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Central

Central

$263,162 Average Value
$448 Average Price per Sq Ft
0 Homes For Sale

A mountain community with a supportive locale

As its name suggests, Central encompasses rural living at the midpoint between Downtown Elizabethton and Johnson City. Its winding roads lead from one ranch-style home to the next and carry residents to Downtown Elizabethton's retail and dining opportunities. Similarly, its location allows for short trips to explore wildlife at Jacob’s Nature Park and lower Carter County property taxes. Local schools uplift the area’s youth and Sinking Creek Baptist Church, considered the oldest in the state, provides a place for residents to convene. Similarly, Central Christian Community Church hosts annual gatherings like its Fourth of July celebration and supports the community through various programs. “There’s a lot of love in that community,” says Katy Bennett, a local Realtor with Hurd Realty.

Central offers a quiet, rural lifestyle with access to nearby amenities and scenic views.
Central offers a quiet, rural lifestyle with access to nearby amenities and scenic views.
Pick up fresh, local produce at Farmer John’s Produce, a perfect stop in Central for seasonal goods.
Pick up fresh, local produce at Farmer John’s Produce, a perfect stop in Central for seasonal goods.
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Red Ginger Buffet appears on USA Today's 10Best

Trips northeast to Downtown Elizabethton can include stops at Farmer John’s Produce for fresh seasonal goods, Walmart Supercenter and the retailers of West Towne Square. These options sit along Elk Avenue alongside Black Olive, which dishes out traditional Italian food. Asian fusion restaurant Red Ginger Buffet sits across the avenue and snagged 6th place on USA Today’s 10Best list for best buffet restaurants across the United States in 2024. Ingles Market for groceries is farther along Elk Avenue, alongside Downtown Elizabethton's local shops and eateries, 2 miles farther. Similarly, residents can also make short drives southwest to explore Downtown Johnson City’s East Main Street shopping and dining opportunities.

Enjoy delicious pizza at Jiggy Ray’s Downtown Pizzeria, a local favorite in Elizabethton.
Enjoy delicious pizza at Jiggy Ray’s Downtown Pizzeria, a local favorite in Elizabethton.
The Black Olive serves traditional Italian dishes, offering a cozy dining experience nearby.
The Black Olive serves traditional Italian dishes, offering a cozy dining experience nearby.
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Central's ranch-style homes

Views of distant mountain ridgelines and narrow residential roads that rise and fall with the surrounding terrain comprise Central’s residential landscape. Adding to its pastoral feel are power lines running along each avenue and pockets of sprawling fields. Ranch-style homes built from the 1930s through the turn of the 21st century make up most of the community and sit atop quarter to half-acre lots. Many feature detached sheds for storage, while some include fenced-in pins for goats and chickens. “What makes it unique is that even though the homes sit within Johnson City and receive city services, homeowners get lower property taxes because they are in Carter County,” Bennet says. Homes typically sell between $110,000 and $400,000. However, larger recently built homes on more significant acreage can surpass $550,000.

Central features a mix of home styles, offering something for everyone in this rural setting.
Central features a mix of home styles, offering something for everyone in this rural setting.
Many of Central’s homes are ranch-style, offering spacious yards and mountain views.
Many of Central’s homes are ranch-style, offering spacious yards and mountain views.
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Fireworks at Central Christian Community Church

“Central Christian Community Church is an important fixture in the community,” Bennett says. “They take meals to kids during the summer months and do a bunch of events, including a fireworks on the Fourth of July, which beats the city’s fireworks show.” Attendees can also enjoy free hotdogs and refreshments provided by the church. Downtown Elizabethton is the site of Carter County Car Club’s annual cruise-ins. Held every Saturday evening from May through October, the event encourages car enthusiasts to parade their rides along East Elk Avenue and donate to local charities.

Central Christian Community Church hosts annual events and offers community support year-round.
Central Christian Community Church hosts annual events and offers community support year-round.
Central’s scenic beauty and natural surroundings make it an ideal spot for peaceful living.
Central’s scenic beauty and natural surroundings make it an ideal spot for peaceful living.
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Jacob's Nature Park's local wildlife

Jacob’s Nature Park, a mile west, features several trails for exploring local wildlife. Its cleared pathways wind through the forest, where visitors can appreciate native blooms in the spring and summer, spot salamanders and traverse wooden bridges that pass over Sinking Creek. Signs throughout also provide information on local species and commemorate the life of a young boy from whom the park received its name. Elizabethton Golf Course sits a mile east, offering a hilly 18-hole course for a day out on the greens. Just north of the course, a parking lot grants access to Tweetsie Trail, a 9.6-mile paved trail for biking and hiking.

Jacob's Nature Park invites hikers to explore its serene creekside trails.
Jacob's Nature Park invites hikers to explore its serene creekside trails.
Runners follow the winding course of Tweetsie Trail through the city.
Runners follow the winding course of Tweetsie Trail through the city.
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Central Elementary School's student meals

Prekindergarten through eighth-grade students attend Central Elementary School. The school sits along Taylortown Road, within walking distance of some homes, and maintains a C rating on Niche. “The school provides free breakfast and lunches for students and sends them home with food for dinner,” Bennett says. Meanwhile, older students enroll at B-rated Happy Valley High School on the other side of State Route 321. The high school partakes in Johnson City Area Home Builders Association’s Battle of the Build. For the battle, welding and MEP students work together to plan and build a piece of furniture to compete against other participating schools.

Central Elementary School provides a safe and supportive learning environment.
Central Elementary School provides a safe and supportive learning environment.
Happy Valley Middle School prepares students for success in and out of the classroom.
Happy Valley Middle School prepares students for success in and out of the classroom.
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Commuting along U.S. Route 321

“Most people are heading into Johnson City and Elizabethton for work,” Bennet says. U.S. Route 321 borders to the south, linking commuters to Downtown Johnson City 6 miles southwest and the neighboring Johnson City Medical Center, a large employer of the area and the nearest major hospital for Central residents. East Tennessee State University, directly south of the medical center, is another institution that employs many people living in the area. The route also leads to Downtown Elizabethton, 6 miles northeast alongside the smaller Sycamore Shoals Hospital. Those making daily trips into Kingsport or Bristol can reach either of the remaining Tri-Cities within a 30-mile drive. Tri-Cities Airport sits 20 miles northwest via Interstate 26 and provides connecting flights to several international airports.

Central offers easy commuting routes to Johnson City and Elizabethton for work or leisure.
Central offers easy commuting routes to Johnson City and Elizabethton for work or leisure.
Central features plenty of walking trails, ideal for outdoor enthusiasts to explore nature.
Central features plenty of walking trails, ideal for outdoor enthusiasts to explore nature.
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Matthew Simmons
Written By
Matthew Simmons
Michael Forbes
Photography Contributed By
Michael Forbes
Kyo Nguyen
Video By
Kyo Nguyen

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Sarah Powers Parker, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Tri-Cities

29 min drive

Central Demographics and Home Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$403,490
Median Sale Price
$399,990
Median Single Family Sale Price
$999,995
Median Change From 1st List Price
3%
Last 12 months Home Sales
5
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-29%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$448

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
520
Number of Homes for Sale
0
Median Year Built
1962
Months of Supply
0.00
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,507
Significantly below the national average
1,924
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
30,056

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Sarah Powers Parker, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
2,041
Median Age
48
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
18.2%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
25%
Above the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$26,111
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$40,783

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
85.1%
College Graduates
14.3%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
4.7%
% Population in Labor Force
42.9%
Below the national average
65.1%

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®

17 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®

10 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Central
Sarah Powers Parker
Arbella Properties JC
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