About 13 miles from Morristown and 30 miles from Knoxville, Jefferson City is a cozy community situated along Cherokee Lake. It attracts residents for its quiet lifestyle and waterfront recreation. “We’re a bedroom community for both Morristown and Knoxville,” says resident and Realtor Shawn Wilmoth, who owns Cedar Pond Farms in Jefferson City. “Most of the industry is in Knoxville or Morristown, and a lot of people commute. It’s a really easy commute.” Those who work in Jefferson City likely work at Carson-Newman University or Jefferson Memorial Hospital. “For a little town to have a hospital is a big deal,” says Wilmoth. Jefferson City is ideal for those who prefer a slower pace of life without being too far from the comforts of big city living.
Jefferson City rests in the foothills of East Tennessee.
Carson Newman University has a large campus near downtown Jefferson City.
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Homes overlooking Cherokee Lake
Jefferson City is comprised of mainly ranch-style and new traditional homes, with a median single-family price of $350,000, about $55,000 below the national median. “Housing is still very stable from a pricing standpoint,” Wilmoth says. The city’s most expensive homes sit along Cherokee Lake, where buyers can find lakefront houses with private docks and patios overlooking the lake. Prices for lakefront property vary but can reach into the mid $900,000s.
Brick Ranchers are very popular in Jefferson City.
You can find New Traditional homes dotting the landscape of Jefferson City.
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Cherokee Lake and Cedar Pond Farms
Jefferson City's location along Cherokee Lake attracts residents with its nearly endless outdoor activities. “Cherokee Lake is popular for boating, fishing, waterskiing and sailing,” Wilmoth says. “A lot of bass fishing goes on at the lake.” Another popular area attraction is Cedar Pond Farms, where visitors can meet and greet with the farm’s Scottish Highland cows, known lovingly by Wilmoth as “fluffy cows.” “It’s quite an attraction,” Wilmoth says. “People like to come, brush the cows and feed them out of their hands. They get selfies with the cows. At the end of the experience, they finish it off with some gelato and espresso from Gelato Brothers and then go down and pick wildflowers and walk the farm.” Cedar Pond Farms also has an Airbnb, which attracts visitors who want to meet the cows and stay on the farm. “They love the cows so much they’ll come and spend a couple nights on the farm to be with the cows,” he says. “We’ve had several people propose with the cows. For some reason, bachelorette parties are very popular here. They’ll have their veils and sashes on, and they’ll be out there with the cows.”
Cedar Pond Farms features a Scottish Highland Cow Experience in Jefferson City.
Cherokee Dam Park has a boat ramp so you can easily get out on the water.
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Jefferson County School District and Carson-Newman University
Jefferson County School District earns a B-minus rating from Niche and the city is also home to Carson-Newman University, a Southern Baptist liberal arts school with about a 2,500 student population. “It’s nice because you have a lot of things going on with the college, from plays to sporting events,” Wilmoth says.
Jefferson County High School offers lots of sports for students to participate in.
The Carson Newman University Eagles play football at Burke-Tarr Stadium in Jefferson City.
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Dining in Jefferson City and shopping in nearby cities
Jefferson City has a few local restaurants like the family owned El Sazon Mexican Restaurant and The Hoagie Shop, a deli known for its reubens and Blue Bell milkshakes. Off the Hook Lakeside Bar and Grille is a popular restaurant in the summertime for its waterfront dining options along Black Oak Creek. Groceries and other essentials can be found in Jefferson City, but for additional shopping, most residents travel to nearby cities. “We’re only about 15 minutes from another smaller city called Morristown,” Wilmoth says. “If you don’t want to go 30 minutes to Knoxville, you can go 15 minutes to Morristown, which has a shopping mall and a movie theater.”
The Hoagie Shop in Jefferson City features hamburgers, wings, and of course hoagies and sandwiches on their menu.
El Sazon is a popular local Mexican restaurant in Jefferson City.
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National Weather Service and the Jefferson City Police Department
Since 2020, the Morristown office of the National Weather Service has reported tornadoes, flooding, heavy snow, record cold, high winds and wildfires. FBI data shows that the Jefferson City Police Department has seen a steady decline in property crime since 2017, while its violent crime rate has remained about the same.
U.S. Route 11E connects to Morristown and Knoxville
U.S. Route 11E passes through Jefferson City, connecting it to Morristown, 13 miles east, and to Knoxville, 29 miles west. The East Tennessee Human Resource Agency offers door-to-door transportation services to Jefferson City residents. When traveling out of town, residents fly out of McGhee Tyson Airport, 41 miles southwest.
Jefferson City’s Hometown Christmas
Jefferson City’s Hometown Christmas is an annual celebration held in the city’s downtown along Main Street. The event features a parade, food trucks and an outdoor holiday market.
This thoughtful one level home plus amazing bonus space awaits its next chapter... Built and lovingly cared for by one owner since 2003, no detail was overlooked and this home's floor plan is the perfect layout to allow all living on the main floor, including open and flexible great room, large eat-in kitchen with custom cabinetry, very generous room sizes, wide hallways, three bedrooms, two full
Well-kept condo in great location near heart of Jefferson City! Spacious living area and large kitchen greet you on first floor as well as a bedroom and full bath. You'll love the large deck overlooking lovely Mossy Creek. Second level has spacious 16x19 BR with large walk-in closet as well as full bath and laundry area. Basement level is only partially underground with deck at back entrance and
Welcome to 149 Oakleaf Circle, a beautifully maintained full-brick home in the heart of Jefferson City. This delightful property features 3 spacious bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms, offering the perfect blend of comfort and style for families, first-time buyers, or anyone looking to enjoy a serene neighborhood setting.Situated in a sought-after area of Jefferson City, this home offers proximity to
Now available in Jefferson City, this well-kept 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home is perfect for students, faculty, or anyone looking to live just steps away from Carson-Newman University. Located in a quiet, walkable neighborhood, this property offers both convenience and comfort.Inside, you'll find a spacious layout with a fully equipped kitchen, bright living area, and generously sized
Available June 1, 2025. This delightful rancher in Jefferson City features 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, complemented by hardwood floors throughout most of the home. Adjacent to the kitchen, you'll find a separate dining area ideal for family meals or entertaining guests. The main bedroom is generously sized and includes a flex space, perfect for a home office or cozy reading nook. It boasts 2
Heritage Court I & II are sister properties situated next to each other and are located on East Ellis Street. This makes it convenient to get to Carson-Newman University and to the highway; as well as numerous restaurants and stores. Need a night under the stars? Check out the Cherokee Dam Campgrounds, which are a mere ten minutes away. These properties, amongst 7 others located in
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Source: Public RecordsDisclaimer: 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.
