Tennessee's third-largest city keeps getting bigger
Home to over 198,000 residents, Knoxville is a major commercial, recreational and educational hub for eastern Tennessee. It's Tennessee's third-largest city and is getting bigger each year. This is partly due to ample job opportunities, but also because of its natural beauty and recreational appeal. "We get a lot of people from California and western states because they like the greenery and the trees — it's just so beautiful here," says Sydney Upton, a lifelong Knoxville resident and an educator with Knox County Schools for 32 years. The Tennessee River flows through the city's south side and is regularly busy with people fishing, paddling and boating.
The University of Tennessee (UT) is a bright orange centerpiece of city life that is renowned for its strong academic and athletic programs. It's central to the city's economy and steadily contributes to population growth. Many graduates stay to work at the major employers here, namely the U.S. Department of Energy, Covenant Health and Knox County Schools.
The Sunsphere welcomes people to Knoxville, TN.
University of Tennessee cheerleaders pump up the crowd on the Vol Walk.
The Department of Energy in Oak Ridge is a large employer for the Knoxville area.
Fort Sanders Hospital is located in the middle of Fort Sanders neighborhood.
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Hiking and camping in the Great Smoky Mountains
Knoxville is snug in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, a subrange of the Appalachian Mountains. These famously hazy summits are more than a stunning backdrop and vibrant year-round recreation — they're part of the local identity and lifestyle. Locals regularly drive to the mountains — about 32 miles southeast — every season of the year for hiking, mountain biking, tubing, fishing, and leaf peeping. It's important to note that Knoxvillians share their beloved mountains with over 13 million annual visitors every year. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most-visited national park in the country and claims more than 522,427 acres of wilderness. The park has 850 miles of trails, 10 developed campgrounds and lots more opportunities for backcountry camping. The park is also an educational hub that helps preserve Southern Appalachian history and a science and research site for studying biodiversity and sustainability.
Knoxville oversees 2,200 acres of parkland within its city limits, including 94 parks that range from neighborhood playgrounds to more rugged recreational spaces. Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness is a highlight for the city's south side. Spanning 1,500 acres, it's a system of recreational areas connected by 60 miles of trails and greenways. It includes the Ijams Nature Center, a vast natural area with hikes along unique rock formations and scenic overlooks. And with a $42.6 million federal grant, the reimagined James White Parkway could soon include multi-modal pathways connecting East Knoxville residents to Downtown Knoxville and the Urban Wilderness across the river.
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the most visited National Parks.
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers lots of outdoor recreation.
Tourists love grabbing a photo with this magnificent view behind them in Townsend.
Navitat Knoxville offers six adventure trails through the trees.
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High-demand, low-supply housing
Knoxville remains affordable compared to other Tennessee cities, although home sales have risen to nearly the national average. The city's median single-family price is $400,000, which rose about 7% between 2023 and 2024. It's still just below the national median of $416,700, and well below Nashville's median of $560,000. Demand for housing in Knoxville has steadily grown, while supply has not kept pace. However, new housing construction and proposed changes to the city’s zoning laws aim to alleviate supply issues.
Apartments are coming near the University of Tennessee campus to accommodate an influx of students, and the school plans to open two new residence halls in the fall of 2025. The city’s Affordable Housing Fund, created in 2021, committed $50 million to building affordable housing through 2031. Since 2019, the city has invested $38 million toward affordable housing, adding more than 2,000 apartment units for residents with incomes below the area average. Additionally, the Missing Middle Housing project was approved in early 2024 and aims to promote home ownership by adding townhouses and duplexes.
Downtown living is possible with mixed-used buildings in the city center. Riverfront neighborhoods, such as the high-end Sequoyah Hills neighborhood, can sell in the multi-million dollar range. Neighborhoods on the outskirts of the city — Alice Bell to the north and Colonial Village to the south — are generally more affordable, with a median sale price around $300,000. On average, houses in Knoxville are on the market for around 32 days, compared to 44 days nationally.
The Strip sits directly West of downtown Knoxville.
Duplexes are starting to pop up closer to downtown Knoxville.
Belle Morris is a friendly neighborhood known for its community spirit and convenience.
Some homes in Sequoyah Hills sit on the Tennessee River.
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University of Tennessee is the pride of Knoxville
Education is a highlight here, for both K-12 and college students. Knox County Schools earns an overall B-plus from Niche. One of Tennessee's largest districts, it oversees 51 elementary schools, 16 middle schools, 16 high schools and 11 specialty schools. School zoning is typically assigned based on home address. Despite its large size, the district emphasizes individual success. Launched in 2022, the 865 Academies allow high schoolers to choose a pathway, explore different career options and receive authentic, work-based learning. Niche ranks L&N STEM Academy as the number one school in the Knoxville area and gives it an A grade. This magnet high school's courses include computational science and cybersecurity, advanced inquiry and research, and design thinking programs.
