Population14,186 (2025 est.)
A Riverside County Along Linked Reservoirs
Meigs County, TennesseeMeigs County follows the Tennessee River, which forms its western boundary, with Decatur serving as the county seat. Watts Bar Dam links the upstream reservoir with downstream Chickamauga waters. The area’s longer history includes Cherokee homelands and early ferry crossings connecting communities on opposite sides of the river. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated 14,186 residents in Meigs County, Tennessee, on July 1, 2025.
Meigs County at a Glance
Population14,186 (2025 est.)
County SeatDecatur
Largest TownDecatur
Established1836
ZIP CodesSee postal resources
Total Area, Including Water217 sq mi (total)
Major RoutesSee transportation resources
Area CodesVaries by community
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Meigs County
Meigs County was established in 1836 in an area with a much longer Indigenous history, including Cherokee communities before the territorial changes of the early nineteenth century. Ferry crossings on the Tennessee River connected settlers with Rhea County by 1807. The county was named for Return J. Meigs, a Revolutionary War veteran and federal Indian agent. Decatur became the county seat, while the river continued to define the area’s geographic connections and western boundary.
Decatur provides a county center, but the Tennessee River is the dominant geographic reference point in Meigs County. Watts Bar Dam connects the upstream lake with the waters of Chickamauga below. The opposite riverbank lies in another county, so destinations around the reservoirs need precise locations. A visit organized around a particular stretch of water or a town stop gives a more realistic plan than treating the whole river corridor as one compact place.
What Shapes Us
Local Character
Meigs County follows the Tennessee River, which forms its western boundary, with Decatur serving as the county seat. Watts Bar Dam links the upstream reservoir with downstream Chickamauga waters.
Community History
Meigs County was established in 1836 in an area with a much longer Indigenous history, including Cherokee communities before the territorial changes of the early nineteenth century.
Around the County
Decatur provides a county center, but the Tennessee River is the dominant geographic reference point in Meigs County. Watts Bar Dam connects the upstream lake with the waters of Chickamauga below.
The river connects communities across a changing waterside landscape.
A Closer Look
Meigs County
Places and perspectives from Meigs County
Meigs County headlines via Google News
Two sobriety checkpoints set for Meigs County - The Daily Post-Athenian
Two sobriety checkpoints set for Meigs County The Daily Post-Athenian
Read the Story Oct 15, 2026 • 2 min read
Around Meigs County
Stories from every corner of Meigs County.
Two sobriety checkpoints set for Meigs County - The Daily Post-Athenian
Two sobriety checkpoints set for Meigs County The Daily Post-Athenian
Oct 15, 2026 • 2 min read
Meigs County man’s drowning marks 19th boating death - Chattanooga Times Free Press
Meigs County man’s drowning marks 19th boating death Chattanooga Times Free Press
Oct 12, 2026 • 2 min read
Meigs County Referendum Notice - The Daily Post-Athenian
Meigs County Referendum Notice The Daily Post-Athenian
Oct 7, 2026 • 2 min read
Meigs County Referendum Notice - The Daily Post-Athenian
Meigs County Referendum Notice The Daily Post-Athenian
Oct 7, 2026 • 2 min read
Meigs Middle's impressive run ends in East Tennessee runner-up finish - The Daily Post-Athenian
Meigs Middle's impressive run ends in East Tennessee runner-up finish The Daily Post-Athenian
Oct 1, 2026 • 2 min read
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Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
County Resources
Find the Right Local Connection
Start with the organization responsible for the service you need. Follow its official link for current requirements, office locations and availability.
Government
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Schools
Public school contacts
Selected local schools from the NCES 2024-2025 directory. Contact the school or district to confirm enrollment, attendance boundaries and current services; this is not a complete school list.
Meigs North Elementary – Elementary; grades PK-05. 22015 State Highway 58 N, Decatur, TN 37322. 423-334-5454.
Meigs County High School – High; grades 09-12. 105 Abel Avenue, Decatur, TN 37322. 423-334-5797.
Meigs Middle School – Middle; grades 06-08. 586 North Main, Decatur, TN 37322. 423-334-9187.
Meigs South Elementary – Elementary; grades PK-05. 9638 State Highway 58 S, Decatur, TN 37322. 423-334-5444.
