Tennessee's Smallest Towns

[fieldmarshaldj]

Thanks to Nashvol85 for giving me the idea. The oft-overlooked towns of Tennessee are the smallest ones. The following list are the 58 smallest incorporated communities as of the 2004 census estimates, all under 500 persons (the smallest at #1).

STATEWIDE

400-499

*57. (tie) Copperhill, 493

*57. (tie) Guys, 493

56. Gilt Edge, 483

55. Eagleville, 462

54. Rossville, 453

53. Sardis, 452

52. Burlison, 443

51. Watauga, 433

*49. (tie) Baneberry, 429

*49. (tie) Minor Hill, 429

48. Hornbeak, 428

47. Ducktown, 416

46. Gibson, 411

45. Bell Buckle, 407

300-399

44. Ridgeside, 386

43. Liberty, 383

42. Iron City, 377

41. Clarksburg, 375

40. Williston, 367

*38. (tie) Ramer, 359

*38. (tie) Toone, 359

37. Finger City, 356

36. Saltillo, 346

35. Lynnville, 340

34. Rives, 328

33. Stantonville, 320

32. Cumberland City, 319

31. Grand Junction, 318

30. Garland, 316

*28. (tie) Dowelltown, 314

*28. (tie) Vanleer, 314

27. Cedar Hill, 308

26. Hornsby, 300

200-299

25. Braden, 294

*23. (tie) Milledgeville, 291

*23. (tie) Yorkville, 291

22. Woodland Mills, 290

21. Centertown, 265

20. Samburg, 260

19. Auburntown, 258

18. Parkers Crossroads, 257

*16. (tie) McLemoresville, 254

*16. (tie) Townsend, 254

15. Oakdale, 240

14. Enville, 231

13. Parrottsville, 215

12. Mitchellville, 205

11. Cumberland Gap, 201

100-199

10. Medon, 191

9. Slayden, 188

8. Normandy, 151

7. La Grange, 148

*5. (tie) Hickory Valley, 132

*5. (tie) Viola, 132

4. Orme, 119

1-99

*2. (tie) Cottage Grove, 97

*2. (tie) Saulsbury, 97

1. Silerton, 59

BY REGION/DIVISION

EAST TENNESSEE

*57. (tie) Copperhill, 493

51. Watauga, 433

*49. (tie) Baneberry, 429

47. Ducktown, 416

44. Ridgeside, 386

*16. (tie) Townsend, 254

15. Oakdale, 240

13. Parrottsville, 215

11. Cumberland Gap, 201

4. Orme, 119

MIDDLE TENNESSEE

55. Eagleville, 462

*49. (tie) Minor Hill, 429

45. Bell Buckle, 407

43. Liberty, 383

42. Iron City, 377

35. Lynnville, 340

32. Cumberland City, 319

*28. (tie) Dowelltown, 314

*28. (tie) Vanleer, 314

27. Cedar Hill, 308

21. Centertown, 265

19. Auburntown, 258

12. Mitchellville, 205

11. Slayden, 188

8. Normandy, 151

*5. (tie) Viola, 132

WEST TENNESSEE

*57. (tie) Guys, 493

56. Gilt Edge, 483

54. Rossville, 453

53. Sardis, 452

52. Burlison, 443

48. Hornbeak, 428

46. Gibson, 411

41. Clarksburg, 375

40. Williston, 367

*38. (tie) Ramer, 359

*38. (tie) Toone, 359

37. Finger, 356

36. Saltillo, 346

34. Rives, 328

33. Stantonville, 320

31. Grand Junction, 318

30. Garland, 316

26. Hornsby, 300

25. Braden, 294

*23. (tie) Milledgeville, 291

*23. (tie) Yorkville, 291

22. Woodland Mills, 290

20. Samburg, 260

18. Parkers Crossroads, 257

*16. (tie) McLemoresville, 254

14. Enville, 231

10. Medon, 191

7. La Grange, 148

*5. (tie) Hickory Valley, 132

*2. (tie) Cottage Grove, 97

*2. (tie) Saulsbury, 97

1. Silerton, 59

[fieldmarshaldj]

LOCATION OF SMALLEST TOWNS BY COUNTY (Sorted most by county, then alphabetically)

Hardeman County (6):

*38. (tie) Toone, 359

31. Grand Junction, 318 (part**)

26. Hornsby, 300

*5. (tie) Hickory Valley, 132

*2. (tie) Saulsbury, 97

1. Silerton, 59

Fayette County (5):

54. Rossville, 453

40. Williston, 367

31. Grand Junction, 318 (part**)

25. Braden, 294

7. La Grange, 148

McNairy County (5):

*57. (tie) Guys, 493

*38. (tie) Ramer, 359

37. Finger, 356

33. Stantonville, 320

*23. (tie) Milledgeville, 291 (part**)

Obion County (4):

48. Hornbeak, 428

34. Rives, 328

22. Woodland Mills, 290

20. Samburg, 260

Tipton County (3):

56. Gilt Edge, 483

52. Burlison, 443

30. Garland, 316

Bedford County (2):