With a 910-acre campus and a student population of nearly 29,000 undergraduates, the University of Tennessee is one of the city’s biggest employers, cultural influences and sources of local pride. In its 2024 rankings, U.S. News and World Report named UT number 51 among the top public schools and number 109 among national universities. Business, engineering, social sciences, biological and biomedical sciences, communication and parks and recreation are among the most popular majors. U.S. News and World Report ranked the Tickle College of Engineering number 34 among public universities in 2024.
L&N Stem Academy scored a 9 out of 10 from Great Schools.
West High School has a large campus in Marble City.
The Pride of the Southland Band plays Rockytop as they march to Neyland Stadium.
The Volunteer Statue, nicknamed the Torchbearer, greets UT students and fans at Circle Park.
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Fireworks and fanfare for the UT Volunteers
In the fall, Knoxville paints itself orange and white for Tennessee Volunteers football. UT's Neyland Stadium roars to life with over 101,915 fans, but the celebration doesn't stop there. Tailgating parties take place at campus parks, restaurants, and the Tennessee River, which flows just south of campus. "Some people will come on their boats and listen to the game from the river because the stadium is right there," Upton says. "They get all the excitement and the fireworks."
Since 1961, the Dogwood Arts Festival has celebrated the native dogwood tree whose pink and white blossoms paint the city every spring. The festival takes place downtown at the new performance lawn at World's Fair Park, which opened in 2019, with over 100 fine art vendors and music and dance on the amphitheater stage. The festival also goes mobile with the option to drive along the Dogwood Trails — covering over 90 miles in 13 neighborhoods around Knoxville.
Minor-league baseball will soon return to Knoxville. Once complete, the new Covenant Health Park near downtown will bring the Tennessee Smokies back to the city for the first time since 1999. The team's first Knoxville home game is scheduled for April 15, 2025. The venue will also host soccer games, concerts and other community events. The stadium also brings with it more commercial and residential development. "Now that the stadium is being built, more people are coming to this side of town," Upton says.
The new Covenant Health Park will be the home of the Tennessee Smokies baseball team.
The University of Tennessee football stadium hosts many home games.
The University of Tennesse basketball arena has a unique display and design.
UT Vol fans walk under and across the pedestrian bridge over Cumberland Avenue.
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Shopping, dining and art in Market Square
Market Square is the heart of Knoxville's shopping, dining and art scenes. With over 90 restaurants within one square mile, the dining scene covers Southern American, Italian, Japanese, Syrian and other cuisines. The downtown shopping scene favors small businesses over chains, with bookstores, trendy fashion boutiques and gift shops. Fresh local produce is available at the Market Square Farmers Market, held on Wednesdays and Saturdays from May through November.
Knoxville’s nickname, The Maker City, grew from its arts and culture scene. In 2023, USA Today named Knoxville’s arts district the fourth-best in the nation, beating Chicago and Denver. Knoxville's walkable .67-square-mile arts district hosts art galleries, performing arts spaces, murals, live music, and events such as First Friday ArtWalk.
Come in Stock and Barrel for a burger and beer in Market Square.
The Market Square Farmers Market is an open air market that runs from May through November.
Pick up some handmade soaps and other gifts at Earth to Old City in Market Square.
Musicians create an unforgettable ambiance as you stroll through Market Square.
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Interstate 40 goes to Nashville
Interstate 40 is an important east-west connection through the city and goes 180 miles west to Nashville. State Route 33 is a southward connection to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Other state roads lead to major employers just outside the city. State Route 62 leads to the U.S. Department of Energy operations in Oak Ridge, 23 miles west. The Knoxville Area Transit system operates buses and paratransit services throughout the city. More than 94,000 residents are within a quarter mile of a KAT bus stop. McGhee Tyson Airport is the city's domestic airport, with nonstop flights to 33 destinations in the U.S.
High homicide rates are dropping
According to FBI data, Knoxville’s violent and property crime rates are above state and national figures. The city experienced rising homicide rates during the COVID-19 pandemic. These numbers have significantly decreased since 2021, according to the Knoxville Police Department. The 2023 Community-Based Violence Reduction Plan aims to keep those numbers trending downward through community outreach.
Knoxville has a humid subtropical climate with hot and humid summers and mild winters. Its average August high is 88 F, its average January low is 27 F, and its average annual snowfall is around 4.6 inches.
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
