$318,565Average Value$194Average Price per Sq Ft67Homes For Sale
Rockwood has transitioned from a mining town to a lakeside community
Rockwood’s identity has long been tied to its natural features. On the south side, parks, marinas and houses border Watts Bar Lake, a destination for anglers and boaters. North of the city, members of a motor club race cars on top of the Cumberland Plateau. In the 1800s, Rockwood’s hills drew residents searching for jobs in the community’s coal mines. After more than a century had passed, and the Tennessee Valley Authority created Watts Bar Lake, Rockwood’s terrain became a source of recreation rather than industry. Along with its outdoor activities, Rockwood’s location along Interstate 40 and U.S. Route 27 presents residents with practical commutes to Knoxville and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
Celebrating 150 years in 2018, Rockwood continues to foster a welcoming, hometown atmosphere.
Rockwood developed from a mining town into a lakeside community.
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Victorians in the city of Rockwood, lakefront houses to the south
Ornate Victorian homes from Rockwood’s early days still stand along roads such as Kingston Street. Most of Rockwood’s gridded streets are lined with small cottages and ranch-style houses. To the south, cabins and New Traditional homes fill lakeside subdivisions. These houses often occupy larger, acre-plus lots, and many have private docks. Some lakefront homes are in flood zones, so homebuyers there may be required by their mortgage lender to have flood insurance. Most turnkey homes sell from $140,000 to $400,000. Lakefront properties can cost between $630,000 and $1.8 million.
Small cottages are common across Rockwood’s older residential streets.
Lakefront homes in Rockwood typically range from $630,000 to $1.8 million.
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Rockwood High earns recognition for STEM education
Children in Rockwood can start at Ridge View Elementary, which receives a C-plus from Niche. After fifth grade, students may advance to Rockwood Middle, graded a B-minus. C-rated Rockwood High has received recognition from the Tennessee Department of Education for its STEM emphasis. Students can take science- and technology-related courses such as principles of engineering and technology, digital electronics and robotics and automated systems.
Ridge View Elementary serves Rockwood students and receives a C-plus rating from Niche.
Rockwood Middle School, graded B-minus by Niche, serves students after fifth grade.
Rockwood High School is recognized by Tennessee for its STEM-focused programs.
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Fishing, camping and more along Watts Bar Lake
There are multiple ways to access Watts Bar Lake, from the public boat ramp at Dr. Tom Fuller Memorial Park to the slips at Rockwood Marina & RV Resort. Equipped with a bar, swimming pool and rentable kayaks, the marina is one of several RV and tent campgrounds in the area. “It doesn’t matter what level you are,” says Bill Anderson, a resident and member of the nonprofit Rockwood Revitalization Inc., which runs the Rockwood Museum & Visitors Center. “If you’re a primitive camper up to [someone with a] $150,000 motor home, there are accommodations for anyone.” The lake itself is large enough to boat across with ease, and it’s stocked with game fish, such as bass and walleye. In 2025, Flatrock Motorclub opened a high-end resort with a 3.5-mile circuit track surrounded by Appalachian Mountain peaks.
Public lake access near Rockwood campgrounds supports boating and fishing.
Dr. Tom Fuller Memorial Park offers lake access and hosts community events.
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Community events include classic car shows and lakeside music
Every April, hundreds of antique cars line up at Roane State Community College for the Thunder Road Festival & Car Show. The show draws inspiration from East Tennessee’s history of moonshiners and bootleggers, and one car wins the annual “Best Moonshine Runner” award. The community celebrates Labor Day weekend with Rockin’ the Ramp, a day of food trucks and live music alongside the lake at Dr. Tom Fuller Memorial Park. After the sun sets, boaters drop anchor in the cove and watch fireworks explode overhead. The Roane State Community College Expo Center hosts events most weekends, ranging from rodeos to antique tractor shows.
Gathering in downtown Rockwood for Main Street Mondays
Downtown, Cofer’s Garage pours drinks and hosts cornhole tournaments and live music in its beer garden. A block away, the family-owned MeMe’s Restaurant serves biscuits in the morning and burgers and sundaes throughout the afternoons and evenings. From April to October, the second Monday of the month is Main Street Monday, a street festival that draws people downtown with live music and games for kids. Stores such as Walmart and Tractor Supply Co. stand along U.S. Route 27. Kroger, Lowe’s Home Improvement and Roane Medical Center are in the neighboring city of Harriman.
MeMe’s Restaurant serves breakfast biscuits and casual meals throughout the day.
Rockwood residents can stop by the local Walmart for everyday shopping and essentials.
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Route 27, I-40 lead to nearby job hubs
U.S. Route 27 runs through the heart of Rockwood and can take drivers across the community. Interstate 40 passes through the north side, and it leads about 45 miles east to Knoxville. It’s about 30 miles to Oak Ridge National Laboratory, where more than 7,000 people work, and nearly a 50-mile drive to McGhee Tyson Airport, which has flights to more than 30 U.S. cities. Getting around the area is helped by Rockwood’s light traffic levels, which Anderson says is a far cry from when he lived in Nashville. “The worst thing that happens here is someone is on a tractor in front of you.”
