Location: Rhea County
Size: 7.65 square miles
Population (2013 census estimate): 7,397
County population (2013 census, estimate): 32,513
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: An expansion/lease deal was recently approved for furniture manufacturer La-Z-Boy.
Wellness: Walking tracks at Delaware Complex and Point Park
Environmental: Curbside recycling program launched in 2014.
Traditions: Farm vendors around the courthouse square.
Attractions: MainStreet Spring Fling, April 18, 2015. 68th annual Tennessee Strawberry Festival 2015 is May 8-9. Museum of the Scopes Trial at Rhea County Courthouse. Bryan College History Museum. Scopes Festival July 17-19 and 25-26, featuring the play, "Front Page News."Pumpkin Fest, Oct. 30 31. Christmas at the Courthouse/Horse and Carriage Parade, Dec. 5.
Famous event: 1925 John Scopes trial.
Fun facts: Denny Zonnas remains the city's longest-serving fire chief, appointed to the post in 1929 and retiring in 1959. 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 T. 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