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}}McNairy County is a county located in the U.S. state of Tennessee. As of the 2020 census, the population was 25,866.WEB, Census - Geography Profile: McNairy County, Tennessee,data.census.gov/profile/McNairy_County,_Tennessee?g=0500000US47109, United States Census Bureau, January 7, 2023, Its county seat and largest city is Selmer.WEB,www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx, June 7, 2011, Find a County, National Association of Counties, McNairy County is located along Tennessee’s border with the state of Mississippi.Sheriff Buford Pusser, whose story was told in the Walking Tall series of movies, was the sheriff of McNairy County from 1964 to 1970.Buford Pusser, the Man, his Career, and Tragedies {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111003112305www.bufordpussermuseum.com/history.html |date=October 3, 2011 }}, Buford Pusser Museum website; retrieved October 23, 2013.McNairy County is the location of the Coon Creek Science Center, a notable fossil site that preserves Late Cretaceous marine shells and vertebrate remains (such as mosasaurs).The postwar musical environment of the county played a pivotal role in the development of popular music. Influential disc jockey Dewey Phillips hailed from Adamsville, Tennessee. Carl Perkins made the first recordings of his career in the home studio of Stanton Littlejohn at Eastview, Tennessee.WEB,www.southerncultures.org/article/discovering-carl/, Discovering Carl, Perkins and Elvis Presley had their first meeting at one of Presley’s earliest road performances in Bethel Springs, Tennessee.

History

File:Purdy TN cemetery.jpg|thumb|Purdy was the county seat of McNairy County until 1890. Graves in the Purdy cemetery date back to the early 1800s. (2007)]]McNairy County was formed in 1823 from parts of Hardin County, and was named for Judge John McNairy.Purdy was the county seat of McNairy County until 1890.The Death Song of Purdy, by Nancy Wardlow Kennedy Since then, Selmer has been the county seat.During the Civil War, McNairy County was among the most divided counties in Tennessee. In Tennessee’s Ordinance of Secession referendum on June 8, 1861, McNairy County voted to secede by a margin of 1,318 to 586.WEB,votearchive.com/tn-sec-ref-1861/, Vote Archive, Tennessee Secession Referendum, 1861, However, earlier on February 9, 1861, McNairy County voters had voted against holding a secession convention by a margin of 916 to 811.WEB,votearchive.com/tn-sec-conv-vote-1861/, Tennessee Vote on Secession Convention, 1861, The Fayetteville Observer, Fayetteville Observer, March 21, 1861, Despite the strong overall support for secession, there was a strong Unionist minority in the northern half adjacent to solidly pro-Union Henderson County.JOURNAL, Lufkin, Charles L., Divided Loyalties: Sectionalism in Civil War McNairy County, Tennessee, Tennessee Historical Quarterly, Fall 1988, 47, 3, 169–177, Tennessee Historical Society, The history of McNairy County also includes a very small, almost-unheard-of school. The Trantham School, listed on the 1940 census, operated from 1922 through 1948, with a single teacher serving grades 1 through 8.

Sheriff Buford Pusser

Buford Pusser served as the sheriff of McNairy County from 1964 to 1970. The courthouse and jail in Selmer were his base of operations. He gained prominence for his fight against illegal distilleries, bootleggers, gambling establishments, and corruption in the county. His story has been made famous in the Walking Tall series of movies starring Joe Don Baker, Bo Svenson, Brian Dennehy, and Dwayne Johnson, and in numerous documentaries and books.Janet Rail, “A Man Who ‘Walked Tall’ in McNairy County,” {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100523110215www.sheriffbufordpusser.com/history2.htm |date=May 23, 2010 }} SheriffBufordPusser.com. Accessed via Archive.org: October 23, 2013.

Newspapers

The oldest existing business in McNairy County is its newspaper, the Independent Appeal, which was founded as the McNairy County Independent in 1902.NEWS, Rail, Janet, October 13, 2021, County celebrates ag event center groundbreaking on 198th birthday, Independent Appeal,issuu.com/independent_appeal/docs/fullvol120n23101321, November 10, 2022, WEB, Tennessee Newspapers Arranged by County,sos.tn.gov/tsla/guides/tennessee-newspapers-arranged-by-county, November 10, 2022, Tennessee Secretary of State, BOOK,books.google.com/books?id=QjgcAQAAMAAJ, Ulrich’s Periodicals Directory, 1989, R.R. Bowker, 978-0-8352-4666-8, en, It is located in Selmer.In 2008, Tom Evans, a former reporter and photographer for the Independent Appeal, formed his own weekly newspaper, The McNairy County News.WEB, Davis, Makayla, May 16, 2022, Made in Tennessee: McNairy County News,www.wnbjtv.com/single-post/made-in-tennessee-mcnairy-county-news, November 10, 2022, WNBJ, en,

