Cannon County was established by the Tennessee state legislature on January 31, 1836. It was formed from portions of Rutherford, Smith, Wilson, and Warren counties and was named for Governor Newton Cannon. This was part of the Middle Tennessee region, with mixed farming and livestock raising, including of thoroughbred horses.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of, of which is land and is water.
As of the census of 2000, there were 12,826 people, 4,998 households, and 3,643 families residing in the county. The population density was 48 people per square mile. There were 5,420 housing units at an average density of 20 per square mile. The racial makeup of the county was 96.87% White, 1.46% Black or African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.12% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.40% from other races, and 0.81% from two or more races. 1.22% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 4,998 households out of which 33.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.60% were married couplesliving together, 9.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.10% were non-families. 24.30% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 2.99. In the county, the population was spread out with 25.40% under the age of 18, 8.30% from 18 to 24, 28.90% from 25 to 44, 23.70% from 45 to 64, and 13.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.20 males. The median income for a household in the county was $32,809, and the median income for a family was $38,424. Males had a median income of $28,659 versus $21,489 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,405. About 9.60% of families and 12.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.00% of those under age 18 and 17.80% of those age 65 or over.
Government
The policy-making and legislative authority in Cannon County is vested in the Board of County Commissioners. Commissioners are elected to four-year terms by a simple majority of the residents in their district. Each district has two commissioners, and all ten seats are up for election at the same time. Commissioners set personnel policies for the county, appropriate funds for county departments, and set the property tax rate. The county mayor typically serves as chair of the County Commission and breaks a tie if one occurs during voting. Members typically meet in January, April, July and October with special call meetings taking place when necessary. County officials:
Each official is elected to a four-year term. With the exception of the tax assessor, the terms of most of the officials above will end on September 1, 2022. The tax assessor's term will end on September 1, 2020. The general sessions judge is elected to an eight-year term, and the clerk and master is appointed to a six-year term by the chancellor. Board of County Commissioners
Each district is represented by two commissioners. District 1 :
