Dresden, Tennessee

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Dresden is a town located in Weakley County, Tennessee. It is the county seat of Weakley County, and is the home of the Iris Festival (an annual festival that is held on the first weekend of May.)

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 2,855 people, 1,212 households, and 784 families residing in the town. The population density was 207.6/km² (537.9/mi²). There were 1,331 housing units at an average density of 96.8/km² (250.8/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 94.54% White, 4.34% African American, 0.04% Native American, 0.35% Asian, 0.14% from other races, and 0.60% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.46% of the population.

There were 1,212 households out of which 26.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.6% were married couples living together, 12.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.3% were non-families. 31.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.78.

In the town the population was spread out with 20.7% under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 27.7% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 20.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 86.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.8 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $26,701, and the median income for a family was $37,321. Males had a median income of $27,589 versus $21,322 for females. The per capita income for the town was $16,286. About 6.4% of families and 10.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.0% of those under age 18 and 16.7% of those age 65 or over.

Dresden's educational system consists of a combined elementary and middle school, a high school, an alternative school, and a vocational school. The high school was consolidated in 1998 to include students from the neighboring town of Palmersville, Tennessee as well.

Recreational activities in Dresden include a public park with a walking track, a public library, and a smaller park that is more akin to a public garden. There are a variety of civic clubs, as well as local troops of the Boy Scouts of America and the Girl Scouts. Additionally, a number of summer festivals in neighboring towns are popular with the residents of Dresden (just as the Iris Festival is popular with the residents of those towns.)

Notable individuals from Dresden include former governor Ned McWherter, who was born in Palmersville and lived in Dresden for a number of years, and former professional basketball player Popeye Jones.