Lafayette, Tennessee

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Lafayette, Tennessee
settlement_type = City
nickname =
motto = You Doin' Alright Today?

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imagesize = 250px
image_caption = Macon County Courthouse in Lafayette, Tennessee


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mapsize = 250px
map_caption = Location of Lafayette, Tennessee


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

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 = 11.3
area_land_km2 = 11.3
area_water_km2 = 0.0
area_total_sq_mi = 4.4
area_land_sq_mi = 4.4
area_water_sq_mi = 0.0

population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 3885
population_density_km2 = 343.0
population_density_sq_mi = 888.4

timezone = Central (CST)
utc_offset = -6
timezone_DST = CDT
utc_offset_DST = -5
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 292
elevation_ft = 958
latd = 36 |latm = 31 |lats = 32 |latNS = N
longd = 86 |longm = 1 |longs = 34 |longEW = W

postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 37083
area_code = 615
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 47-40160GR|2
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 1290467GR|3
website =
footnotes =

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 CountyGR|6.

While most other towns in the United States with the same name pronounce it as LAH▪fee▪et, locals tend to pronounce it as lә▪FAY▪әt. 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 coor dms|36|31|32|N|86|1|34|W|city (36.525595, -86.026246)GR|1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.4 square miles (11.3 km²), all of it land.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 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/sq mi (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.

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 convert|21|mi|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.

Schools

Lafayette is home to several schools which are ran by the Macon County Board of Eduction. 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 Count 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.

Notable natives

*Hillous Butrum - Country music guitarist.
*Rita Coolidge - American singer.
*Nera White- First Woman in Basketball Hall of Fame

References

External links

* [http://www.LafayetteTN.com City website]
* [http://www.maconcountychronicle.com "Macon County Chronicle"]
* [http://www.maconcountytimes.com "Macon County Times"]