Meigs County is a county in Tennessee, United States, on the east bank of the Tennessee River, in the southeastern part of the state. It had a population of 12,758 at the 2020 census and covers 217 square miles (560 km2) centred near 35°31′N 84°49′W.
Decatur is the county seat, and its postal code is 37322. The county has one incorporated town and roughly a dozen unincorporated communities, plus one recognized ghost town. Meigs County is in the Eastern time zone.
Towns & Villages in Meigs County
Decatur is the only incorporated municipality in Meigs County. The rest of the county is unincorporated, made up of small crossroads communities and rural neighborhoods scattered along the Tennessee River valley and the ridges to its east. The table below marks Decatur as the seat and every other place as unincorporated (Unincorp.); 2020 census population figures are not separately tabulated for most of these small communities, shown as —.
| Place | Type | Pop. | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Decatur | Town · seat | — | 37322 |
| Georgetown | Unincorp. | — | 37336 |
| Ten Mile | Unincorp. | — | 37880 |
| Big Spring | Unincorp. | — | 37322 |
| Euchee | Unincorp. | — | 37322 |
| Cute | Ghost town | — | — |
| Akeman Crossroad | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Allen | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Beta | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Boggess Crossroad | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Breedenton | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Brittsville | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Calico | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Culvahouse | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Decatur Hills | Unincorp. | — | 37322 |
| East View | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Fairview | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Forest Grove | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Goodfield | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Maple Grove | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Meigs Cabin Area | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Peakland | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Pleasant Hill | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Scott | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Sewee | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Surprise | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Union Grove | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Walnut Grove | Unincorp. | — | — |
Georgetown, on the Hamilton County line near the Tennessee River, and Ten Mile, in the county’s north end near the Roane County line, each carry their own ZIP code even though neither is incorporated. Cute is a former community, now a ghost town, and is included for reference only.
ZIP Codes
- 37322 — Decatur (also serves Big Spring, Euchee, and Decatur Hills)
- 37336 — Georgetown
- 37880 — Ten Mile
Most of Meigs County’s smaller crossroads communities do not have a separate ZIP code and use whichever of the three post offices is closest by road.
Geography
Meigs County lies in the Tennessee River valley of southeastern Tennessee, where the river forms the county’s entire western boundary as it flows toward Chattanooga. Land east of the river rises into wooded ridges that separate the valley communities from the Hiwassee River drainage. Of the county’s 217 square miles, 195 square miles are land and 22 square miles are water — about 10% of the county’s area, mostly the Tennessee River and the Chickamauga Reservoir along its banks.
Meigs County borders Roane County to the north, McMinn County to the east, Bradley County to the southeast, Hamilton County to the south, and Rhea County to the west, across the Tennessee River.
Demographics
Meigs County had 12,758 residents at the 2020 census. Decatur, the county seat, and Georgetown are its two largest named communities. The county’s median household income runs below the Tennessee median of $67,631, reflecting its largely rural, unincorporated makeup. With 195 square miles of land, the county’s population density works out to roughly 65 people per square mile.
Economy & Local Life
Agriculture, forestry, and small manufacturing anchor Meigs County’s economy, alongside jobs commuters take in nearby Chattanooga, Athens, and Cleveland. The Tennessee River and Chickamauga Reservoir support recreational boating and fishing, drawing visitors to public access points along the county’s western edge. Meigs County High School in Decatur is the county’s public school system’s only high school.
History
Meigs County was organized in 1836 from part of Rhea County and named for Return J. Meigs Sr., a Revolutionary War veteran and U.S. Indian agent to the Cherokee. The area had been Cherokee territory until the Hiwassee Purchase opened it to white settlement in 1819. During the Civil War, Meigs County voters narrowly favored Tennessee’s secession, a split reflected across much of East Tennessee at the time.
Getting There
State Route 58 and State Route 30 are the county’s main highways, meeting at Decatur.
- Chattanooga — 40 miles southwest
- Athens — 20 miles east
- Cleveland — 25 miles southeast
- Knoxville — 55 miles northeast
The nearest commercial airport is Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport, southwest of the county via US-27 and I-75.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Meigs County, Tennessee?
It’s in southeastern Tennessee, on the east bank of the Tennessee River between Chattanooga and Knoxville.
What is the population of Meigs County?
Meigs County had a population of 12,758 at the 2020 census.
How big is Meigs County?
The county covers 217 square miles (560 km2), including 22 square miles of water.
What is the county seat of Meigs County?
Decatur is the county seat and the only incorporated town in the county.
How many towns are in Meigs County?
Meigs County has one incorporated town, Decatur, plus around a dozen unincorporated communities such as Georgetown, Ten Mile, Big Spring, and Euchee.
What ZIP codes are in Meigs County?
Meigs County uses three ZIP codes: 37322 (Decatur), 37336 (Georgetown), and 37880 (Ten Mile).
What river runs through Meigs County?
The Tennessee River forms the county’s entire western boundary, backed up as the Chickamauga Reservoir.
More counties in this state: Towns and villages in Tennessee.