45. Bell Buckle, 407

8. Normandy, 151

Carroll County (2):

41. Clarksburg, 375

*16. (tie) McLemoresville, 254

Chester County (2):

*23. (tie) Milledgeville, 291 (part**)

14. Enville, 231 (part**)

DeKalb County (2):

43. Liberty, 383

*28. (tie) Dowelltown, 314

Dickson County (2):

*28. (tie) Vanleer, 314

9. Slayden, 188

Gibson County (2):

46. Gibson, 411

*23. (tie) Yorkville, 291

Giles County (2):

*49. (tie) Minor Hill, 429

35. Lynnville, 340

Hardin County (2):

36. Saltillo, 346

*23. (tie) Milledgeville, 291 (part**)

Henderson County (2):

53. Sardis, 452

18. Parkers Crossroads, 257

Polk County (2):

*57. (tie) Copperhill, 493

47. Ducktown, 416

Warren County (2):

21. Centertown, 265

*5. (tie) Viola, 132

Blount County:

*16. (tie) Townsend, 254

Cannon County:

19. Auburntown, 258

Carter County:

51. Watauga, 433 (part**)

Claiborne County:

11. Cumberland Gap, 201

Cocke County:

13. Parrottsville, 215

Hamilton County:

44. Ridgeside, 386

Henry County:

*2. (tie) Cottage Grove, 97

Jefferson County:

*49. (tie) Baneberry, 429

Lawrence County:

42. Iron City, 377

Madison County:

10. Medon, 191

Marion County:

4. Orme, 119

Morgan County:

15. Oakdale, 240

Robertson County:

27. Cedar Hill, 308

Rutherford County:

55. Eagleville, 462

Stewart County:

32. Cumberland City, 319

Sumner County:

12. Mitchellville, 205

Washington County:

51. Watauga, 433 (part**)

[nashvol85]

10. Medon, 191

9. Slayden, 188

8. Normandy, 151

7. La Grange, 148

*5. (tie) Hickory Valley, 132

*5. (tie) Viola, 132

4. Orme, 119

Viola is where my family is from...it's nestled right up next to Monteagle Mountain...surrounded by cornfields...very picturesque.

[Hankster]

Very interesting list, and thanks for posting it. I live in Hamilton County, yet I've never heard of Ridgeside, pop. 386. I'll have to do a little research to find outwhere it is.

[fieldmarshaldj]

Viola is where my family is from...it's nestled right up next to Monteagle Mountain...surrounded by cornfields...very picturesque.

I know Viola is right up against the Cumberland Plateau, but is that considered Monteagle Mountain that far north ?

[fieldmarshaldj]

Very interesting list, and thanks for posting it. I live in Hamilton County, yet I've never heard of Ridgeside, pop. 386. I'll have to do a little research to find outwhere it is.

Ridgeside is the only town on the list that is completely surrounded by urban entities. According to city-data, it is an upscale enclave (average household income: $89,000) and is a miniscule .2 of a square mile.

http://maps.google.com/maps?oi=map&q=Ridgeside,+TN

[nashvol85]

I know Viola is right up against the Cumberland Plateau, but is that considered Monteagle Mountain that far north ?

It's the same ridge...it's quite imposing right there. It's not really that far from where I-24 crosses the mountain. Everyone calls it Monteagle Mountain there.

[rocky top buzz]

Do we have a population breakdown of Berry Hill? I know it's a seperate municipality that is normally counted with Davidson. I wouldn't think it could have many residents being as small as it is

[The Tot Pack]

1. Silerton, 59

damn...thats extremely rural. how many square feet is that town?

[fieldmarshaldj]

Do we have a population breakdown of Berry Hill? I know it's a seperate municipality that is normally counted with Davidson. I wouldn't think it could have many residents being as small as it is

681 as of 2004. It used to be higher than that (over 1,000, if I recall correctly), but it became more zoned for commercial and less residentially-oriented. Only Ridgetop has fewer people within Davidson County (with 53 people, the other 1,609 people in Robertson County).

[Rural King]

I am familar with quite a few of the West Tennessee towns, and several in Middle and East Tennessee. I find it interesting that most of the smallest incorporated towns in the state are in West Tennessee. Very cool list to look at, thanks for compiling it FDJ!

[Marchingforever]

I thought that Cedar Hill had more people than that. Thanks for the list.

[flith]

Ridgeside is the only town on the list that is completely surrounded by urban entities. According to city-data, it is an upscale enclave (average household income: $89,000) and is a miniscule .2 of a square mile.

http://maps.google.com/maps?oi=map&q=Ridgeside,+TN

Red Bank is completely surrounded by Chattanooga also.

Hamilton County used to have the most cities of any county in TN, I not sure if that stat still stands today.

Hamilton County Cities:

Chattanooga

Red Bank*

East Ridge*

Soddy-Daisy

Signal Mountain

Collegedale

Walden

Lookout Mountain

Ridgeside*

* These cities are land locked either by Chattanooga, the TN/GA state line, or both.

Needless to say when Hamilton County submits the Urban Growth plan required by the state there is a lot of disagreement over who gets to annex what in the future.

