Union

Formed January 1, 1850 (80^th county)

Union County (19,802), Maynardville (2,460)

The concrete Modern courthouse was constructed in 1973.  There was also a 1900 courthouse.  It is on Main at Broad and Court streets.  Tennessee State Highway 33 is two blocks north of the site.  Martin J. Lide provided the building designs.  The interior of the structure has marble walls.  The exterior has veterans’ memorials and a tribute to Chet Atkins.  A Clerk’s Office building supports the courthouse.  The county was formed on January 1, 1850 from Grainger, Claiborne, Campbell, Anderson, and Knox counties as the 80^th county.  Maynardville has always been the county seat.  The county name is a reflection of the unity of the counties providing land.  Maynardville is named for Congressman Horace Maynard. 

Union County government consists of a sheriff, a County Mayor, and 16 Commissioners.  One Circuit Court Judge, One Chancery Court Judge, and One General Court Judge serve Union, Campbell, Claiborne, Fentress, and Scott counties.  The county is in the northeast part of the state.  Knoxville, Tennessee is south and Nashville, Tennessee is west of the county.  The county center is 5 miles North of Maynardville.  The county is surrounded clockwise by Claiborne, Grainger, Knox, Anderson, and Campbell counties. 

The area of the county is 224 square miles.  It is 86 out of 95 in the state.  It ranks 67 out of 95 in population in the state.  It has a density of 88.4 persons per square mile making it 39 out of 95 in the state.  Union County has 28.0% of its population in its incorporated areas.  There are no Interstates or United States Highways in the county.  This county is in the Knoxville Metropolitan Statistical Area.  The county resembles a chocolate covered cherry.  Maynardville is located in the southeast quarter of the county.  Maynardville is the county seat and the largest city.  It is 12.4% of the county population.