Hospitals
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Public Safety
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Emergency Services
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Parks & Public Lands
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Trails
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Utilities
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Libraries
Local library contacts
Locations and public phone numbers are from the IMLS FY2024 Public Libraries Survey. Call the branch to confirm current hours and services before visiting.
Meigs-Decatur Public Library – 120 Memorial Drive, Decatur, TN 37322. 423-334-3332.
Courts
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
DMV
Tennessee — Title and Registration
Tennessee — Renewing Your License or Identification
Transportation
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Postal Services
USPS location finder — Search by street address, city or ZIP Code for nearby post offices, collection boxes and available services.
USPS ZIP Code lookup — Find the mailing ZIP Code for a specific street address.
USPS Hold Mail — Arrange a temporary mail hold and review identity-verification requirements.
USPS change of address and forwarding — Review forwarding options and submit an address-change request through USPS.
USPS package pickup — Check pickup availability for your address and schedule eligible shipments.
Veterans
National services available to local residents
VA accredited representatives — Find help with VA claims and benefit applications.
VA health care applications — Review application options and supporting information.
VA disability claims — Find the official steps for submitting a disability claim.
GI Bill and education benefits — Review how to apply for VA education benefits.
Veteran career and employment support — Explore VA employment, training and career assistance.
Employment
National services available to local residents
USAJOBS federal employment — Search federal openings by location and occupation.
Apprenticeship Finder — Search apprenticeship opportunities by location and occupation.
My Next Move career exploration — Explore occupations, industries and career interests.
Government job-training resources — Find routes to state training programs and support for different job seekers.
Unemployment benefit guidance — Find your state program and its application and eligibility information.
Get to Know Meigs County
Useful answers for residents, visitors and anyone planning their next step.
Local Questions
Meigs County Questions, Answered
Explore practical details about the county and the organizations that serve it.
14,186 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate). This is a dated Census Bureau estimate, rather than a live resident count.
216.656 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography). The total combines land and water area.
Start with these official Tennessee resources: Address Change; Title and Registration; Renewing Your License or Identification. Choose the page for the service you need, then check its office or online instructions before making a trip. These links cover state services; they do not establish that every transaction is available at a county office.
Use USPS ZIP Code Lookup for the mailing ZIP Code of a specific street address. Use the USPS location finder to search for nearby postal facilities and available services. An address lookup is more useful for mailing than assuming the entire county shares one ZIP Code.
The VA explains how to find and appoint an accredited representative for benefit claims. Contact a representative to confirm availability before appointing them. For education benefits, use the GI Bill application guidance. These are national VA services available to eligible local residents, rather than a listing of county offices.
Search USAJOBS for federal positions and the Apprenticeship Finder for apprenticeship opportunities, using location filters to narrow the results. USAGov job-training guidance points to training programs and state resources. Check each listing for current availability, eligibility and application instructions; a search result does not guarantee an opening in the county.
Meigs County was established in 1836 in an area with a much longer Indigenous history, including Cherokee communities before the territorial changes of the early nineteenth century. Ferry crossings on the Tennessee River connected settlers with Rhea County by 1807. The county was named for Return J. Meigs, a Revolutionary War veteran and federal Indian agent. Decatur became the county seat, while the river continued to define the area’s geographic connections and western boundary.
Decatur provides a county center, but the Tennessee River is the dominant geographic reference point in Meigs County. Watts Bar Dam connects the upstream lake with the waters of Chickamauga below. The opposite riverbank lies in another county, so destinations around the reservoirs need precise locations. A visit organized around a particular stretch of water or a town stop gives a more realistic plan than treating the whole river corridor as one compact place.
The 2020 Census geography figures record 195.135 square miles of land and 21.521 square miles of water in Meigs County. The county’s total area includes both. These are geographic measurements for that Census vintage, not a measurement of current water levels or public recreation access.
In the Census Bureau’s 2025 estimate series, Meigs County had an estimated 12,808 residents on July 1, 2020, and 14,186 on July 1, 2025. Over that interval, the estimated population increased by 1,378 residents, or about 10.8%. Both figures come from the same estimate vintage, which revises earlier years for a consistent comparison.
Decatur is the county seat of Meigs County, Tennessee.
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Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
My Local Guide
Local Businesses
Businesses Serving Meigs CountyExplore the businesses listed for this county.
Businesses serving Meigs County
Additional county facts: county overview and references.
Connect with local businesses.Meigs County