Montgomery County, Tennessee

Montgomery County, Tennessee
County
Montgomery County Courthouse in Clarksville
Seal
Logo
Location within the U.S. state of Tennessee
Coordinates: 36°30′N 87°23′W / 36.5°N 87.38°W / 36.5; -87.38
Country United States
State Tennessee
FoundedApril 9, 1796
Named afterJohn Montgomery[2]
SeatClarksville
Largest cityClarksville
Government
 • MayorWes Golden (R)[1]
Area
 • Total
544 sq mi (1,410 km2)
 • Land539 sq mi (1,400 km2)
 • Water4.7 sq mi (12 km2)  0.9%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
220,069
 • Estimate 
(2023)
239,872
 • Density408/sq mi (158/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district7th
Websitemcgtn.org

Montgomery County is a county in the U.S. state of Tennessee. As of the 2020 United States census, the population was 220,069.[3] The county seat (and only incorporated municipality) is Clarksville.[4] The county was created in 1796.[5][6] Montgomery County is included in the Clarksville, TN–KY Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

The county was named for John Montgomery, a soldier in the American Revolutionary War and an early settler who founded the city of Clarksville. It was authorized on April 9, 1796, when the western portion of Tennessee County, which since 1790 had been part of the Territory South of the River Ohio, became part of the new state of Tennessee. (In 1790, North Carolina had ceded its western lands to the Federal government to create what was also known as the Southwest Territory.) The eastern portion of old Tennessee County was, at the same time Montgomery County was formed, combined with land taken from Sumner County to form Robertson County, Tennessee. Later acts of the Tennessee General Assembly had further reduced Montgomery County by 1871 to its current size and boundaries.[6]

Montgomery County was the site of several early saltpeter mines. Saltpeter is the main ingredient of gunpowder and was obtained by leaching the earth from local caves. Bellamy Cave near Stringtown still contains the remains of two dozen saltpeter leaching vats. It appears to have been a large operation. Cooper Creek Cave shows evidence of extensive mining and contains the remains of "many saltpeter hoppers." Both were probably mined during the War of 1812. Dunbar Cave is reported to have been mined for saltpeter during the Mexican War of 1848, but commercial development has destroyed any evidence of this. Little mining is likely to have happened here during the Civil War, since the Union Army captured and occupied this part of Tennessee in early 1862.[7]

Geography

Montgomery County lies on the northern line of Tennessee; its northern border abuts the state of Kentucky. The hilly terrain is marked by drainages and largely covered with trees. The Cumberland River meanders westward through the lower central part of the county.[8] The highest point on the county terrain (806 feet/246 meters ASL) is a small hill 3.7 miles (6.0 km) ENE from Slayden in Dickson County.[9]

According to the US Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 544 square miles (1,410 km2), of which 539 square miles (1,400 km2) is land and 4.7 square miles (12 km2) (0.9%) is water.[10]

Unlike most of Tennessee, a sizable part of northern Montgomery County is outside of the Sun Belt due to a past error surveying the northern border of Middle and East Tennessee. Most of Clarksville in particular is north of the Sun Belt.[11] The Sun Belt is defined by the Kinder Institute as being south of 36°30'N latitude, which was intended to be the northern border of Tennessee and is the actual northern border of West Tennessee.[12]

Dunbar Cave

Montgomery County lies in a region of well-developed karst topography. A large cave system under the county is named Dunbar Cave; it is the centerpiece of Dunbar Cave State Park, which encompasses approximately 110 acres and is one of the most visited units in the Tennessee State Park System.

Dunbar Cave was extensively used by prehistoric Indians, who inhabited this area for thousands of years before European encounters. Remains of their cane torches have been found in the cave, and archaeologists have excavated numerous artifacts inside the entrance.[13][14] During a research trip into the cave on January 15, 2005, Park Ranger Amy Wallace, History professor Joe Douglas, local historian Billyfrank Morrison, and Geologist Larry E. Matthews discovered Indian glyphs on the walls of the cave. Subsequent investigations by archaeologists from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville confirmed the drawings were from people of the Mississippian culture, which was active about 1000-1300 CE.[15][16] These glyphs were featured for a few years on the tour of the cave.

