District 2
RANK #457 / 996 NAT · #12 / 33 TN · POP 53,532
1YR FORECAST: +0.5%
5YR OUTLOOK: +25%
The oldest standing train station in Tennessee, located in Niota, is a distinctive landmark in McMinn County, offering a glimpse into the region's past, including a documented slave sale in 1863. Located in Southeast Tennessee, McMinn County sits between Knoxville and Chattanooga, with both cities less than an hour away. This central location along I-75 makes for manageable commutes, with the average travel time being under 25 minutes. The county is characterized by its rural landscape, dotted with small farms and towns like Athens, the county seat, and Etowah. The area also offers outdoor recreation, including hiking trails, disc golf courses, and access to lakes for fishing and boating.
Life in McMinn County offers a lower cost of living compared to the national average, particularly for housing and transportation. The community is described as close-knit, with a mix of families and retirees. McMinn County Schools serve most of the county, with Athens and Etowah having separate districts for younger grades. The local economy is experiencing growth, driven by investments in manufacturing and other sectors. Efforts are underway to attract new businesses and support existing ones, creating job opportunities and diversifying the economic landscape.
Below national median (4.7x)
Below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Below national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 4.3x 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
Tennessee Lithium Hydroxide Processing Facility
Piedmont Lithium
|
$582M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
McMinn County scores 54/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 996 U.S. counties (#457). Median household income is $57,982 and job growth is running at -1.5%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
Housing in McMinn County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $173,300 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.33, with rents averaging $803/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
McMinn County is attracting residents (population +0.9% YoY) even as the job market softens with employment at -1.5%. Housing values changed +3.5% over the past 12 months. People may be moving here for affordability or lifestyle reasons rather than job opportunities.
In significant numbers — 5.82% of McMinn County's current population relocated from another state, well above the national norm. That level of in-migration usually signals a county where jobs, affordability, or quality of life are pulling people in from elsewhere.