Memphis, Tennessee: Difference between revisions

{{Use mdy dates|date=MayMarch 20222024}}

| leader_name = [[Paul Young (TennesseeAmerican politician)|Paul Young]] ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]])

| area_total_km2 = 783.6066

| demographics2_footnotes = <ref>{{Cite web|title=Total Gross Domestic Product for Memphis, TN-MS-AR (MSA)|url=https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/NGMP32820|website=fred.stlouisfed.orgFederal Reserve Economic Data}}</ref>

Memphis is the fifth-most populous city in the [[Southeastern United States|Southeast]], the nation's [[List of United States cities by population|28th-most populous]] overall, as well as the largest city bordering the Mississippi River and third largest [[metropolitan statistical area]] behind [[Greater St. Louis]] and the [[Twin Cities]] on the Mississippi River.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.census.gov/library/visualizations/interactive/2020-population-and-housing-state-data.html | title=2020 Population and Housing State Data }}</ref> The [[Memphis metropolitan area]] includes [[West Tennessee]] and the greater [[Mid-South (region)|Mid-South region]], which includes portions of neighboring [[Arkansas]], [[Mississippi]], the Jackson Purchase region of [[Kentucky]] and the [[Missouri Bootheel]]. One of the more historic and culturally significant cities of the [[Southern United States]], Memphis has a wide variety of landscapes and [[List of neighborhoods in Memphis, Tennessee|distinct neighborhoods]].

The first European explorer to visit the area of present-day Memphis was Spanish [[conquistador]] [[Hernando de Soto]] in 1541. The high [[Chickasaw Bluff]]s protecting the location from the waters of the Mississippi was contested by [[European colonization of the Americas|European settlers]] as Memphis developed. By 1819, when modern Memphis was founded, it was part of the United States territory. [[John Overton (judge)|John Overton]], [[James Winchester (general)|James Winchester]], and [[Andrew Jackson]] founded the city.<ref name="Tennessee Encyclopedia of History2">{{cite web |url=http://tennesseeencyclopedia.net/entry.php?rec=1029 |title=John Overton |last1=Brown |first1=Theodore |access-date=May 11, 2015}}</ref> Based on the wealth of cotton plantations and river traffic along the Mississippi, Memphis grew into one of the largest cities of the [[Antebellum South]]. After the [[American Civil War|Civil War]] and the end of [[Slavery in the United States|slavery]], the city continued to grow into the 20th century. It became among the largest world markets for [[cotton]] and [[lumberhardwood]].<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Memphis-Tennessee |title=Memphis {{!}} Facts & Points of Interest |encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica |access-date=February 21, 2018}}</ref>

<blockquote>{{blockquote|[T]he Treaty of San Lorenzo or [[Pinckney's Treaty]] of 1795 [implemented in March 1797], [had as its result that] all of the careful, diplomatic work by Spanish officials in [[Louisiana territory|Louisiana]] and [[West Florida]], which has succeeded for a decade in controlling the Indians [e.g., the [[Choctaws]]], was undone. The United States gained the right to navigate the [[Mississippi River]] and won control over the [[Yazoo lands|Yazoo Strip]] north of the thirty-first parallel.<ref name=Holmes2007 />{{rp|75,71}}</blockquote>}}

[[Tennessee#History|Tennessee]] seceded from the [[United States|Union]] in June 1861, and Memphis briefly became a [[Confederate States of America|Confederate]] stronghold. [[Union (American Civil War)|Union]] [[Ironclad warship|ironclad gunboats]] captured it in the naval [[First Battle of Memphis|Battle of Memphis]] on June 6, 1862, and the city and state were occupied by the [[Union Army]] for the duration of the war. Union commanders allowed the city to maintain its civil government during most of this period but excluded [[Confederate States Army]] veterans from office. This shifted political dynamics in the city as the war went on.<ref name="carden">[http://mercatus.org/sites/default/files/publication/WP1040_An%20Unrighteous%20Piece%20of%20Business.pdf Art Carden and Christopher J. Coyne, "An Unrighteous Piece of Business: A New Institutional Analysis of the Memphis Riot of 1866"], Mercatus Center, George Mason University, July 2010, accessed February 1, 2014</ref>

