Collierville, Tennessee
Encyclopedia
Collierville is a town in Shelby County
, Tennessee
, United States
, and a suburb located in the Memphis metropolitan area
. The town had a population of 43,965 at the 2010 census.
Collierville is a mainly upscale town of large houses and considerable retail expansion, but unlike its neighbors, still retains much of its "old town" feel from its days as a self-contained community, rather than a suburb. Smaller, older houses are still found in the heart of Collierville, mainly between Byhalia Road and Collierville-Arlington on the east and west and Shelton and Highway 72 on the north and south. Some industry, notably Pepsi
and Carrier
, still dots the areas located south of Poplar Avenue.
Collierville is home to the Avenue at Carriage Crossing, an 800,000+ sq ft shopping center which opened in October 2005. Baptist Hospital, Collierville, serves the medical needs of the town's residents.
Collierville will soon become part of the Interstate 69
highway plan integrating Bill Morris Parkway (TN 385) as part of this USDOT project linking Canada
and Mexico
with the United States.
Collierville was chosen as one of Relocate-America's Top 100 Places to Live in 2008.
that occurred late in 1863 at Collierville in Shelby County
. The first Battle of Collierville
occurred on October 11, 1863. Collierville was one of the garrisons established to protect the Memphis and Charleston Railroad
. For the Confederates, the Union garrison was a source of fresh supplies. Brig. Gen. James R. Chalmers
' division of 3000 men attacked the garrison and earthworks defended by 550 men, including Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman
.
The battle on November 3 was the second Confederate
cavalry raid that attempted to break up the Memphis and Charleston Railroad behind Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman’s XV Army Corps, then in the process of marching to the relief of Chattanooga
. When Brig. Gen. James R. Chalmers, leading a cavalry division riding up from Mississippi, learned that only two Union
regiments defended Collierville, he decided to attack. Union Col. Edward Hatch possessed more men than Chalmers supposed, stationed at Collierville and at Germantown
, 5 miles (8 km) to the west. Scouts warned Hatch of Chalmers’s approach from the south, so he ordered Collierville’s defenders to be prepared and rode from Germantown with cavalry reinforcements. Chalmers, as he had done only three weeks earlier, attacked from the south. Col. Hatch arrived with help. Surprised by the unexpected appearance of the enemy on his flanks, Chalmers concluded that he was outnumbered, called off the battle, and, to ward off Union pursuit, withdrew back to Mississippi. The Memphis & Charleston Railroad remained open to Tuscumbia, Alabama
, for Union troop movements. Estimated casualties were 60 for the Union and 95 for the Confederacy for a total of 155.
Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman participated in the battle of October 11, and his monument in Washington, D.C. lists "Colliersville" as one of his battles. The Union commanders referred to it as "Colliersville" in the official reports.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the town has a total area of 24.6 square miles (63.7 km²), of which 24.5 square miles (63.5 km²) is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²), or 0.41%, is water.
, with four distinct seasons. The summer months (late May to late September) are persistently hot (between 68 °F (20 °C) and 95 °F (35 °C)) and humid due to moisture encroaching from the Gulf of Mexico. Afternoon thunderstorms are frequent during some summers, but usually brief, lasting no longer than an hour. Early Autumn is pleasantly drier and mild, but can remain hot until late October. Abrupt but short-lived cold snaps are common. Late Autumn is rainy and colder, December being the third rainiest month of the year. Fall foliage becomes especially vibrant after the first frost, typically November, and lasts until early December. Winters are mild, but cold snaps can occur. The official all-time record low temperature was -13.0 °F (-25.0 °C), which occurred on December 24, 1963. Mild spells are sometimes warm with temperatures as high as 75 °F (23 °C) during January and February. Snowfall is not abundant but does occur during most winters, with an annual average of 5.7 inches (14.4 cm) at the airport. Spring often begins in late February or early March, following the onset of a sharp warmup. This season is also known as "severe weather season" due to the higher frequency of tornadoes, hail, and thunderstorms producing winds greater than 58 mph (93 km/h). Average rainfall is slightly higher during the spring months (except November) than the rest of the year, but not to any noticeable extent. Historically, April is the month with the highest frequency of tornadoes, though tornadoes have occurred every month of the year. Collierville is sunny approximately 64% of the time. (It only snows about 3 times a year.)
