McKenzie is a city at the tripoint of Carroll, Henry, and Weakley counties in Tennessee, United States. As of the 2020 census, McKenzie had a population of 5,529.
History
The city of McKenzie was originally surveyed and platted in 1865 on land that belonged to James McKenzie. This land was at the crossroads of the main lines for the Nashville & Northwestern Railroad and the Louisville & Memphis Railroad, and a station, originally called "McKenzie Station" was erected at the crossing. The town was incorporated by the state of Tennessee on January 22, 1869.
On October 15, 1887, the President of the United States, Grover Cleveland, visited the town and stayed overnight at the McKenzie Hotel, next door to the depot. A small part of the city extends north into Henry County, and a smaller part extends west into Weakley County. U.S. Route 79 passes through the city southeast of the center, leading northeast to Paris and southwest to Milan. Tennessee State Route 22 runs through the east side of the city as a bypass, leading northwest to Martin and southeast to Huntingdon.
According to the United States Census Bureau, McKenzie has a total area of , all land.
Demographics
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, there were 5,529 people and 1,278 families residing in the city. The median age was 32.0 years, 19.7% of residents were under the age of 18, and 17.6% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 91.9 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 88.3 males age 18 and over.
93.8% of residents lived in urban areas, while 6.2% lived in rural areas.
There were 1,978 households in McKenzie, of which 29.6% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 37.2% were married-couple households, 21.7% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 34.3% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 35.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
! Race !! Number !! Percent
|-
| White || 4,334 || 78.4%
|-
| Black or African American || 707 || 12.8%
|-
| American Indian and Alaska Native || 14 || 0.3%
|-
| Asian || 30 || 0.5%
|-
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander || 3 || 0.1%
|-
| Some other race || 153 || 2.8%
|-
| Two or more races || 288 || 5.2%
|-
| Hispanic or Latino (of any race) || 286 || 5.2%
|}
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there was a population of 5,295, with 2,131 households and 1,412 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 2,382 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 82.80% White, 14.24% African American, 0.11% Native American, 0.34% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.79% from other races, and 1.70% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.15% of the population.
left|thumb|381x381px|1896 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map from McKenzie, Carroll County, Tennessee
There were 2,131 households, out of which 28.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.4% were married couples living together, 15.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.7% were non-families. 29.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.85.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 21.8% under the age of 18, 12.4% from 18 to 24, 24.2% from 25 to 44, 22.8% from 45 to 64, and 18.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $28,319, and the median income for a family was $34,322. Males had a median income of $26,038 versus $19,090 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,723. About 10.4% of families and 13.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.1% of those under age 18 and 9.9% of those age 65 or over.
Education
thumb|445x445px|1940 Census Enumeration District Map for McKenzie, TN
Bethel University
Since 1872, Bethel University's campus has been located on the north side of town. This Cumberland Presbyterian affiliated university offers Bachelors and master's degrees in multiple fields. The school is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and operates.satellite campuses in Jackson, TN, and Paris, TN.
Tennessee College of Applied Technology
Formerly the formerly named the McKenzie State Area Vocational School, the Tennessee College of Applied Technology is one of 46 institutions in the Tennessee Board of Regents system and offers courses in Industrial Electricity/Electronics, Machine Shop, Refrigeration, Office Occupations Instructor, Welding, Masonry, Industrial Maintenance, and HVAC.
McKenzie Special School District
- McKenzie Elementary School (grades PreK-4)
- McKenzie Middle School (grades 5–8)
- McKenzie High School (grades 9–12)
Cultural Institutions
- Park Theater - A 1940s theater that shows local plays and movies
- McKenzie Memorial Library - City library with 14,902 books in circulation
- Gordon Browning Museum and Genealogical Library - Museum named in honor of former Tennessee Governor Gordon Browning
- Webb School Alumni Museum - local museum focused on the all-Black Webb School, which served West Tennessee from 1927 to 1966
Media
thumb|right|The First Presbyterian Church in McKenzie, September 2014
Radio
- WRQR-FM 105.5 "Today's Best Music with Ace & TJ in the Morning"
- WTPR-AM 710 "The Greatest Hits of All Time"
- WTPR-FM 101.7 "The Greatest Hits of All Time"
- WTJF AM 1390 FM 105.3 & 94.3 "The Mike Slater Show" 6 am-9 am
- WHDM 1440-AM 98.9-FM
- WAJJ 89.3 FM WAJJ Christian Radio
Newspapers
- The McKenzie Banner
Online News Publications
- Carroll County Observer
See also
- List of cities in Tennessee
References
External links
- McKenzie Special School District
- Park Theater