Dayton, Tennessee
Dayton is a city in and the county seat of Rhea County, Tennessee, United States.[7] As of the 2020 census, the city population was 7,065.[8] The Dayton Urban Cluster, which includes developed areas adjacent to the city and extends south to Graysville.
Dayton was the site of the Scopes Trial in 1925 dealing with the creation–evolution controversy.
Economy[edit]
Dayton is a small manufacturing center whose products include furniture, clothing, automobile parts, and recreational vehicle components. La-Z-Boy is the largest manufacturing employer, followed by Suburban Manufacturing, Robinson Manufacturing, and International Automotive Components Group.[19] Finland-based Nokian Tyres plans to employ around 400 at its new Dayton tire manufacturing factory which began initial operations in 2019.[20] The Tennessee Valley Authority's Watts Bar and Sequoyah nuclear power plants are both within 20 miles (32 km) of the city.
Since the late 1990s the area has experienced increased residential development particularly along Chickamauga Lake, an impoundment of the Tennessee River. More recently, Dayton has hosted several major bass fishing tournaments at Chickamauga Lake including the 2014 Bassmaster BASSfest, American Bass Anglers Weekend Series, Heartland Anglers Classic, the 2013 Walmart FLW Tour and various senior, collegiate and high school events.[21][22][23]
In 2019, STULZ Air Technology Systems, an HVAC and cooling solutions manufacturer, opened a new facility in Dayton, adding over 250 new jobs.[24][25]
Education[edit]
Dayton is home to Bryan College, a four-year Christian liberal arts school named in honor of William Jennings Bryan, who died in Dayton five days after the Scopes Trial ended.
Chattanooga State Community College operates a site in downtown Dayton with a variety of offerings including General Education core for most majors and selected career courses. A Welding Technology course is also offered as part of the TCAT program.[26]
Dayton City School, a K-8 public school, is free for all residents of Dayton. Dayton residents attend Rhea County High School, operated by Rhea County Schools.[27]
Rhea Central Elementary School, operated by the county school system and serving people not living in the city, is just outside the city limits.[28] It is the largest K-5 public school in the state. Graysville Elementary School in Graysville also has a Dayton postal address.[29]
Omega Graduate School, an institution of Christian postgraduate education, is located in Dayton's Crystal Springs community.