School District

The schools fall under the McNairy County School District. The superintendent is Greg MartinWEB,www.mcnairycountyschools.com/, McNairy County Schools, McNairy County Schools, The district is a public school district, serving students in kindergarten through twelfth grade. It serves over 4,000 student with 8 schools.WEB, Mcnairy County, U.S. News Education,www.usnews.com/education/k12/tennessee/districts/mcnairy-county-111591, December 20, 2023,

Schools

Elementary Schools

• Adamsville Elementary SchoolWEB,aes.mcnairycountyschools.com/administration.html, Administration, ADAMSVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL,
  • Mr. Danny Combs, Principal
• Bethel Springs Elementary SchoolWEB,bes.mcnairycountyschools.com/, BETHEL SPRINGS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, BETHEL SPRINGS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL,
  • Mr. Terry Moore, Principal
• Michie Elementary SchoolWEB,mes.mcnairycountyschools.com/mes-faculty--staff.html, MES Faculty & Staff,
  • Dr. Matt Alred, Principal
• Ramer Elementary SchoolWEB,res.mcnairycountyschools.com/, RAMER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, RAMER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL,
  • Dr. Sondra Kiser, Principal
• Selmer Elementary SchoolWEB,ses.mcnairycountyschools.com/, SELMER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, SELMER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL,
  • Mrs. Pamela Simon, Principal

Middle Schools

• Selmer Middle SchoolWEB,sms.mcnairycountyschools.com/, SELMER MIDDLE SCHOOL, SELMER MIDDLE SCHOOL,
  • Dr. Brenda Armstrong, Principal

High Schools

• Adamsville High SchoolWEB,ahs.mcnairycountyschools.com/, ADAMSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL, ADAMSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL,
  • Mr. Steve Killingsworth, Principal
• McNairy Central High SchoolWEB,mchscats.org/, Home, mchscats.org,
  • Dr. Jerry Pyron, Principal

Board of education

The district’s board of education has 7 members elected from each of the 7 districts that make up McNairy County.WEB,www.mcnairycountytn.org/mcnairy-county-schools.html, McNairy County Schools, McNairy County, Tennessee,

Controversies

The Selmer Elementary School principal failed to report abuse claims after evidence revealed Principal Simon was notified of abuse allegations on numerous occasions between October 2021 and December 2021. The report states that Simon did not notify the Department of Children Services of these claims, which as a school employee is a violation of Tennessee law as a mandatory reporter.WEB,www.wbbjtv.com/2022/02/23/police-selmer-elementary-principal-failed-to-report-abuse-claims/, Police: Selmer Elementary principal failed to report abuse claims, February 23, 2022, WEB,www.jacksonsun.com/story/news/2022/01/30/selmer-parents-file-official-complaints-selmer-elementary-child-abuse-case/9217707002/, Selmer parents file official complaints in Selmer Elementary child abuse case, Angele, Latham, The Jackson Sun, A McNairy County school board member was charged with choking his teen co-worker in May 2023.WEB,www.courieranywhere.com/2023/06/12/adamsville-police-mcnairy-county-school-board-member-accused-of-choking-teen-co-worker-charged-with-aggravated-assault/, Adamsville Police: McNairy County school board member accused of choking teen co-worker, charged with aggravated assault, The Courier,

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of {{convert|564|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|563|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|0.8|sqmi}} (0.1%) is water.WEB,www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/counties_list_47.txt, United States Census Bureau, April 9, 2015, August 22, 2012, 2010 Census Gazetteer Files, The major highways U.S. Route 64 (east-west) and U.S. Route 45 (north-south) pass through McNairy County and intersect in Selmer. Between the late 1990s and mid 2010s, both highways were upgraded to four lane divided highways, giving the county quicker access to the surrounding areas. McNairy County’s position on Route 64 places it on the historic Lee Highway, which stretches from New York to San Francisco.State Highways 22 and 57 also pass through the county. SR 22 along the eastern portion intersecting with US 64 in Adamsville, and SR 57 through the southern portion intersecting with US 45 in Eastview.

