Located around 80 miles (130 km) southwest of Nashville at the junction of U.S. Routes 43 and 64, Lawrenceburg is called the "Crossroads of Dixie."
History
According to a recent theory, the Lawrenceburg area is the likely site of "Chicasa"—the place where Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto and his men wintered in 1540–41 (though earlier theories have suggested this campsite to have been in northern Mississippi). The Chickasaw Nation sold the area to the US in 1816.[citation needed]
Upon moving from East Tennessee into the region around 1817, David Crockett served as a justice of the peace, a colonel of the militia, and a state representative. David Crockett established a powder mill on Shoal Creek originally called the Sycamore River. This area is now home to David Crockett State Park. Crockett was elected as a commissioner and served on the board that placed Lawrenceburg four miles (6 km) west of the geographic center of Lawrence County. Crockett was opposed to the city being located in its current location, largely out of fear of flooding. He and his family lived in Lawrenceburg for several years before moving to West Tennessee after a flood destroyed his mill.
After World War II, the Murray Ohio Manufacturing Company, a U.S. producer of bicycles and outdoor equipment, moved its manufacturing operations to Lawrenceburg, building a new factory and assembly plant. Over the next several decades, the Murray factory grew to be one of the largest in the United States: 42.7 acres (173,000 m2) under roof.
A flood struck Lawrenceburg in July 1998, killing two people on Shoal Creek.[7][8]
Following the flood, the city undertook a 10-year flood control project that dramatically reduced risk for major flooding that had plagued the town since the days of Davy Crockett.[9]
The city of Lawrenceburg has a total area of 12.6 square miles (33 km2). It is the largest city on the state line between Chattanooga and Memphis. Located on the southern Highland Rim, Lawrence County and Lawrenceburg are set atop of a large mountain plateau of the Appalachian Mountain range with elevations ranging between 810 feet (250 m) to over 1,120 feet (340 m).
Map of the Appalachian Mountain Range.[11]
Climate
Climate data for Lawrenceburg, Tennessee (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1954–present)
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 11,633 people, 4,535 households, and 2,489 families residing in the city.
2010 census
As of the census[4] of 2010, there were 10,428 people living in the city. The population density was 857.6 inhabitants per square mile (331.1/km2). There were 5,166 housing units at an average density of 410.4 per square mile (158.5/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 94% White, 2.6% Black or African American, 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, 0.6% from Some Other Race, and 2.1% from Two or More Races. Hispanic or Latino people represented 2% of the population.
There were 4,579 households, out of which 24.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39% were a husband-wife family living together, 15% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 41.1% were nonfamily households. 36.4% of nonfamily households were made up of a householder living alone, and 18.1% of nonfamily households consisted of a person living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23, and the average family size was 2.89.
The median age of a person in Lawrenceburg during the 2010 United States Census was 40.8 years. The population was 53.4% female and 46.6% male.
The median income for a household in the city was $36,286, and the median income for a family was $47,143. Median earnings for male full-time, year-round workers was $34,960 versus $26,188 for female full-time, year-round workers. The per capita income for the city was $20,587. About 12.6% of families and 18.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.5% of those under age 18 and 13.9% of those age 65 or over.
Fred Thompson Rally in Lawrenceburg, 2008
Culture
Tourist attractions include David Crockett State Park and Amish Country.
Lawrence County is the birthplace of Southern Gospel Music and visitors to historic downtown Lawrenceburg can see where it all began at the James D. Vaughan Museum on the Square.
Antiques, arts & crafts, food, toys, gifts, and much more. Event is held Friday, Saturday and Sunday before Thanksgiving at Rotary Park.
Crossroads of Dixie Antique Tractor Show
Two-day event in August at Rotary Park, showcasing hundreds of antique tractors, engines, and farm equipment are on display along with music, food and other entertainment.
David Crockett Days
Held in August at David Crockett State Park, this event celebrates Davy Crockett's birthday with outdoor events, food, and crafts.
This annual event is held in July at the Historic Crockett Theater, featuring two nights of gospel music quartets.
Middle Tennessee District Fair
Hosted at Rotary Park, the week-long fair is the largest annual event in the county, featuring food, shopping, livestock, craft and food exhibits, a midway with rides and games, and nightly events such as the "Fairest of the Fair" beauty pageants, demolition derby, and more.
Education
The city is home to five elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school, as well as a satellite campus of Columbia State Community College. Lawrenceburg is also home to the Southern Tennessee Higher Education Center. The local school district also operates an adult secondary educational facility and a specialized achievement school for K-12 students within the city's borders.
Davy Crockett for a time called Lawrenceburg home. Many landmarks and businesses now include Crockett in their names. David Crockett State Park on the western edge of the city and the David Crockett Monument located on the city square are two spots that pay homage to the legendary outdoorsman.
Fred Dalton Thompson (1942-2015), lawyer, U.S. senator, actor, and Law & Order cast-member; sought the GOP nomination for president in the 2008 campaign
James David Vaughan, credited as the father of Southern gospel music and founder of the Vaughan Publishing Company in downtown Lawrenceburg
^"Station: Lawrenceburg FILT PLT, TN". U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