, there were 31,872 people, 10,368 households, and 8,937 families residing in the town. The population density
was 1,298.3 people per square mile (501.3/km²). There were 10,770 housing units at an average density of 438.7 per square mile (169.4/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 89.87% White, 7.33% African American, 0.19% Native American, 1.47% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.33% from other races
, and 0.79% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.51% of the population.
There were 10,368 households, out of which 52.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 76.1% were married couples
living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 13.8% were non-families. 11.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 3.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.06 and the average family size was 3.34.
In the town the population was spread out with 33.4% under the age of 18, 5.8% from 18 to 24, 32.4% from 25 to 44, 22.3% from 45 to 64, and 6.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.9 males.
According to a 2007 estimate, the median income for a household in the town was $99,239, and the median income for a family was $106,634. Males had a median income of $63,986 versus $32,619 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $30,252. About 1.9% of families and 2.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.6% of those under age 18 and 4.1% of those age 65 or over.
Collierville is served by the Shelby County School District
, which is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
. Several private schools are also located in the town.
Middle schools:
High schools:
Fair on the Square takes place every May on the Square.
Collierville's Farmers Market is located located just off the Town Square on Washington Street (behind McGinnis' Station/across from Mensi's Dairy Bar).
Shelby County, Tennessee
Shelby County is a county located in the U.S. state of Tennessee. It is the state's largest both in terms of population and geographic area, with a population of 927,644 at the 2010 census...
, Tennessee
Tennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, and a suburb located in the Memphis metropolitan area
Memphis Metropolitan Area
The Memphis Metropolitan Statistical Area, TN-MS-AR , more commonly known as The Mid-South, is the 41st largest among similarly designated areas in the United States. The metropolitan area covers eight counties in three states – Tennessee, Mississippi, and Arkansas...
. The town had a population of 43,965 at the 2010 census.
Collierville is a mainly upscale town of large houses and considerable retail expansion, but unlike its neighbors, still retains much of its "old town" feel from its days as a self-contained community, rather than a suburb. Smaller, older houses are still found in the heart of Collierville, mainly between Byhalia Road and Collierville-Arlington on the east and west and Shelton and Highway 72 on the north and south. Some industry, notably Pepsi
Pepsi
Pepsi is a carbonated soft drink that is produced and manufactured by PepsiCo...
and Carrier
Carrier Corporation
The Carrier Corporation is one of the world’s largest manufacturers and distributors of heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems, and a global leader in the commercial refrigeration and food service equipment industry...
, still dots the areas located south of Poplar Avenue.
Collierville is home to the Avenue at Carriage Crossing, an 800,000+ sq ft shopping center which opened in October 2005. Baptist Hospital, Collierville, serves the medical needs of the town's residents.
Collierville will soon become part of the Interstate 69
Interstate 69
Interstate 69 is an Interstate Highway in the United States. It exists in two parts: a completed highway from Indianapolis, Indiana, northeast to the Canadian border in Port Huron, Michigan, and a mostly proposed extension southwest to the Mexican border in Texas...
highway plan integrating Bill Morris Parkway (TN 385) as part of this USDOT project linking Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
with the United States.
Collierville was chosen as one of Relocate-America's Top 100 Places to Live in 2008.
Battle of Collierville
There were two battles and two small skirmishes of the American Civil WarAmerican Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
that occurred late in 1863 at Collierville in Shelby County
Shelby County, Tennessee
Shelby County is a county located in the U.S. state of Tennessee. It is the state's largest both in terms of population and geographic area, with a population of 927,644 at the 2010 census...
. The first Battle of Collierville
Battle of Collierville
The Battle of Collierville was a battle of the American Civil War, in Shelby County, Tennessee. Four minor battles occurred in 1863 at Collierville, Tennessee, during a three-month period. The two largest battles occurred on October 11 and November 3, 1863. The battle on October 11 was the...
occurred on October 11, 1863. Collierville was one of the garrisons established to protect the Memphis and Charleston Railroad
Memphis and Charleston Railroad
The Memphis and Charleston Railroad, completed in 1857, was the first railroad in the United States to link the Atlantic Ocean with the Mississippi River. Chartered in 1846 the railroad ran from Memphis, Tennessee to Stevenson, Alabama through the towns of Corinth, Mississippi and Huntsville,...
. For the Confederates, the Union garrison was a source of fresh supplies. Brig. Gen. James R. Chalmers
James Ronald Chalmers
James Ronald Chalmers was an American politician and a brigadier general in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War.-Early life:...
