Union City, Tennessee
Encyclopedia
Union City is a city in Obion County, Tennessee
, United States
. The population was 10,876 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat
of Obion County. The name comes from its location at the union of two railroads, one running roughly east-west and the other roughly north-south. Union City is best known for two things: It was the site of a minor battle in the American Civil War
in March 1864, and it has a Goodyear Tire Plant.
Union City is the principal city of the Union City-Hickman
, TN
-KY
Micropolitan Statistical Area
, which includes Obion County and Fulton County, Kentucky
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 10.7 square miles (27.7 km²), all of it land. The current mayor is Terry Hailey.
of 2000, there were 10,876 people, 4,568 households, and 2,905 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,020.1 people per square mile (393.9/km²). There were 5,013 housing units at an average density of 470.2 per square mile (181.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 75.44% White, 21.29% African American, 0.22% Native American, 0.29% Asian, 0.13% Pacific Islander, 1.59% from other races
, and 1.04% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.41% of the population.
There were 4,568 households out of which 29.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.6% were married couples
living together, 15.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.4% were non-families. 32.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.89.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.6% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 26.8% from 25 to 44, 22.6% from 45 to 64, and 17.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every hundred females there were 87.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $29,399, and the median income for a family was $40,737. Males had a median income of $35,801 versus $19,694 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $18,787. About 12.5% of families and 16.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.4% of those under age 18 and 14.6% of those age 65 or over.
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company operated a plant in the city from 1969 to 2011. This plant was considered the largest employer in Union City as well as in Obion County. In the plant, workers produced passenger car and light-truck tires. The Goodyear Tire & Rubber plant in Union City was the only plant licensed to produce tires for the Chevrolet Corvette
. While most North American Goodyear Plants had slowed production during the recent years due to outsourcing
of U.S. jobs overseas, production was steady at the Union City plant. On February 10, 2011, Goodyear announced that the Union City plant would shut down by the end of the year. On June 11, 2011, first shift workers were informed that production had ceased. This plant closing affects over 1800 workers and may have a devastating effect on the economy of Union City and surrounding areas.
After the departure of Goodyear, Tyson Foods
is the largest industrial employer in Union City. Tyson Foods—Obion County Complex operates in multiple locations around Obion County. These facilities comprise the Union City Processing Plant, Hatchery, and Wastewater Plant. Tyson Foods also operates a rather large feedmill just inside the city limits of South Fulton, Tennessee.
The Kohler Company
, best known for plumbing products, operates a plant in Union City's Industrial Park. It is now the second largest industry in the city. At the Union City plant, workers produce shower doors.
Just outside the city limits of Union City, Darling International operates a rendering plant that it acquired in the 2010 purchase of Griffin Industries, which in turn had acquired Duncan Tankage Corporation in 1988. The plant is now considered to be a state-of-the-art facility by many.
Union City is also home to a fireplace production plant located on Reelfoot Avenue. The plant produces fireplaces and fireplace products. It has been sold a number of times and undergone multiple name changes. The current name is Lennox Hearth Products
. The name prior was Superior Fireplace. It was recently announced that Lennox is planning to expand this plant. Union City Council members have approved an agreement which will help Lennox expand its facilities.
City manager Don Thornton informed the council that 6 acres (24,281.2 m²) behind Lennox and property for right-of-way from there to Highway 45 can be acquired from Pate Properties East if the city will expand Home and Nelson streets and provide water, sewer, curbs and gutters at the city’s expense. Thornton said the business expansion will bring 188 jobs over the next five years to Union City at an investment of $15 million to the community.
Jiffy Steamer Company, LLC
is the world's largest manufacturer of garment steamers and is headquartered in Union City. Operating since 1940, Jiffy Steamer serves the commercial, residential and travel industries with its innovative steamers used to remove wrinkles from any type of fabric.
The Kirkland Foundation announced that it will bring the Discovery Park of America
Union City. Its address is 830 North Everett Boulevard. There will be a world class museum, an aquarium, a convention center, and a green space, complete with walking trails and botanical gardens. Groundbreaking was July 2008, and is expected to be complete by Spring of 2012.
, a minor league baseball team in the collegiate woodbat KIT League
, which has teams in Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri, and Tennessee. The Greyhounds play a 50-game season in June and July of each year. The team has expired.
, and Annie (musical)
. This theatre is a historic landmark and has been standing since the early 1900s.
