Norris, Tennessee

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Norris is a city in Anderson County, Tennessee, United States. Its population was 1,446 at the 2000 U.S. census. It is included in the Knoxville, Tennessee Metropolitan Statistical Area.

1 History
2 Government
3 Geography
4 Demographics
5 External links

[edit] History

Norris was built as a model, planned community by the Tennessee Valley Authority in 1933 to house workers building Norris Dam. It is named in honor of Nebraska Senator George W. Norris, a long-term supporter of TVA.

The town design was based on the English garden city movement of the 1890s. Roads followed the contour of the terrain, houses did not always face the street, and large common areas were maintained for use by residents. The houses, which were some of the first all-electric homes, were built using local wood and stone, according to twelve basic house designs. [1]

During the 1930s TVA officials excluded black families from the town, purportedly to conform to the customs and traditions of the area. However, black leaders said that poor whites and blacks had lived and worked together in the area long before TVA came into existence. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) complained repeatedly (in 1934, 1935 and 1938) about racial discrimination by TVA in the hiring, housing and training of blacks.[2]

The town was later purchased by a private corporation that soon thereafter sold individual homes to their residents. The town was officially incorporated in 1949.

Today Norris primarily serves as a bedroom community for Knoxville and Oak Ridge. Services available within the community include one elementary school serving grades K-5, one middle school serving grades 6-8, a small grocer, and a diner. High school students leave the community to attend Anderson County High School.

The Museum of Appalachia is a popular attraction on the outskirts of Norris. Norris is a short distance from both the Norris Dam and Big Ridge State Parks, which include popular camping areas.

[edit] Government

The government of Norris is vested in a mayor, a vice mayor and a three member city council. As of 2004, the current mayor of Norris is Richard Dyer. The vice mayor is Sharon Wallace. The councilmembers are: Jean Creswell, Jerry Crossno, and Tommy Marriner.

The original city hall was located in an old TVA dormitory on Ridgeway Drive until 1978, when it was destroyed by a fire. The cause was never determined, but arson was rumored to be the cause. The city hall then moved to a location on Chestnut Road, but this location was destroyed in an accidental fire in 2002. The current city hall is located at 9 Norris Square. This address is also the location of the Norris Public Safety Department.

The city of Norris also operates a public library. The library has about 20,000 materials in its collection, which is located in the McNeeley Municipal Building. The building formerly housed the offices of Gene McNeeley, a prominent local physician who practiced medicine in Norris from 1948-1993.

[edit] Geography

Norris is located at 36°11′58″N, 84°4′9″W (36.199515, -84.069077)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 17.8 km² (6.9 mi²), all land.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 1,446 people, 644 households, and 426 families residing in the city. The population density was 81.3/km² (210.6/mi²). There were 682 housing units at an average density of 38.3/km² (99.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.41% White, 0.21% African American, 0.48% Native American, 0.14% Asian, 0.21% from other races, and 0.55% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.55% of the population.

There were 644 households out of which 29.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.8% were married couples living together, 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.7% were non-families. 31.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 2.83.

In the city the population was spread out with 23.2% under the age of 18, 5.0% from 18 to 24, 24.5% from 25 to 44, 28.1% from 45 to 64, and 19.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 88.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $47,105, and the median income for a family was $55,179. Males had a median income of $41,813 versus $27,727 for females. The per capita income for the city was $29,832. About 0.7% of families and 4.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.1% of those under age 18 and 6.5% of those age 65 or over.