Close community and small town living in Loudon
Loudon is a historic small town about 30 miles outside of Knoxville. The area, originally known as Blair’s Ferry, was named after a late 18th century family that controlled traffic across the Tennessee River. A community slowly followed with a steamboat landing, general store and a collection of homes. As the county seat, the city of Loudon is the administrative center for Loudon County's local government. Three highways cut through the city, giving residents accessible routes in and out of the neighborhood. Interstate 75 connects residents to Knoxville and Chattanooga; US Route 11 runs parallel, and both roads intersect with Tennessee State Route 72. “The best way to capture the neighborhood is to look at the community as a whole. The locals, business owners, everyone will make you feel welcome,” says Loudon Tourism Director, Blair Sitzlar. Loudon renders a public school system, plenty of green space, restaurants and grocery stores in a quiet, close community away from the more populated surrounding areas.
Craftsman homes, ranch styles and townhouses in Loudon
Waterfront townhouses, ranch styles and Craftsman homes are known for striking sunset views and access to lake and river activities. These homes tend to be on the pricier end for Loudon, starting around $400,000. Ranch styles, modern traditional and historical residences are situated inland, typically selling between $100,000 and $300,000. More construction continues to pop up throughout Loudon's waterfront via developments, such as Lakeshore Loudon, a multimillion-dollar mixed-use area of roughly 270 residential units. Subdivisions are also available, such as Creekside Preserve near Loudon Municipal Park, which features $300,000 to $500,000 traditional Craftsman-style homes with three to five bedrooms, brickwork and attached garages.
Bounteous Loudon outdoor adventures
“The most unique aspect of the area is the outdoor amenities. We have great lakes, outdoor trails, boat ramps and a lot of different resources for water activities,” Sitzlar says. Loudon Municipal Park is one of the biggest attractions in the neighborhood. Here, visitors can play an 18-hole disc golf course, walk the nature hiking trail or track, check out the sand volleyball court or let four-legged friends run loose in the Lions Club Pavilion dog park. The Tate & Lyle Performing Arts Center is also located in the park and hosts outdoor concerts, graduations and plays. The amphitheater can accommodate 7,500 people in one sitting. Residents can cool off at Liberty Park's splash pad, waterslide or pool. The park, located centrally among the neighborhood's schools, offers rock climbing, tennis courts, a playground and jogging trail. Legion Park offers ramps for skateboarding, a walking trail and multiple playgrounds. Sweetwater Valley Farm offers tours centered around robots milking Holstein cows. Located roughly 5 miles from Loudon, locals can check out the farm's robotic facility and learn about its operations.
Kwik access to essentials and Loudon’s renowned ice cream
One of Loudon's main grocery stores is Food City, located off Tennessee State Route 72. A Dollar General, Family Dollar and Kwik Pantry Food Mart are also available for quick trips and convenience store needs. Walmart, Aldi and Big Lots are about 8 to 10 miles away in Lenoir City. Residents can also fill prescriptions at the neighborhood's locally owned Rocky Top Pharmacy. Locals can shop retail at Goodwill Industries or find timeless goods at The General Store Antiques, The Shoppes on the Square or Bric a Brac Vintage and Variety. For date night or a family outing, Carmichael Restaurant and Tavern is a local dining option housed in one of the most historic Downtown Loudon buildings, as it used to be a popular inn during the 19th century. One of the first signs of spring in Loudon is when Tic Toc Ice Cream dusts itself off from the winter months and starts scooping up banana splits, sundaes and floats. Hailed by regulars as some of the best ice cream in town, the flavors, including blackberry cobbler and raspberry cheesecake, are all homemade.
Passing time in Loudon
Loudon locals have access to many activities that bring the community together. Loco Drive-In allows guests to watch feature films from the comfort of their cars. The drive-in, open every weekend, also presents University of Tennessee football games and Sunday church services on its big screen. For a night of live entertainment, residents can visit the Historic Loudon Theatre & Event Center. It was originally called The Lyric Theatre and showed silent films, and then the space burned down in 1934 and again in 1941. The theater was donated to the city in the 1980s and was gradually restored to become a central event place in the county. The annual Loudon Riverfest, held every August, is a large annual celebration with fireworks, classic cars, music, food and craft vendors.
Public education in Loudon
The Loudon County School District serves roughly 5,000 students in nine schools across the city and surrounding area. Primary students can attend Loudon Elementary, which earns a B-minus on Niche. At Fort Loudoun Middle, which rates a B, students can enroll in science classes that teach proper care for animals, such as chickens, goats, rabbits and pigs. Loudon High scores a B, as well, and boasts a high graduation rate that exceeds the state average.
Neighborhood transportation and Loudon Bridge, not falling down
Three highways cut through the city, helping residents easily travel in and out of Loudon. Interstate 75 connects residents to Knoxville and Chattanooga, with US Route 11 running parallel through the Loudon Bridge. Both intersect with Tennessee State Route 72. Roughly 10 miles away is the Fort Loudoun Medical Center, which has a 24-hour emergency room that is open 365 days a year. For medical assistance in Loudon, residents can visit Fast Pace Health, an urgent care facility near Food City. For air travel, the closest hub is McGhee Tyson Airport, about 28 miles away.