In 2010, the State of Tennessee closed Dunbar Cave to the public because White Nose Syndrome was diagnosed in a bat, and they did not want the disease to spread. The cave has since reopened, and tours are conducted seasonally, from May to August (with special hygiene procedures in place).[17]

Adjacent counties

Protected areas

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18002,899—
18108,021176.7%
182012,21952.3%
183014,34917.4%
184016,92718.0%
185021,04524.3%
186020,895−0.7%
187024,74718.4%
188028,48115.1%
189029,6974.3%
190036,01721.3%
191033,672−6.5%
192032,265−4.2%
193030,882−4.3%
194033,3468.0%
195044,18632.5%
196055,64525.9%
197062,72112.7%
198083,34232.9%
1990100,49820.6%
2000134,76834.1%
2010172,33127.9%
2020220,06927.7%
2023 (est.)239,872[18]9.0%
US Decennial Census[19]
1790-1960[20] 1900-1990[21]
1990-2000[22] 2010-2014[3]

2020 census

Montgomery County racial composition[24]
Race Number Percentage
White (non-Hispanic) 131,294 59.66%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 43,349 19.7%
Native American 757 0.34%
Asian 5,039 2.29%
Pacific Islander 936 0.43%
Other/Mixed 15,760 7.16%
Hispanic or Latino 22,934 10.42%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 220,069 people, 76,974 households, and 53,563 families residing in the county.

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States census,[25] there were 134,768 people, 48,330 households, and 35,957 families in the county. The population density was 250 inhabitants per square mile (97/km2). There were 52,167 housing units at an average density of 97 per square mile (37/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 73.17% White, 19.18% Black or African American, 0.53% Native American, 1.82% Asian, 0.21% Pacific Islander, 2.18% from other races, and 2.91% from two or more races. 5.16% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 48,330 households, out of which 40.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.70% were married couples living together, 12.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.60% were non-families. 20.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.70, and the average family size was 3.11.

The county population contained 28.40% under the age of 18, 12.30% from 18 to 24, 34.30% from 25 to 44, 17.20% from 45 to 64, and 7.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $38,981, and the median income for a family was $43,023. Males had a median income of $30,696 versus $22,581 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,265. About 7.90% of families and 10.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.70% of those under age 18 and 10.70% of those age 65 or over.

Government and politics

See also: Clarksville, Tennessee § Government

County government

The county mayor is the chief executive officer of Montgomery County, responsible for overseeing county administration and implementing policies adopted by the County Commission. Voters elect the county mayor at-large, along with several other countywide offices, including the sheriff. The current mayor is Republican Wes Golden.[26]

Countywide elected officials[27]

Office Name
District 19 Attorney Robert Nash (R)
County Mayor Wes Golden (R)
Sheriff John Fuson (R)
Trustee Kimberly B. Wiggins (I)
Assessor of Property Erinne Hester (R)
Highway Supervisor Jeff Bryant (R)
County Clerk Teresa Cottrell (R)
Register of Deeds Julie Chadwick Runyon (R)
Circuit Court Clerk Wendy Davis (R)

State elected offices

Montgomery County is represented in the Tennessee General Assembly by 4 Republicans and 1 Democrat in the House.

Office Name
State Senator, District 22 Bill Powers (R)
State Senator, District 23 Kerry Roberts (R)
Office Name
State Representative, District 67 Ronnie Glynn (D)
State Representative, District 68 Aron Maberry (R)
State Representative, District 75 Michael Lankford (R)

Legislative branch

Current Montgomery County Commission by partisanship
All 21 districts
11 seats needed for a majority
  Majority party Minority party Third party
 
Party Republican Democratic Independent
Seats 9 7 6
As of 2025
     Republican      Democratic      Independent

The Board of County Commissioners, the legislative body of Montgomery County, consists of 21 members elected for four‑year terms from single-member districts with roughly equal populations.[28] Republicans currently hold 9 seats, Democrats hold 7 seats, and 6 commissioners are Independent.[29][30]

Each year at the first session on or after September 1, the commission elects a chair and a chair pro tempore. Since 2022, County Mayor Wes Golden has been elected as chair of the commission, including for the 2025–2026 term, and Commissioner Joe Smith (R - District 3) currently serves as chair pro tempore.[31] If the county mayor is elected chair and accepts, they relinquish veto power over legislative resolutions. A chair who is a commissioner may vote as a regular member but may not cast a tie‑breaking vote.[32][33]

If the county mayor does not serve as chair, they retain veto power over legislative resolutions (excluding administrative or appellate resolutions). A vetoed resolution must be returned to the commission with the mayor’s reasons within 10 days, and the commission may override the veto at the next regular meeting or within 20 days of receiving the veto.[33]

When the chair is absent, the chair pro tempore presides. If both are absent, the county clerk calls the meeting to order to elect a temporary chair. The chair may designate another commissioner to act in their place on boards or commissions, and the designee may exercise all powers and vote as if the chair were present.[34]

County commissioners’ districts do not correspond with the city of Clarksville, which has its own mayor and city council. Residents living within Clarksville city limits vote in both city and county elections, are represented by both mayors, and pay city and county taxes

