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Fort Sanders

Fort Sanders

Suburban Neighborhood in Knoxville, Tennessee

Knox County 37916, 37921

$445,074 Average Value
$413 Average Price per Sq Ft
3 Homes For Sale

Bordering the University of Tennessee

Bordered by the railway tracks of the Three Rivers Rambler and the University of Tennessee campus is Fort Sanders, a vibrant urban enclave that many local college students call home. Once a Civil War Union Army bastion, this neighborhood has evolved throughout the centuries and now stands at the heart of Knoxville’s thriving undergraduate scene. Fort Sanders – often called “The Fort” – sits adjacent to campus and is bordered to the south by Cumberland Avenue, which is also known as “The Strip” and features an abundance of collegiate hangouts. During football season, the neighborhood streets become engulfed in a sea of bright orange spirit wear as students and locals show off their school pride.

Students walk out of one of the halls on the University of Tennessee campus.
Students walk out of one of the halls on the University of Tennessee campus.
You'll find Cumberland Avenue, otherwise known as the Strip, bustling with life.
You'll find Cumberland Avenue, otherwise known as the Strip, bustling with life.
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A rainbow of Victorian-style architecture

Because this area is popular among University of Tennessee students, many of the properties here are multi-family and consist of an array of apartment complexes and condo units. “The University of Tennessee campus is right there, so there’s not a ton of single-family real estate that comes up for sale,” says Realtor Caroline McDonald, a Knoxville native and owner at McDonald Realty, LLC. However, there are still a handful of single-family homes here that mostly reflect Victorian-era architecture, including colorful facades and ornate detailing. “You see a lot of homes being restored and a lot of new construction in the area,” McDonald says. Queen Anne residences wash Clinch Avenue in a sea of rainbow exteriors and typically cost between $750,000 and $1.5 million, while vintage Craftsman-style bungalows often range between $400,000 and $650,000. Most condo units sell between approximately $170,000 and $400,000; complexes within walking distance of campus, such as the Commons and The Standard, tend to have more expensive units for sale.

Vibrant Queen Anne homes line the streets of Fort Sanders.
Vibrant Queen Anne homes line the streets of Fort Sanders.
Older homes sit on small lots in Fort Sanders.
Older homes sit on small lots in Fort Sanders.
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Dive bars and restaurants line Cumberland Avenue

Along Cumberland Avenue – which is part of “The Strip” commercial area – locals and students can find a number of dive bars and restaurants. Cool Beans Bar and Grill is a sports pub that features live music and an annual crawfish boil. Across the street, The Half Barrel hosts trivia nights and offers patrons a wide selection of craft beer and bourbon. For a sit-down restaurant experience, Sunspot is a popular brunch option with a range of Southwestern, Caribbean and Latin American menu options. “Sunspot has got really good tacos,” McDonald says. Just south of the neighborhood is the University Commons shopping mall, which features a Publix Supermarket and the University of Tennessee Volshop clothing store.

Stop by Cool Beans Bar & Grill for games, food, and drinks.
Stop by Cool Beans Bar & Grill for games, food, and drinks.
The Sunspot is one of the Strip's most popular restaurants.
The Sunspot is one of the Strip's most popular restaurants.
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The 1982 World's Fair Sunsphere is an iconic landmark

Only a few blocks away from Fort Sanders is World’s Fair Park, which sits on the former fairgrounds of the 1982 World’s Fair. During the warmer months, locals and students can catch live shows and concerts at the park’s Tennessee Amphitheater and Performance Lawn. Adjacent to the park are the award-winning Knoxville Convention Center and the towering Sunsphere, an iconic World’s Fair landmark with a 360-degree observation deck. This neighborhood is also encircled by a series of railroad tracks operated by the Three Rivers Rambler, a steam-train attraction that runs along the Tennessee River and drops riders off at the University Commons shopping mall, located just south of the Fort Sanders area.

The Sunsphere sits across from the Tennesseean hotel.
The Sunsphere sits across from the Tennesseean hotel.
The Sunsphere overlooks the beautiful World's Fair Park.
The Sunsphere overlooks the beautiful World's Fair Park.
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Convenient to Downtown Knoxville

With its location on the edge of Downtown Knoxville, Fort Sanders is convenient for those who work in the downtown area. The neighborhood also sits just south of Interstate 40, a major thoroughfare that runs the length of the city. Bus services in this area are offered by the Knoxville Area Transit and the University of Tennessee, which both feature routes and stops along the Cumberland Avenue corridor. Locals and students can find ample parking in open lots and garages, but street parking is limited. Most roads here are lined with well-maintained sidewalks, making the neighborhood a relatively walkable area. To catch a flight, McGhee Tyson Airport is a 12.5-mile drive south via U.S. Route 129.

