Sumner

Formed November 1, 1786 (5^th county)

Sumner County (160,645), Gallatin (30,278), Hendersonville (51,372)

The masonry blockhouse was built in 1939 on the Public Square at Water and Main streets.  Tennessee State Highway 25 is Main Street.  The building architects are Marr & Holman.  The structure was remodeled in 1975 and a Justice Center was added in 1972.  A new Justice Center is planned for 2023.  Sumner County was established on November 1, 1786 from Davidson County as the 5^th county.  It was named for American Revolutionary War hero Jethro Sumner.  Gallatin, the only county seat, also had an 1839 facility.  The county seat is named for politician Albert Gallatin.  Sumner County was the birthplace of 2 Tennessee Governors, William B. Campbell and William B. Bate. 

Sumner County government consists of a sheriff, a County Mayor, and 24 Commissioners.  One Circuit Court Judge, One Chancery Court Judge, Two General Court Judges, and Two Juvenile Court Judges serve Sumner County.  The county is on the northern border with Kentucky.  Nashville, Tennessee is southwest and Knoxville, Tennessee is southeast of the county.  The county center is 7.9 miles North-Northwest of Gallatin near South Tunnel.  The county is surrounded clockwise by Kentucky and Macon, Trousdale, Wilson, Davidson, and Robertson counties. 

The area of the county is 543 square miles.  It is 30 out of 95 in the state.  It ranks 8 out of 95 in population in the state.  It has a density of 295.85 persons per square mile making it 12 out of 95 in the state.  Sumner County has 69.3% of its population in its incorporated areas.  Interstate Highway 65 cuts the southwest corner of the county, from Robertson County, west, to Davidson County, southwest.  United States Highway 31 East enters the county from the north, Kentucky, and exits to the southwest, Davidson County.  United States Highway 31 West is on the Robertson County line from Kentucky, north, into Davidson County, southwest.  United States Highway 231 is joined with United States Highway 31 East from Kentucky, splits and continues southeast into Trousdale County.  The county resembles a fat pencil point.  Gallatin is located in the southern quarter of the county.  Hendersonville is in the southwest corner of the county.  Gallatin is the county seat and Hendersonville is the largest city.  Gallatin is 18.9% of the county population while Hendersonville is 32.0% of the county population.  This county is in the Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro-Franklin Metropolitan Statistical Area.