College Hills is a small pocket of northwest Knoxville with a hub of community resources. This suburban environment has a far-reaching history, evident in its older housing stock and proximity to Knoxville College and other long-running institutions. “This and other neighborhoods pushed the city's boundaries to expand when the street cars needed to run up here from downtown Knoxville, back in the late 19th century," says Ben Barredo, a Realtor with Wallace Real Estate who specializes in Knox County. Though primarily residential, College Hills has a wealth of services designed to support local residents, including a library, community farm and a government resource center.
College Hills is just a short drive away from downtown Knoxville and the Sunsphere.
College Hills a small community just to the Northwest of downtown Knoxville.
1/2
Programs for seniors and kids at Wesley House Community Center
This area is home to several social services, including the Wesley House Community Center. Several women’s groups founded the organization in 1907 to provide childcare for working women. Today, the center still offers children’s programming, including summer camps and after-school care, though there are now activities for seniors and a food pantry for anyone in need. Within College Hills, the LT Ross Building hosts the Murphy Branch Library, Americorps and the Knoxville-Knox County Community Action Committee, which offers a range of services including housing assistance and tax filing assistance.
The Murphy Branch Library is a highly rated library in College Hills.
The Murphy Branch Library is located inside the Knox County CAC Ross Building in College Hills.
1/2
Getting outside at Malcolm-Martin Park
Malcom-Martin Park, named for civil rights activists Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr., is adjacent to the neighborhood. Between May and August, families can spend the day at the park’s swimming pool, while the playground, basketball court and baseball field remain open all year. The Beardsley Community Farm operates here, offering diverse public programs centered around farming and gardening. The organization provides fresh ingredients and agricultural education to low-income community members, and offers a range of volunteer opportunities, including monthly Saturday workdays most of the year.
Ed Cothren Pool is on the southern end of College Hills and sits in Malcolm Martin Park.
Malcom Martin Park is open from dawn to dusk.
1/2
Modest-sized homes in College Hills
College Hills has a mix of modest two- and three-bedroom homes, predominantly dating between the 1920s and the 1950s. Buyers will find cottages, Craftsman bungalows and small ranch-style homes with tree-studded front and back yards. Some streets have sidewalks, and most homes have a driveway. Prices depend on upgrades made to the property, ranging from $110,000 to $330,000.
Housing costs in College Hills have steadily increased over the past few years, following trends within the Knoxville market and throughout the United States. Knoxville Mayor Glenn Jacobs and county officials have proposed measures to increase housing availability in the region. "Recent economic initiatives have focused on rezoning commercial and industrial areas as mixed-use areas," Barredo says. Local leaders have also recommended introducing duplexes and other multi-family housing into suburban environments. College Hills is already a blend of renters and owners, as there are two apartment complexes in the neighborhood. These county-wide discussions are part of a larger effort to improve livability in the area. "They're trying to focus on improving sidewalks and greenways, widening roads, things of that nature," Barredo says.
Close to historic Knoxville College
The name College Hills likely comes from the neighborhood’s proximity to Knoxville College. The city’s only historically Black college first opened in 1875, but has not offered in-person classes since 2015. As of 2024, the school is re-applying for accreditation status.
The neighborhood’s children are divided between West View Elementary, which has a C-plus from Niche, and Beaumont Magnet Academy, which has an A-minus. Beaumont offers an honors program for its kindergarten through fifth graders, and incorporates fine art subjects such as music, theatre and visual art into the curriculum. All students are zoned for Northwest Middle, which has a C-plus, and West High, which gets a B-plus.
Fried chicken at Jimmy's Mini Market
The neighborhood has a small handful of businesses, including Princess Beauty Salon and Hair & Supply and Jimmy’s Mini Market, a convenience store with a deli counter serving fried chicken. For groceries, Food City is a mile away. With downtown Knoxville so close, residents can easily access local favorites such as J.C. Holdway, known for elevated Southern staples, and Not Watson’s Kitchen & Bar, serving an eclectic menu in what was once a Watson’s Department Store.
Bus lines 12 and 15 run through the neighborhood
Knoxville Area Transit operates the 12 and 15 bus lines within the neighborhood. Still, many people rely on cars to get around, as the area lacks sidewalks and most necessities are beyond the neighborhood boundaries. The main thoroughfare of Western Avenue leads to downtown Knoxville 2 miles away.
Weekly and monthly events in downtown Knoxville
Residents can head into downtown for large-scale community events. The Market Square Farmers Market operates each Wednesday and Saturday between May and November, where vendors sell seasonal produce and ready-made goods grown or made within 150 miles of Knoxville. First Friday ArtWalk is another downtown draw, where locals can peruse galleries and artist pop-ups on the first Friday of each month.
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
This tastefully-remodeled cottage is move-in ready! It checks the box for Convenient commute, located just off Western Avenue & nearby to I-40 & UT campus. Worry-free with a new heat/air unit, new water heater, and the refurbished attic with added insulation. Owner added new concrete for a fantastic parking area & sidewalk! The welcoming entrance enters the living area with new tile foyer,
The picture of southern charm with modern convenience! Indoor/Outdoor living with over 600 sq ft of covered exterior space! Spacious plantation style porches, PLUS 2 roomy balconies — 1 for each bedroom, extends dwelling space and offers private, quiet retreats to enjoy a cool drink and the summer breeze. Entertain and socialize, or escape for relaxing time alone. Newer Construction. Bright
OPEN HOUSE: Friday, July 18, 12noon - 1pm AND Saturday, July 19, 11:30am - 12: 30pm. Newer construction house with onsite parking, on quiet street towards end of cul-de-sac. Available for 2 residents max or rent by the room (1 per bedroom at $900 each). Spacious outdoor balcony off of each bedroom extends your space, giving you more privacy and flexibility. Open floor plan. Spacious
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Robyn Ray,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
758
Median Age
30
Population Density
10 ppl/acre
Population under 18
33.8%
Above the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
9.6%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$15,179
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$21,912
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
81.3%
College Graduates
11.5%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
3.9%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
63.7%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
52''
Average Winter Low Temperature
31°F
Average Summer High Temperature
88°F
Annual Snowfall
9''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
37/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
33/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
25/ 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.
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.