Strolling through the gardens of James Agee Park

James Agee Park, named for the Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist and Fort Sanders native, is located adjacent to Agee’s childhood home. An homage to Agee, this half-acre park features gardens and a walking loop. Alongside the nearby Tennessee River, residents can find a series of interconnected paths known as the Greenway Trail System. “You see a lot of mountain bikers and outdoor enthusiasts using the Greenways, which are these designated pathways and trails that run throughout the Knoxville area,” McDonald says. Between World’s Fair Park Drive and 11th Street is Fort Kid, a sprawling urban playground that has become a popular destination for daycare groups and schools.

The James Agee Park has plenty of greenspace for children to play in Fort Sanders.
The James Agee Park has plenty of greenspace for children to play in Fort Sanders.
Kids will love playing at Fort Kid.
Kids will love playing at Fort Kid.
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Students can attend Knox County magnet schools

Students in kindergarten through 12th grade are served by the Knox County Schools district, which receives a B-plus rating from Niche. Young learners can attend Beaumont Magnet Academy, a public elementary school with an A-minus rating. Students might then go to the C-plus-rated Vine Middle Magnet School. For those in grades nine through 12, the L&N STEM Academy is an A-rated secondary school that focuses on science, technology, engineering and math and is ranked No. 2 on Niche’s “Best Public High Schools in the Knoxville Area” list.

L&N Stem Academy scored a 9 out of 10 from Great Schools.
L&N Stem Academy scored a 9 out of 10 from Great Schools.
Beaumont Magnet Academy features an Honors Program for kindergarten through 5th grade students.
Beaumont Magnet Academy features an Honors Program for kindergarten through 5th grade students.
Vine Middle Magnet School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
Vine Middle Magnet School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
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Emergency services at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center

Fort Sanders is also home to two of Knoxville’s award-winning medical centers, East Tennessee Children's Hospital and the Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center, which offers a 24-hour emergency room and houses numerous healthcare specialty centers. It’s also important to note that the overall CAP Index crime score for this neighborhood is 8, which is higher than the national average of 4. However, non-violent crime makes up a majority of this inflated score.

Fort Sanders Hospital is located in the middle of Fort Sanders neighborhood.
Fort Sanders Hospital is located in the middle of Fort Sanders neighborhood.
The East Tennesse Children's Hospital is located in the Fort Sanders neighborhood.
The East Tennesse Children's Hospital is located in the Fort Sanders neighborhood.
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Hayley Simms
Written By
Hayley Simms
Andrew Byrum
Photography Contributed By
Andrew Byrum
Jason Jacot
Video By
Jason Jacot

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Angela Worsham, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

McGhee Tyson

29 min drive

Bus

17th St Sb & Grand Ave

Bus

Ft. Sanders Hospital

Bus

11th & Sheraton Hotel Outbound

Bus

22nd St Nb & White Ave

Bus

Highland Ave Wb & 17th St

Bus

Clinch Ave Wb & James Agee St

Bus

Clinch Ave Wb & 16th St

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Fort Sanders US
Homicide 5 4
Sexual Assault 9 4
Assault with Weapon 4 4
Robbery 4 4
Burglary 7 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 7 4
Larceny 9 4
Crime Score 6 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$437,750
Median Single Family Price
$620,000
Median 2 Bedroom Price
$308,392
Median 1 Bedroom Price
$239,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$413
Number of Homes for Sale
3
Last 12 months Home Sales
22
Months of Supply
1.60
Median List Price
$439,900
Median Discount From 1st List Price
0%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
84%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
509
Median Year Built
1966
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,639
Below the national average
1,936
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,054
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
873
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
455
Average Studio Size Sq Ft
572
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
6,534

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Angela Worsham, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
7,953
Median Age
25
Population Density
27 ppl/acre
Population under 18
17.8%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
2.2%
Below the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$20,642
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$29,354

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
90.1%
College Graduates
43.4%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
22.6%
% Population in Labor Force
43.9%
Below the national average
65.1%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
52''
Average Winter Low Temperature
31°F
Average Summer High Temperature
88°F
Annual Snowfall
12''

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®

35 / 100

Very Walkable

Walk Score®

81 / 100

Some Transit

Transit Score®

43 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

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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.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Fort Sanders