Adjacent counties

• Chester County (north)
• Hardin County (east)
• Alcorn County, Mississippi (south)
• Hardeman County (west)

State protected areas

• Big Hill Pond State Park

Demographics

{{US Census population|1830= 5697|1840= 9385|1850= 12864|1860= 14732|1870= 12726|1880= 17271|1890= 15510|1900= 17760|1910= 16536|1920= 18350|1930= 19901|1940= 20424|1950= 20390|1960= 18085|1970= 18369|1980= 22525|1990= 22422|2000= 24653|2010= 26075|2020= 25866|estref=|align-fn=center

data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=0500000US47109&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2, December 8, 2021, data.census.gov, !Race!Num.!Perc.

PUBLISHER=UNITED STATES CENSUS BUREAU

PUBLISHER=UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA LIBRARY

ARCHIVE-DATE=AUGUST 11, 2012

URL-STATUS=DEAD, 1900-1990HTTPS://WWW.CENSUS.GOV/POPULATION/CENCOUNTS/TN190090.TXT>TITLE=POPULATION OF COUNTIES BY DECENNIAL CENSUS: 1900 TO 1990

EDITOR-LAST=FORSTALL

DATE=MARCH 27, 1995

ARCHIVE-DATE=OCTOBER 9, 2022

TITLE=CENSUS 2000 PHC-T-4. RANKING TABLES FOR COUNTIES: 1990 AND 2000

DATE=APRIL 2, 2001

PUBLISHER=UNITED STATES CENSUS BUREAU

URL-STATUS=DEAD

ARCHIVE-DATE=JUNE 7, 2011, }}{{Stack|File:USA McNairy County, Tennessee.csv age pyramid.svg|thumb|left|150px|Age pyramid McNairy County (2000)Based on 2000 censuscensus}} 2020 census{| class“wikitable”

White (U.S. Census)>White (non-Hispanic)|22,847|88.33%

African American (U.S. Census)>Black or African American (non-Hispanic)|1,545|5.97%

Native American (U.S. Census)>Native American|55|0.21%

Asian (U.S. Census)>Asian|78|0.3%

Race (United States Census)>Other/Mixed|903|3.49%

Hispanic (U.S. Census)>Hispanic or Latino|438|1.69%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 25,866 people, 10,022 households, and 6,724 families residing in the county.

2000 census

As of the censusWEB,www.census.gov, United States Census Bureau, May 14, 2011, U.S. Census website, of 2000, there were 24,653 people, 9,980 households, and 7,135 families residing in the county. The population density was {{convert|44|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people |people|}}. There were 11,219 housing units at an average density of {{convert|20|/mi2|/km2|adj=pre|units }}. The racial makeup of the county was 92.22% White, 6.23% Black or African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.13% Asian, 0.24% from other races, and 0.98% from two or more races. 0.93% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.There were 9,980 households, out of which 29.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.00% were married couples living together, 9.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.50% were non-families. 25.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.89.In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.60% under the age of 18, 8.10% from 18 to 24, 26.70% from 25 to 44, 25.60% from 45 to 64, and 15.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 94.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.40 males.The median income for a household in the county was $30,154, and the median income for a family was $36,045. Males had a median income of $30,028 versus $21,450 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,385. About 11.80% of families and 15.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.00% of those under age 18 and 20.80% of those age 65 or over.

Parks and attractions

McNairy County is the site of {{convert|5,000|acre|km2|adj=on}} Big Hill Pond State Park, which is forested with timberland and hardwood bottomland. The county is also the location of the Coon Creek Science Center,WEB,www.memphismuseums.org/creek.htm, Coon Creek Science Center, December 20, 2023, a notable fossil site, located in Leapwood over the Coon Creek Formation, which preserves Late Cretaceous marine shells and vertebrate remains (such as mosasaurs) left there 70 million years ago.

Communities

(File:Purdy TN 1.jpg|right|thumb|225px|Purdy)

Cities

• Adamsville (partly in Hardin County)
• Ramer
• Selmer (county seat and largest city)

Towns

{{div col|colwidth=30em}}

• Bethel Springs
• Eastview
• Finger
• Guys
• Hornsby (mostly in Hardeman County)
• Michie
• Milledgeville (partial)
• Stantonville

{{div col end}}

Unincorporated communities

{{div col|colwidth=30em}}

• Acton
• Chewalla
• Falcon
• Leapwood
• McNairy
• Purdy
• Pocahontas (mostly in Hardeman County)

