Cookeville is a rapidly growing city of about 35,000 between Knoxville and Nashville, known primarily for Tennessee Tech University. With a growing job market, support for small businesses and a housing market on the rise, Cookeville offers a blend of small-town charm and big-city amenities. “We really have the best of both worlds,” says Laurin Wheaton, mayor since 2022. “We’re a community that really supports one another.''
Cookeville is the seat of Putnam County.
Cookeville's Four sits Northeast of Downtown Cookeville.
The city of Cookeville was founded in 1845.
Downtown Cookeville is very walkable with many shops and restaurants locals love to enjoy.
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Midcentury homes at an accessible price point
Nearly 1,400 homes sold in and around Cookeville between December 2023 and December 2024. Housing inventory is low, but Cookeville’s residential spaces are growing. “We know there is a need for housing. We’re still behind, but we’re working on it,” says Wheaton. “We had a record-breaking number of residential building permits allocated, so we’re seeing a ton of new developments. There are a lot of single-family houses and townhomes going up, but we’re not really big on apartments.” Cookeville’s midcentury homes and residential lots are both affordable for and appealing to first-time buyers. The most common architecture is the classic ranch-style home, but buyers will also find more traditional homes. Typically, lots sell for between $15,000 and $60,000. Most of the city’s homes average a sale price between $250,000 and $400,000, with a median of $354,000.
Homes in Five consist of a variety of styles including small ranch homes.
Homeowners in Five keep their front yards clean and manicured.
Cape Cod style of homes with dormer windows can be viewed in Cookeville's Four area.
Newly built modern farmhouses are popping up in the area of Eight in Cookeville.
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Ample parks and recreation areas
Six state parks surround Cookeville, including Cummins Falls State Park and Burgess Falls State Park. While nearly all the landscape immediately outside the city is rural, the green spaces in town are focused on specific uses. “We have multiple parks, but Cane Creek Park is probably the most popular,” says Wheaton. “It has a mountain bike trail, disc golf and a dog park, and there is just plenty to do for the whole family.” Along with ample outdoor activities, the park features a recreation center with basketball, yoga and more. Dogwood Park sits behind the city library with a large playground, picnic tables and an amphitheater. “It’s at the heart of the city,” says Wheaton. “It’s where we have Symphony in the Park, Shakespeare in the Park, the tree lighting and things like that. It’s also next to the Performing Arts Center where dance recitals are held.”
Take in the beautiful lake views at Cane Creek Park in Cookeville's Five.
The sound of the waterfall at City Lake Natural Area in Cookeville are soothing to the mind.
Parkview Park's skate park has multiple ramps and rails for skaters to have fun on in Five.
City Lake Natural Area boats a 35-acre lake in near Eight.
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A growing job market
Cookeville’s job market is rising. “We really want to make sure college students have opportunities after they graduate,” says Wheaton. “We want them to stay here and start a career, buy a home, and set roots.” Top employers include Cookeville Regional Medical Center, Putnam County School District and Tennessee Tech itself. Career opportunities align with Tennessee Tech’s top majors such as engineering and medicine. Cookeville is also a town that supports the endeavors of entrepreneurs. “Small businesses are the pulse of our community,” says Wheaton. Along with the support of the local government, mom-and-pop shops get plenty of love from the community. In fact, residents created Shop Local Cookeville, a free marketplace to promote and discuss local businesses.
Tennessee Tech is a public 4 year school with over 10,000 enrolled students in Cookeville.
Tennessee Tech University and Cookeville's Four have multiple transit stops for commuting.
Students attending Tennessee Tech University can walk to campus from their dorms in Cookeville.
Cookeville Regional Medical Center is a large employer in the town of Cookeville
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Dining out in Cookeville
Cookeville has its share of eclectic, locally owned restaurants. Most of these are in the center of town, where residents can drop into places such as Mauricio’s Italian Kitchen and Cinco Amigos. For drinks, there’s Hooligans Half Irish Pub, a sports bar. Spankies is a bar closer to the north end of the city, where folks go for burgers, beer, steaks and prime rib.
Midtown Social has a large dining room and serves food and cocktails in Five.
Hooligans Half Irish Pub offers traditional pub grub to it's visitors.
Mauricio's Italian Restaurant offers upscale Italian fare to the locals of Cookeville.
Cinco Amigos offers traditional Mexican cuisine to the residents of Cookeville.
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Highway 111 and Interstate 40 make for easy trips
Highway 111 and Interstate 40 cross through the area and provide easy access to Nashville, which is 80 miles west, and Knoxville, which is 100 miles east. Even with heavy traffic, a commute from the south end of the city to its center takes 18 minutes by car. The UCHRA’s bus service, the Go Route, services Cookeville and the Tennessee Tech campus. It's been free to ride since mid-2024 for residents. For flights, residents head about 72 miles east to the Nashville International Airport.
