Shelbyville, Tennessee

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Shelbyville, Tennessee
Location of Shelbyville, Tennessee
Location of Shelbyville, Tennessee
Coordinates: 35°29′20″N 86°27′8″W / 35.48889, -86.45222
Country United States
State Tennessee
County Bedford
Area
 - Total 15.5 sq mi (40.1 km²)
 - Land 15.5 sq mi (40.1 km²)
 - Water 0.0 sq mi (0.0 km²)
Elevation 755 ft (230 m)
Population (2000)
 - Total 16,105
 - Density 1,041.3/sq mi (402.0/km²)
Time zone Central (CST) (UTC-6)
 - Summer (DST) CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP codes 37160-37162
Area code(s) 931
FIPS code 47-67760[1]
GNIS feature ID 1269993[2]

Shelbyville is a city in Bedford County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 16,105 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Bedford County[3]. Shelbyville is a hub of the Tennessee Walking Horse industry and is the home of the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration, an 11-day event which ends on the Saturday before Labor Day. Shelbyville was featured in Miranda Lambert's video Famous in a Small Town.

Contents

[edit] Geography

Shelbyville is located at 35°29′20″N, 86°27′8″W (35.488988, -86.452353)[4].

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 15.5 sq mi (40.1 km²), all land.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 16,105 people, 6,066 households, and 4,155 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,041.3 people per square mile (402.0/km²). There were 6,550 housing units at an average density of 423.5/sq mi (163.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 77.14% White, 14.98% African American, 0.35% Native American, 0.70% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 5.02% from other races, and 1.78% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 14.55% of the population.

There were 6,066 households out of which 31.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.0% were married couples living together, 16.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.5% were non-families. 26.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.05.

In the city the population was spread out with 25.2% under the age of 18, 11.9% from 18 to 24, 28.9% from 25 to 44, 18.8% from 45 to 64, and 15.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 94.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,593, and the median income for a family was $36,465. Males had a median income of $25,754 versus $19,065 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,260. About 12.4% of families and 16.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.4% of those under age 18 and 22.1% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Business

Shelbyville is known as "The Pencil City" because of its historical importance as a center of wood-cased pencil manufacturing.[5][6]

Shelbyville is still a site for manufacture of writing instruments. Sanford Corporation produces the Sharpie, the world’s largest selling writing instrument, in the city.[6] It was in Shelbyville in 1991 that the world's longest pencil was produced.[citation needed] It is a plastic-cased pencil 1,091 feet long, weighing 27 pounds.[7] Other major business operations in Shelbyville include manufacturers CalsonicKansei, Bemis Custom Products, Cebal America, and Josten’s, agri-business (Tyson Foods), and distribution (Wal-Mart).[6][8]

[edit] The Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration

The Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration began in 1938. It takes place each year during the 11 days and nights prior to Labor Day. It is the premier event for the Tennessee Walking Horse, during which the breed's World Grand Champion and some 20 World Champions are named. It is a festival event where more than $650,000 in prizes and awards are given.

[edit] Famous natives

[edit] References

[edit] External links