Claiborne County, Tennessee

Geography According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,144 km² (442 mi²). 1,125 km² (434 mi²) of it is land and 19 km² (7 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 1.65% water.

Demographics As of the census of 2000, there are 29,862 people, 11,799 households, and 8,684 families residing in the county. The population density is 27/km² (69/mi²). There are 13,262 housing units at an average density of 12/km² (30/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 97.79% White, 0.75% African American, 0.24% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.19% from other races, and 0.74% from two or more races. 0.64% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 11,799 households out of which 32.00% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.80% are married couples living together, 11.00% have a female householder with no husband present, and 26.40% are non-families. 23.40% of all households are made up of individuals and 10.00% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.48 and the average family size is 2.91.

In the county, the population is spread out with 23.60% under the age of 18, 8.90% from 18 to 24, 28.70% from 25 to 44, 25.40% from 45 to 64, and 13.40% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 37 years. For every 100 females there are 93.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 91.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county is $25,782, and the median income for a family is $31,234. Males have a median income of $26,280 versus $19,951 for females. The per capita income for the county is $13,032. 22.60% of the population and 18.40% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 27.70% are under the age of 18 and 19.90% are 65 or older.

Cities and Towns

• Cumberland Gap
• Harrogate-Shawanee
• New Tazewell
• Tazewell