Arlington, Tennessee

Arlington is a town in the U.S. state of Tennessee. It is one of the seven municipalities in Shelby County. The town was first officially named Haysville in 1878 and later changed its name to Arlington in 1900.

Over the years, Arlington has grown a lot. In the year 2000, about 2,569 people lived there. By 2010, the number of people had risen to 11,517. In 2020, even more people, about 14,549, called Arlington home. Between 2010 and 2020, the town's population increased by 26.33%, showing how quickly it has been growing.

Government

Arlington is run by a group called the Board of Mayor and Aldermen. The people on this board are chosen by voters every four years. Mike Wissman is the current mayor, and Harry McKee is the current Vice Mayor. There are six aldermen who help make decisions for the town.

The town has nine special groups that help with different jobs, like planning, finance, and parks. One group helps with the local schools, called Arlington Community Schools.

History

The area now known as Arlington, Tennessee, was first home to the Chickasaw Nation. After a treaty in 1819, the land became part of the United States, and Shelby County was created. By the 1830s, only about 20 families lived there.

In 1856, the town grew to around 200 people, with farming—especially cotton farming—as the main work. A train station called Withe Depot was built, helping farmers send their goods to markets. The town was named Haysville after General Samuel J. Hays, who gave the land for the station.

The American Civil War caused hardship, with many men leaving to fight and not returning. After the war, the town was officially named Haysville in 1878. Later, in 1883, it was renamed Arlington because another town already had the name Haysville. The town grew, adding schools, stores, and other buildings. By 1900, Arlington was officially incorporated again, with about 600 people.

Today, Arlington works to keep its history alive. It has preserved many old buildings, such as museums and a replica of the old train station built in 2003.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, Arlington, Tennessee, has a total area of 23.16 square miles (60.0 km²). Most of this area, 23.15 square miles (60.0 km²), is land, with only a very small part, 0.01 square miles (0.026 km²), being water.

Demographics

2020 census

According to the 2020 census, Arlington had a population of 14,549 people. The median age was 34.6 years, with 32.7% of residents under 18 and 7.2% aged 65 or older. In terms of gender, for every 100 females, there were 97.2 males, and for every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 93.1 males aged 18 and over.

Most people lived in urban areas, with 91.4% in urban locations and 8.6% in rural ones. There were 4,539 households, and 56.4% of them had children under 18 living there. The majority of households, 70.4%, were made up of married couples. There were also households led by a single male or female parent. There were 3,046 families in total.

There were 4,640 housing units, with a small percentage being empty. The rate of homes for sale was very low, while the rate of rental homes for lease was a bit higher.

2010 census

The 2010 census recorded 11,517 people and 3,739 households in Arlington. The population density was 565 people per square mile. The town's racial composition included 81.24% White, 13.84% African American, 0.16% Native American, 1.80% Asian, and smaller percentages of other groups. About 2.98% of residents identified as Hispanic or Latino.

Household sizes varied, with many having three or four people. The median value of owned homes was estimated at $217,300. The age distribution showed that nearly 38% were under 18, with the median age being 32.2 years. The population was almost equally split between males and females.

Income and poverty

Between 2013 and 2017, the estimated household income in Arlington was around $99,404, which was higher than the estimate from 2009.

2000 census

In the 2000 census, Arlington had 2,569 people living in 794 households and 669 families. The population density was 125.8 people per square mile. The racial composition was 74.23% White, 23.01% African American, and smaller percentages of other groups. About 1.13% of residents identified as Hispanic or Latino.

Many households had children under 18, and most were led by married couples. The average household size was 2.88, and the average family size was 3.15. The median age was 36 years. The median household income was $52,870, and the median family income was $55,602. About 3.1% of families and 11.3% of the population lived below the poverty line.

Arts and culture

Depot Square has been an important place for community gatherings and events. For many years, the town held a tradition called the "Brunswick Stew" reunion. Recently, popular events such as "Arlington in April," "Music on the Square," "Harvest Gathering," and the annual Christmas Parade have brought people together. These events help build a strong sense of community and celebrate Arlington's culture and history.

Education

Arlington has its own school system called Arlington Community Schools. As of 2013, there were about 18 students for each teacher.

The town has four schools:

• Arlington Elementary School for grades K-5
• Donelson Elementary School for grades K-5
• Arlington Middle School for grades 6–8
• Arlington High School for grades 9–12

Arlington Community Schools started in 2014 with around 4,907 students.

Notable people

Arlington, Tennessee has been home to many interesting people. Jonathan Bowlan, born in 1996, is a pitcher in Major League Baseball. Latasha Byears, born in 1973, played professional basketball. Clay Crosse, born in 1967, is known for his Christian music. Cody Fowler lived from 1892 to 1978 and was an attorney. James Ernest Karnes served in the U.S. Army and lived from 1889 to 1966. Kenneth Walker III, born in 2000, is a professional football player and was the Most Valuable Player of Super Bowl 60.