Tennessee's secret Manhattan Project site is a thriving civilian town today
Oak Ridge was one of the nation’s best-kept secrets at its founding in 1942, and it still enjoys this reputation today. Known as the Secret City, Oak Ridge was a restricted military compound during WWII as the U.S. government worked to assemble a functioning atomic bomb. In just two and a half years, the population boomed from mostly farming families to more than 75,000 residents working to support the mission to enrich uranium. As WWII ended, Oak Ridge shifted from military to civilian control and became a self-governing town. Today, it's a proud community of 31,400 residents blending suburban calm, historical significance and a thriving outdoor culture. Oak Ridge's scientific heritage still influences its top-rated STEM schools, high-tech, high-wage jobs, and innovative new technology, notably the soon-to-be-built Hermes reactor, aimed at demonstrating affordable, clean nuclear heat production. U.S. Department of Energy facilities cover 62 of the town's 92 square miles. The remainder of Oak Ridge includes quiet residential areas near shopping and parks. This town continues to evolve while retaining its charm as Tennessee’s Secret City, situated 22 miles west of Knoxville. “We’ve got a deep history here,” says Katy Watt, president of Explore Oak Ridge and area resident for almost 20 years.
Oak Ridge was the site of the Manhattan Project, which participated in making the Atomic Bomb.
Oak Ridge is a tight knit community that is seeing lots of retail development.
The Department of Energy is a major employer in Oak Ridge.
The remains of the K-25 site where uranium was enriched is now a National Park.
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Remodeled WWII-era alphabet homes
Oak Ridge has experienced its fair share of expansion. “At the beginning, houses were being built so fast,” Watt says. “Kids would go to school and get lost on their way home because they couldn’t recognize the streets for all the construction that had gone up.” These streets are lined with an eclectic mix of WWII-era homes and contemporary single-family houses built in more recent years. The town is known for its alphabet housing, with smaller homes assigned to earlier letters in the alphabet and larger homes assigned to later letters. These include flat-top homes and Cemesto homes — built with cement and asbestos — many of which have been remodeled to modern standards. There are well-established neighborhoods with a mix of midcentury basement ranch-style homes, split levels and New Traditional homes built in the 1990s and early 2000s. There are also new subdivisions of Colonial-inspired contemporary houses being developed. “We can’t build them fast enough for people moving in,” Watt says. Oak Ridge's median single-family price of $365,590 is lower than the national median price of $416,700.
You can find Simple Traditional homes that were built during WWII in Oak Ridge.
You can find new Colonial Revivals being built in areas of Oak Ridge.
Townhomes are beginning to pop up in Oak Ridge.
You can find new Colonial Revivals being built new Oak Ridge National Lab.
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Oak Ridge schools carry on a tradition of STEM excellence
Highly rated schools play a part in this town's appeal. Niche ranks the Oak Ridge School District number four in Tennessee and gives it an overall A grade. The district oversees nine pre-K-12 schools and emphasizes a challenging STEM curriculum, carrying on the tradition of its founders. “There’s an atmosphere of academic excellence that’s been around since the beginning,” Watt says. “The scientists demanded the best schools for their children, and that’s just sort of carried on to today.” That excellence also extends to the district's teachers, over 75% of whom hold master's degrees. Oak Ridge High School, where most Oak Ridge teens tend to graduate, earns an A. There, students can gain hands-on experience with cybersecurity concepts through the CyberPatriot program, launched by the Air Force Association. Participants compete in the National Youth Cyber Defense Competition each year.
Welcome to Linden Elementary School in Oak Ridge.
Welcome to Robertsville Middle School in Oak Ridge.
Oak Ridge High School has a stand-out front entrance.
Students in Oak Ridge have easy access to STEM learning at AMSE.
