Petersburg, Tennessee Population, Hospitals, Airports, and Schools

Petersburg, Tennessee is a small city located in the northwest corner of the state. With a population of just over 4,000 people, it is one of the smallest cities in Tennessee. The city is situated on the banks of the Obion River and is surrounded by rolling hills and farmland. It has a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters.

The history of Petersburg dates back to 1825 when it was first settled by European-American settlers. Since then, it has grown into a small but vibrant city. Politically, Petersburg is part of Gibson County and is represented by the Republican Party in both local and state elections. The economy in Petersburg is driven mainly by agriculture and manufacturing, with some tourism as well.

When it comes to education, students in Petersburg attend schools within the Gibson County School District. There are two elementary schools, one middle school and one high school that serve students from kindergarten through twelfth grade. Higher education opportunities can be found at nearby universities such as Bethel University or Jackson State Community College.

For those interested in landmarks, there are several sites worth visiting within Petersburg including the historic Obion River Bridge which provides access to downtown; Rhea Cemetery which dates back to 1838; and Fort Pillow State Park which offers scenic views of the area as well as several hiking trails and picnic spots for visitors to enjoy.

Population: 580. Estimated population in July 2024: 596 (+2.8% change)
Males: 281 (48.4%), Females: 299 (51.6%)

Zip code: 37144

Demographics

Median resident age: 36.9 years
Median household income: $27,875
Median house value: $42,800

Population by Race

Races in Petersburg:

  • White Non-Hispanic (91.0%)
  • Black (6.0%)
  • Hispanic (2.1%)
  • American Indian (0.9%)
  • Other race (0.7%)
  • Two or more races (0.7%)

Ancestries: United States (24.3%), Irish (9.8%), English (8.6%), Scotch-Irish (3.4%), German (2.8%), Scottish (1.4%).

Land area: 0.9 square miles

Population by Education

Petersburg, Tennessee is a small town located in the western part of the state. It has a population of approximately 3,400 people according to the 2019 US Census Bureau. The majority of the population is Caucasian with a minority population that includes African American, Hispanic, and Asian individuals. The median age of residents is 40 years old, with a median household income of $38,000. Education levels vary from high school graduates to college degrees and beyond. There are many local businesses in Petersburg such as grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants, medical facilities, banks and churches. The city also has several parks and recreational areas for families to enjoy. Additionally, there are many cultural activities like festivals and concerts that take place throughout the year. Overall Petersburg is a diverse community with plenty of opportunities for residents to grow and thrive.

For population 25 years and over in Petersburg

  • High school or higher: 58.7%
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher: 4.2%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 2.0%
  • Unemployed: 4.7%
  • Mean travel time to work: 26.5 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Petersburg town

  • Never married: 18.8%
  • Now married: 52.7%
  • Separated: 1.9%
  • Widowed: 13.2%
  • Divorced: 13.4%

0.9% Foreign born

Population change in the 1990s: +67 (+13.1%).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near Petersburg:

  • LINCOLN REGIONAL HOSPITAL (about 14 miles; FAYETTEVILLE, TN)
  • MARSHALL MEDICAL CENTER (about 14 miles; LEWISBURG, TN)
  • BEDFORD COUNTY MEDICAL CENTER (about 17 miles; SHELBYVILLE, TN)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Petersburg:

  • SMYRNA (about 48 miles; SMYRNA, TN; Abbreviation: MQY)
  • HUNTSVILLE INTL-CARL T JONES FIELD (about 48 miles; HUNTSVILLE, AL; Abbreviation: HSV)
  • NASHVILLE INTL (about 55 miles; NASHVILLE, TN; Abbreviation: BNA)

Other public-use airports nearest to Petersburg:

  • ELLINGTON (about 17 miles; LEWISBURG, TN; Abbreviation: LUG)
  • FAYETTEVILLE MUNI (about 20 miles; FAYETTEVILLE, TN; Abbreviation: FYM)
  • BOMAR FIELD-SHELBYVILLE MUNI (about 22 miles; SHELBYVILLE, TN; Abbreviation: SYI)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Petersburg:

  • MOTLOW STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 30 miles; Tullahoma, TN; Full-time enrollment: 2,256)
  • COLUMBIA STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 35 miles; COLUMBIA, TN; Full-time enrollment: 2,784)
  • MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY (about 41 miles; MURFREESBORO, TN; Full-time enrollment: 16,617)
  • UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA IN HUNTSVILLE (about 41 miles; HUNTSVILLE, AL; Full-time enrollment: 4,795)
  • ALABAMA A & M UNIVERSITY (about 41 miles; NORMAL, AL; Full-time enrollment: 4,886)
  • JOHN C CALHOUN STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 56 miles; DECATUR, AL; Full-time enrollment: 4,547)
  • DAVID LIPSCOMB UNIVERSITY (about 56 miles; NASHVILLE, TN; Full-time enrollment: 2,260)

Public primary/middle school in Petersburg:

  • UNITY SCHOOL (Students: 381; Location: 259 BOONSHILL-PETERSBURG; Grades: KG – 08)