Cities & Demographics
Visit Blount County and the Smoky Mountains
Blount County, one of the oldest counties in Tennessee, was established in 1795 when the territorial legislature separated from Knox County. The county was named for William Blount, governor of the territory of the United States south of the Ohio River. It is situated in eastern Tennessee and borders the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
At a Glance
Blount County is governed by a county commission/county mayor form of government. It also is home to six incorporated cities – Alcoa, Friendsville, Louisville, Maryville, Rockford and Townsend. A convenient regional metropolitan airport, McGhee Tyson, is located in Alcoa.
Blount County’s population of 140,000 people take advantage of the unsurpassed recreational opportunities. The county is bordered on the east by the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and on the west by the great chain of lakes created by the Tennessee Valley Authority; the Little Tennessee River parallels the southern border. There are more than 25 miles of greenway trails, five area lakes and places to enjoy hiking, rock climbing, fly and bass fishing. The Smoky Mountain Tourism Development Authority provides visitor information to travelers at www.smokymountains.org. Over 10 million people visit the Smoky Mountains each year, the highest visitation of any of the national parks.
15.7%
below the national average cost of living
70%
of residents in the county own their home.
$272,206
Median home value in Blount County
$62,789
Median Household Income
Blount County Overview
Blount County covers an area of 584 square miles, at an elevation of 989 feet above sea level. Located near the geographic center of the eastern United States, it is within 500 miles of approximately 50 percent of the U.S. population. The county is served by several major highways: U.S. Highways 129, 411 and 321, as well as State Routes I-140, 33 and 95, and State Highway 73, leading directly into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
There are three public school systems in Blount County. Several higher education facilities are close by as well. Maryville College is a small liberal arts college located on 370 acres in Maryville. Pellissippi State is a community college that supports continuing education for Knox and Blount Counties. The University of Tennessee at Knoxville is located just 14 miles from Maryville.
Blount County has more than 100 manufacturing plants. The largest employers are the Arconic (formerly the Aluminum Company of America), Denso Manufacturing Tennessee, Inc and Blount Memorial Hospital. Blount County has a variety of space available for conferences, meetings and other business functions.
Our Cities
Alcoa
An East Tennessee City with a global reach, Alcoa is rich in history. Originally named after the large aluminum smelting plant, Alcoa now offers so many more reasons to visit, do business, and call home. It is a quiet community in northern Blount County with a plethora of parks and greenways among the backdrop of the Smoky Mountains.
Maryville
A flourishing city home to many entertainment options and with a college that bears its namesake, Maryville is located in the heart of Blount County. It has the quaintness of a small town but all the amenities of a big city. With some of the highest ranked schools in the State, Maryville offers an educated workforce and an excellent quality of life.
Louisville
The Town of Louisville is located on the Tennessee River along the banks of the Fort Loudoun Reservoir. It is primarily a residential and agricultural area, which provides government services such as fire protection, ambulance service, and animal services while remaining committed to being a no-property tax community.
Townsend
Tucked at the base of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Townsend is a beautiful city known for being the gateway to the parks. What really makes it special, though, is its serene community, often called the “Peaceful Side of the Smokies.”
Friendsville
Friendsville is a quiet suburb with a hometown feel. All the conveniences of big city life are well within reach, though, as US Highway 321 runs through the city and connects to two major interstates and the cities of Knoxville and Maryville. Gallaher Creek and nearby Fort Loudon add to Friendsville’s beauty and offer plenty of recreational activities.
Rockford
Named for the river ford that gave early settlers the ability to easily cross the Little River, Rockford is a small city that has remained focused on quality services. With an industrial park, rural area, and several residential subdivisions, it has a full range of possibilities in a small area.