name=cappeal1>{{cite news |last1=Garland |first1=Max |title=Proposed Byhalia Connection pipeline would run from Memphis to Marshall County, Mississippi |url=https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/money/industries/logistics/2019/12/11/byhalia-connection-pipeline-memphis-marshall-county-mississippi-plains-all-american-pipeline-valero/4383839002/ |access-date=21 January 21, 2024 |work=The Commercial Appeal}}</ref> was the subject of massive public and legal opposition to the project over concerns regarding possible contamination of the Memphis aquifer.<ref name="appipeline1">{{cite news |last1=Sainz |first1=Adrian |title=Company asks for pause in Memphis oil pipeline dispute |url=https://apnews.com/article/environment-and-nature-race-and-ethnicity-business-government-and-politics-health-e3cbc52f700a03e88755ec5d20a97a1f |access-date=January 21 January, 2024 |work=AP News |date=20 April 20, 2021 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="SELChydro">{{cite web |title=Hydrogeologic report warns of pipeline threats to Memphis drinking water source |url=https://www.southernenvironment.org/news/hydrogeologic-report-warns-of-pipeline-threats-to-memphis-drinking-water-source/ |website=Southern Environmental Law Center |access-date=21 January 21, 2024}}</ref><ref name=wmcactionnews517>{{cite web|url=https://www.wmcactionnews5.com/2021/04/02/organizations-take-legal-action-with-hopes-stopping-byhalia-pipeline/|title=Organizations Take Legal Action With Hopes Stopping Byhalia Pipeline|work=wmcactionnews5.com|date=April 2, 2021 |access-date=July 10, 2021}}</ref> Notable figures voicing public opposition to the project included Memphis Congressman [[Steve Cohen (politician)|Steve Cohen]], Congresswoman [[Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez]], [[Al Gore]], [[Danny Glover]], [[Giancarlo Esposito]], and [[Jane Fonda]].<ref name="mlk5010">{{cite web|url=https://mlk50.com/2021/03/09/former-vice-president-al-gore-to-speak-at-memphis-rally-opposing-byhalia-pipeline/|title=Former Vice President Al Gore To Speak At Memphis Rally Opposing Byhalia Pipeline|work=mlk50.com|date=9 March 9, 2021 |access-date=July 10, 2021}}</ref><ref name=housegov18>{{cite web|url=https://cohen.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/representatives-cohen-and-ocasio-cortez-urge-biden-administration|title=Representatives Cohen And Ocasio Cortez Urge Biden Administration|work=cohen.house.gov|date=15 April 15, 2021 |access-date=July 10, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Sells |first1=Toby |title=Celebrities Tweet Opposition to Byhalia Pipeline |url=https://www.memphisflyer.com/celebrities-tweet-opposition-to-byhalia-pipeline |work=MemphisFlyer}}</ref>

|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref><br />2010–2020<ref name="QuickFacts" /><ref name="USCensusDecennial2020CenPopScriptOnly">{{cite web|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/pl?get=P1_001N,NAME&for=place:*&in=state:47&key=5ccd0821c15d9f4520e2dcc0f8d92b2ec9336108|title=Census Population API|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=OctOctober 15, 2022}}</ref>

! Historical Racial composition !! 2020<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/memphiscitytennessee|title=Memphis city, Tennessee|author=<!--Not stated-->|website=State & County Quickfacts|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=December 14, 2020}}</ref>!! 2010<ref>{{cite web |url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/47/4748000.html |title=Memphis (city), Tennessee |work=State & County QuickFacts |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |access-date=July 13, 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150207204337/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/47/4748000.html |archive-date=February 7, 2015 }}</ref>!! 1990<ref name="census1" /> !! 1970<ref name="census1" /> !! 1950<ref name="census1" />

* [[Asian American|Asian]] (non-Hispanic): 11,503 (1.82%)

* Native American (non-Hispanic): 1,007 (0.16%)

* [[Pacific Islander American|Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander]] (non-Hispanic): 141 (0.02%)

* Some other race (non-Hispanic): 2,425 (0.38%)

* [[Multiracial American|Two or more races]] (non-Hispanic): 16,316 (2.58%)

!Pop 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>{{Cite web|title=P004 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Memphis city, Tennessee|url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALSF12000.P004?g=160XX00US4748000|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>

!Pop 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Memphis city, Tennessee|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=160XX00US4748000&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>

!{{partial|Pop 2020}}<ref name=2020CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Memphis city, Tennessee|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=160XX00US4748000&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>

