Lafayette, Tennessee
Encyclopedia
Lafayette is a city in Macon County, Tennessee
, United States
. The population was 3,885 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat
of Macon County.
There are still many roadways within Macon County that are gravel based and bridges are not present when arriving upon streams. Several foot bridges still exist leading to homes that have been family owned for generations. Tobacco is the cash crop and tobacco warehouses from a long ago era still exist.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 4.4 square miles (11.4 km²), all of it land.
of 2000, there were 3,885 people, 1,718 households, and 1,089 families residing in the city. The population density
was 888.4 people per square mile (343.3/km2). There were 1,845 housing units at an average density of 421.9 per square mile (163.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 97.89% White, 0.15% African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.39% Asian, 0.26% Pacific Islander, 0.51% from other races
, and 0.46% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.11% of the population.
There were 1,718 households out of which 26.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.2% were married couples
living together, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.6% were non-families. 34.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 20.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.79.
In the city the population was spread out with 20.6% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 24.0% from 25 to 44, 25.0% from 45 to 64, and 22.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 84.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $25,750, and the median income for a family was $34,125. Males had a median income of $28,994 versus $19,676 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $15,348. About 12.1% of families and 18.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.2% of those under age 18 and 24.2% of those age 65 or over.
Although not a large manufacturing community, Lafayette is home to a few industries. The largest manufacturers in the area are Fleetwood Homes, which is a division of Cavco Industries, Inc., and Tennplasco, which is a division of Manar, Inc.
Private School
and Tennessee State Route 52
. State Route 52 is the main thoroughfare in the city connecting with Interstate 65 approximately 35 miles away near Portland, Tennessee.
Sneed Boulevard is used as a bypass that connects State Route 52 to the Lafayette Industrial Park, which is located in the northern section of the city.
Located two miles west of downtown, air service in Lafayette is provided by Lafayette Municipal Airport. The facility includes a runway with dimensions of 5,200 by 75 feet.
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...
. The population was 3,885 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Macon County.
There are still many roadways within Macon County that are gravel based and bridges are not present when arriving upon streams. Several foot bridges still exist leading to homes that have been family owned for generations. Tobacco is the cash crop and tobacco warehouses from a long ago era still exist.
Geography
Lafayette is located at 36.525595°N 86.026246°W.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 city has a total area of 4.4 square miles (11.4 km²), all of it land.
Demographics
As of the 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...
of 2000, there were 3,885 people, 1,718 households, and 1,089 families residing in the city. 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 888.4 people per square mile (343.3/km2). There were 1,845 housing units at an average density of 421.9 per square mile (163.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 97.89% White, 0.15% African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.39% Asian, 0.26% Pacific Islander, 0.51% 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 0.46% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.11% of the population.
There were 1,718 households out of which 26.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.2% 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, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.6% were non-families. 34.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 20.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.79.
The median income for a household in the city was $25,750, and the median income for a family was $34,125. Males had a median income of $28,994 versus $19,676 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 city was $15,348. About 12.1% of families and 18.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.2% of those under age 18 and 24.2% of those age 65 or over.
2008 Tornado
On February 5, 2008 at approximately 10:20pm an EF3 tornado touched down in Lafayette and stayed on the ground with a width of approximately 3/4 mile and traveled for nearly 21 miles (33.8 km) crossing the county in a northeastern direction. The county was devastated by the twister and a total of 14 people were confirmed dead. Macon County is not equipped with tornado warning sirens; and despite the efforts of the local news media and the National Weather Service many residents were unprepared.Economy
The Lafayette and Macon County area is a rural area and its economy mainly relies on the agricultural sector. Macon County is time and again one of the top producers of burley tobacco in Tennessee and the United States. The production of hardwood lumber is also an important industry in the county. There are two local banks with their main offices located in Lafayette. The oldest is Citizens Bank, founded in 1909, and has 10 locations in Macon County and surrounding areas. Macon Bank & Trust Co. was founded in 1919 and has 7 locations in the area.Although not a large manufacturing community, Lafayette is home to a few industries. The largest manufacturers in the area are Fleetwood Homes, which is a division of Cavco Industries, Inc., and Tennplasco, which is a division of Manar, Inc.
Parks
Lafayette has two community parks:- Key Park: Located on Church Street and includes picnic facilities, a playground, a bandstand, walking tracks and Key Park Log House. The Farmer's Market also sets up shop here.
- Lafayette City Park: Located on Days Road and includes picnic facilities, a playground, a swimming pool, a volleyball court, tennis courts and a baseball field.
Golf
Lafayette has one golf course:- Macon County Golf Course: semi-private, nine-hole course
Education
Lafayette is home to several schools which are run by the Macon County Board of Education. Macon County High School is the high school located in Lafayette, home of the Tigers and Tigerettes. Founded in 1927 the first graduating class consisted of 4 graduates. Today Macon County High consists of 480 male students, 403 female, of the 883 students breakdown is as follows:21 Hispanic/Latino students, 1 Asian student, and 1 black/African American student. 860 white/Caucasian students.Public schools
- Central Elementary School, 2-3
- Fairlane Elementary School, PK-1
- Lafayette Elementary School, 4-5
- Macon County High School, 9-12
- Macon County Junior High School, 6-8
- Westside Elementary School, PK-5, located in western Macon County
- Red Boiling Springs High School
Private School
- Macon Christian Academy, Pre School to 12
Transportation
Lafayette is located at the crossroads of Tennessee State Route 10Tennessee State Route 10
State Route 10 is a south–north route from the Alabama state line in Lincoln County, Tennessee to the Kentucky state line in Macon County- Route description :...
and Tennessee State Route 52
Tennessee State Route 52
Tennessee State Route 52 is an east–west highway that crosses northern Tennessee.It extends from State Highway 49 in Robertson County to its eastern terminus at the intersection with U.S. Route 27 in Scott County....
. State Route 52 is the main thoroughfare in the city connecting with Interstate 65 approximately 35 miles away near Portland, Tennessee.
Sneed Boulevard is used as a bypass that connects State Route 52 to the Lafayette Industrial Park, which is located in the northern section of the city.
Other major routes
- Tennessee State Route 261
- Tennessee State Route 262
Located two miles west of downtown, air service in Lafayette is provided by Lafayette Municipal Airport. The facility includes a runway with dimensions of 5,200 by 75 feet.
Notable natives
- John Washington ButlerJohn Washington ButlerJohn Washington Butler was an American farmer and a member of the Tennessee House of Representatives. He is most noted for introducing the Butler Act, which prohibited teaching of evolution in public schools...
- Hillous ButrumHillous ButrumHillous Buel "Bew" Butrum was an American country music guitar player and a record and video producer best known as a member of Hank Williams Drifting Cowboys....
- Country music guitarist. - Rita CoolidgeRita CoolidgeRita Coolidge is a multiple Grammy Award-winning American vocalist. During the 1970s and 1980s, she charted hits on Billboard's Pop, Country, Adult Contemporary and Jazz charts.-Career:...
- American singer. - Nera WhiteNera WhiteNera D. White is a retired American basketball player. She is considered one of the most outstanding female players in history.- Early life and education :...
- First Woman in Basketball Hall of Fame - Jett WilliamsJett WilliamsJett Williams is an American country music performer.Jett is the daughter of country music icon Hank Williams, Sr. and Bobbie Jett, whose brief relationship with Hank Williams occurred between his two marriages. She is a posthumous child; her birth in Montgomery, Alabama occurred five days after...
- Country Music Singer