Perry County is a county in Tennessee, United States, on the western edge of Middle Tennessee where the Buffalo River meets the Tennessee River. It had a population of 8,366 at the 2020 census and covers 423 square miles (1,100 km2) centred near 35°38′N 87°52′W.
Linden is the county seat, and its postal code is 37096. The county has two incorporated towns and more than a dozen unincorporated communities, is over 80% forested, and sits in the Central time zone. FIPS code: 47135.
Towns & Villages in Perry County
Perry County has just two incorporated towns — Linden and Lobelville — alongside a scatter of small unincorporated communities across its ridges and creek valleys. Population figures below are shown only where a 2020 Census-designated-place count exists; most of the county’s communities are too small to be separately tabulated and are marked —.
| Place | Type | Pop. | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Linden | City · seat | — | 37096 |
| Lobelville | City | — | 37097 |
| Beardstown | Unincorp. | — | 37096 |
| Bethel | Unincorp. | — | 37096 |
| Blue Sky | Unincorp. | — | 37096 |
| Chestnut Grove | Unincorp. | — | 37096 |
| Crooked Creek | Unincorp. | — | 37096 |
| DePriest Bend | Unincorp. | — | 37096 |
| Flat Woods | Unincorp. | — | 37097 |
| Horner | Unincorp. | — | 37096 |
| Howard | Unincorp. | — | 37096 |
| Pine View | Unincorp. | — | 37096 |
| Pope | Unincorp. | — | 37096 |
| Spring Creek | Unincorp. | — | 37096 |
| Sugar Hill | Unincorp. | — | 37096 |
ZIP Codes
- 37096 — Linden (also serves most of the county’s rural communities)
- 37097 — Lobelville (also serves Flat Woods)
Tennessee has no civil townships, so ZIP service areas rather than township boundaries define which small community uses which post office.
Geography
Perry County sits in the Western Highland Rim, a landscape of high ridges separating creeks that drain into the county’s two rivers, the Buffalo and the Tennessee. Its highest point is roughly 980 feet (300 m), on an unnamed ridge in the far southeastern corner near the Lewis and Wayne county lines. Forest covers more than 80% of the county, and the terrain’s steep, thin-soiled ridges are the main reason it remains Tennessee’s least densely populated county.
Perry County borders Benton County to the northwest, Humphreys County to the north, Hickman County to the northeast, Lewis County to the southeast, Wayne County to the south, and Decatur County to the west.
Demographics
Perry County recorded a population of 8,366 at the 2020 census, spread across its 423 square miles for a density of just 20.2 people per square mile — the lowest of any Tennessee county. Linden and Lobelville are the two largest communities. Household income in the county runs below the Tennessee median of $67,631, consistent with its rural, forestry- and agriculture-based economy.
Economy & Local Life
Forestry, small-scale farming, and outdoor recreation drive much of Perry County’s economy. The Buffalo River, a federally designated National Scenic River, draws canoeists and anglers to Linden and the surrounding countryside, and hunting on the county’s extensive forest land is a significant seasonal draw. Local government and the school system are among the county’s largest employers, typical for a small rural Tennessee county.
History
The Tennessee General Assembly organized Perry County on November 14, 1819, carving it from parts of Wayne, Hickman, and Humphreys counties. It was named for Oliver Hazard Perry, the American naval commander famous for his victory at the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812. Linden has served as the county seat since the county’s founding.
Getting There
Tennessee State Route 13 runs the length of the county and is the main north–south route through Linden and Lobelville; State Route 100 crosses the northern part of the county.
- Waynesboro — 20 miles south
- Centerville — 25 miles northeast
- Camden — 25 miles northwest
- Columbia — 45 miles east
The nearest commercial airport is Nashville International Airport, roughly 80 miles to the northeast.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Perry County, Tennessee?
It is on the western edge of Middle Tennessee, along the Buffalo and Tennessee rivers, bordered by Benton, Humphreys, Hickman, Lewis, Wayne, and Decatur counties.
What is the population of Perry County?
8,366 people, per the 2020 census — the lowest population density of any county in Tennessee.
How big is Perry County?
423 square miles (1,100 km2).
What is the Perry County seat?
Linden is the county seat and largest town.
How many towns are in Perry County?
Two incorporated towns, Linden and Lobelville, plus roughly a dozen smaller unincorporated communities.
What ZIP codes are in Perry County?
37096 (Linden) and 37097 (Lobelville).
Why is Perry County named Perry?
It honors Oliver Hazard Perry, the U.S. naval officer who defeated the British fleet at the Battle of Lake Erie in the War of 1812.
More counties in this state: Towns and villages in Tennessee.