Education governance

Current CMCSS by partisanship
All 7 districts
4 seats needed for a majority
  Majority party Minority party
 
Party Republican Democratic
Seats 5 2
As of 2025
     Republican      Democratic

Public education in Montgomery County is overseen by the Clarksville–Montgomery County School Board, which governs the Clarksville–Montgomery County School System (CMCSS). The board consists of 7 members elected from single-member districts, serving staggered four-year terms. The board functions as a single governing body, making decisions that apply to the entire school system, including policies, budgets, and superintendent oversight. The board currently has a Republican majority, with 5 Republicans and 2 Democrats.[35][36][37]The board appoints a director of schools to lead the district; the current director, Jean Luna-Vedder, was appointed on May 10, 2022, and began serving on July 1, 2022. She previously served as Chief of Student Readiness for the Tennessee State Department of Education.[38][39]

Political history

Montgomery County has historically been a Democratic stronghold. Since the 2000 presidential election, however, the county started voting for the Republican Party, and is now a Republican stronghold.

The last time Montgomery County voted for a Democratic candidate in a statewide race was for Phil Bredesen in 2006, and the last time it voted for a Democratic candidate on a presidential level, was in 1996 when it voted for Democrat Bill Clinton.

Although Montgomery County is a Republican stronghold, the city of Clarksville has been competitive for both major political parties. In the 2024 presidential election, Clarksville voted for Donald Trump by a margin of 6.2%.[40]

United States presidential election results for Montgomery County, Tennessee[41][42]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
№  % №  % №  %
1880 2,039 41.74% 2,846 58.26% 0 0.00%
1884 1,922 43.07% 2,516 56.37% 25 0.56%
1888 2,164 44.08% 2,628 53.53% 117 2.38%
1892 1,927 35.46% 2,405 44.25% 1,103 20.29%
1896 2,934 48.17% 2,804 46.04% 353 5.80%
1900 1,815 41.42% 2,248 51.30% 319 7.28%
1904 843 31.41% 1,697 63.23% 144 5.37%
1908 1,903 38.67% 2,961 60.17% 57 1.16%
1912 514 21.13% 1,638 67.32% 281 11.55%
1916 991 32.83% 1,976 65.45% 52 1.72%
1920 1,780 40.60% 2,564 58.49% 40 0.91%
1924 941 32.00% 1,946 66.17% 54 1.84%
1928 1,743 48.30% 1,866 51.70% 0 0.00%
1932 799 22.53% 2,747 77.47% 0 0.00%
1936 838 20.05% 3,314 79.28% 28 0.67%
1940 819 20.53% 3,158 79.15% 13 0.33%
1944 702 19.05% 2,971 80.60% 13 0.35%
1948 646 14.34% 3,310 73.47% 549 12.19%
1952 2,573 30.78% 5,759 68.90% 27 0.32%
1956 2,778 25.41% 8,034 73.48% 122 1.12%
1960 2,550 24.83% 7,635 74.34% 85 0.83%
1964 2,814 21.66% 10,178 78.34% 0 0.00%
1968 3,248 22.52% 5,538 38.39% 5,638 39.09%
1972 7,839 56.40% 5,691 40.95% 369 2.65%
1976 5,923 32.11% 12,310 66.73% 215 1.17%
1980 8,503 41.08% 11,573 55.91% 622 3.01%
1984 13,228 56.61% 9,939 42.54% 198 0.85%
1988 12,599 57.65% 9,145 41.84% 112 0.51%
1992 13,011 41.51% 14,507 46.29% 3,823 12.20%
1996 15,133 45.01% 16,498 49.06% 1,994 5.93%
2000 19,644 50.31% 18,818 48.20% 582 1.49%
2004 28,627 58.42% 20,070 40.96% 301 0.61%
2008 30,175 53.28% 25,716 45.40% 748 1.32%
2012 30,245 54.28% 24,499 43.97% 976 1.75%
2016 32,341 56.13% 21,699 37.66% 3,580 6.21%
2020 42,187 54.96% 32,472 42.30% 2,099 2.73%
2024 47,795 58.46% 32,736 40.04% 1,224 1.50%