The median income for a household in the city was $32,285, and the median income for a family was $37,767. Males had a median income of $31,236 versus $25,183 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,838. About 17.2% of families and 20.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.1% of those under age 18, and 15.4% of those age 65 or over. In 2011, the U.S. Census Bureau ranked the Memphis area as the poorest large metro area in the country.<ref name=WMCTV>{{cite web|title=Census data: Memphis ranks as poorest city in United States|url=http://www.wmctv.com/story/15536366/census-data-memphis-ranks-as-poorest-city-in-united-states|access-date=|archive-date=September 26, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110926170822/http://www.wmctv.com/story/15536366/census-data-memphis-ranks-as-poorest-city-in-united-states |url-status=dead|first=Anna Marie |last=Hartman|date = 23 September 23, 2011}}</ref> Jeff Wallace of the University of Memphis noted that the problem was related to decades of segregation in government and schools. He said that it was a low-cost job market, but other places in the world could offer cheaper labor, and the workforce was undereducated for today's challenges.<ref name=WMCTV />

In the 21st century, Memphis' crime rate has remained significantly higher than the national average. [[Gangs in Memphis, Tennessee|Memphis' gangs]] are a major reason for the crime crises in the city.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.localmemphis.com/article/news/crime/memphis-police-gangs-guns-crime-concerns-murder-thefts-burglary/522-93aea1bc-9003-423e-a888-eb98cd50bb47 | title="We are fighting a very uphill battle" &#124; Memphis Police say gangs and guns are the big crime concerns | date=December 13, 2021 }}</ref> Since the 2000s, it has consistently been recognized as one of the most dangerous cities in the U.S.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.morganquitno.com/cit07pop.htm#25 |title=Morgan Quitno 2007 Crime Rankings |publisher=Morganquitno.com |access-date=July 2, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615000102/http://www.morganquitno.com/cit07pop.htm |archive-date=June 15, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.fox13memphis.com/news/memphis-crime-rate-hits-record-high-car-thefts-on-decline-data-shows/article_6910df56-bfeb-11ee-acf3-ebb7ffd30658.html | title=Memphis crime rate hits record high, car thefts on decline, data shows | date=January 30, 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.actionnews5.com/story/10250040/forbes-ranks-memphis-2nd-most-dangerous-city-after-detroit/ | title=Forbes ranks Memphis 2nd most dangerous city after Detroit | date=April 26, 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.wjhl.com/news/memphis-ranked-no-1-most-dangerous-city/ | title=Memphis ranked No. 1 most dangerous city | date=December 9, 2021 }}</ref>

In 2023, Memphis set a homicide record with 397 homicides.<ref name="hom1">{{cite web | url=https://wreg.com/news/2023-goes-down-as-a-violent-year-in-memphis/ | title=397 homicides in Memphis last year, another new record | date=January 2024 }}</ref> [[New York City]], the nation's largest city with a population of 8.5 million, had a lower homicide count of 386 in 2023.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://abc7ny.com/nypd-crime-shootings-murders/14259597/ | title=NYPD statistics show murders, shootings down in 2023; optimistic about 2024 | date=January 2, 2024 }}</ref> Identity theft, carjackings and robberies were also happening at a highly concerning rate in the city after 2020.<ref name="hom1"/> Crime was the leadingprimary reason 30,000 former Memphis residents decided to relocate outside the city between 2017 and 2022.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://tennesseestar.com/news/over-30000-residents-left-memphis-since-2017-amid-years-long-struggle-with-crime/tpappert/2024/01/04/ | title=Over 30,000 Residents Left Memphis Since 2017 amid Years-Long Struggle with Crime | date=January 4, 2024 }}</ref> Memphis' businesses are also leaving the city or closing down at a high rate due to rampant crime.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mg_Va5_nFs | title=Constant break-ins in Memphis causing some businesses to close indefinitely | website=[[YouTube]] | date=October 15, 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://wreg.com/news/investigations/there-wont-be-a-city-left-downtown-crimes-impact-on-the-memphis-economy/ | title='There won't be a city left': Downtown crime's impact on the Memphis economy | date=December 12, 2023 }}</ref> Memphis' leaders are continually discussing and implementing strategies such as hiring more police officers to hopefully lower crime in the city.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://mlk50.com/2023/12/28/mayor-strickland-made-promises-about-violent-crime-heres-why-he-couldnt-keep-them/ | title=Mayor Strickland made promises about violent crime. Here's why he couldn't keep them | date=December 28, 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://theconversation.com/memphis-police-numbers-dropped-by-nearly-a-quarter-in-recent-years-were-staffing-shortages-a-factor-in-the-killing-of-tyre-nichols-199078 | title=Memphis police numbers dropped by nearly a quarter in recent years – were staffing shortages a factor in the killing of Tyre Nichols? | date=February 7, 2023 }}</ref>

