Lenoir City, about 29 miles west of Knoxville, earns the title "The Lake Capital of the South" because of its proximity to three Tennessee lakes. Waterfront views are set against the backdrop of the Great Smoky Mountains, roughly 60 miles southeast. "It's inherently beautiful," says Nancy Sica, owner of Landmark Properties of East Tennessee since 2000 and Realtor in the area for 40 years. With a growing downtown area that has encouraged the city to revitalize streets and sidewalks, more people are moving to the area. "The atmosphere has changed," says Mary Bright, longtime resident and owner of The Sparkly Pig, an antique mall downtown. "It's a fun atmosphere, a community atmosphere."
It's not hard to see why Lenoir City has been named the Lake Capital of the South.
Enjoy views of the Smoky Mountains while boating on Fort Loudoun Lake.
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Downtown Lenoir City’s growth into a city hub
Downtown Lenoir City, concentrated around U.S. Route 11, is a growing area with independent businesses. "I opened my first business in 2015," Bright says. "Since then, we've probably opened 12 businesses downtown, if not more." Bright's store, The Sparkly Pig, rents booths to rotating vendors who sell vintage goods, collectibles, clothing and furniture. It's located between various boutiques, bicycle shops, bookstores and other retailers. East Tennessee Axe Throwing is a new downtown venue for friendly competition and craft and domestic beers. U.S. Route 321 is another retail hub in town, with a Walmart, Home Depot, Food City and Aldi. Locally sourced produce is available at the Lenoir City Farmers Market every Tuesday evening from May through October.
You can find eclectic boutiques, specialty shops, and offices in Historic Downtown Lenoir City.
Historic Downtown Lenoir City is easily walkable, but free parking is also available.
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Early 20th-century Victorians and contemporary New Traditionals
Home prices are slightly above those of the Knoxville area. The median single-family home price is $455,000, compared with Knoxville's $400,000. Single-family homes are arranged on smaller city lots near the center of town. This area has the most architectural variety, featuring Minimalist Traditional, bungalow, cottage and Victorian homes dating to the early 20th century. Branching further away from the city center are contemporary subdivisions with brick New Traditional homes built in the early 2000s. Lots of infill development is still happening in these areas.
Colonial Revivals line the streets of some of Lenoir City's newer neighborhoods.
Find your dream eclectic cottage near downtown Lenoir City.
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Waterfront activities at Lenoir City Park
Lenoir City sits on the edge of Tellico Lake, Fort Loudon Lake and Watts Bar Lake, where boating and fishing bring out crowds. "Watersports in the area are fantastic," Sica says. Lenoir City Park is a popular access point with a fishing pier, boat ramp and dock. Spanning 33 acres, the park also has tennis courts, playgrounds, picnic areas, and a beach volleyball court. The city is home to several inland green spaces, such as Rock Springs Park, whose amenities include a bilingual storybook trail where walkers can read Dolly Parton's "Coat of Many Colors." The Avalon Country Club sits just north of town, featuring an 18-hole golf course, a driving range and a restaurant.
Take your kayak or boat out for a paddle in the calm waters of Fort Loudoun Lake.
Take a stroll down the paths next to the cool pond in Lenoir City Park.
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Downtown Street Festival highlights crafts and cars
The city shows off its up-and-coming downtown area with festivals and parades. The Downtown Street Festival in September is one of the city's larger events, featuring an antique car show, live music, craft vendors, food and a children's play area. Lenoir City Park is another venue for special events throughout the year. In June, the Arts and Crafts Festival brings in over 250 vendors displaying ceramics, glassware, metalwork and jewelry with the river as the backdrop – it celebrated its 60th year in 2023. Rockin' the Docks features fireworks, entertainment and food on Fourth of July and Memorial Day weekends. Families also enjoy the monthly Movies in the Park series from May through September.
Students attend Lenoir City schools
The Lenoir City School District earns an overall B from Niche. It encompasses the B-minus-rated Lenoir City Elementary School, the B-rated Lenoir City Intermediate/Middle School, and the B-rated Lenoir City High School. High schoolers have various ways to get a head start on college or careers, such as the Work-Based Learning program, providing internship opportunities in cosmetology, welding, health science and other fields. The Lenoir City Public Library is a resource for all ages, hosting adult and children's summer reading programs and children's summer story time.
Lenoir City Middle School serves students 6th through 8th grade.
Lenoir City Elementary School received a grade of B- from Niche.
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Interstate 40 leads to Knoxville
Lenoir City is "very navigable," according to Sica. U.S. Routes 11 and 321 intersect in the city and connect to Interstates 75 and 40, providing access to all of Tennessee. Knoxville is about 29 miles northeast via I-40, which experiences typical rush-hour traffic. While not all of the city is walkable, newly redone sidewalks line downtown, making it easy for residents to walk from shop to shop. McGhee Tyson Airport is about 20 miles away and offers flights nationwide. Fort Loudoun Medical Center provides 24-hour emergency care in town.
Flood insurance is recommended
Because of the proximity to the water, some areas are prone to flooding. All residents are encouraged to purchase flood insurance, which is mandatory for homeowners with a federally-backed mortgage. Lenior City crime rates generally fluctuate around the state and national levels. According to FBI data, over the past two years, violent crime has trended just above the national average and below the Tennessee average.
Written By
Liz Coughlin
Photography Contributed By
Andrew Byrum
Video By
Charlie Lingner
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Julie Zittnan,
an experienced agent in this area.
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