Having traveled the world while in automotive, he is conversant in German, Spanish and Italian. He married to the former Pamela M. Dingell, who is related to longtime Michigan Congressman, John Dingell
. He is also a professional magician and has performed voice-overs as "President Bill Clinton."
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 10,876 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 Obion County. The name comes from its location at the union of two railroads, one running roughly east-west and the other roughly north-south. Union City is best known for two things: It was the site of a minor battle in the American Civil War
American 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...
in March 1864, and it has a Goodyear Tire Plant.
Union City is the principal city of the Union City-Hickman
Hickman, Kentucky
Hickman is a city in Fulton County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 2,560 at the 2000 census. Named for Captain Paschal Hickman, a Kentucky officer who was killed by Indians in the Massacre of the River Raisin during the War of 1812, it is the county seat of Fulton County.Hickman is...
, TN
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...
-KY
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
Micropolitan Statistical Area
Union City micropolitan area
The Union City Micropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of two counties – one in northwest Tennessee and one in southwest Kentucky – anchored by the city of Union City, Tennessee...
, which includes Obion County and Fulton County, Kentucky
Fulton County, Kentucky
Fulton County is the westernmost county of the U.S. state of Kentucky. It was formed in 1845 from Hickman County, Kentucky. As of 2000, the population was 7,752. Its county seat is Hickman. The county is named for American inventor Robert Fulton...
.
Geography
Union City is located at 36°25′28"N 89°3′3"W (36.424395, −89.050850).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 10.7 square miles (27.7 km²), all of it land. The current mayor is Terry Hailey.
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 10,876 people, 4,568 households, and 2,905 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 1,020.1 people per square mile (393.9/km²). There were 5,013 housing units at an average density of 470.2 per square mile (181.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 75.44% White, 21.29% African American, 0.22% Native American, 0.29% Asian, 0.13% Pacific Islander, 1.59% 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 1.04% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.41% of the population.
There were 4,568 households out of which 29.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.6% 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, 15.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.4% were non-families. 32.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.89.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.6% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 26.8% from 25 to 44, 22.6% from 45 to 64, and 17.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every hundred females there were 87.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $29,399, and the median income for a family was $40,737. Males had a median income of $35,801 versus $19,694 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 $18,787. About 12.5% of families and 16.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.4% of those under age 18 and 14.6% of those age 65 or over.
Media
Union City is served by the newspaper The Messenger (Union City Daily Messenger), by the TV station WOBT, and by the following radio stations:- WENK-AM 1240 – "The Greatest Hits of All Time"
- WWKF-FM 99.3 – "Today's Best Music with Ace & TJAce & TJ ShowThe Ace & TJ Show is a syndicated morning radio show, previously on KISS 95.1 out of Charlotte, NC. The Ace & TJ Show debuted on KISS 95.1 on April 6, 1998. Their last day on Kiss 95.1 was Friday, May 20, 2011. Contract discussions with CBS Radio were not successful...
in the Morning" - WCMT-AM 1410WCMT-AMWCMT is a radio station broadcasting a News Talk Information format. Licensed to Martin, Tennessee, USA, the station serves the Northwest Tennessee and Southwest Kentucky radio market from Paducah, Kentucky to Jackson, Tennessee...
"Your Best Friend" - WCMT-FM 101.3WCMT-FMWCMT-FM is a radio station broadcasting a Adult Contemporary format and is known as "the best mix of your lite rock favorites."Licensed to South Fulton, Tennessee, USA, the station began broadcasting in 1968 and serves the Jackson area and can be heard in both Jackson and Paducah, Kentucky...
"The Best Mix" - WCDZ-FM 95.1 "Good Times Great Oldies"
- WQAK-FM 105.7 "The New Quake"
- KYTN-FM 104.9 "Real Country Variety"
Industry
Over the years many companies have located manufacturing or processing plants there. Currently, the city has several vital companies that operate plants in Union City.The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company operated a plant in the city from 1969 to 2011. This plant was considered the largest employer in Union City as well as in Obion County. In the plant, workers produced passenger car and light-truck tires. The Goodyear Tire & Rubber plant in Union City was the only plant licensed to produce tires for the Chevrolet Corvette
Chevrolet Corvette
The Chevrolet Corvette is a sports car by the Chevrolet division of General Motors that has been produced in six generations. The first model, a convertible, was designed by Harley Earl and introduced at the GM Motorama in 1953 as a concept show car. Myron Scott is credited for naming the car after...
