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Martin is located in Weakley County, 130 miles northeast of
Memphis, and 150 miles northwest of Nashville. Martin is the largest city in Weakley
County. The city is served by U. S. Highway 45E, Tennessee State Highway 22, and the West
Tennessee Railroad. (see the location map).
The Martin area is characterized by level to gently rolling land with an average elevation
of about 400 feet. Most industrial areas are suitable for immediate construction with very
little site preparation required.
Martin was founded in 1873 and incorporated in 1874. Two principal industries developed in
Martin in the early 1880's, the Martin Roller Mills Company and the Martin Planing Mill,
and they represented capital stocks of $50,000 and $25,000 respectively. The Bank of
Martin opened for business in 1886.
The city has been a pioneer in activities of higher education since the year 1900 when
Hall Moody Institute, the first advanced educational institution, was established. In
1927, the school became The University of Tennessee Junior College and became a senior
college in 1951, when it was named The University of Tennessee Martin Branch. In 1967, it
officially became The University of Tennessee at Martin, a primary campus of the
University of Tennessee. The University is perhaps one of the most important factors
contributing to the growth and development of Martin and its economy.
This community seeks new industry and has a cooperative municipal government and
citizenry. Martin maintains a sound business climate which is receptive to business,
believes in and encourages the free enterprise system, has a realistic tax structure, and
encourages good labor management relations.
Martin is located in northwestern Weakley County, 130 miles northeast of Memphis and
150 miles northwest of Nashville. It is the largest city in Weakley County with a
population of 10,515.Martin is at the heart of a five-county metropolitan region of over
100,000 people. Our city is readily accessible from five exits off of Highway-22, and
provides quick access to
(Martin City Hall located at 101 University Street at an elevation of approximately 400
feet above sea level.)
The city was founded in 1873 and named in honor of Captain William
Martin, a prosperous landowner who settled in the area in 1838. By the late 1850's Captain
Martin influenced the Nashville and Northwestern Railway to construct a line which would
run through the Martin estates, thus serving the citizens of the area.
During the early 1870's Marshall and George Martin, sons of Captain Martin, began an
intensive campaign to convince the Mississippi Central Railroad to route its railway
through the town of Greenbriar Glade where the Martin Estate was located. They donated
land for the railroad’s right-of-way, as well as land for the creation of a town park.
Mississippi Central officials agreed with the proposal and the railroad was completed in
December 1873.
Soon after the completion of the Mississippi Central, the town’s name Greenbriar
Glade, was changed to Frost in honor of a railroad official. As the name Frost did not
appeal to those wanting to settle in northwest Tennessee, George and Marshall petitioned
to rename the town Martin, in honor of their father. Within a short time the name was
officially changed.
Th City of Martin has been a pioneer in the establishment of higher education
since1900. Members of the First Baptist Church, under the leadership of Dr. I. N. Penick,
established the first advanced educational institution in Martin, first known as
Hall-Moody Normal. The name was later changed to Hall-Moody Institution. The growth of the
educational institution was recognized through the University of Tennessee Agricultural
School. The name was changed to the University of Tennessee Junior College and the first
accredited college studies were offered. In 1951, the Junior College was designated the
University of Tennessee Martin Branch with degrees offered in several areas. By 1967, the
State Legislature named the institution - The University of Tennessee at Martin.
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Population -
1960 - 2000
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Year
1960
1970
1980
1990
1997 (special census)
2000
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City
4,750
7,781
9,411
8,600
10,022
10,515
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Weakley County
24,227
28,827
32,896
31,972
34,895
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Population Characteristics
The population of Martin in 2000 was 84% white, with the male population being 46.9% of
the total. A breakdown of the Martin and Weakley County population from the 2000 report of
the Bureau of Census follows:
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White
Black
Other Races |
City
8,235
1,642
638
10,515 |
Weakley County
31,501
2,424
970
34,895 |
Area
Population
Population within 25 mile radius 100,000
Population within 40 mile radius 150,000
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Economic
Characteristics
The economy of Martin is extremely diversified. The economic base includes agriculture,
manufacturing, construction, transportation, distribution, exporting, printing, textiles,
food processing, finance and insurance, personal services, entertainment and recreation
services, professional services and education (The University of Tennessee at Martin).
Per capita personal income in Weakley County has increased from $3,872 in 1975 to $19,933
in 1999. Total county retail sales in 1972 were $34-million, over $78 million in 1978, and
in 2000, were over $260 million.
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Labor
Market Area
While Weakley County has five incorporated towns, the labor pool for each town is
practically identical. The county has a total population of 34,895 with 47% of the people
living in the rural areas.
Included in the Martin labor market area and within a radius of 25 miles of Martin are
portions of six other Tennessee counties and two counties in Kentucky. Included in this
area is a population of over 100,000 people. An excellent network of federal, state and
county highways puts most of these people within 25 to 30 minutes driving time of Martin.
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Labor
Supply
An up to date estimate of available labor can be obtained from the Tennessee Department of
Employment Security. At the present, it is estimated that more than 1,020 qualified and
referable production workers between the ages of 18 and 45 years are available in the
immediate Martin area. Additional workers would be available from areas more distant.
Normal commuting distances of 25 miles and more are common in Western Tennessee. Weakley
County schools graduated 285 students in 2000. It is estimated that 18.2% of these will be
available for employment.
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Housing
The Martin Housing Authority has 160 low rent housing units. The Authority has recently
completed 100 of these units and they are both modern and attractive.
Of the new homes in the city more than 90% are family owned. Home prices (new) range from
$50,000 to $90,000 for two bedroom homes, to $75,000 to $250,000 for three bedroom homes,
depending on location and type of building. Older homes can be purchased for a lower
price. Average construction cost will range from $55.00 to $85.00 per square foot.
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Climate
Memphis data has been used here and any variation will be minor. The prevailing climate is
temperate, with pronounced seasonal variations in both temperature and precipitation.
Snowfall is variable from year to year. Most winters have little or none, while other
winters can have a seasonal snowfall of up to 17 inches.
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January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
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Average
Temperature
(30 years)
42.0
44.6
51.6
61.9
70.8
79.8
81.8
81.0
74.4
63.6
50.6
43.5
Average: 62.1 |
Average
Precipitation
(30 years)
6.07
4.69
5.07
4.63
4.23
3.68
3.54
2.97
2.82
2.72
4.38
4.93
Total: 49.73 |
Average
Humidity (%)
(21 years)
7:00am
81
81
78
80
82
83
85
87
85
85
81
81
Average: 82% |
1:00pm
66
62
57
53
55
55
56
54
53
53
54
62
Average: 56% |
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Average annual snowfall - 4.8"
Frost free period - March 20 to November 12, two hundred, thirty six days.
Percentage of possible sunshine - 63%. Possible sunshine for the mid
season months averaged about 45% for January, 61% for April, 69% for July and 70% for
October.
Seasonal heating degrees days - 3,116
Prevailing winds - From South Southwest
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Elevation
The Martin area is characterized by level to gently rolling land with an average elevation
of about 387 feet above sea level. |
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