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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.
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.
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.
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Housing
The Martin Housing Authority has 167 low-rent housing units
in Martin, and 131
low-rent housing
units located in
other parts of
Weakley County.
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
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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
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Average
Humidity (%)
(21 years)
7:00am
81
81
78
80
82
83
85
87
85
85
81
81
Average: 82%
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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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