. While most North American Goodyear Plants had slowed production during the recent years due to outsourcing
Outsourcing
Outsourcing is the process of contracting a business function to someone else.-Overview:The term outsourcing is used inconsistently but usually involves the contracting out of a business function - commonly one previously performed in-house - to an external provider...
of U.S. jobs overseas, production was steady at the Union City plant. On February 10, 2011, Goodyear announced that the Union City plant would shut down by the end of the year. On June 11, 2011, first shift workers were informed that production had ceased. This plant closing affects over 1800 workers and may have a devastating effect on the economy of Union City and surrounding areas.
After the departure of Goodyear, Tyson Foods
Tyson Foods
Tyson Foods, Inc. is a multinational corporation based in Springdale, Arkansas, that operates in the food industry. The company is the world's second largest processor and marketer of chicken, beef, and pork only behind Brazilian JBS S.A., and annually exports the largest percentage of beef out of...
is the largest industrial employer in Union City. Tyson Foods—Obion County Complex operates in multiple locations around Obion County. These facilities comprise the Union City Processing Plant, Hatchery, and Wastewater Plant. Tyson Foods also operates a rather large feedmill just inside the city limits of South Fulton, Tennessee.
The Kohler Company
Kohler Company
'The Kohler Company is a manufacturing company in Kohler, Wisconsin best known for its plumbing products. Kohler also manufactures furniture, cabinetry, tile, engines, and generators.-History:...
, best known for plumbing products, operates a plant in Union City's Industrial Park. It is now the second largest industry in the city. At the Union City plant, workers produce shower doors.
Just outside the city limits of Union City, Darling International operates a rendering plant that it acquired in the 2010 purchase of Griffin Industries, which in turn had acquired Duncan Tankage Corporation in 1988. The plant is now considered to be a state-of-the-art facility by many.
Union City is also home to a fireplace production plant located on Reelfoot Avenue. The plant produces fireplaces and fireplace products. It has been sold a number of times and undergone multiple name changes. The current name is Lennox Hearth Products
Lennox International
Lennox International Inc. is an American company. Through its subsidiaries, it is a provider of climate control products for the heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration markets around the world...
. The name prior was Superior Fireplace. It was recently announced that Lennox is planning to expand this plant. Union City Council members have approved an agreement which will help Lennox expand its facilities.
City manager Don Thornton informed the council that 6 acres (24,281.2 m²) behind Lennox and property for right-of-way from there to Highway 45 can be acquired from Pate Properties East if the city will expand Home and Nelson streets and provide water, sewer, curbs and gutters at the city’s expense. Thornton said the business expansion will bring 188 jobs over the next five years to Union City at an investment of $15 million to the community.
Jiffy Steamer Company, LLC
Jiffy steamer
Jiffy Steamer is the world's oldest and largest manufacturer of steaming equipment used for removing wrinkles from garments and fabrics. The advantages of using steam over traditional ironing are often cited as an ease of use and the elimination of the tendency of ironing to damage and destroy...
is the world's largest manufacturer of garment steamers and is headquartered in Union City. Operating since 1940, Jiffy Steamer serves the commercial, residential and travel industries with its innovative steamers used to remove wrinkles from any type of fabric.
The Kirkland Foundation announced that it will bring the Discovery Park of America
Discovery Park of America
Discovery Park of America is a planned tourist attraction to be located in Union City, Tennessee. This park will sit on of land off of Everett Boulevard, near the proposed Interstate 69....
Union City. Its address is 830 North Everett Boulevard. There will be a world class museum, an aquarium, a convention center, and a green space, complete with walking trails and botanical gardens. Groundbreaking was July 2008, and is expected to be complete by Spring of 2012.
Bus Systems
Union City is the home of the Union City GreyhoundsUnion City Greyhounds
The Union City Greyhounds were a summer collegiate baseball team based in Union City, Tennessee. The team, which played in the KIT League played its home games in Elam Stadium at LH Ladd Field, located in Union City, Tennessee....
, a minor league baseball team in the collegiate woodbat KIT League
KIT League
The Kentucky-Illinois-Tennessee League is a summer collegiate wooden bat league. The league's name is formed from the initials of the states that originally hosted the first iteration of the KIT League...
