[1][4] Chester County is included in the Jackson, TN Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Lawsuits by opponents of the creation of the new county delayed actual organization until 1882.

[1] Chester County was named for Colonel Robert I. Chester, a quartermaster in the War of 1812, an early postmaster in Jackson, and a federal marshal.

[5] As of the 2020 United States census, there were 17,341 people, 6,060 households, and 4,471 families residing in the county.

As of the census[13] of 2000, there were 15,540 people, 5,660 households, and 4,199 families residing in the county.

The racial makeup of the county was 88.13% White (non-Hispanic), 10.03% Black or African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.23% Asian, 0.31% from other races, and 1.07% from two or more races.

22.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.