Crab Orchard is a city in Cumberland County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 719 at the 2020 census.
History
Crab Orchard's position in a gap in the Crab Orchard Mountains made it a gateway to the Cumberland area as early as the late 18th century. Pioneers passing through the area named it for its abundance of wild crab apple trees. In the 1780s, a road was built through the gap to help provide protection for travelers migrating from East Tennessee to the Nashville area.
The historian J. G. M. Ramsey reported several Cherokee, Creek, and Shawnee attacks at "the Crab-Orchard" during a period of heightened tensions between Native Americans and encroaching Euro-American settlers in the early 1790s. Around 1792, a small band of troops led by Captain Samuel Handley was attacked by a mixed group of Cherokee, Creek, and Shawnee at Crab Orchard, ending in Handley's capture. In April 1794, a group of travelers was ambushed by a band of Creeks, killing early Cumberland County settler Thomas 'Big Foot' Spencer. A few weeks later, a Lieutenant McClelland was attacked and routed by a band of Creeks at Crab Orchard.
left|220px|thumb|Lhoist North America mine and plant in Crab Orchard
In the late 18th century, as Cherokee attacks subsided, the Walton Road was built as part of the stage road system connecting the Knoxville and Nashville areas. The road passed through Crab Orchard, bringing a steady stream of travelers and migrants to the area. Around 1800, Sidnor's Inn opened at Crab Orchard, with Bishop Francis Asbury being among its earliest guests. In 1827, Robert Burke, whose wife operated a tavern at what is now Ozone established the Crab Orchard Inn, which remained open until the early 20th century.
Crab Orchard received its fame from a rare type of durable sandstone found in its vicinity. First used in local structures and sidewalks in the late 19th century, the Crab Orchard stone gained popularity in the 1920s when it was used in the construction of Scarritt College in Nashville. Numerous buildings in Crossville have been constructed with Crab Orchard stone.
Crab Orchard is home to a large limestone mine operated by Lhoist North America. The mine and its accompanying plant dominate the south side of the Crab Orchard gap along Interstate 40 and US-70.
Geography
Crab Orchard is located at (35.905965, -84.877239). The town is situated atop the Cumberland Plateau in a gap amidst the Crab Orchard Mountains, a sub-range of the Cumberland Mountains. This gap has long been frequented by travelers between East and Middle Tennessee. Today, both Interstate 40 and U.S. Route 70 pass through Crab Orchard.
Big Rock Mountain (el. ) rises prominently to the north of Crab Orchard. Haley Mountain (el. ) and Black Mountain (2,82) dominate the view to the south. A section of the Cumberland Trail will, when completed, traverse Crab Orchard from north to south.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all land.
Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Crab Orchard has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.
Demographics
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, there was a population of 720, with 290 households and 189 families residing in the city.
The median age was 42.2 years; 25.3% of residents were under the age of 18 and 18.9% were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 96.2 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 97.1 males.
There were 290 households in Crab Orchard, of which 33.1% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 41.7% were married-couple households, 21.4% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 29.3% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 29.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
! Race !! Number !! Percent
|-
| White || 671 || 93.2%
|-
| Black or African American || 1 || 0.1%
|-
| American Indian and Alaska Native || 1 || 0.1%
|-
| Asian || 2 || 0.3%
|-
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander || 0 || 0.0%
|-
| Some other race || 8 || 1.1%
|-
| Two or more races || 37 || 5.1%
|-
| Hispanic or Latino (of any race) || 21 || 2.9%
|}
2000 census
As of the census