Union City, Tennessee
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Union City is a city in Obion County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 10,876 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Obion CountyGR6. The name comes from its location at the union of two railroads, one running roughly east-west and the other roughly north-south. Union City is best known for two things: It was the site of a minor battle in the War between the States in March of 1864.
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[edit] Geography
Union City is located at (36.424395, -89.050850)GR1.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 27.6 km² (10.7 mi²), all land. The current mayor is Terry Hailey. He is the long-time president and general manager of WENK of Union City, Inc. which operates 5 radio stations including WENK-AM 1240, WTPR-AM 710, WTPR-FM 101.7, WWKF-FM 99.3, and WAKQ-FM 105.5.
[edit] Demographics
As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 10,876 people, 4,568 households, and 2,905 families residing in the city. The population density was 393.9/km² (1,020.1/mi²). There were 5,013 housing units at an average density of 181.6/km² (470.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 75.44% White, 21.29% African American, 0.22% Native American, 0.29% Asian, 0.13% Pacific Islander, 1.59% from other races, and 1.04% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.41% of the population.
There were 4,568 households out of which 29.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.6% were married couples living together, 15.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.4% were non-families. 32.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.89.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.6% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 26.8% from 25 to 44, 22.6% from 45 to 64, and 17.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every hundred females there were 87.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $29,399, and the median income for a family was $40,737. Males had a median income of $35,801 versus $19,694 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,787. About 12.5% of families and 16.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.4% of those under age 18 and 14.6% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Media (Newspaper/Radio Stations/TV Stations)
Radio Stations
- WENK-AM 1240 - "The Greatest Hits of All Time"
- WWKF-FM 99.3 - "Today's Best Music with Ace & TJ in the Morning"
Newspapers
- The Messenger
[edit] Union City's Current Industries
Union City, Tennessee was once an industry powerhouse. Over the years many companies have located manufacturing/processing plants in the city. Currently the city has several vital companies that operate plants and contribute to the industry in Union City.
The most notable company, that still operates a plant in the city, would be the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. It is still considered the largest employer in Union City as well as in Obion County. The Goodyear plant opened its doors in 1969 and has been producing tires ever since. In the plant, workers produce tires for passenger and light-truck tires. The Goodyear Tire & Rubber plant in Union City is the ONLY plant that is licensed to produce tires for the Chevrolet Corvette. While production has been steady at Goodyear in Union City, all North American Goodyear Plants have slowed in the most recent years due to outsourcing of U.S. jobs overseas.
Another main company currently operating in Union City is Tyson Foods. Tyson Foods—Obion County Complex operates in multiple locations around Obion County. It is made up of the Union City Processing Plant, Hatchery, and Wastewater Plant. Tyson Foods also operates a rather large Feedmill just inside the city limits of South Fulton, Tennessee. Tyson Foods is the second largest industry-type employer in Union City.
The Kohler Company, best known for producing various plumbing products, also operates a plant in Union City's Industrial Park. It is the third largest industry in the city. At the plant, workers produce shower doors.
Griffin Industries, formerly locally owned Duncan Tankage Corporation, operates a plant just outside the city limits of Union City on the east side. Griffin Industries acquired the Duncan Tankage Corporation in 1988. The plant is now considered to be state-of-the-art.
Union City is the home of a fireplace production plant located on Reelfoot Avenue. The produce fireplaces and fireplace products. The plant has been sold a number of times and undergone multiple name changes. Currently it goes by Lenox Hearth Products. The most recent name was Superior Fireplace.
Those prelisted are just a few of the current companies operating in Union City.
[edit] Union City's Past Industries
As mentioned above, Union City was basically built on industry. The city housed factories and plants for companies like the Brown Shoe Company (the building still stands in the north side of town), Salant & Salant, American Metals, and Reelfoot Packing Company (building is still standing on Reelfoot Avenue, but scheduled for demolition.).
[edit] Notable residents
- Edris Roney-educator
- John S. Tanner-U.S. Congressman, born in Halls, Tennessee, but grew up in Union City
- Koko B. Ware-Professional wrestler
[edit] External links
- Maps and aerial photos
- Street map from Google Maps, or Yahoo! Maps, or Windows Live Local
- Satellite image from Google Maps, Windows Live Local, WikiMapia
- Topographic map from TopoZone
- Aerial image or topographic map from TerraServer-USA
