Christian County leaders are continuing to pursue their legislative agenda in Frankfort as the session enters its final month.
Fiscal court magistrates and Judge-executive Jerry Gilliam huddled in January for a day-long retreat to discuss the budget and plans to move Christian County forward. Gilliam said improving its relationship with Fort Campbell continues to be high on the list.
click to download audioGilliam has also championed for more and improved housing options to match the influx of jobs being created in the industrial sector.
click to download audioAccording to US Census figures, the population of Christian County has risen three-tenths of a percent from 2020 to 2022 with 2023 estimates expected later this year. That compares to a 1.3 percent decline in Hopkins County, a two-percent increase in Trigg County and a seven-percent jump in Montgomery County, Tennessee.
Gilliam said as the county grows, so will the growing pains.
click to download audioThe median household income in Christian County in 2022 was $48,920 with a per capita income of $25,900. The Census data also shows 18% of Christian Countians live in poverty compared to 19 percent in Hopkins County, 14 percent in Trigg County, and 11 percent in Montgomery County, Tennessee.
Gilliam said that data illustrates why having an agenda in line with funding from the local, state, and federal levels is important for the county moving forward.