RANK #713 / 996 · POP 481,406 · TN
PROJECTED GROWTH: -0.1%
Knox County, Tennessee, stands out for its connection to the Great Smoky Mountains and its urban wilderness, offering over 60 miles of trails for hiking, biking, and paddling within the city of Knoxville. The county seat, Knoxville, sits at the geographical center of the Great Valley of East Tennessee, where the Holston and French Broad rivers converge to form the Tennessee River. Commuting within Knox County is primarily car-dependent, though Knoxville Area Transit (KAT) provides bus and trolley services within the city and to the university area. The community offers a blend of urban amenities and access to natural scenery.
Life in Knox County balances urban living with outdoor access, appealing to families and outdoor enthusiasts. The public school system, Knox County Schools, serves approximately 60,000 students and offers a range of options including traditional, magnet, and career/technical schools. The local economy has experienced growth, particularly since 2021, with major investment flowing into commercial and residential development, as well as energy-related sectors. The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, also contributes significantly to the local economy and cultural landscape.
Above national median
Well below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 3.5x — 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
KUB/TVA/Origis Energy Solar Investment (Knoxville's Share)
Knoxville Utilities Board, Tennessee Valley Authority, Origis Energy
|
$125M | Under Construction |
|
Livano Knoxville Apartments
Capital Square / LIV Development
|
$116M | Planned |
|
Advance Knox Transportation Infrastructure Improvements
Knox County
|
$50M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Knox County has a Boom Town Index score of 28/100, ranking #713 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.2% and a median household income of $68,580, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Knox County is $248,200 with median rent at $1,097/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2763, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +1.3% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.2%. Home values changed +0.7% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 3.37% of Knox County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.