Rhea County /

Rhea County (pronounced "ray") is a county located in the U.S. state of Tennessee. As of 2000, the population was 28,400. Its county seat is Dayton. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 336 square miles (871 km²), of which 316 square miles (818 km²) is land and 20 square miles (53 km²) (6.08%) is water. As of the census of 2000, there were 28,400 people, 11,184 households, and 8,108 families residing in the county. The population density was 90 people per square mile (35/km²). There were 12,565 housing units at an average density of 40 per square mile (15/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 95.41% White, 2.04% Black or African American, 0.39% Native American, 0.29% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.75% from other races, and 1.08% from two or more races. 1.67% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 11,184 households out of which 31.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.40% were married couples living together, 11.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.50% were non-families. 23.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of