White Pine, Tennessee
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White Pine is a
town A town is a type of a human settlement, generally larger than a village but smaller than a city. The criteria for distinguishing a town vary globally, often depending on factors such as population size, economic character, administrative stat ...
in Jefferson and Hamblen counties in
Tennessee Tennessee (, ), officially the State of Tennessee, is a landlocked U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern region of the United States. It borders Kentucky to the north, Virginia to the northeast, North Carolina t ...
, United States. It is part of the
Morristown metropolitan area The Morristown Metropolitan Statistical Area, commonly known as the Lakeway Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of two counties - Hamblen County, Tennessee, Hamblen, and Jefferson County, Tennessee, Jefferso ...
. The population was 2,471 at the 2020 census.


History

Before the settlement of the area by European settlers, the White Pine area was inhabited by an early group of
Woodland Indians The Eastern Woodlands is a cultural region of the Indigenous people of North America. The Eastern Woodlands extended roughly from the Atlantic Ocean to the eastern Great Plains, and from the Great Lakes region to the Gulf of Mexico, which is now ...
. The area was used by the group as a site for several large burial grounds and a trail used later by settlers of the community. European settlers first arrived in present-day White Pine during the final years of the
American Revolutionary War The American Revolutionary War (April 19, 1775 – September 3, 1783), also known as the Revolutionary War or American War of Independence, was the armed conflict that comprised the final eight years of the broader American Revolution, in which Am ...
. The community was originally known as "Dandridge Crossing", based on its proximity to the Jefferson County seat, Dandridge. After the
American Civil War The American Civil War (April 12, 1861May 26, 1865; also known by Names of the American Civil War, other names) was a civil war in the United States between the Union (American Civil War), Union ("the North") and the Confederate States of A ...
, a
railroad Rail transport (also known as train transport) is a means of transport using wheeled vehicles running in railway track, tracks, which usually consist of two parallel steel railway track, rails. Rail transport is one of the two primary means of ...
route was constructed in the area, crossing a prominent stagecoach path. The town was later founded in 1870 due to the growth of the area. The town was renamed to White Pine in 1873, after a large pine tree that once stood along Main Street.David Noonkesser,
White Pine History
," Town of White Pine website. Retrieved: March 1, 2013.
Twenty years later, White Pine was officially incorporated. In 1905, a major portion of the town's downtown district was lost in a major fire, leading to the later dissolution of the town, In 1915, White Pine incorporated once again into a town after the completion of rebuilding efforts in the
central business district A central business district (CBD) is the Commerce, commercial and business center of a city. It contains commercial space and offices, and in larger cities will often be described as a financial district. Geographically, it often coincides wit ...
. During the 19th and early 20th century, several businesses were established in the downtown area, including a medical clinic, a pharmacy, a hardware store, and a grocery store. In 1926, White Pine High School was built in the town. It remained operational until 1976. In 1963, construction began on
Interstate 81 Interstate 81 (I-81) is a north–south (physically northeast–southwest) Interstate Highway in the eastern part of the United States. Its southern terminus is at Interstate 40, I-40 in Dandridge, Tennessee, Dandridge, Tennessee; its nort ...
in White Pine. The later completion of I-81 prompted the relocation of businesses from White Pine's central business district to along the exits of I-81.


Geography

White Pine is located in northeastern Jefferson County. The town limits extend north to the Hamblen County line, crossing into Hamblen County at
Interstate 81 Interstate 81 (I-81) is a north–south (physically northeast–southwest) Interstate Highway in the eastern part of the United States. Its southern terminus is at Interstate 40, I-40 in Dandridge, Tennessee, Dandridge, Tennessee; its nort ...
exit 8. According to the
United States Census Bureau The United States Census Bureau, officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the Federal statistical system, U.S. federal statistical system, responsible for producing data about the American people and American economy, econ ...
, the town has a total area of , all land. It is about east of
Knoxville Knoxville is a city in Knox County, Tennessee, United States, and its county seat. It is located on the Tennessee River and had a population of 190,740 at the 2020 United States census. It is the largest city in the East Tennessee Grand Division ...
. The Southern and Southeastern border of White Pine runs along the Douglas Lake.


Demographics


2020 census

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 2,471 people, 852 households, and 509 families residing in the town.


