23-678: Sneedville is the only city in and the county seat of Hancock County , Tennessee , United States. The population was 1,282 per the 2020 census. Settlement began in the 1790s, following the American Revolutionary War, as migrants moved into the area from the Piedmont frontiers of Virginia and North Carolina. Such migrants had formed families in colonial Virginia. Among them was a multi-racial group of settlers who became known as Melungeons . They have been documented as having primarily European and sub-Saharan African ancestry. They also have
46-459: A genealogist; each of whom has documented the migration of ancestors of the first families known as Melungeon from Virginia and North Carolina in the late eighteenth century When Hancock County was formed from parts of Hawkins and Claiborne counties in the 1840s, Greasy Rock was chosen as the county seat. The city was renamed in honor of William Henry Sneed (1812–1869), a Confederate and attorney from Knoxville who helped legally defend
69-440: A household in the city was $ 13,281, and the median income for a family was $ 20,208. Males had a median income of $ 20,500 versus $ 15,461 for females. The per capita income for the town was $ 13,173. About 32.9% of families and 36.3% of the population were below the poverty line , including 46.9% of those under age 18 and 28.4% of those age 65 or over. In 2010, Sneedville had the 10th-lowest median household income of all places in
92-464: A lesser amount of Native American heritage. The county historical society asserts that French traders noted encountering the Melungeons in the late 1600s in the area that is now east Tennessee. Such early settlement is not supported by the research of Edward Price, a cultural geographer who wrote a 1950 dissertation on the Melungeons; Dr. Virginia DeMarce , a professional genealogist; and Paul Heinegg,
115-447: Is often difficult, since methodologies, definitions and data quality can vary greatly. Since the 1990s, the OECD has conducted regular surveys among its 38 member countries using a standardized methodology and set of questions. Per capita income is often used to measure a sector's average income and compare the wealth of different populations. Per capita income is also often used to measure
138-508: Is water. There are 3 primary state highways and 4 secondary state highways that run through Hancock County. As of the 2020 United States census , there were 6,662 people, 2,742 households, and 1,729 families residing in the county. At the 2010 census , there were 6,819 people living in the county. 98.0% were White , 0.4% Black or African American , 0.3% Native American , 0.1% Asian , 0.1% of some other race and 1.1% of two or more races . 0.2% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race). At
161-486: The 2000 census , there were 6,786 people, 2,769 households and 1,938 families living in the county. The population density was 30 people per square mile (12 people/km ). There were 3,280 housing units at an average density of 15 units per square mile (5.8/km ). The racial makeup of the county was 97.91% White, 0.49% Black or African American, 0.24% Native American, 0.07% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.34% from other races, and 0.94% from two or more races. 0.37% of
184-525: The 2020 census , the population was 6,662, making it the fourth-least populous county in Tennessee. Its county seat is Sneedville . Hancock County was created from parts of Hawkins and Claiborne counties. The act establishing the county was passed by the state legislature in 1844, but several Hawkins residents sued to block its creation. In 1848, the Tennessee Supreme Court ruled in favor of
207-470: The census of 2000, there were 1,257 people, 527 households, and 310 families living in the city. The population density was 551.0 inhabitants per square mile (212.7/km). There were 593 housing units at an average density of 259.9 per square mile (100.3/km). The racial makeup of the town was 97.69% White , 0.64% African American , 0.16% Native American , 0.72% from other races , and 0.80% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.24% of
230-674: The United States with a population over 1,000. The Hancock County Tennessee Historical and Genealogical Society is a non-profit organization located in the Old County Jail. The organization provides access to archival material related to the community and maintains a small museum displaying aspects of traditional mountain life, such as was practiced by the Melungeons . They publish a bi-yearly newsletter called Our Mountain Heritage for members of
253-489: The average income earned per person in a given area (city, region, country, etc.) in a specified year. In many countries, per capita income is determined using regular population surveys, such as the American Community Survey . This allows the calculation of per capita income for both the country as a whole and specific regions or demographic groups. However, comparing per capita income across different countries
