District 6
RANK #744 / 996 NAT · #24 / 33 TN · POP 481,406
1YR FORECAST: -0.3%
5YR OUTLOOK: +17%
Knox County, Tennessee, stands out for its connection to the Great Smoky Mountains and its urban wilderness, offering over 60 miles of trails for hiking, biking, and paddling within the city of Knoxville. The county seat, Knoxville, sits at the geographical center of the Great Valley of East Tennessee, where the Holston and French Broad rivers converge to form the Tennessee River. Commuting within Knox County is primarily car-dependent, though Knoxville Area Transit (KAT) provides bus and trolley services within the city and to the university area. The community offers a blend of urban amenities and access to natural scenery.
Life in Knox County balances urban living with outdoor access, appealing to families and outdoor enthusiasts. The public school system, Knox County Schools, serves approximately 60,000 students and offers a range of options including traditional, magnet, and career/technical schools. The local economy has experienced growth, particularly since 2021, with major investment flowing into commercial and residential development, as well as energy-related sectors. The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, also contributes significantly to the local economy and cultural landscape.
Above national median
Well below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 3.5x — 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 →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
KUB/TVA/Origis Energy Solar Investment (Knoxville's Share)
Knoxville Utilities Board, Tennessee Valley Authority, Origis Energy
|
$125M | Under Construction |
|
Livano Knoxville Apartments
Capital Square / LIV Development
|
$116M | Planned |
|
Advance Knox Transportation Infrastructure Improvements
Knox County
|
$50M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
At 25/100, Knox County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 996 counties we track. Median income of $68,580 combined with job growth of +1.2% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Housing in Knox County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $248,200 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.28, with rents averaging $1,097/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Knox County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +1.3% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +1.2% clip. Home values shifted +0.7% in the past year.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.37% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Knox County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.