$606,614Average Value$534Average Price per Sq Ft20Homes For Sale
Arts and nightlife in a historic slice of Knoxville
In the late 1800s, Knoxville’s historic Old City was a meatpacking district, saloon hub, and vaudeville district. It was also home to European immigrants and formerly enslaved communities. Today, this walkable neighborhood is still a melting pot of entertainment and diverse residents, though industrial brick buildings now house luxury condos, art galleries, restaurants and bars. Old City is within walking distance of The University of Tennessee. Home of the Vols, UT has collectively won 24 team national championships for football, women's basketball, track and field and swimming and diving. The school enrolls more than 35,000 students, many of whom spend nights in Old City.
Live music and whisky at Boyd's Jig and Reel
Old City is still a nightlife destination, hosting more than 20 bars and nightclubs and two distilleries. At Hanna’s Café, locals dance every Friday and Saturday to a nostalgic playlist of music from the 90s and early 2000s. Pour Taproom has self-serve taps, board games and trivia nights on Tuesdays. One of the most beloved local institutions is Boyd’s Jig and Reel, a Scottish-style pub with nightly musical events and jam sessions. Scottish, Irish and Appalachian-style folk musicians gather to play together and sip whisky — the bar has more than 1,000 kinds.
Local businesses include Two Bikes, a nonprofit bike shop. “We act as a community space for the cycling scene, we organize a lot of group rides and have free work benches, because not everybody can afford the tools to fix their bike,” says Matthew Zingg, operations director of Two Bikes. The organization also donates one bike into the community for each bike they sell. “We end up donating about 200 to 300 bikes per year.” Addison’s Bookstore is another neighborhood shop, which has a tea bar and ample seating for curling up with a new or used title. Starting in April of each year, Old City Market hosts vendors selling handmade and locally sourced goods on West Jackson Avenue.
Red Panda Grocery is the closest shop for essentials. The New York-style bodega is well known for its menu of hot dogs and sandwiches, including the Chopped Cheese, a hoagie stuffed with ground beef, veggies and American cheese.
Galleries, theatres and spots to watch the Vols
From stage plays to football games, there's plenty to do in and around the Old City — and more on the way. The Emporium Center has five public art galleries and several studio spaces, and the Old City Performing Arts Center is a nonprofit playhouse run by River and Rail Theatre Company. Old City galleries participate in First Friday ArtWalk, a monthly event where galleries, studios and local businesses with pop-up exhibits open their doors to art lovers.
The neighborhood’s summertime Rhinestone Fest draws people from across the city. Festival goers wear blonde wigs and shiny studded outfits to pay homage to Tennessee’s own Dolly Parton. The event includes live music acts, food and drinks, art exhibits and separate Dolly Parton costume contests for pets, kids and adults.
On University of Tennessee (UT) game days, Old City is cloaked in UT orange and white as fans cheer on the Volunteers — or Vols for short. Merchants of Beer features large TVs and 50 beers on tap and is a favorite gathering place for Vols fans. A multiuse stadium is in the works just east of Old City. Starting in 2025, the stadium will become the new home of the Tennessee Smokies, a minor league baseball team, and host more than 200 events annually, from soccer games to concerts and festivals.
Luxury condos in renovated industrial buildings
Buyers will find condos transformed from brick warehouses built in the early 1900s. The Sterchi Lofts is a neighborhood landmark. The tall condo complex is housed in the former headquarters for Sterchi Brothers Furniture — once the world’s largest furnishings chain. Condo units typically incorporate brick walls and other historic character details, though buyers can expect renovated interiors with up-to-date appliances. Prices typically range between $340,000 and $750,000.
Old City has a 10 out of 10 crime score on the CAP Index, well above the national average of 4. The neighborhood scores higher for property crimes than violent crimes. Local residents and business owners discuss safety and other concerns at meetings of The Old City Association.
Walkability and access to I-40, I-275
Old City’s sidewalks and high density of businesses contribute to the neighborhood’s Walk Score of 89 out of 100. People here also bicycle to get around. “We’re close to the university so that cooks up a good commuter cycling culture,” Zingg says. “Now that folks are coming back to the city from the suburbs, they need a cheaper, more reliable way to get to work.” The Knoxville Area Transit bus system has stops near Hanna's Cafe and Merchants of Beer. Drivers can find some on-street parking for free or choose a paid parking lot. Interstate 40 and I-275 provide access to the greater Knoxville region and to Nashville.
