Algood's suburban character across the highway from Cookeville
Algood lies directly across Tennessee Highway 111 from the larger city of Cookeville. While the two communities feature similar housing prices, Algood’s suburban character provides more space without losing convenient access to shopping, schools and events. “If you don’t want to be in all the hubbub of Cookeville, you have everything you need in Algood,” says Chena Morris, a Realtor with the Real Estate Collective, who has worked in the Upper Cumberland region of Tennessee for six years. “But you’re still super, super close to Cookeville if you want the rest of the stuff going on.”
Ranch-style homes near the town's core and newer subdivisions outside
Homes from the middle of the 20th century sit along narrow, gridded streets near the center of Algood, often featuring ranch-style architecture. Neighborhoods fan out around the town’s core, with contemporary brick homes on larger plots of land. “You’ve got some really nice little subdivisions in there,” Morris says. “It’s kind of priced about the same as Cookeville. You’re not really getting a deal going to Algood because they’re so close.” Algood’s median sales price is $345,000, roughly $10,000 higher than in Cookeville.
Highly rated Putnam County education
The Putnam County School District serves Algood and receives a B-plus grade from Niche. The community is mainly zoned to Algood Elementary, which gets an A-minus rating and teaches kindergarten through fourth grade. Students can then attend B-plus-rated Algood Middle for fifth through eighth. Cookeville High also receives a B-plus grade and offers its students both Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate programs.
Recreation within Algood and at nearby state parks
Walter L. Bilbrey Memorial Park is Algood’s main spot for recreation, with several baseball and softball fields and a playground. The park also has an amphitheater and picnic areas to host community events. Nearby, tennis courts and a playground are located at Fantasy Park. However, the community has nearby access to outdoor activities throughout the region. “You’ve got nine state parks within an hour,” Morris says. “You’ve got Dale Hollow Lake, which is about an hour north of Algood, and then Center Hill Lake, which is about 30 minutes west. You’ve got all the outdoor stuff.”
Local restaurants and more shopping in Cookeville
Algood’s primary commercial corridor, Main Street, snakes through the town. Milo and Lucy’s Coffee Spot sits near the center of town, while more spots are located closer to Cookeville. Algood City Diner serves traditional greasy-spoon breakfasts and lunches. Fast food restaurants like Sonic and Taco Bell cluster near the community’s Walmart. More shopping, including a Food City grocery store, is across Tennessee Highway 111 in Cookeville, while shopping centers and chain restaurants are closer to the interstate.
Local events including the Upper Cumberland Quilt Festival
The community comes together to celebrate holidays in Algood. Each summer, the city puts on a Fourth of July fireworks display with live music at Bilbrey Memorial Park. In December, a Christmas parade rolls down Main Street, with donations encouraged to the city’s Angel Tree program. But Algood’s biggest event is the Upper Cumberland Quilt Festival, run by the Algood Senior Citizens Center. The festival features over 500 separate pieces across six venues.
Commutes into Cookeville, plus interstate access
Algood bumps up against the larger city of Cookeville, with the center of town roughly 4 miles away. Residents often commute into Cookeville for work, and while most drive to their destinations, the Upper Cumberland Human Resources Agency provides on-demand transportation. The Cookeville Regional Medical Center has an emergency room downtown. Interstate 40 is 6 miles away, leading to Nashville and Knoxville. Nashville International Airport has the closest commercial flights, 80 miles from Cookeville.