2000 census

As of the
census A census (from Latin ''censere'', 'to assess') is the procedure of systematically acquiring, recording, and calculating population information about the members of a given Statistical population, population, usually displayed in the form of stati ...
of 2000, there were 1,997 people, 828 households, and 579 families residing in the town. The population density was . There were 886 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the town was 95.74%
White White is the lightest color and is achromatic (having no chroma). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully (or almost fully) reflect and scatter all the visible wa ...
, 0.90%
African American African Americans, also known as Black Americans and formerly also called Afro-Americans, are an Race and ethnicity in the United States, American racial and ethnic group that consists of Americans who have total or partial ancestry from an ...
, 0.20% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 2.20% from other races, and 0.75% from two or more races.
Hispanic The term Hispanic () are people, Spanish culture, cultures, or countries related to Spain, the Spanish language, or broadly. In some contexts, Hispanic and Latino Americans, especially within the United States, "Hispanic" is used as an Ethnici ...
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 Per capita income (PCI) or average income measures the average income earned per person in a given area (city, region, country, etc.) in a specified year. In many countries, per capita income is determined using regular population surveys, such ...
for the town was $12,605. About 14.7% of families and 19.0% of the population were below the
poverty line The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line, or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for ...
, including 22.4% of those under age 18 and 20.1% of those age 65 or over.


Economy

Old Dominion Freight Line operates a regional logistics center in White Pine near exit 4 on I-81. White Pine is also home to the
Walters State Community College Walters State Community College (abbreviated as WSCC, and commonly known as Walters State) is a public community college based in Morristown, Tennessee. It was founded in 1970 and is operated by the Tennessee Board of Regents. The college wa ...
Great Smokies Mountain Expo Center. The Expo Center includes a 98,000 square-foot pavilion with a 300' x 150' show ring, seating for 3,900. Opened in 1996, the Expo Center hosts over 60 events each year, including horse and livestock shows, BMX racing, boat and RV shows, concerts, high school and college graduation ceremonies and rodeos.


Arts and culture

From 2019 to 2022, the town hosted the annual Lakeside of the Smokies Balloonfest, a
hot air balloon A hot air balloon is a lighter-than-air aircraft consisting of a bag, called an envelope, which contains heated air. Suspended beneath is a gondola or wicker basket (in some long-distance or high-altitude balloons, a capsule), which carri ...
festival A festival is an event celebrated by a community and centering on some characteristic aspect or aspects of that community and its religion or cultures. It is often marked as a local or national holiday, Melā, mela, or Muslim holidays, eid. A ...
dedicated to promoting the sport of
hot air ballooning Hot air ballooning is the recreational and competitive Extreme sport, adventure sport of flying hot air balloons. Attractive aspects of balloon (aircraft), ballooning include the exceptional quiet (except when the propane burners are firing), th ...
and the area's significant agriculture and heritage. It is considered to be the largest hot air balloon festival in Tennessee. Beginning in 2023 it moved to Dandridge.


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.


Private school

White Pine is also the location of Lakeway Christian Academy, a
private Private or privates may refer to: Music * "In Private", by Dusty Springfield from the 1990 album ''Reputation'' * Private (band), a Denmark-based band * "Private" (Ryōko Hirosue song), from the 1999 album ''Private'', written and also recorded ...
Christian academy for students in grades 6–12. It opened in the summer of 2020.


Transportation

White Pine has two exits on
Interstate 81 Interstate 81 (I-81) is a north–south (physically northeast–southwest) Interstate Highway in the eastern part of the United States. Its southern terminus is at Interstate 40, I-40 in Dandridge, Tennessee, Dandridge, Tennessee; its nort ...
(Exits 4 and 8). I-81 leads northeast to
Bristol Bristol () is a City status in the United Kingdom, cathedral city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, the most populous city in the region. Built around the River Avon, Bristol, River Avon, it is bordered by t ...
and southwest to its southern terminus at
Interstate 40 Interstate 40 (I-40) is a major east–west transcontinental Interstate Highway System, Interstate Highway in the Southeastern United States, southeastern and Southwestern United States, southwestern portions of the United States. At a leng ...
. Via I-81 and I-40,
Knoxville Knoxville is a city in Knox County, Tennessee, United States, and its county seat. It is located on the Tennessee River and had a population of 190,740 at the 2020 United States census. It is the largest city in the East Tennessee Grand Division ...
is southwest of White Pine.
Tennessee State Route 113 State Route 113 (SR 113) is a north–south state highway in East Tennessee. Route description Jefferson County SR 113 begins as a 2-lane highway in Jefferson County east of Dandridge at an intersection with US 25W/ US 70/ SR 9. It then h ...
is White Pine's Main Street, runs northeast to US 25E and southwest 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 State Route 32 (SR 32) is a state highway in East Tennessee. For most of its route, it is an unsigned companion route concurrent with U.S. Route 25E (US 25E). The highway stretches 89 miles from the North Carolina state line to the Tennessee- ...
runs south to north through the town and is known as State Street. US 25E leads north to Morristown and south to Newport. Tennessee State Route 66 runs through a small portion of the western part of the town.


Media

*''Jefferson County Post'' – County paper published online daily *''The Standard Banner''– County paper published bi-weekly


References


External links

* {{authority control Towns in Hamblen County, Tennessee Towns in Jefferson County, Tennessee Towns in Tennessee Morristown metropolitan area, Tennessee