County mayoral elections

Communities

City

Unincorporated communities

Education

Clarksville-Montgomery County School System serves most of the county. Portions in Fort Campbell however are zoned to Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools.[43] Fort Campbell High School is the zoned high school for Fort Campbell.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Election results: Final results for all races in Montgomery County election and local results of state primary - ClarksvilleNow.com". August 5, 2022. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
  2. ^ Williams, Eleanor. Montgomery County, Tennessee Encyclopedia of History and CultureRetrieved March 11, 2013..
  3. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved December 6, 2013.
  4. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  5. ^ "Tennessee: Individual County Chronologies". Tennessee Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library. 2007. Archived from the original on February 3, 2018. Retrieved April 18, 2015.
  6. ^ a b "Origins Of Tennessee County Names" (PDF). Tennessee Blue Book. 2005–2006. p. 512. Retrieved April 18, 2015.
  7. ^ Matthews, Larry E. Dunbar Cave: The Showplace of the South, 2011, ISBN 978-1-879961-41-8
  8. ^ Montgomery County TN (Google Maps, accessed 27 August 2020)
  9. ^ Montgomery County High Point, Tennessee (PeakBagger.com, accessed 27 August 2020)
  10. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved April 9, 2015.
  11. ^ https://www.williamsonherald.com/features/w_life/tennessee-history-a-closer-look-at-why-state-s-northern-border-is-askew/article_fa390acc-5383-11ea-ab72-9bfcdc4177a8.html
  12. ^ https://kinder.rice.edu/urbanedge/large-young-and-fast-growing-sun-belt-metros-need-urban-policy-innovation#:~:text=The%20Kinder%20Institute%20defines%20the,degrees%2030%20minutes%20north%20latitude
  13. ^ Matthews, Larry E. Dunbar Cave, 2005, ISBN 1-879961-22-9.
  14. ^ "The Archaeology And Prehistoric Art Of Dunbar Cave, TN - Dave's Garden". www.davesgarden.com. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
  15. ^ Journal of Cave and Karst Studies, v. 74, no. 1, pp. 19–32. DOI: 10.4311/
  16. ^ Jan F. Simek, Joseph C. Douglas, and Amy Wallace, "Ancient Cave Art at Dunbar Cave State Natural Area," Tennessee Conservationist Magazine, September/October 2007, pp. 24–26.
  17. ^ Dunbar Cave - Tennessee State Park System - Cave tours (accessed 27 August 2020)
  18. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  19. ^ "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved April 9, 2015.
  20. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved April 9, 2015.
  21. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved April 9, 2015.
  22. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved April 9, 2015.
  23. ^ Based on 2000 census data
  24. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 26, 2021.
  25. ^ "US Census website". US Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  26. ^ "Montgomery County, TN Mayor". mcgtn.org. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
  27. ^ "Local Elected Officials - Montgomery County Republican Party". August 1, 2023. Retrieved December 17, 2025.
  28. ^ "Montgomery County, TN Board of County Commissioners". mcgtn.org. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
  29. ^ "OFFICIALS OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, CLARKSVILLE, TENNESSEE" (PDF). montgomerytn.gov.
  30. ^ "Commissioner Michael Lankford Wins House Seat Appointment with the Assistance of His Opponent's Former Supporter". The Tennessee Firefly. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
  31. ^ Montgomery County commission elects Wes Golin chair and Joe Smith mayor pro tem amid calls to reform nominating process. Retrieved December 17, 2025 – via citizenportal.ai.
  32. ^ "2024 Tennessee Code". Justia U.S. Law.
  33. ^ a b "Chair-CLB | UT County Technical Assistance Service". www.ctas.tennessee.edu. Retrieved December 17, 2025.
  34. ^ "Tennessee Code Title 5. Counties § 5-5-103". FindLaw. Retrieved December 17, 2025.
  35. ^ Anderson, Kenya. "Montgomery Co. attorney: Crosslin can keep her seat on school board, District 3". The Leaf-Chronicle. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
  36. ^ "Montgomery County Commission Faces Criticism Following Abrupt Resignation of Newly Appointed School Board Member". The Tennessee Firefly. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
  37. ^ "Clarksville-Montgomery County School System, Tennessee, elections (2024)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
  38. ^ Smith, Chris (May 11, 2022). "Board selects next director of Clarksville-Montgomery County Schools: Jean Luna-Vedder - ClarksvilleNow.com". Retrieved December 18, 2025.
  39. ^ "CMCSS | Clarksville-Montgomery County School System". www.cmcss.net. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
  40. ^ "2024 TN City Data". Daves Redistricting. Retrieved August 31, 2025.
  41. ^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 11, 2018.
  42. ^ State of Tennessee General Election Results, November 5, 2024, Results By County (PDF) (Report). Secretary of State of Tennessee. December 2, 2024. Retrieved December 2, 2024.
  43. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Montgomery County, TN" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 5, 2022. - Text list - "Fort Campbell Schools" refers to DoDEA schools.
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36°30′N 87°23′W / 36.50°N 87.38°W / 36.50; -87.38

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