RANK #24 / 1001 NAT · #2 / 33 TN · POP 71,628
1YR FORECAST: +2.6%
5YR OUTLOOK: +41%
Greene County, Tennessee, stands out for its deep historical roots, particularly as the longtime home of President Andrew Johnson, whose tailor shop and residence are preserved as a National Historic Site in Greeneville. Greeneville, the county seat, is Tennessee's second oldest incorporated town, established in 1783. Located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, about 70 miles northeast of Knoxville, the county offers a blend of small-town ambiance and natural beauty. Commutes within the county are generally car-dependent, though a new on-demand electric vehicle service, CONNECT by NET Trans, serves Greeneville and Tusculum. The Nolichucky River, a draw for fishing and whitewater rafting, and portions of the Cherokee National Forest provide ample outdoor recreation.
Life in Greene County offers a relaxed pace, attracting families and retirees. The public schools are above average, with the Greene County School District serving over 6,000 students across 18 schools. The economy, historically agricultural with a focus on tobacco, has diversified to include manufacturing. Major employers like John Deere Power Products, which manufactures lawn tractors and mowers, and Plus Mark, a subsidiary of American Greetings, contribute to the industrial base. Tourism is also a significant economic driver, with visitor spending exceeding $114 million in 2024, partly due to efforts promoting the county's history and outdoor opportunities.
Greene County's data profile doesn't fit any single market profile cleanly — its housing, labor, and demographic signals pull in different directions (home prices +2.7% YoY, population +1.0%, wages +3.2%). About 414 U.S. counties show this kind of mixed-signal pattern.
See all 414 Idiosyncratic Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 11.4x — 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 →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Greene County Solar Farm (Hecate Energy)
Hecate Energy
|
$50M | Proposed |
|
Sofos Power Battery Storage Facility
Sofos Power
|
$50M | Proposed |
|
Johnson Farms Subdivision (Phase 2D)
Landstar Development, LLC in partnership with D.R. Horton, Inc.
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
Meco Corporation Headquarters Expansion
Meco Corporation
|
$28M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
Greene County ranks #24 out of 1001 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 98/100. The composite score reflects long-term strength — housing, income, and migration patterns — but near-term hiring is soft (employment is down 0.6% year-over-year). Median household income here is $56,194.
Housing in Greene County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $207,500 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.27, with rents averaging $737/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Greene County's population is growing — up +1.0% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of -0.6%). Home values shifted +2.7% 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 2.36% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Greene County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.