RANK #364 / 1001 NAT · #10 / 33 TN · POP 139,333
1YR FORECAST: +0.4%
5YR OUTLOOK: +31%
Townsend, known as the "Peaceful Side of the Smokies," offers a distinctive entry point to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, a major draw for Blount County. Located in East Tennessee, Blount County sits just south of Knoxville, with commutes to downtown Knoxville typically ranging from 25 to 45 minutes from Maryville, the county seat. The community offers a blend of suburban and rural living, characterized by natural beauty and a serene environment. Outdoor recreation is a significant aspect of life, with access to hiking trails, the Little River for water activities, and numerous local parks like the Maryville-Alcoa Greenway.
Life in Blount County is often described as family-friendly, appealing to those seeking a relaxed environment with access to amenities. The area benefits from a diverse economy, with manufacturing and tourism being prominent sectors. Recent economic developments include investments in advanced manufacturing and healthcare facilities, alongside growth in local businesses such as restaurants and entertainment venues. The county is served by three public school districts—Alcoa City Schools, Blount County Schools, and Maryville City Schools—which are noted for their quality.
Blount County's data profile doesn't fit any single market profile cleanly — its housing, labor, and demographic signals pull in different directions (home prices +1.6% YoY, population +1.1%, wages +2.9%). About 414 U.S. counties show this kind of mixed-signal pattern.
See all 414 Idiosyncratic Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Below national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 12.4x — home prices are high 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
Amazon Fulfillment Center (TYS1)
Amazon
|
$200M | Operating |
|
Smith & Wesson Headquarters and Operations Relocation
Smith & Wesson
|
$125M | Operating |
|
Arconic Manufacturing Expansion
Arconic
|
$100M | Under Construction |
|
Silicon Ranch Solar Facilities (3 projects)
Silicon Ranch, DENSO, City of Maryville, TVA
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
Pellissippi Place Mixed-Use Development
Ramston Capital
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
With a Boom Town Index score of 63/100, Blount County sits in the upper half of all 1001 ranked counties. and median household income stands at $77,365 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in TN.
Blount County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $320,500 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.24 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,090/month on average.
Blount County's population is growing — up +1.1% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of +0.1%). Home values shifted +1.6% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.77% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Blount County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.