White Pine, Tennessee

White Pine is a town in Jefferson and Hamblen counties in Tennessee, United States. It is part of the Morristown Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 2,196 at the 2010 census.[8]

White Pine, Tennessee
Town
Town of White Pine
S. State St./US 25E, facing north
Motto(s): 
"Honoring our history, preparing for our future"[1]
Location of White Pine in Jefferson and Hamblen counties in Tennessee
Coordinates: 36°6′31″N 83°17′31″W
CountryUnited States
StateTennessee
CountiesJefferson, Hamblen
Settled1780s[1]
Founded1870[1]
Incorporated1915[2]
Government
 • TypeMayor-aldermanic
 • MayorGlen Warren
 • Aldermen
Area
 • Total2.75 sq mi (7.12 km2)
 • Land2.75 sq mi (7.12 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
1,138 ft (347 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total2,196
 • Estimate 
(2019)[5]
2,346
 • Density853.71/sq mi (329.67/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
37890
Area code(s)865
FIPS code47-80360[6]
GNIS feature ID1304531[7]
Websitewww.whitepinetn.com

History

European settlers first arrived in what is now White Pine in the 1780s. The community, originally known as "Dandridge Crossing", did not become a town until after the Civil War, when a railroad route was constructed in the area. The site chosen for the town was where the railroad tracks intersected a local stagecoach road. The town was laid out in the early 1870s. According to tradition, the town was named after a large pine tree that once stood along Main Street.[1]

In 1905, a significant portion of the town's downtown area was lost in a major fire.[9]

Geography

White Pine is located in northeastern Jefferson County at 36°6′31″N 83°17′31″W (36.108500, -83.291869).[10] The town limits extend north to the Hamblen County line, crossing into Hamblen County at Interstate 81 exit 8.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 2.6 square miles (6.8 km2), all land.[8]

It is about 40 miles (64 km) east of Knoxville.[11]

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
1920421—
193051622.6%
1940497−3.7%
195078056.9%
19601,03532.7%
19701,53248.0%
19801,90024.0%
19901,771−6.8%
20001,99712.8%
20102,19610.0%
Est. 20192,346[5]6.8%
Sources:[12][13]

As of the census[6] of 2000, there were 1,997 people, 828 households, and 579 families residing in the town. The population density was 786.7 people per square mile (303.6/km2). There were 886 housing units at an average density of 349.0 per square mile (134.7/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 95.74% White, 0.90% African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 2.20% from other races, and 0.75% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.50% of the population.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 24.2% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 27.8% from 25 to 44, 23.8% from 45 to 64, and 15.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.8 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $25,078, and the median income for a family was $31,464. Males had a median income of $26,944 versus $22,989 for females. The per capita income for the town was $12,605. About 14.7% of families and 19.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.4% of those under age 18 and 20.1% of those age 65 or over.

Arts and culture

Since 2019, the town has hosted the annual Lakeside of the Smokies Balloonfest, a hot air balloon fesitval dedicated to promoting the sport of hot air ballooning and the area's significant agriculture and heritage.[14] It is considered to be the largest hot air balloon festival in Tennessee.[15]

Education

Public school

White Pine School (K-8) in White Pine is operated by the Jefferson County Schools District. White Pine high school students attend Jefferson County High School in neighboring Dandridge along with other students in the Jefferson County Schools District.[16]

Private school

White Pine is also the location of Lakeway Christian Academy, a private Christian academy for students in grades 6-12. It opened in the summer of 2020.[17]

Transportation

White Pine has two exits on Interstate 81 (Exits 4 and 8). I-81 leads northeast 73 miles (117 km) to Bristol and southwest 6 miles (10 km) to its southern terminus at Interstate 40. Via I-81 and I-40, Knoxville is 41 miles (66 km) southwest of White Pine.

Tennessee State Route 113 is White Pine's Main Street, runs northeast to US 25E and southwest 10 miles (16 km) to Dandridge. Tennessee State Route 341 (also known as White Pine Road, Roy Messer Highway and Old Airport Road) runs west to east through the western and southern parts of the town, connecting I-81 at Exit 4 with US 25E.

U.S. Route 25E/Tennessee State Route 32 runs south to north through the town and is known as State Street. US 25E leads north 8 miles (13 km) to Morristown and south 12 miles (19 km) to Newport. Tennessee State Route 66 runs through the a small portion of the western part of the town.

Media

References
  1. David Noonkesser, "White Pine History," Town of White Pine website. Retrieved: 1 March 2013.
  2. Tennessee Blue Book, 2005-2006, pp. 618-625.
  3. "White Pine". Municipal Technical Advisory Service. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
  4. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
  5. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  6. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  7. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  8. "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Census Summary File 1 (G001): White Pine town, Tennessee". American Factfinder. U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
  9. "History". Town of White Pine.
  10. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  11. Botelho, Greg and Victor Blackwell. "Boy accused of fatally shooting girl after she wouldn't let him play with puppy." CNN. October 7, 2015. Retrieved on October 9, 2015.
  12. "Census of Population and Housing: Decennial Censuses". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-03-04.
  13. "Incorporated Places and Minor Civil Divisions Datasets: Subcounty Resident Population Estimates: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2012". Population Estimates. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
  14. "About the Festival". Lakeside of the Smokies Balloonfest. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  15. "Smokey Bear Balloon coming to White Pine balloon fest". Citizen Tribune. October 7, 2019. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  16. "Jefferson County School District". jc-tn.net. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  17. Inman, Katie (July 26, 2020). "'It's been quite a challenge." Lakeway Christian Academy starts first school year during pandemic". WBIR-TV. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
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