Columbia, Tennessee

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Columbia, Tennessee
Location of Columbia, Tennessee
Location of Columbia, Tennessee
Coordinates: 35°36′54″N 87°2′40″W / 35.615, -87.04444
Country United States
State Tennessee
County Maury
Area
 - Total 29.6 sq mi (76.7 km²)
 - Land 29.6 sq mi (76.7 km²)
 - Water 0.0 sq mi (0.0 km²)
Elevation 643 ft (196 m)
Population (2000)
 - Total 33,055
 - Density 1,116.8/sq mi (431.2/km²)
Time zone Central (CST) (UTC-6)
 - Summer (DST) CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP codes 38401-38402
Area code(s) 931
FIPS code 47-16540[1]
GNIS feature ID 1269483[2]

Columbia is a city in Maury County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 33,055 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Maury County[3].

The town is notable for being the self-proclaimed "Mule capital of the world" and honors this fact with Mule Day, a large celebration held annually every April.

The film Daltry Calhoun, starring Johnny Knoxville, was filmed in Columbia and elsewhere in Maury County in 2005. In 2008, the Hannah Montana Movie was filmed in downtown Columbia.[4]

Contents

[edit] Geography

Columbia is located at 35°36′54″N, 87°2′40″W (35.615022, -87.044464)[5]. It is nestled along the banks of the Duck River at the southern edge of the Nashville Basin with the higher elevated ridges of the Highland Rim located to the south and west of the city.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 29.6 square miles (76.7 km²), of which, 29.6 square miles (76.7 km²) of it is land and 0.03% is water.

[edit] History

The James K. Polk Ancestral Home in Columbia is the only one of President Polk's homes that is still standing
The James K. Polk Ancestral Home in Columbia is the only one of President Polk's homes that is still standing

A year after the organization of Maury County in 1807, Columbia was laid out in 1808 and lots were sold. The original town, on the south bank of the Duck River, consisted of only four blocks. The town was incorporated in 1817. For years, it was the county seat of the richest county in agricultural wealth in the state. Today, it is an important tourist destination, most of whom are drawn by the numerous historic sites in the area. Attractions include the James K. Polk Home, the Columbia Athenaeum, Mule Day, and nearby plantations.

Famous natives of Columbia include James K. Polk, Governor, Congressman, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives and eleventh President of the United States; A.O.P. Nicholson, state senator, U.S. Senator, and Chief Justice of the Tennessee Supreme Court; Sterling Marlin, NASCAR driver; Dr. Marion Dorsett, inventor of the serum to control hog cholera; and Fran McKee, first female line admiral in the U.S. Navy, and Raphael Benjamin West former Nashville major, noted Civil Rights ally.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 33,055 people, 13,059 households, and 8,801 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,116.8 people per square mile (431.2/km²). There were 14,322 housing units at an average density of 483.9/sq mi (186.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 74.63% White, 21.13% African American, 0.28% Native American, 0.41% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 2.06% from other races, and 1.46% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.70% of the population.

There were 13,059 households out of which 32.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.8% were married couples living together, 16.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.6% were non-families. 27.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the city the population was spread out with 25.8% under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 28.6% from 25 to 44, 21.0% from 45 to 64, and 14.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 89.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $35,879, and the median income for a family was $42,822. Males had a median income of $34,898 versus $22,093 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,004. About 10.9% of families and 13.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.7% of those under age 18 and 13.2% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Notable residents

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
  2. ^ US Board on Geographic Names. United States Geological Survey (2007-10-25). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
  3. ^ Find a County. National Association of Counties. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
  4. ^ Chris Graham (2008-05-22). Sweet niblets!. Columbia Daily Herald. Retrieved on 2008-05-23.
  5. ^ US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990. United States Census Bureau (2005-05-03). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.

[edit] External links