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Cookeville is a city in Putnam County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 23,923 at the 2000 census. The 2004 Census estimate of Cookeville's population is 27,648, and the combined total of those living in Cookeville's ZIP codes in 2000 is 55,448. It is the county seat of Putnam County and home to Tennessee Technological University. It is recognized as one of the country's micropolitan areas, smaller towns which nevertheless function as significant economic hubs. With a 2004 population of 97,528, Cookeville is Tennessee's largest micropolitan area. The Cookeville Micropolitan Area is also ranked as having the strongest economy among Tennessee's twenty micropolitan areas.

Geography

Cookeville is located at (36.164202, -85.504295).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 57.1 km² (22.0 mi²). 56.6 km² (21.9 mi²) of it is land and 0.4 km² (0.2 mi²) of it (0.77%) is water.

Average annual temperature, 57 degrees F. Monthly average high, January 52.9 degrees F. and July 88 degrees F. Monthly average low, January 67.2 degrees F. Average annual precipitation, 51", Average annual snowfall, 8". Prevailing wind, SE. Mean length of freeze free period, 211 days, Average relative humidity: 12:00 Midnight - 79%; 6 am - 85%; Noon - 48%; 6 p.m. - 62%. Altitude 1,140 feet above sea level.

Economy

  • Approximately 25,000 people travel to Cookeville daily to work, shop, or attend school.
  • Cookeville's 2004 retail sales total of $1.032 billion was an 8.4 % increase from the 2003 retail sales. The state's increase was 6.9 %.
  • The September 2005 unemployment rate was 4.2 %, the 11th lowest among Tennessee's 95 counties. 32,100 people were employed in Cookeville.
  • Manufacturing is the largest sector in Cookeville's economy with over 100 plants and 8,000 employees. Among the major employers are Fleetguard (900 employees), Russell Stover Candies (900 employees), and TRW Automotive (400 employees). Currently TRW is relocating out of state and the 400 employees will be laid-off by December 31, 2006. Also, Russel Stover Candies has already laid off 400 employees in November 2005 and will lay off another 470 by the end of 2006. The large building for Russel Stovers will be used as a warehouse for overseas made candy and will employ only 30 people.
  • With 13 % of the workforce, retail trade employs about 4,200 people and is the second largest sector in the Cookeville economy.
  • Health care workers comprise about 12 % of the work force with 3,840 employees.
  • Education is another major sector with nearly 2,000 employees at Tennessee Technological University and the public school system.

Source: Tennessee Department of Labor

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 23,923 people, 9,938 households, and 5,316 families residing in the city. The population density was 422.5/km² (1,094.5/mi²). There were 10,746 housing units at an average density of 189.8/km² (491.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 71.11% White, 2.91% African American, 0.16% Native American, 1.88% Asian, 0.21% Pacific Islander, 2.61% from other races, and 1.12% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 24.22% of the population.

There were 9,938 households out of which 22.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.7% were married couples living together, 10.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 46.5% were non-families. 34.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 2.83.

In the city the population was spread out with 18.0% under the age of 18, 25.2% from 18 to 24, 25.1% from 25 to 44, 18.0% from 45 to 64, and 13.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females there were 101.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $26,533, and the median income for a family was $39,623. Males had a median income of $28,013 versus $21,710 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,684. About 13.1% of families and 23.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.1% of those under age 18 and 18.7% of those age 65 or over.

Education

  • Cookeville is home to Tennessee Technological University and its 9,300 students. Tennessee Tech is ranked among the Top Public Schools in the South and among the top 40 Best Universities-Master's in U.S. News & World Report's 2005 edition of "America's Best Colleges." TTU was also ranked among the Top Public Schools in the South in the 2003 and 2005 college guides. This year, The Princeton Review also listed TTU as "Best Southeastern College."
  • Cookeville High School is the largest non-metropolitan school in the state and is one of only five schools in Tennessee to offer the International Baccalaureate program. The other four Tennessee schools with the program are all in Nashville.
  • Cookeville is home to the only branch of Nashville State Community College.
  • Medvance Institute also provides higher education in medical and technical fields.

Cookeville media

Cookeville is home to one daily newspaper, a weekly newspaper, 8 FM radio stations, 3 AM stations, 2 television stations, and several weekly shoppers.

Newspapers

Radio stations

Television stations

Weekly shoppers

ZIP codes

Cookeville has five ZIP codes: 38501, 38502, 38503, 38505 (Tennessee Tech), and 38506

Points of interest

Cookeville links

Cookeville museums

Cookeville performing arts

Cookeville maps

Sightseeing map of Cookeville (pdf)

Cities in Tennessee | Putnam County, Tennessee | Micropolitan areas of Tennessee

Cookeville, Tennessee

 

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the "Cookeville, Tennessee".

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