Kenton is a town in Gibson and Obion counties, Tennessee. The population was 1,281 at the 2010 census, a decline of 25 from 2000. The Gibson County portion of Kenton is part of the Humboldt, TN Micropolitan Statistical Area, while the Obion County portion is part of the Union City, TN–KY Micropolitan Statistical Area.

Kenton, Tennessee
Kenton, Tennessee, Home of the White Squirrel
Kenton, Tennessee, Home of the White Squirrel
Location of Kenton in Gibson County, Tennessee.
Location of Kenton in Gibson County, Tennessee.
Coordinates: 36°12′7″N 89°0′47″W / 36.20194°N 89.01306°W / 36.20194; -89.01306
CountryUnited States
StateTennessee
CountiesGibson, Obion
Government
 • MayorDanny Jowers
Area
 • Total2.53 sq mi (6.56 km2)
 • Land2.52 sq mi (6.53 km2)
 • Water0.01 sq mi (0.04 km2)
Elevation308 ft (94 m)
Population
 • Total1,205
 • Density478.17/sq mi (184.63/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
38233
Area code731
FIPS code47-39140[4]
GNIS feature ID1290092[2]

Geography edit

Kenton is located at 36°12′7″N 89°0′47″W / 36.20194°N 89.01306°W / 36.20194; -89.01306 (36.202027, -89.013044).[5]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 2.0 square miles (5.2 km2), of which 2.0 square miles (5.2 km2) is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1 km2) (1.00%) is water.

Demographics edit

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1880298
189039532.6%
1910815
1920804−1.3%
19308100.7%
1940809−0.1%
195089911.1%
19601,09521.8%
19701,43931.4%
19801,5517.8%
19901,366−11.9%
20001,306−4.4%
20101,281−1.9%
20201,205−5.9%
Sources:[6][7][3]

2020 census edit

Kenton racial composition[8]
Race Num. Perc.
White (non-Hispanic) 955 79.25%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 156 12.95%
Native American 6 0.5%
Other/Mixed 62 5.15%
Hispanic or Latino 26 2.16%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,205 people, 540 households, and 354 families residing in the town.

2000 census edit

As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 1,306 people, 567 households, and 378 families residing in the town. The population density was 653.6 inhabitants per square mile (252.4/km2). There were 616 housing units at an average density of 308.3 per square mile (119.0/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 84.76% White, 14.40% African American, 0.08% Native American, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 0.23% from other races, and 0.46% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.91% of the population.

There were 567 households, out of which 30.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.9% were married couples living together, 12.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.3% were non-families. 30.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.85.

 
Albino squirrel in Kenton, Tennessee

In the town, the population was spread out, with 24.5% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 27.8% from 25 to 44, 22.8% from 45 to 64, and 17.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.6 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $29,803, and the median income for a family was $37,788. Males had a median income of $27,037 versus $19,792 for females. The per capita income for the town was $16,515. About 11.9% of families and 14.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.5% of those under age 18 and 19.7% of those age 65 or over.

Fauna edit

Kenton is one of four communities in the United States that has a large population of white squirrels. In 2006 the population was estimated at 200, or about one for every six residents.[9] The town celebrates this anomaly with its annual White Squirrel Festival held during the week in which the Fourth of July falls.

Notable people edit

References edit

  1. ^ "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
  2. ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Kenton, Tennessee
  3. ^ a b "Census Population API". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
  4. ^ a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  5. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  6. ^ "Census of Population and Housing: Decennial Censuses". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 4, 2012.
  7. ^ "Incorporated Places and Minor Civil Divisions Datasets: Subcounty Resident Population Estimates: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2012". Population Estimates. U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 11, 2013. Retrieved December 11, 2013.
  8. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 8, 2021.
  9. ^ http://www.roadsideamerica.com/set/squirrels.html RoadsideAmerica.com