Interstate 40 runs along Rockwood’s north side, about 45 miles east of downtown Knoxville.
McGhee Tyson Airport is about 50 miles away, offering flights to destinations nationwide.
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Written By
Alex Soderstrom
Photography Contributed By
Michael Carey
Video By
Michael Carey
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Crystal Coffey,
an experienced agent in this area.
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On average, homes in Rockwood, TN sell after 47 days on the market compared to the national average of 55 days. The median sale price for homes in Rockwood, TN over the last 12 months is $250,000, up 4% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Nestled on a quiet street in the heart of Rockwood, this new 3 bedroom, 2 bath home offers modern comfort with a welcoming small-town feel. The home sits on an 0.35-acre lot and features a thoughtful single-level layout designed for easy living and entertaining. An open-concept main living area blends the living room, dining space, and kitchen so you can stay connected with family or guests. The
Build your dream home on this beautiful .74-acre lakefront lot in the gated community of Grande Vista Bay. This wooded homesite features a gently sloping terrain and scenic water views, offering the perfect setting for a custom home designed to capture the natural beauty and East Tennessee sunsets. Dockable with TVA approval, the property provides the opportunity for direct lake access for
Opportunities of this scale and location are becoming increasingly rare in Roane County, Tennessee. Offering approximately 25.14 +/-acres in the heart of downtown Rockwood, this exceptional tract presents a remarkable investment opportunity in one of East Tennessee's most strategically positioned and steadily growing communities. This property is on 2 parcels, offering road access on Chamberlain
Discover 6.95 acres of versatile land located at 185 Mount Vernal Rd, Rockwood, TN, situated in Cumberland County. Approximately one acre has been cleared, offering an excellent homesite or recreational setup, while the remaining acreage provides privacy and natural surroundings. The property features a newly installed driveway extending about halfway back to an approved septic site, making it
Beautiful Mountain views some seasonal water view with wonderful sun rises and sunsets on this wooded lot. Sensible Restrictions no time limit to build. Community offers club house, boat launch, docks and slips with swimming pool, pickle ball, horse shoes, bocce ball. Located on Watts Bar Lake where you can boat to the Gulf of Mexico. 10 mins to hospital, shopping and I-40 E where Premier
Just under an acre of wooded lot for privacy. Gentle sloping lot to a slight rise where it levels off for a building area. Gated community, club house, pool, bocce ball, pickle ball, horse shoe, boat launches, docks and slips. Beautiful lake community with Hospital, Kroger, Lowes only 7 miles away and access to I-40 to be in Turkey Creek premier shopping in 35 mins. No time limit to build with
Just under two acres to build your dream home with elevated views of Watts Bar Lake and Cumberland Mountains, wooded and with trees removed to build it will open up your view. This gated community has sensible restrictions with no time limit to build and is close to the lake and boat slips. Community features a club house, pool, bocce ball, pickle ball, horseshoe pit,3 boat slips and launch areas
Build your custom dream home with a view on this beautiful 3+ acre property. Perfect for a walk out basement and views of the lake, mountains and amazing sunsets. Underground utilities with cable, high speed internet. natural gas, water, electricity, phone and a pump up system for sewer. Gated community with sensible restrictions and no time limit to begin build. Community clubhouse, pool, bocce
30.22 Acres with Mountain Views, Long Private Drive and Endless Potential! Escape to your own slice of Tennessee paradise with this stunning 30.22-acre property, perfectly tucked away at the end of a private half-mile drive. Offering sweeping mountain views, peaceful seclusion, and incredible potential, this property is ideal for a private retreat, family compound, or investment opportunity.
Beautiful lake view property sitting on 1.18 acres in the gated community of Grande Vista Bay. The perfect spot to build your custom home and enjoy the beautiful lake views on this partially cleared lot that was recently done, making it easy to walk and imagine the positioning of your home for ideal views. Take advantage of the community clubhouse, swimming pool, pickleball courts, bocce ball and
Peaceful custom ranch home sitting on 1.04 acres. This beautifully designed home has been well cared for and provides a sense of privacy. The open concept kitchen features a large island with breakfast seating, dual compartment stainless steel sink. Five burner gas cooktop with a stainless steel hood, granite countertops, soft close cabinetry, garbage disposal, Whirlpool refrigerator, dishwasher,
Beautiful lake view property sitting on 1.18 acres in the gated community of Grande Vista Bay. The perfect spot to build your custom home and enjoy the beautiful lake views on this partially cleared lot that was recently done, making it easy to walk and imagine the positioning of your home for ideal views. Take advantage of the community clubhouse, swimming pool, pickleball courts, bocce ball and
College Grove is conveniently located in Rockwood in close proximity to Roane State Community College. Watts Bar Lake and numerous picturesque parks are just a short distance away. Emergency maintenance available 24 - 7. Come take a look at your new home!
This beautifully renovated all-brick ranch offers 3 bedrooms and 1.5 bathrooms. This home has been completely remodeled with new windows, fresh paint, updated fixtures, and new hardware throughout. Enjoy year-round comfort with central heat and air, plus convenient washer and dryer connections. Outside, you'll find a covered carport and a generous 1⁄2-acre lot, providing plenty of outdoor space.
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