Most of these towns were formed to avoid being annexed by Chattanooga. Middle Valley tried to incorporate in the Mid-late 90's, but was too close to Chattanooga. When the toy town law was passed they turned in their application for incorporation again. (If they had incorporated they would been in TN top 10 towns by population) The toy town law was eventually withdrawn and the growth plan replaced it. The toy town law and growth plan are the results of Chattanooga, and Memphis annexing areas taxing them and not providing all services. It wasn't until the late '90's the some of the areas Chattanooga had annexed in the '70's got sewers.

[fieldmarshaldj]

Red Bank is completely surrounded by Chattanooga also.

Hamilton County used to have the most cities of any county in TN, I not sure if that stat still stands today.

Hamilton County Cities:

Chattanooga

Red Bank*

East Ridge*

Soddy-Daisy

Signal Mountain

Collegedale

Walden

Lookout Mountain

Ridgeside*

* These cities are land locked either by Chattanooga, the TN/GA state line, or both.

Needless to say when Hamilton County submits the Urban Growth plan required by the state there is a lot of disagreement over who gets to annex what in the future.

Most of these towns were formed to avoid being annexed by Chattanooga. Middle Valley tried to incorporate in the Mid-late 90's, but was too close to Chattanooga. When the toy town law was passed they turned in their application for incorporation again. (If they had incorporated they would been in TN top 10 towns by population) The toy town law was eventually withdrawn and the growth plan replaced it. The toy town law and growth plan are the results of Chattanooga, and Memphis annexing areas taxing them and not providing all services. It wasn't until the late '90's the some of the areas Chattanooga had annexed in the '70's got sewers.

Actually, it has 10 incorporated communities. You missed the town of Lakesite (only 1.7 square miles), just north of Middle Valley and below Soddy-Daisy on the Tennessee River. Oddly enough, Lakesite isn't listed as an incorporated community on the major road atlases.

Of the 4 most populous counties in TN, Hamilton County has the largest number of incorporated communities. However, it doesn't have the most overall. Fayette, Gibson & Obion Counties also have 10 incorporated communities each. However, the record for any county is 11, and that is jointly held by McNairy and Robertson Counties (the latter being a surprise to me).

As for the other 3 most populous counties, Shelby has 7, Davidson has 8 (most of which were incorporated in the period when county consolidation was gaining steam in the '50s), and Knox only has 2 (Knoxville and Farragut). While Davidson has no unincorporated areas, Shelby has just 98,000 in unincorporated areas (it and its surrounding towns having annexed about 20,000 between 2000-04), Hamilton has 91,000 (a far greater percentage of its population than it would be in Shelby), but Knox takes the cake with an astonishing 202k living in unincorporated areas (24k higher than the entire population of Knoxville City). It goes without saying that Knox has little excuse NOT to move forward with consolidation (and dissolution of Farragut, despite the fact it now has annexed into Loudon County). Hamilton, too, should probably follow suit (I noticed that Chattanooga is the only major city of the "Big 4" to have annexed into a neighboring county, Marion).

[flith]

As for the other 3 most populous counties, Shelby has 7, Davidson has 8 (most of which were incorporated in the period when county consolidation was gaining steam in the '50s), and Knox only has 2 (Knoxville and Farragut). While Davidson has no unincorporated areas, Shelby has just 98,000 in unincorporated areas (it and its surrounding towns having annexed about 20,000 between 2000-04), Hamilton has 91,000 (a far greater percentage of its population than it would be in Shelby), but Knox takes the cake with an astonishing 202k living in unincorporated areas (24k higher than the entire population of Knoxville City). It goes without saying that Knox has little excuse NOT to move forward with consolidation (and dissolution of Farragut, despite the fact it now has annexed into Loudon County). Hamilton, too, should probably follow suit (I noticed that Chattanooga is the only major city of the "Big 4" to have annexed into a neighboring county, Marion).

I have a little tidbit of information on the annexation in Marion County. Chattanooga annexed the land in Marion County at the land owners request. Basically, they had inadequate fire and police protection becuase of the geography. It is easier for Chattanooga to respond than any facilities in Marion County, because of the annexation their insurance rates have gone down.

I know about Lakesite and thought I had put it in my list. I over looked it when I reviewed my post.

Hamilton County and Chattanooga have considered a metro government in the past (I think twice). The most recent vote was in the '70's. Personally I don't think it will ever pass, there is too much bickering and fighting between all of the elected officials, I would love to put most of them out of a job by consolidateing services to make government more efficient.

[fieldmarshaldj]

^That's interesting about that Marion County annexation (it almost seems like it may make more sense to cede that small section to Hamilton County). That's too bad that the county and city couldn't work out a popular plan to consolidate. As you point out, it would make things a bit more efficient.

[HABANERO7]

I wonder how many UP members currently beckon from the less than 500 pop communities listed above. I know I currently do! Copperhill is my home address. I actually live closer to Ducktown (2 miles to Ducktown vs. about 5 miles to Copperhill) the reason my address is Copperhill is because of the Postal Service attempting to save money by consolidating rural area post offices.