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#1732851696769276-605: The city limits. According to the Köppen climate classification , Sneedville has a humid subtropical climate , typical for Tennessee . The plant hardiness zone is 6b. As of the 2020 United States census , there were 1,282 people, 573 households, and 369 families residing in the town. As of the 2010 United States Census , there were 1,387 people living in the city. 97.4% were White , 0.6% Black or African American , 0.3% Native American , 0.1% Asian and 1.7% of two or more races . 0.3% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race). As of
299-608: The early 20th century, is now a historic site located in the Newman's Ridge area. Like all of Unionist East Tennessee, Hancock County has been overwhelmingly Republican since the Civil War . Since the Republican Party first contested the state in 1868, every official Republican nominee has gained an absolute majority of Hancock County's vote, even William Howard Taft during 1912 when the GOP
322-484: The fiscal year 2020, was designated as an " economically distressed " area by the state government, and is one of the poorest in the state. Hancock County is estimated to experience a massive population decline. Hancock County is known particularly for its population of people of Melungeon ancestry, who are believed to be of mixed European, African, and Native American heritage. The Vardy Community School , which provided state-mandated education for Melungeon children in
345-468: The new county when several residents sued in an attempt to block its creation. Sneedville is located at 36°31′55″N 83°12′51″W / 36.53194°N 83.21417°W / 36.53194; -83.21417 (36.532062, -83.214140). According to the United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 2.3 square miles (6.0 km), all land. The Clinch River passes within
368-477: The new county. The county seat, Sneedville, was named in honor of the attorney William H. Sneed , who represented the county in the court case. The county was named after the Revolutionary War patriot John Hancock . According to the U.S. Census Bureau , the county has a total area of 223 square miles (580 km ), of which 222 square miles (570 km ) is land and 1.2 square miles (3.1 km ) (0.5%)
391-434: The population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 2,769 households, of which 31.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.10% were married couples living together, 11.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.00% were non-families. 27.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size
414-542: The population. Melungeons , a so-called " tri-racial isolate ", are also present in this area, especially in the Vardy Valley, on the other side of Newman's Ridge. There were 527 households, out of which 27.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.2% were married couples living together, 14.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.0% were non-families. 38.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.6% had someone living alone who
437-470: The society. There is one school district in the county, Hancock County School District . Schools in Sneedville include Hancock County Middle/High School and Hancock County Elementary School. Hancock County Hospital, which opened in 2005, is located in Sneedville. Hancock County, Tennessee Hancock County is a county located in the northeastern part of the U.S. state of Tennessee . As of
460-399: Was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.91. 23.10% of the population were under the age of 18, 8.80% from 18 to 24, 26.90% from 25 to 44, 25.50% from 45 to 64, and 15.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 95.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.30 males. The median household income was $ 19,760, which
483-450: Was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.08 and the average family size was 2.77. In the city, the population was spread out, with 18.4% under the age of 18, 11.4% from 18 to 24, 28.2% from 25 to 44, 23.5% from 45 to 64, and 18.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.9 males. The median income for
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#1732851696769506-517: Was bitterly divided. The only post-Civil War Democratic presidential nominee to even reach forty percent of Hancock County's vote has been Bill Clinton in 1992, when he was aided by the local popularity of Senator Al Gore , a Smith County native. There is one school district in the county, Hancock County School District . 36°32′N 83°13′W / 36.53°N 83.22°W / 36.53; -83.22 Per capita income Per capita income ( PCI ) or average income measures
529-423: Was the lowest median household income of any county in Tennessee, and the 27th lowest in the United States. The median family income was $ 25,372. Males had a median income of $ 23,150 and females $ 18,199. The per capita income was $ 11,986. About 25.30% of families and 29.40% of the population were below the poverty line , including 37.50% of those under age 18 and 30.70% of those age 65 or over. The county as of
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