Mount Pleasant, Tennessee

Mount Pleasant is a city in Maury County, Tennessee, United States. Mount Pleasant was the birthplace of 19th-century writer and humorist Samuel R. Watkins and formerly titled "The Phosphate Capital of the World." The population was 4,561 at the 2010 census, and 4,784 in 2020.

History Settlement of Mount Pleasant began in the early 19th century, and increased following the construction of the Military Road connecting Nashville and Madisonville, Louisiana, in 1817. By the time Mount Pleasant incorporated as a city in 1824, it was home to a store, tavern, and several churches.Elizabeth Straw, Historic and Architectural Resources of Mount Pleasant, Tennessee, National Register of Historic Places inventory form, January 1989.

In 1895, brown phosphate rock was discovered in Mount Pleasant, leading to a mining boom, and giving the city its nickname. Within a few years, ten phosphate mining companies were operating in Mount Pleasant, producing over 25,000 tons per year. The city's population grew from 466 in 1890 to 2,007 in 1900. Phosphate mining remained a major part of the city's economy into the latter half of the 20th century.

Geography Mount Pleasant is located at (35.544977, -87.198683). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which is land and (0.18%) is water. Mount Pleasant is situated in a relatively broad plain surrounded by low hills to the east, south, and west. U.S. Route 43 connects the city with Columbia to the northeast and Lawrenceburg to the south.

Climate

Demographics

2022 Special Census In 2022, the City of Mount Pleasant conducted a special census to account for additional population growth that was not accounted for in the federal 2020 census. The result of this census reported a population increase to 5,093 residents inside the city limits.

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Mount Pleasant had a population of 4,784 people and 1,318 families. The median age was 38.9 years, 24.4% of residents were under the age of 18, and 17.5% were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 83.8 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 79.2 males.

85.6% of residents lived in urban areas, while 14.4% lived in rural areas.

There were 1,899 households in Mount Pleasant, of which 32.3% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 39.6% were married-couple households, 15.9% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 37.3% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 28.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 2,124 housing units, of which 10.6% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.4% and the rental vacancy rate was 6.2%.

+ Racial composition as of the 2020 census Race Number Percent White 3,474 72.6% Black or African American 897 18.8% American Indian and Alaska Native 17 0.4% Asian 31 0.6% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander 2 0.0% Some other race 67 1.4% Two or more races 296 6.2% Hispanic or Latino (of any race) 135 2.8%

2000 census As of the census of 2000, there was a population of 4,491, with 1,815 households and 1,232 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 2,008 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 75.02% White, 23.45% African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.11% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.24% from other races, and 0.82% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.87% of the population.

There were 1,815 households, out of which 33.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.6% were married couples living together, 19.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.1% were non-families. 28.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.97.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 26.4% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 28.2% from 25 to 44, 22.0% from 45 to 64, and 15.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 82.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 75.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $32,004, and the median income for a family was $36,949. Males had a median income of $31,285 versus $22,599 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,345. About 14.9% of families and 18.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.6% of those under age 18 and 14.1% of those age 65 or over.

Government

The City of Mount Pleasant government consists of five elected commissioners, elected every four years. After each election, at the next scheduled commission meeting, the five commissioners vote on which commissioners will server as mayor and vice mayor. In case of tie or disagreement, the commission will continue nominating and voting until a majority vote is achieved for each position.

Current Mount Pleasant, Tennessee Commissioners Bill White (Mayor) Willie Alderson (Vice Mayor) Mike Davis Pam Johnston Loree Knowles

The City Manager is selected, by the commission, and is hired on a variable year contract. The city managers is responsible for day to day operations of the city. Additionally, the city manager is the supervisor of all other city departments heads and staff.

+ City Managers of Mount Pleasant, Tennessee City Manager Notes Start date End date William C. Dunnebacke Feb 19, 1963 October 2, 1964 Elizabeth Searson (interim) August 2, 1964 January 4, 1964 W.C. Loden January 4, 1964 January 7, 1966 Elizabeth Searson (interim) May 24, 1966 Jun 30, 1966 Jay N. Sullivan January 7, 1966 Oct 14, 1968 Elizabeth Searson (interim) Oct 15, 1968 January 3, 1969 O.W. Thomas February 3, 1969 Jul 14, 1975 Mike Brown Jul 15, 1975 November 9, 1976 William Burgess Ralston (interim) November 9, 1976 April 10, 1976 Carl Holder April 10, 1976 Oct 17, 1978 Larry Holden (interim) December 11, 1978 August 1, 1979 James R. Johnson August 1, 1979 January 9, 1981 Larry Holden (interim) November 9, 1981 January 10, 1981 Robert Murray Oct 16, 1981 Jun 30, 2007 Debbie McMullin (interim) January 7, 2007 January 5, 2008 Richard Goode January 5, 2008 Jun 30, 2009 Debbie McMullin (interim) Jun 30, 2009 Jun 18, 2010 Steve Huffer Jun 18, 2010 November 8, 2011 Tommy G. Goetz (interim) November 8, 2011 January 1, 2012 Michelle Williams January 1, 2012 Jul 21, 2015 Mark Henderson (interim) Jul 22, 2015 March 11, 2015 Michael Hay (interim) March 11, 2015 May 2, 2016 Kate Collier May 2, 2016 October 4, 2024 Phillip Grooms October 4, 2024 Present

+ Mayors of Mount Pleasant, Tennessee Mayor Start date End date Dr. G. C. English November 7, 1940 November 7, 1957 John W. Petty Jul 23, 1957 August 7, 1963 Webb Williams Jul 22, 1963 Jun 20, 1967 Dr. J. O. Williams, Jr Jul 18, 1967 Jun 30, 1970 Jack Lightfoot Jul 19, 1970 Jul 15, 1975 James L. (Jim) Bailey, Jr. Jul 15, 1975 Jul 19, 1977 Ronald (Ronnie) Lankford Jul 19, 1977 Jan 26, 1979 William H. Boyd Feb 16, 1979 Jul 19, 1983 G. Ray Wilson Jul 19, 1983 Dec 31, 1985 Willie B. Baker Dec 31, 1985 Jul 18, 1989 Willie Boyd Jul 18, 1989 Mar 30, 2006 Willie B. Baker Mar 30, 2006 Jul 17, 2007 Richard A. Hendrix Jul 17, 2007 Jul 19, 2011 Maury Colvett November 8, 2011 Nov 18, 2014 Robert R. (Bob) Shackelford Nov 18, 2014 Nov 22, 2016 James L. (Jim) Bailey, Jr. Nov 22, 2016 Dec 18, 2018 Bill White Dec 18, 2018 Present

Police Department The Mount Pleasant Police Department was established in 1824.

2014 - Present - Michael Hay

Fire Department The Mount Pleasant Fire Department is a career fire department consisting of full-time and part time firefighters. The fire department was established in 1899.

1988 - 2001 - M. H. "Cotton" Massey 2001 - 2017 - Tim Smith 2017 - 2025 - Phillip Grooms 2025 - Present - Todd Stewart

Transportation Mount Pleasant is located on U.S. Route 43, as well as State Routes 243 and 166.

Mount Pleasant is also home to the Maury County Regional Airport.

Public transportation was provided by the Mule Town Trolley Service. The Mule Town Trolley connected people all across Maury County. The routes extend from Mount Pleasant to Columbia and on to Spring Hill. The fare was $1.00 each way and riders could request a stop anywhere along the trolley route.

In May 2025, the Mule Town Trolley switched to a reservation based system due to lack of funding.

The trolley service is managed by the South Central Tennessee Development District (SCATS).

Mount Pleasant, Tennessee

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