RANK #424 / 996 · POP 77,337 · TN
PROJECTED GROWTH: +1.0%
Oak Ridge, a city within Anderson County, holds a unique place in history as the "Secret City" of the Manhattan Project during World War II. Located in eastern Tennessee, northwest of Knoxville, Anderson County offers a blend of suburban and rural living. Commutes to Knoxville are generally manageable, taking around 20-25 minutes. The community feel is often described as friendly and family-oriented. The county boasts extensive outdoor recreation opportunities, including Norris Lake for boating and fishing, Norris Dam State Park with hiking trails, and Windrock Park for off-road adventures.
Life in Anderson County attracts a mix of long-time residents, families, and retirees drawn to its natural beauty and community atmosphere. The economy, historically rooted in coal mining and agriculture, transformed with the establishment of Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and the Y-12 National Security Complex. These institutions continue to drive the local economy, attracting professionals in scientific research, energy innovation, and advanced manufacturing. The region is seeing continued investment in the nuclear power sector and related industries. The Anderson County School District serves the area, with several elementary and middle schools, and high schools like Anderson County High School and Oak Ridge High School.
Above national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 2.5x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Natural Gas Generation Plant
NextEra Energy Resources
|
$16,000M | Proposed |
|
Natural Gas Combined Cycle Power Plant
Duke Energy
|
$2,500M | Planned |
|
Automotive Parts Manufacturing Expansion
SL Tennessee LLC
|
$50M | Operating |
|
Residential Development Portfolio
Multiple Developers
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Anderson County has a Boom Town Index score of 58/100, ranking #424 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +2.8% and a median household income of $60,633, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Anderson County is $193,900 with median rent at $937/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3127, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.8% year-over-year. Job growth: +2.8%. Home values changed +3.1% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 5.87% of Anderson County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.