[[Beale Street]] is a national historical landmark, and shows the impact Memphis has had on American [[blues]], particularly after World War II as electric guitars took precedence over the original acoustic sound from the [[Mississippi Delta]]. [[Sam Phillips]]'s [[Sun Studio]] still stands, and is open for tours. Elvis, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Roy Orbison all made their first recordings there, and were "discovered" by Phillips. Many great blues artists recorded there, such as [[W. C. Handy]], the "Father of the Blues."

[[Stax Records]] created a classic 1960s [[soul music]] sound, much grittier and horn-based than the better-known [[Motown]] from [[Detroit]]. Booker T. and the M.G.s were the label's backing band for most of the classic hits that came from Stax, by Sam & Dave, [[Otis Redding]], [[Wilson Pickett]], and many more. The sound was revisited in the 1980s in the [[The Blues Brothers (film)|''Blues Brothers'' movie]], in which many of the musicians starred as themselves.

Memphis is also noted for its influence on the [[power pop]] musical genre in the 1970s. Notable bands and musicians include [[Big Star]], [[Chris Bell (American musician)|Chris Bell]], [[Alex Chilton]], [[Tommy Hoehn]], [[The Scruffs]], and [[Prix]].<ref name="flyer">{{cite news |first=J.D. |last=Reager |title=''Kill! Kill!'' by The Scruffs |url=https://www.memphisflyer.com/memphis/kill-kill-by-the-scruffs/Content?oid=3045389 |work=[[Memphis Flyer]] |date=September 1, 2011 |access-date=December 27, 2017 }}</ref><ref name="reporter">{{cite news |first=Roy |last=Trakin |title=Big Star's '#1 Record' and 'Radio City' to Be Re-Mastered and Reissued by Stax Records |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/big-stars-1-record-radio-722079 |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=July 29, 2014 |access-date=December 27, 2017 }}</ref>

* Alcenia's, a soul food restaurant that has been featured on Food Network and the Travel Channel<ref>{{Cite web |title=ACCLAIM |url=https://www.alcenias.com/acclaim |access-date=2023-05-May 26, 2023 |website=Alcenia's Restaurant |language=en-US}}</ref>

* Charlie Vergos' Rendezvous, founded in 1948, this barbecue restaurant located in an alley has been visited by countless celebrities<ref>{{Cite web |title=Our History and Traditions Charlie Vergo's Rendezvous |url=https://hogsfly.com/history-traditions/ |access-date=2023-05-May 26, 2023 |website=The Rendezvous |language=en-US}}</ref>

* Chef Tam's Underground Cafe, operated by Chef Tamra Patterson, winner of [[Guy's Grocery Games]] in 2018 and [[Chopped (TV series)|Chopped]] in 2022<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chef Tam's Story |url=https://www.thecheftam.com/chef |access-date=2023-05-May 26, 2023 |website=TheChefTam |language=en}}</ref>

* Dyer's Burgers, which has used the same grease to deep-fry their burgers for over 100 years<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dyer's Burgers :: World Famous Burgers and Food on World Famous Beale Street in Memphis, TN :: Official Website |url=http://www.dyersonbeale.com/ |access-date=2023-05-May 26, 2023 |website=www.dyersonbeale.com}}</ref>

* Earnestine and Hazel's, a historic dive bar visited previously by the likes of [[B.B. King]], [[Aretha Franklin]], and [[Tina Turner]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=History |url=https://www.earnestineandhazel.com/history |access-date=2023-05-May 26, 2023 |website=Earnestine & Hazel's |language=en-US}}</ref>

