District 9
RANK #794 / 996 NAT · #28 / 33 TN · POP 61,552
1YR FORECAST: -0.2%
5YR OUTLOOK: +16%
A local in Cumberland County, Tennessee, might first mention Crossville, the county seat, known as the "Golf Capital of Tennessee" due to its numerous courses. Situated on the Cumberland Plateau, the county is about 75 miles from Knoxville and 120 miles from Nashville, with Interstate 40 providing access. The community offers a rural feel with natural beauty, including Cumberland Mountain State Park, which provides opportunities for hiking, fishing, and camping. The Obed River Park also offers walking trails along the scenic Obed River. Life in Cumberland County often appeals to retirees and those seeking a quieter lifestyle, with a high homeownership rate. The Cumberland County School District serves over 7,000 students across 12 schools and is considered above average. The economy is seeing development in manufacturing and logistics, with new industrial projects and expansions occurring in areas like the Interchange Business Park in Crossville. Public transportation services, including daily intercity routes to Nashville and Murfreesboro, are available through the Upper Cumberland Human Resource Agency.
Above national median (4.7x)
Above national median
Prices declining
Moderate climate & terrain
Prices detached from rents
Housing is fairly valued at 5.9x 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.
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 →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
AI Data Center Campus (Middlesex Township)
Undisclosed
|
$15,000M | Proposed |
|
Cumberland Natural Gas Plant
Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)
|
$2,100M | Under Construction |
|
Cumberland Project Pipeline (32-mile natural gas lateral)
Kinder Morgan (Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company, L.L.C.)
|
$225M | Under Construction |
|
Copeland Solar Farm (110 MWAC)
Silicon Ranch / Middle Tennessee Electric (MTE)
|
$110M | Under Construction |
|
Appalachian Solar and Battery Storage Portfolio (14 solar PV plants, 3 battery storage projects)
Sun Tribe Development / ENGIE / The Nature Conservancy
|
$49M | Planned |
|
Durable Products Manufacturing Expansion
Durable Products (subsidiary of GreenLiner, LLC)
|
$27M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
At 20/100, Cumberland County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 996 counties we track. Median income of $56,002 combined with job growth of +1.4% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Housing in Cumberland County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $199,800 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.28, with rents averaging $786/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Cumberland County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +1.6% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +1.4% clip. Home values shifted -0.4% in the past year.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.27% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Cumberland County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.