Pups play at Petsafe Downtown Dog Park
Local green spaces include Petsafe Downtown Dog Park, a one-acre play area with exercise stations, water fountains and separate off-leash spaces for small and large dogs. Residents can also stroll through Cradle of Country Music Park, an urban spot of green with statues and plaques paying tribute to the area’s musical history.
Decades ago, Knoxville opened itself up to the world by hosting the 1982 World’s Fair. The former fairgrounds sit less than a mile from Old City, and host seasonal splash pads, performance spaces and the Sunsphere observation tower still enjoyed today. Other nearby parks include Charles Krutch Park, next to Market Square, and Cal Johnson Park, named after Caldonia "Cal" Fackler Johnson. Born into slavery, Johnson became one of the wealthiest Black businessmen in the state of Tennessee.
University of Tennessee within walking distance
Younger students attend Sequoyah Elementary, which has an A-minus from Niche, or Green Magnet Academy, which has specialty programs in math and science and a C-plus rating. Vine Middle Magnet School and Austin-East Magnet High School both specialize in the performing arts and get a C-plus from Niche.
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
World's Fair Park & Festival Center
Picnic Area
Trails
Events
Krutch Park
Picnic Area
Trails
Events
PetSafe Downtown Dog Park
Dog Park
Events
Cradle of Country Music Park
Picnic Area
Trails
Transit
Airport
McGhee Tyson
30 min drive
Bus
Summit Hill Wb & Gay Street
Bus
Central Avenue Sb & Summit Hill Drive
Bus
Central & Jackson Avenue
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Old City
US
Homicide
6
4
Sexual Assault
9
4
Assault with Weapon
7
4
Robbery
9
4
Burglary
10
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
10
4
Larceny
10
4
Crime Score
10
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Old City, Knoxville sell after 21 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Old City, Knoxville over the last 12 months is $505,125, down 22% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Experience the Best of Downtown Living at Sterchi Lofts.Welcome to urban living at its finest in this stylish 2-bedroom, 2-bath condo located in the heart of Downtown Knoxville. Nestled in the historic Sterchi Lofts, this home puts you within walking distance of the Tennessee Theatre, Market Square, Old City, and the exciting new Smokies baseball stadium. You're also just minutes from the
Start your summer in the city with this 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom condo located on the 9th floor of the historic Sterchi Lofts building in downtown Knoxville. This bright and airy unit features expansive windows, high ceilings, and an open-concept kitchen and living area. The kitchen is equipped with sleek finishes and stainless steel appliances, while modern rolling doors add a stylish touch to each
Short Term Rental Capabilities! This corner unit boast so tons of natural light and views! Welcome to the Emporium Building located on the historic 100 Block of Gay Street, in the Arts District. This is the first opportunity to own in this iconic building. Originally built in the 1990's and redone in 2005 by Dewhirst Properties, Emporium offers high ceilings, large windows and beautiful views of
Don't miss out on this adorable one bedroom home. This spacious one bedroom apartment features a large living area and closet space. With a private entrance to the apartment, you'll have easy access to the beautiful courtyard tucked away in the vibrant Old City Knoxville! Our homes feature laundry in the unit, a membership to Knoxville's premier boutique gym, the Old City Athletic Club, and we
Find your home in Knoxville’s modern mid-rise community. Stockyard Lofts is ideally situated in Knoxville’s vibrant Old City with abundant dining, entertainment, and cultural offerings. With well-designed living, large private balconies, and unrivaled amenities, you’ll be at the “center of it all” at Stockyard Lofts in downtown Knoxville.Stockyard Lofts were designed by one of the most
Location, location, location!!! Walk anywhere - Market Square, Old City, UT campus. This bright, clean 2BR, 1 B apartment has soaring ceilings and incredible views of downtown Knoxville. Available 8/1. Option to rent as furnished.
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
823
Median Age
40
Population Density
42 ppl/acre
Population under 18
10.1%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
12.4%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$36,979
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$69,324
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
95%
College Graduates
61.1%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
29.3%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
67.8%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
52''
Average Winter Low Temperature
31°F
Average Summer High Temperature
88°F
Annual Snowfall
12''
Area Factors
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
72/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
89/ 100
Good Transit
Transit Score®
59/ 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.
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.
