Englewood, Tennessee

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Englewood is a town in McMinn County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 1,590 at the 2000 census.

1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 A Brief History
4 Current Issues and Facts
5 Corruption
6 External links

[edit] Geography

Englewood is located at 35°25′35″N, 84°29′13″W (35.426252, -84.486982)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 4.4 km² (1.7 mi²), all land.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 1,590 people, 670 households, and 456 families residing in the town. The population density was 361.1/km² (934.4/mi²). There were 760 housing units at an average density of 172.6/km² (446.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.67% White, 0.06% African American, 0.25% Native American, 0.06% Asian, 0.44% from other races, and 1.51% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.94% of the population.

There were 670 households out of which 31.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.5% were married couples living together, 14.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.8% were non-families. 29.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the town the population was spread out with 25.9% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 27.0% from 25 to 44, 22.1% from 45 to 64, and 16.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 94.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.8 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $24,000, and the median income for a family was $29,792. Males had a median income of $29,000 versus $22,583 for females. The per capita income for the town was $13,752. About 17.0% of families and 20.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.7% of those under age 18 and 14.7% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] A Brief History

The town was originally known as Mortimer, and later as Tellico Junction. Its early economy was built on its proximity to the Louisville & Nashville Railroad (later known as Seaboard System and then as CSX), and to a booming textile industry primarily focused on sock making. The nearby White Cliff Hotel atop Starr Mountain brought tourism through the town in the antebellum South.

Later economic factors included trucking (primarily drive-through business as truckers traveled US 411) and modest tourism, centered on the nearby Cherokee National Forest as well as a texile museum in town.

[edit] Current Issues and Facts

Currently Englewood is seeing a moderate housing boom in the surrounding rural areas, but is unable to take direct advantage of this as expansion is taking place outside of the city limits. Many historic structures such as an old mill, the mill's nearby watertower, an historic Spur service station and an historic home have been razed in recent years. Recent in-town improvements include the remodeling/rebuilding of a covenience mart and fast food restaurant, the rebuilding of the downtown area's facade, construction of a new bank, a new firehall, a new library and the breaking of ground for a large church expansion. The town is in need of a new post office and a new justice center.

Currently the City of Englewood relies on the City of Athens, seat of the County of McMinn, for many services including police dispatching and jail space. The town also has a water supply agreement with nearby Etowah, Tennessee.

Local landmarks include Ed's Grocery (now closed), Wilson's Drug Store (a former Rexall store), an historic watertower (still standing), a small park in the downtown area, a mural of the town's history painted on the side of a downtown building, and Fat Wilson's Hill (a longtime favorite of snow-sledders and stargazers).

[edit] Corruption

Beginning in the 1970's and lasting until present day, Englewood has experienced problems with police corruption due to drug trafficking, primarily on US Highway 411, the main road through town and a major secondary route between Cincinnati, Ohio and Atlanta, Georgia. Federal Agents have at times been dispatched to the area to deal with the issues. Rumour in the 1970's and 1980's was that Englewood was the second busiest drug trafficking locality in the United States after Miami, Florida. The town's plight was featured on national newscasts.