Location: Rhea County
Size: 6.4 square miles
Population (2012 census estimate): 7,313
County population (2012 census, estimate): 32,247
Year founded: 1820 as Smith's Crossroads. Renamed Dayton in 1877.
Mayor: Gary Louallen. Type of government: City council/manager. The council has four members plus the mayor.
Schools: Dayton City School (grades K-8). Bryan College
New Facilities: A new water plant is under construction.
Wellness: Walking tracks at Delaware Complex and Point Park
Traditions: Farm vendors around the courthouse square.
Attractions: MainStreet Spring Fling, April 12, 2014. 67th annual Tennessee Strawberry Festival 2014 is May 9-10 with the theme, "Hollywood Strawberries." Museum of the Scopes Trial at Rhea County Courthouse. Bryan College History Museum. Scopes Festival July 18-19. Pumpkin Fest, Oct. 31 - Nov. 1. Christmas at the Courthouse/Horse and Carriage Parade, Dec. 6.
Famous event: 1925 John Scopes trial.
Fun facts: The 1925 downtown speed limit was 12 miles per hour. Independent film "Jesus Fish" was filmed in Dayton.
Famous landmarks: Rhea County Courthouse, Bryan College
Famous residents: Joseph Aloysius Durick, Roman Catholic bishop and civil rights advocate; John Scopes, "Monkey Trial" defendant
"It's a good place to live. Dayton has good people and a good community." - Thomas Solomon, city recorder and lifelong resident