' division of 3000 men attacked the garrison and earthworks defended by 550 men, including Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman
William Tecumseh Sherman
William Tecumseh Sherman was an American soldier, businessman, educator and author. He served as a General in the Union Army during the American Civil War , for which he received recognition for his outstanding command of military strategy as well as criticism for the harshness of the "scorched...
.
The battle on November 3 was the second Confederate
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
cavalry raid that attempted to break up the Memphis and Charleston Railroad behind Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman’s XV Army Corps, then in the process of marching to the relief of Chattanooga
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Chattanooga is the fourth-largest city in the US state of Tennessee , with a population of 169,887. It is the seat of Hamilton County...
. When Brig. Gen. James R. Chalmers, leading a cavalry division riding up from Mississippi, learned that only two Union
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
regiments defended Collierville, he decided to attack. Union Col. Edward Hatch possessed more men than Chalmers supposed, stationed at Collierville and at Germantown
Germantown, Tennessee
Germantown is a city in Shelby County, Tennessee. The population was 38,844 at the 2010 census.Germantown is a suburb of Memphis, bordering it to the east. Germantown's economy is dominated by the retail and commercial service sectors; there is no heavy industry in Germantown...
, 5 miles (8 km) to the west. Scouts warned Hatch of Chalmers’s approach from the south, so he ordered Collierville’s defenders to be prepared and rode from Germantown with cavalry reinforcements. Chalmers, as he had done only three weeks earlier, attacked from the south. Col. Hatch arrived with help. Surprised by the unexpected appearance of the enemy on his flanks, Chalmers concluded that he was outnumbered, called off the battle, and, to ward off Union pursuit, withdrew back to Mississippi. The Memphis & Charleston Railroad remained open to Tuscumbia, Alabama
Tuscumbia, Alabama
Tuscumbia is a city in and the county seat of Colbert County, Alabama, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 8,423 and is included in The Shoals MSA....
, for Union troop movements. Estimated casualties were 60 for the Union and 95 for the Confederacy for a total of 155.
Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman participated in the battle of October 11, and his monument in Washington, D.C. lists "Colliersville" as one of his battles. The Union commanders referred to it as "Colliersville" in the official reports.
Geography
Collierville is located at 35°3′16"N 89°40′56"W (35.054366, -89.682306).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the town has a total area of 24.6 square miles (63.7 km²), of which 24.5 square miles (63.5 km²) is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²), or 0.41%, is water.
Major thoroughfares
- Nonconnah/Bill Morris Parkway (State Route 385)
- U. S. Route 72 (Poplar Avenue)/Tennessee State Route 86
- State Route 57Tennessee State Route 57Tennessee State Route 57 is an east–west highway that runs from Memphis to the Mississippi state line near Pickwick Dam and Pickwick Landing State Park. Except for in Shelby County, SR 57 is a two lane road generally with a speed limit...
(Poplar Avenue) - State Route 175Tennessee State Route 175Tennessee State Route 175 is a Tennessee designated state route, running for a total of approximately through southern Shelby County, Tennessee.-History:...
(Byhalia Road, Collierville Road, S Houston Levee Road, and E Shelby Drive) - State Route 205Tennessee State Route 205-Route description:SR 205 begins in Collierville at SR-57 and is known by the name Collierville-Arlington Road, as this is the main route between the two towns. It continues north through Collierville as four lanes until it reaches the Wolf River, where it becomes a two-lane road...
(Collierville-Arlington Road) - Winchester Boulevard
Climate
Collierville has a humid subtropical climateHumid subtropical climate
A humid subtropical climate is a climate zone characterized by hot, humid summers and mild to cool winters...
, with four distinct seasons. The summer months (late May to late September) are persistently hot (between 68 °F (20 °C) and 95 °F (35 °C)) and humid due to moisture encroaching from the Gulf of Mexico. Afternoon thunderstorms are frequent during some summers, but usually brief, lasting no longer than an hour. Early Autumn is pleasantly drier and mild, but can remain hot until late October. Abrupt but short-lived cold snaps are common. Late Autumn is rainy and colder, December being the third rainiest month of the year. Fall foliage becomes especially vibrant after the first frost, typically November, and lasts until early December. Winters are mild, but cold snaps can occur. The official all-time record low temperature was -13.0 °F (-25.0 °C), which occurred on December 24, 1963. Mild spells are sometimes warm with temperatures as high as 75 °F (23 °C) during January and February. Snowfall is not abundant but does occur during most winters, with an annual average of 5.7 inches (14.4 cm) at the airport. Spring often begins in late February or early March, following the onset of a sharp warmup. This season is also known as "severe weather season" due to the higher frequency of tornadoes, hail, and thunderstorms producing winds greater than 58 mph (93 km/h). Average rainfall is slightly higher during the spring months (except November) than the rest of the year, but not to any noticeable extent. Historically, April is the month with the highest frequency of tornadoes, though tornadoes have occurred every month of the year. Collierville is sunny approximately 64% of the time. (It only snows about 3 times a year.)
