RANK #506 / 996 · POP 64,531 · TN
PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.7%
Hamblen County, Tennessee, distinguishes itself with Morristown, its county seat, which once served as a crucial transportation and commercial hub. Located in East Tennessee, approximately 40 miles northeast of Knoxville, the county offers a community atmosphere. The region is characterized by its natural beauty, with views of the Great Smoky Mountains and access to Cherokee Lake. Outdoor recreation is a significant draw, with Panther Creek State Park offering over 30 miles of hiking, mountain biking, and horse trails, along with opportunities for camping, fishing, and swimming. Cherokee Lake provides additional boating and fishing activities. The area also boasts several disc golf courses, earning Morristown the title of "Tennessee's Disc Golf Capital."
Life in Hamblen County offers a lower cost of living compared to the national average. The public school system is recognized for its quality, and Walters State Community College provides local higher education options. The economy is experiencing growth, driven by manufacturing and food and agriculture sectors. Recent expansions in these areas have contributed to job creation, attracting individuals and families to the county.
Below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 2.9x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Ridgeline Expansion Project (Natural Gas Pipeline & Solar)
Enbridge Inc. / Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)
|
$500M | Under Construction |
|
Performance Food Group (PFG) Expansion
Performance Food Group Company (PFG)
|
$33M | Planned |
|
Rich Products Manufacturing Expansion
Rich Products
|
$27M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Hamblen County has a Boom Town Index score of 49/100, ranking #506 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at -0.5% and a median household income of $49,656, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Hamblen County is $166,300 with median rent at $799/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2986, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.5% year-over-year. Job growth: -0.5%. Home values changed +2.1% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 3.56% of Hamblen County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.