{{div col end}}

Politics

{{PresHead|place=McNairy County, Tennessee|whig=no|source1=WEB,uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS, Dave Leip’s Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections, Leip, David, uselectionatlas.org, March 11, 2018, }}{{PresRow|2020|Republican|9,093|1,943|239|Tennessee}}{{PresRow|2016|Republican|7,841|1,848|349|Tennessee}}{{PresRow|2012|Republican|7,015|2,645|142|Tennessee}}{{PresRow|2008|Republican|7,135|3,131|156|Tennessee}}{{PresRow|2004|Republican|5,787|4,101|36|Tennessee}}{{PresRow|2000|Republican|4,897|4,003|89|Tennessee}}{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|3,960|4,050|566|Tennessee}}{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|4,093|4,691|811|Tennessee}}{{PresRow|1988|Republican|4,625|3,510|56|Tennessee}}{{PresRow|1984|Republican|4,776|3,825|30|Tennessee}}{{PresRow|1980|Republican|4,603|3,801|110|Tennessee}}{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|3,388|4,293|55|Tennessee}}{{PresRow|1972|Republican|4,774|1,610|135|Tennessee}}{{PresRow|1968|Republican|2,979|1,377|2,872|Tennessee}}{{PresRow|1964|Republican|3,109|2,994|0|Tennessee}}{{PresRow|1960|Republican|3,310|2,173|113|Tennessee}}{{PresRow|1956|Republican|3,349|2,403|86|Tennessee}}{{PresRow|1952|Republican|3,426|2,698|0|Tennessee}}{{PresRow|1948|Republican|2,390|2,267|312|Tennessee}}{{PresRow|1944|Republican|2,697|1,712|0|Tennessee}}{{PresRow|1940|Republican|2,550|2,484|0|Tennessee}}{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|1,613|1,742|48|Tennessee}}{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|1,350|1,961|12|Tennessee}}{{PresRow|1928|Republican|2,326|1,209|0|Tennessee}}{{PresRow|1924|Republican|1,625|1,125|26|Tennessee}}{{PresRow|1920|Republican|3,212|1,863|0|Tennessee}}{{PresRow|1916|Republican|1,616|1,461|1|Tennessee}}{{PresFoot|1912|Democratic|616|1,155|1,001|Tennessee}}McNairy County is currently overwhelmingly Republican. Even before the rapid trend of the upland South away from the Democratic Party, McNairy County – though not to the same extent as nearby Wayne, Henderson and Hardin Counties – was a Unionist Republican enclave in historically Democratic West Tennessee. Research in the 1910s suggested that Republicanism in Southern states tended to be associated with areas having less productive soils.Wright, John K.; ‘Voting Habits in the United States: A Note on Two Maps’; Geographical Review, vol. 22, no. 4 (October 1932), pp. 666-672 {{JSTOR|208821}}{{rp|672}} In west central Tennessee, which includes McNairy County, soils are shallow, humus-poor and easily erodible Highland Rim soils, which were much less suitable for plantation farming than the rest of Middle and West Tennessee.

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in McNairy County, Tennessee

References

{{reflist|30em}}38. The Trantham School REFLECTIONS: A History of McNairy County, Tennessee, 1823-1996.

External links

{{Commons category}}

• www.mcnairycountytn.com/" title="web.archive.org/web/20140720203223www.mcnairycountytn.com/">Official site
• McNairy County Chamber of Commerce
• {{curlie|Regional/North_America/United_States/Tennessee/Counties/McNairy/|McNairy County}}
• McNairy County at TNGenWeb
• Arts in McNairy Homepage
• McNairy Central High School
• braybreepublishing.com/books/reminiscences/" title="web.archive.org/web/20160202224616braybreepublishing.com/books/reminiscences/">Reminiscences of the Early Settlement and Early Settlers of McNairy County, Tennessee
• braybreepublishing.com/books/finger/" title="web.archive.org/web/20160304075401braybreepublishing.com/books/finger/">Let’s Call It Finger: A History of North McNairy County and Finger, Tennessee and Its Surrounding Communities
• braybreepublishing.com/books/mountcarmelcemetery/" title="web.archive.org/web/20160203111934braybreepublishing.com/books/mountcarmelcemetery/">A History of Mount Carmel Cemetery and Meeting House, McNairy County, Tennessee

{{Geographic Location|Centre = McNairy County, TennesseeChester County, Tennessee>Chester County|Northeast = Hardin County, Tennessee>Hardin County|Southeast = |South = Alcorn County, Mississippi|Southwest = Hardeman County, Tennessee>Hardeman County|Northwest = }}{{McNairy County, Tennessee}}{{Tennessee}}{{coord|35.18|-88.56|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-TN_source:UScensus1990}}{{authority control}}