 231 connects the city to Murfreesboro to the south and Scottsville, Kentucky to the north. Hartmann Drive and Maddox-Simpson Parkway form a partial beltway around the city. The eastern terminus of Interstate 840 is located west of the city. State Route 109 passes west of the city and connects to Gallatin to the north. Secondary State Routes 141 and 166 also pass through Lebanon.[28]

Railroad freight service is provided by the Nashville and Eastern Railroad short line.

Commuter rail service to Nashville began service in 2006 via the Music City Star (now known as the WeGo Star).[29] Lebanon is the eastern terminus of the WeGo Star commuter rail service which runs via scheduled service Mon-Fri. There are two times when trains operate outside the normal service. July 4 fireworks at Riverfront Park calls for a special event train.[30] In addition, when the Tennessee Titans play at home, a special service called Game-Day Express operates.[31][32]

Rail service began in 1871 with the now defunct Tennessee & Pacific Railroad, which ran to Nashville. The last original passenger train departed Lebanon in 1935.

Lebanon has a municipal airport referenced by FAA Identifier M54. Operating two runways, M54's main runway is asphalt. Runway 1/19 is 5,000 by 100 feet (1,524 by 30 m). Runway 4/22 is turf 1,801 by 150 feet (549 by 46 m).[33]

## Notable people

[edit]

* John Ray Clemmons (born 1977), member of the Tennessee House of Representatives, representing the 55th district, in West Nashville
* Charlie Daniels (1936–2020), country music performer
* Jimmy Duncan (born 1947), U.S. Representative from Tennessee
* Ben Hayslip (born 1970), Grammy-nominated country music songwriter
* Haystak (born 1973), rapper
* George Huddleston (1869–1960), U.S. Representative from Alabama, 1915–1937
* Albert Johnson (1930s–1984), first black mayor in New Mexico[34]
* Coco Jones (born 1998), actress
* Thomas Kilby (1865–1943), 36th Governor of Alabama[35]
* Marcellus Neal (1868–1939), first African-American graduate of Indiana University, Bloomington
* Morgan Price (born 2005), gymnast
* Dawson Sutton (born 2006), racing driver
* A C Wharton (born 1944), Mayor of Memphis, 2009–2015
* Kenny Winfree (born 1954), folk music singer-songwriter
* Hunter Wright (born 2001), racing driver

## See also

[edit]

* Lebanon station (Tennessee)
* Cedars of Lebanon State Park

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Tennessee Blue Book" (PDF). State.tn.us. 2005. pp. 618–625. Retrieved November 4, 2016.
2. ^ "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
3. ^ a b "Census Population API". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
4. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
5. ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
6. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on March 2, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
7. ^ a b "QuickFacts: Lebanon city, Tennessee". census.gov. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
8. ^ "Lebanon, Tennessee". City-Data.com. Retrieved August 21, 2012.
9. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 183.
10. ^ "NowData - NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved September 25, 2021.
11. ^ "Station: Lebanon, TN". U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991–2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved September 25, 2021.
12. ^ "City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2023". United States Census Bureau. May 16, 2024. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
13. ^ "Census of Population and Housing: Decennial Censuses". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 4, 2012.
14. ^ "Incorporated Places and Minor Civil Divisions Datasets: Subcounty Resident Population Estimates: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2012". Population Estimates. U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 11, 2013. Retrieved December 11, 2013.
15. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 26, 2021.
16. ^ "Finance News & latest business headlines from AOL". Money.aol.com. Archived from the original on August 10, 2020. Retrieved November 4, 2016.
17. ^ "Contact". Lochinvar.com. Archived from the original on November 16, 2016. Retrieved November 4, 2016.
18. ^ Josh Harkinson (July 27, 2013). "Michael Dell: The Making of an American Oligarch". Mother Jones. Retrieved November 4, 2016.
19. ^ "$150M investment in Lebanon largest ever in Tennessee for a China-based company". Bizjournals.com. Retrieved November 4, 2016.
20. ^ "Divestiture of the Mitchell House". July 16, 2019. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
21. ^ "Tritium opens its first US-based EV fast charger manufacturing plant". Green Car Congress. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
22. ^ a b c "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Wilson County, TN" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 6, 2021.
23. ^ Jensen, Heather (March 12, 2012). "Crews continue work on new Lebanon High School". Nashville, Tennessee: WKRN. Archived from the original on July 22, 2014. Retrieved May 6, 2012.
24. ^ "School Zone Maps". Wilson County School District. Retrieved July 6, 2021. \- See Carroll-Oakland School Zone and Southside Elementary School zone. Compare with city map of Lebanon.
25. ^ "Cumberland University About Page". Retrieved March 3, 2011.
26. ^ "Want/Wcor". Wantfm.com. Retrieved November 4, 2016.
27. ^ "Nashville: Live Life. Love Music". 1075 The River. Retrieved November 4, 2016.
28. ^ Tennessee Department of Transportation Long Range Planning Division Office of Data Visualization (2018). Wilson County (PDF) (Map). Tennessee Department of Transportation.
29. ^ "Middle Tennessee RTA Home Page - quick links, featured news, news releases, contact information". Musiccitystar.org. Retrieved November 4, 2016.
30. ^ "Middle Tennessee RTA Special Event Information - July 4th". Musiccitystar.org. Archived from the original on August 9, 2016. Retrieved November 4, 2016.
31. ^ "Middle Tennessee RTA Titans Game-Day Express - Titans Train Tickets, Titans, Game Day Express, Titans information, Music City Star". Middle Tennessee RTA. April 12, 2012. Archived from the original on April 14, 2012.
32. ^ "Middle Tennessee RTA Home Page - quick links, featured news, news releases, contact information". Musiccitystar.org. Retrieved November 4, 2016.
33. ^ "M54 - Lebanon Municipal Airport". AirNav.com. Retrieved November 4, 2016.
34. ^ "First black mayor". Albuquerque Journal. September 2, 1976. p. 53\. Archived from the original on August 7, 2020. Retrieved September 21, 2020 - via Newspapers.com.
35. ^ "Thomas Erby Kilby". Alabama Department of Archives & History. Retrieved August 20, 2012.

## External links

[edit]

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Lebanon (Tennessee).

* City Government of Lebanon
* "Lebanon. II. A town and the capital of Wilson co., Tennessee" . The American Cyclopædia. 1879.

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County seat: Lebanon

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