, which has teams in Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri, and Tennessee. The Greyhounds play a 50-game season in June and July of each year. The team has expired.
Historic Landmarks
Union City is the Home of the Masquerade Theatre. It is known for producing theatrical productions for 16 years including musicals, comedies, dramas, children's plays, workshops, and concerts. Masquerade Theatre has already presented many successful and sold out productions including Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor DreamcoatJoseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is an Andrew Lloyd Webber musical with lyrics by Tim Rice. The story is based on the "coat of many colors" story of Joseph from the Hebrew Bible's Book of Genesis. This was the first Lloyd Webber and Rice musical to be performed publicly...
, and Annie (musical)
Annie (musical)
Annie is a Broadway musical based upon the popular Harold Gray comic strip Little Orphan Annie, with music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin, and the book by Thomas Meehan. The original Broadway production opened in 1977 and ran for nearly six years with a blonde Annie as the poster...
. This theatre is a historic landmark and has been standing since the early 1900s.
Notable residents
- Bruce FleisherBruce Fleisher-Early years and amateur career:Fleisher was born in Union City, Tennessee. He became involved in golf at age 7 by working as a caddie with his two brothers. Fleisher attended Miami-Dade Junior College and Furman University. In 1968 at age 19, he became the third youngest player to win the U.S....
– professional golfer - John S. TannerJohn S. TannerJohn S. Tanner is the former U.S. Representative for , serving from 1989 until 2011. He is a member of the Democratic Party.-Early life, education and career:Tanner was born in Halls, Tennessee, and grew up in Union City, Tennessee...
– U.S. Congressman, born in Halls, TennesseeHalls, TennesseeHalls is a town in Lauderdale County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 2,311 at the 2000 census.The town was founded in 1882. It is named after Hansford R. Hall, one of the founders...
, but grew up in Union City - Bill L. Cooper – President of "Old World DME, Inc.," the largest durable medical equipment provider to Medicare and BCBSM beneficiaries in Commerce Township, Michigan, and formerly the 32nd ranked tennis player in the 1987 Tennessee Men's Open, as well as the #1 singles player at Union City, TN (1975) and Bethel University (1979–1981), where he was coached by Thomas Portis, Germantown, Tennessee bank President who is the brother-in-law of U.S. Congressman, John S. Tanner. He is also the inventor of magic tricks utilized by the world known performer, David Blaine, while collaborating with 2006 World FISM "Innovative Magic" Champion, Cesaral from Madrid, Spain. While formally with Goodyear Tire & Rubber, Douglas & Lomason Corporation, Lear Corporation (Global Quality Systems Senior Manager over 280 world wide facilities), and Faurecia Corporation (Director of Quality), he moved through the ranks of tire builder to a globally known Quality Professional and Statistician, as he worked with most of the top automotive statistical gurus, such as Dorian ShaininDorian ShaininDorian Shainin was an influential American quality consultant, aeronautics engineer, author, and college professor most notable for his contributions in the fields of industrial problem solving, product reliability, and quality engineering, particularly the creation and development of the “Red X”...
and Shin Taguchi, and is a Six Sigma Black BeltSix SigmaSix Sigma is a business management strategy originally developed by Motorola, USA in 1986. , it is widely used in many sectors of industry.Six Sigma seeks to improve the quality of process outputs by identifying and removing the causes of defects and minimizing variability in manufacturing and...
with a M.B.A. from the University of PhoenixUniversity of PhoenixThe University of Phoenix is a for-profit institution of higher learning. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Apollo Group Inc. which is publicly traded , an S&P 500 corporation based in Phoenix, Arizona...
(2001). He is a published author of poetry, country songs, and ISO/TS 16949:2002 articles, and has been mentioned in numerous books by the likes of Praveen Gupta and Dr. Zakiri Tata.
Having traveled the world while in automotive, he is conversant in German, Spanish and Italian. He married to the former Pamela M. Dingell, who is related to longtime Michigan Congressman, John Dingell
John Dingell
John David Dingell, Jr. is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1955 . He is a member of the Democratic Party...
. He is also a professional magician and has performed voice-overs as "President Bill Clinton."
- Koko B. Ware – Professional wrestler
- Derrick TurnbowDerrick TurnbowThomas Derrick Turnbow is a former right-handed Major League Baseball relief pitcher.-Early career:...
– MLB pitcher - Jerry Gurien – Inventor of process of "stonewashing" blue jeans.