The South Main Arts District is an arts neighborhood in south downtown. Over the past 20 years, the area has morphed from a derelict brothel and [[juke joint]] neighborhood to a [[gentrification|gentrified]], well-lit area sponsoring "Trolley Night", when arts patrons stroll down the street to see fire spinners, DJs playing in front of clubs, specialty shops and galleries.<ref>{{cite web|last=Jacobson |first=Kelsey |url=http://www.wmcactionnews5.com/story/33410509/boutique-hotel-restaurant-slated-for-south-main |title=Boutique hotel, restaurant slated for South Main – WMC Action News 5 – Memphis, Tennessee |date=October 18, 2016 |publisher=WMC Action News 5 |access-date=July 13, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.arts.gov/exploring-our-town/south-main-artspace-lofts |title=South Main Artspace Lofts &#124; Exploring Our Town |website=Arts.gov |date=December 13, 2011 |access-date=July 13, 2017}}</ref> Not far from South Main Arts district is [[Medicine Factory]], an artist-run organization.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rozzell |first=Jessalyn |title=The Medicine Factory - Downtown Memphis art studios, event space & gallery |url=https://www.medicinefactory.org/ |access-date=November 6, 2022-11-06 |website=Medicine Factory |language=en-US}}</ref>

* [[Memphis Pyramid]] – location of the largest [[Bass Pro Shops]] in the world, an observation deck, restaurants, bowling alley, aquarium, and hotel<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CFPageC?storeId=10151&catalogId=10051&appID=94&storeID=61|title=Memphis Pyramid, TN Sporting Goods & Outdoor Stores – Bass Pro Shops|work=basspro.com|access-date=December 2, 2015|archive-date=December 5, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151205180309/http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CFPageC?storeId=10151&catalogId=10051&appID=94&storeID=61|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Major Memphis parks include W.C. Handy Park, [[Tom Lee Park]], Audubon Park, [[Overton Park]] including the [[Old Forest Arboretum of Overton Park|Old Forest Arboretum]],<ref>{{cite web|title=The Hidden Gem of West Tennessee (Found in Memphis' Overton Park)|url=http://mavenofmemphis.com/2014/05/hidden-gem-west-tennessee-found-memphis-overton-park/|website=Mavenofmemphis.com|date=May 30, 2014|access-date=May 31, 2014|archive-date=September 29, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929184428/https://mavenofmemphis.com/2014/05/hidden-gem-west-tennessee-found-memphis-overton-park/|url-status=dead}}</ref> the [[Lichterman Nature Center]] (a nature learning center), the [[Memphis Botanic Garden]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cityofmemphis.org/framework.aspx?page=146 |title=Park Services: Park Locations |publisher=Cityofmemphis.org |access-date=July 2, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725173700/http://www.cityofmemphis.org/framework.aspx?page=146 |archive-date=July 25, 2011 }}</ref> and [[Jesse H Turner Park]].

Beginning in 1963, Memphis adopted a mayor-council form of government, with 13 [[Memphis City Council|City Council]] members, six elected [[at-large]] from throughout the city and seven elected from geographic districts. Following passage of the [[Voting Rights Act of 1965]], civil rights activists challenged the at-large electoral system in court because it made it more difficult for the minority to elect candidates of their choice; at-large voting favored candidates who could command a majority across the city. In 1995, the city adopted a new plan. The 13 Council positions are elected from nine geographic districts: seven are single-member districts and two elect three members each.

The city is served by [[Shelby County Schools (Tennessee)|Memphis-Shelby County Schools]] (formerly Shelby County Schools). On March 8, 2011, residents voted to dissolve the charter for [[Memphis City Schools]], effectively merging it with the Shelby County School District.<ref>{{cite news|last=McMillin|first=Zack|title=Memphis voters OK school charter surrender|url=http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/mar/08/memphis-school-charter-approval/|access-date=March 9, 2011|newspaper=The Commercial Appeal|date=March 8, 2011}}</ref> After issues with state law and court challenges, the merger took effect the start of the 2013–14 school year. In Shelby County, six incorporated cities voted to establish separate school systems in 2013.{{cncitation needed|date=January 2024}}

The Memphis-Shelby County School System operates 222 elementary, middle, and high schools.<ref name="MSCSData">{{cite web |title=District Detail for Memphis-Shelby County Schools |url=https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/districtsearch/district_detail.asp?Search=2&details=1&ID2=4700148&DistrictID=4700148 |website=National Center for Education Statistics |access-date=29 January 29, 2024 |language=EN}}</ref>

The Memphis area is also home to many private, college-prep schools, including: