Parsons, Tennessee

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Parsons, Tennessee
settlement_type = City
nickname =
motto = "Take Pride In Parsons!"

imagesize =
image_caption =


image_

mapsize = 250px
map_caption = Location of Parsons, Tennessee


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map_caption1 =

subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = Tennessee
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Decatur

government_footnotes =
government_type =
leader_title =
leader_name =
leader_title1 =
leader_name1 =
established_title =
established_date =

unit_pref = Imperial
area_footnotes =
area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 10.1
area_land_km2 = 10.1
area_water_km2 = 0.0
area_total_sq_mi = 3.9
area_land_sq_mi = 3.9
area_water_sq_mi = 0.0

population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 2452
population_density_km2 = 242.2
population_density_sq_mi = 627.3

timezone = Central (CST)
utc_offset = -6
timezone_DST = CDT
utc_offset_DST = -5
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 151
elevation_ft = 495
latd = 35 |latm = 38 |lats = 56 |latNS = N
longd = 88 |longm = 7 |longs = 24 |longEW = W

postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 38363
area_code = 731
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 47-57080
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 1296893
website = www.cityofparsons.com
footnotes =

Parsons is a city in Decatur County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 2,452 at the 2000 census.

Geography

Parsons is located at coor dms|35|38|56|N|88|7|24|W|city (35.648780, -88.123386).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.9 square miles (10.1 km²), all of it land.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 2,452 people, 1,063 households, and 646 families residing in the city. The population density was 627.3 people per square mile (242.1/km²). There were 1,205 housing units at an average density of 308.3/sq mi (119.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 87.97% White, 8.16% African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.33% Asian, 2.45% from other races, and 0.94% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.57% of the population.

There were 1,063 households out of which 24.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.9% were married couples living together, 12.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.2% were non-families. 36.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.17 and the average family size was 2.81.

In the city the population was spread out with 20.9% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 23.6% from 25 to 44, 23.8% from 45 to 64, and 23.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 80.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 73.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $22,688, and the median income for a family was $35,764. Males had a median income of $27,326 versus $17,326 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,077. About 15.6% of families and 19.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.2% of those under age 18 and 28.5% of those age 65 or over.

History

Created around 1889 by the Tennessee Midland Railroad Company (TMRC), the city of Parsons was founded by Henry Myracle when he deeded 143 1/3 acre to the TMRC to get a town started on his land. The railroad established Parsons Improvement Co. and Henry Myracle maintained the town. The rail depot was located where the present day BP One Stop is located. A commercial lot which was used as a tie yard was where the present day Community South Bank is located. A storage lot and livestock pens were located where Townsend Chevrolet is presently located. There was a large water tank beside the depot and two packing houses nearby for Farmers produce. There was also a town pump and a small park near the water tank.

The Perryville branch of the railroad (TMRC) was known as the "Pea Vine". The train itself was known as the "Hot Shot" or "Cannonball". See [http://www.cityofparsons.com/beginning_of_parsons.htm City of Parsons History] for more details from local historians.

External links

* [http://www.cityofparsons.com City of Parsons Official Website]
* [http://www.decaturcountytn.org/ Decatur County Tennessee]