RANK #85 / 1001 NAT · #4 / 33 TN · POP 79,153
1YR FORECAST: +1.6%
5YR OUTLOOK: +37%
Oak Ridge, a city within Anderson County, holds a unique place in history as the "Secret City" of the Manhattan Project during World War II. Located in eastern Tennessee, northwest of Knoxville, Anderson County offers a blend of suburban and rural living. Commutes to Knoxville are generally manageable, taking around 20-25 minutes. The community feel is often described as friendly and family-oriented. The county boasts extensive outdoor recreation opportunities, including Norris Lake for boating and fishing, Norris Dam State Park with hiking trails, and Windrock Park for off-road adventures.
Life in Anderson County attracts a mix of long-time residents, families, and retirees drawn to its natural beauty and community atmosphere. The economy, historically rooted in coal mining and agriculture, transformed with the establishment of Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and the Y-12 National Security Complex. These institutions continue to drive the local economy, attracting professionals in scientific research, energy innovation, and advanced manufacturing. The region is seeing continued investment in the nuclear power sector and related industries. The Anderson County School District serves the area, with several elementary and middle schools, and high schools like Anderson County High School and Oak Ridge High School.
Anderson County's data profile doesn't fit any single market profile cleanly — its housing, labor, and demographic signals pull in different directions (home prices +4.3% YoY, population +1.2%, wages +3.9%). About 414 U.S. counties show this kind of mixed-signal pattern.
See all 414 Idiosyncratic Markets counties →Below national median (11.3x)
Moderate climate & terrain
Below national median (15x)
Housing is fairly valued at 4.9x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Natural Gas Generation Plant
NextEra Energy Resources
|
$16,000M | Proposed |
|
Natural Gas Combined Cycle Power Plant
Duke Energy
|
$2,500M | Planned |
|
Automotive Parts Manufacturing Expansion
SL Tennessee LLC
|
$50M | Operating |
|
Residential Development Portfolio
Multiple Developers
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
Anderson County ranks #85 out of 1001 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 92/100, putting it in the top tier nationally. Job growth of +1.2% and a median household income of $66,183 point to a county with active economic momentum.
Housing in Anderson County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $239,400 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.28, with rents averaging $1,031/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Anderson County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +1.2% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +1.2% clip — and home values reflect that momentum, rising +4.3% over the past 12 months.
In significant numbers — 5.64% of Anderson County's current population relocated from another state, well above the national norm. That level of in-migration usually signals a county where jobs, affordability, or quality of life are pulling people in from elsewhere.