Demographics
As of the 2000 censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
, there were 31,872 people, 10,368 households, and 8,937 families residing in the town. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,298.3 people per square mile (501.3/km²). There were 10,770 housing units at an average density of 438.7 per square mile (169.4/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 89.87% White, 7.33% African American, 0.19% Native American, 1.47% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.33% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.79% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.51% of the population.
There were 10,368 households, out of which 52.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 76.1% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 13.8% were non-families. 11.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 3.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.06 and the average family size was 3.34.
In the town the population was spread out with 33.4% under the age of 18, 5.8% from 18 to 24, 32.4% from 25 to 44, 22.3% from 45 to 64, and 6.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.9 males.
According to a 2007 estimate, the median income for a household in the town was $99,239, and the median income for a family was $106,634. Males had a median income of $63,986 versus $32,619 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the town was $30,252. About 1.9% of families and 2.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.6% of those under age 18 and 4.1% of those age 65 or over.
Churches
Collierville is home to many places of worship of various denominations. Among them are the Catholic Church of the Incarnation with nearly 4,500 members, and Collierville First Baptist Church with more than 3,200 members. Collierville is also home to numerous other Baptist churches, one United Methodist church, and a few scattered Lutheran churches.Education
Of residents 25 years of age and older, 93.2% have a high school diploma or higher, 41.2% have a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.4% have a graduate or professional degree. Of current students, 95.6% attend public schools, 4.4% attend private schools.Collierville is served by the Shelby County School District
Shelby County Schools (Tennessee)
The Shelby County School District is a public school district headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee. It serves Shelby County, Tennessee, except for the city of Memphis...
, which is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools is one of the six regional accreditation organizations recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation...
. Several private schools are also located in the town.
Shelby County schools
Elementary schools:- Bailey Station Elementary
- Collierville Elementary
- Crosswind Elementary
- Sycamore Elementary
- Tara Oaks Elementary
Middle schools:
- Collierville Middle
- Schilling Farms Middle
High schools:
- Collierville High SchoolCollierville High School (Collierville, Tennessee)Collierville High School is a public high school serving Shelby County, Tennessee. It is located in Collierville, Tennessee. Its school colors are maroon and white. The school's mascot is the Dragon, dubbed by the elementary art teacher, Mrs. Ackerman, who designed it as 'Blister the Dragon'...
(named one of America's top high schools by Newsweek) - Houston High SchoolHouston High School (Germantown, Tennessee)Houston High School is a fully accredited public high school located in Germantown, Tennessee, serving students in grades 9-12. The school is one of eight high schools currently operating in the Shelby County School District. The principal is Mrs. Leisa Justus, the vice-principal is Mrs...
Private schools
- Central Day School
- Collierville Christian Academy
- Incarnation Elementary School
- St. George's Independent School - ColliervilleSt. George's Independent SchoolsSt. George's Independent School was founded in 1959 as St. George's Episcopal School and now has campuses in Collierville, Germantown, and Memphis, Tennessee.-History:...
Culture
Collierville's traditional destination for visitors is the Historic Square, in the center of downtown. This quaint shopping destination boasts trendy shops, fun eateries, and a tree-lined park, all overlooking the old train depot from which the town grew.Fair on the Square takes place every May on the Square.
Collierville's Farmers Market is located located just off the Town Square on Washington Street (behind McGinnis' Station/across from Mensi's Dairy Bar).
See also
- Battle of ColliervilleBattle of ColliervilleThe Battle of Collierville was a battle of the American Civil War, in Shelby County, Tennessee. Four minor battles occurred in 1863 at Collierville, Tennessee, during a three-month period. The two largest battles occurred on October 11 and November 3, 1863. The battle on October 11 was the...
for description of both battles of 1863, with links to commanders and units that fought there.