Cookeville has some form of public transportation to get around town.
Residents of Five can catch a bus into Downtown Cookeville during certain hours.
I-40 is a major interstate that runs East/West across the entire state of Tennessee.
Highway 111 is a major North/South interstate that runs through the heart of Cookeville.
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Putnam County Schools
Putnam County Schools has a B-plus rating on Niche and rates higher for college preparation. Of the district’s 22 schools, 11 are in Cookeville. The town has six elementary schools, three middle and one high school. Across these schools, the average student-to-teacher ratio is 17-to-1, which is on par with the national average. Tennessee Tech, with about 10,000 students, has a B-plus rating on Niche and is ranked the second-best public university in Tennessee.
Cookeville High School offers a variety of clubs and activities for student to partake in.
As of 2024, Capshaw Elementary had a student to teacher ratio of 18:1.
Cane Creek Elementary as of 2024 has a student to teacher ratio of 13:1.
Cookeville is home to the Cavaliers at Cookeville High School.
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Crime and tornadoes in Cookeville
According to the FBI statistics, Cookeville’s rate of reported violent crime was 3.5 times lower than that of the state and about half the national average. The city's rate of reported property crime is about 4% higher than the state norm.
Tennessee experiences its fair share of tornadoes, and of its towns and cities, Cookeville ranks approximately in the middle of them for overall risk. In 2020, a storm struck, killing 19. “When that deadly tornado swept through here in 2020…I’ve never seen a community come together and support each other the way we did then. There is only one Cookeville.”
Written By
Malcolm Longerbeam
Photography Contributed By
Chase Brock
Video By
Francisco de la Vera
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GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Cookeville, TN sell after 50 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Cookeville, TN over the last 12 months is $344,000, down 2% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Ready to close!!! Completed Home! Welcome to Timberwalk! Cookeville's newest community is ready for your family to call home! Community pool, sidewalks and great views are all highlights of what we are offering. New construction with 1 of 7 floor plans to choose from! The Cali is a 4 bed, 2 bath home with 1775 square feet. Come visit our model home today and let us tell you about the builder and
New Construction, ask about closing cost assistance and promotional interest rates!!! Close in 30 days!!! Welcome to Timberwalk, Cookeville's newest planned community! Get in on the earliest phase and watch the community grow. The Penwell is a two story, 4 bed, 2.5 bath home with 2164 sq. ft., all bedrooms are upstairs. Hardie Board construction with brick fronts. Open concept living at its
Welcome to Timberwalk! Cookeville's newest community is ready for your family to call home! Community pool, sidewalks and great views are all highlights of what we are offering. 1 of 7 floor plans to choose from, new construction! The Aria is a 3 bed, 2 bath ranch home with 1618 square feet. Come visit our model home today and let us tell you about the builder and lender incentives that will
This well maintained 4 Bed/3.5 Bath home offers ample room for your family with generous square footage and multiple living areas, including a finished walkout basement perfect for entertaining or relaxing. The basement is equipped with a French drain and sump pump, offering peace of mind and added value. It features an oversized kitchen, main level office area, and a private back yard with a
Beautifully maintained and loaded with upgrades, this 3BR/2BA home sits on a desirable corner lot in one of the area's most sought-after neighborhoods. The open floor plan welcomes you with a spacious living room featuring built-in bookshelves and a cozy gas fireplace as the focal point. The kitchen is a chef's delight with stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, and ample cabinetry. The
Private Retreat on 8.9 Acres with Wrap-Around Porch! Welcome to your dream country escape! This stunning 2-story home is perfectly nestled on 8.9 completely private acres, offering the peace and seclusion you've been searching for. A charming wrap-around porch sets the tone for relaxed living, while inside, a long foyer leads you to a spacious living room centered around a cozy fireplace. The
Coming Soon - Brand new spacious 2 and 3 bedroom townhomes with attached garage. Beautiful indoor swimming pool, updated fitness center, pet play and wash station and much m ore. Saxony Apartment Homes is a centrally-located and welcoming apartment home community in Cookeville, TN. Saxony is located a half-mile from Capshaw Elementary School, less than a quarter-mile from Avery Trace Middle
Charming 2 bedrooms and 1 full bathroom home with hardwood floors, cozy rooms filled with natural light, and a tiled kitchen with lovely wooden cabinets. Your comfort and convenience are in mind with Smart Home Automation, Central Heating and Air, and Washer and Dryer connections. Lots of outdoor space for your large pets at 90 lbs. or less to play around. Need extra storage? A storage area is
The Gables at Veterans is located less than a half mile from I-40, in the heart of Cookeville’s retail, restaurant, and residential district. Our upscale apartment community is walking distance to parks, schools, churches, gyms, shops and any eatery imaginable. Tennessee Tech, the hospital, and historic downtown are a short drive from our location. Our buildings are constructed with a traditional
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