District 6
RANK #324 / 996 NAT · #9 / 33 TN · POP 64,531
1YR FORECAST: +2.4%
5YR OUTLOOK: +28%
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.
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 |
|---|---|---|
|
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.
With a Boom Town Index score of 67/100, Hamblen County sits in the upper half of all 996 ranked counties. and median household income stands at $49,656 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in TN.
Housing in Hamblen County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $166,300 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.30, with rents averaging $799/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Hamblen County's population is growing — up +0.5% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of -0.5%). Home values shifted +2.1% 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 3.56% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Hamblen County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.