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Thousands of rowers flock to Melton Lake
Life here is centered around the great outdoors, with 16 community parks, 12 greenways and 173 miles of shoreline along Melton Hill Lake. Each park was placed strategically throughout the city to allow easy access from each residential area. These spaces allow for golf, swimming, boating, fishing, tennis, soccer, hiking, biking, disc golf, basketball and softball. Rowing is one of the most popular activities here for both beginners and masters of the sport. The Oak Ridge Rowing Association offers youth competitive rowing, adult masters competitive rowing and learn-to-row classes. Thousands of rowers flock to Oak Ridge each year to train and compete on Melton Lake's seven-lane race course. In the southeasternmost corner of Oak Ridge, Haw Ridge Park is a 780-acre wooded expanse with 30 miles of single-track and dirt trails to explore by foot, bike or horse. Oak Ridge is also home to the University of Tennessee Arboretum, where 7 miles of trails wind through the 2,500 exhibited native plant specimens.
Centennial Golf Course is a public golf course near Melton Hill Lake in Oak Ridge.
Grab your pole and go fishing down on Melton Hill Lake.
Melton Hill Lake is a tranquil spot to enjoy via boat or on the shore.
Haw Ridge Park is the perfect place to run, ride your bike, or walk your dog.
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Big box stores and Big Ed’s Pizza
Oak Ridge is a retail destination for the five surrounding East Tennessee counties, with a Walmart, JCPenney, Dick's Sporting Goods and many more retailers. Several of these are concentrated near the center of town in the Main Street area, which also has a Cinemark with cushioned reclining seats. Oak Ridge Turnpike is another commercial strip where Food City, Kroger and Dollar General sell pantry staples. Jackson Square is the spot for more unique shopping options such as antique stores, boutiques and galleries. Recent efforts have brought national chains to town, but Oak Ridge residents still value the long-time community staples. Big Ed’s Pizza is a family-run business that's been in Oak Ridge for over 50 years. "They don’t do salads, they don’t do anything extra. It’s just pizza, and it’s the best," Watt says. Reader’s Digest in 2023 named Big Ed’s the best pizza in all of Tennessee.
The locals love Big Ed's Pizza, which was named as a Top 51 Pizza Parlor by USA Today.
Oak Ridge residents frequent Food City for groceries.
Dean's Restaurant and Bakery is a local favorite and serves up southern hospitality.
Get your guitar serviced at String Workshop in Oak Ridge.
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The Lavender Festival and midcentury pastimes
Oak Ridge festivals draw larger and larger crowds each year. Originating in 1999, The Lavender Festival is an annual gathering in Jackson Square that celebrates the lavender plant with dozens of vendors and family activities. “We had 25,000 people in town for the 2023 Lavender Festival,” Watt says. “It was absolutely crazy.” In addition, many of the entertainment institutions established during WWII still exist today. The Oak Ridge Playhouse remains an active community theater, and the Oak Ridge Symphony Orchestra continues to hold concerts, even as development on a downtown district gets underway. The American Museum of Science and Energy looks at the day-to-day stories of the people who worked here in secret, and the technology that's developed since then.
The Oak Ridge Playhouse features 13 rows of seats for live performances of plays and musicals.
Residents and visitors alike can explore the American Museum of Science and Energy.
Step back in time at the K-25 History Center in Oak Ridge.
The American Museum of Science and Energy tells the story of advances in science in Oak Ridge.
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The fast lanes to Secret City
Oak Ridge’s origins as a government secret mean it is several miles from interstate highways. However, state highways cut right through town and connect it to nearby areas. State Route 62 leads south toward Knoxville. Public bus routes do not run in or out of Oak Ridge, but Oak Ridge Transit does provide a door-to-door service by request. Methodist Medical Center has a centrally located emergency room in town and various other medical services. McGhee Tyson Airport is 26 miles southeast, with nonstop flights to 33 destinations in the U.S.
Nuclear cleanup is ongoing
Oak Ridge's past nuclear activity still impacts the town today. The Department of Energy property, covering 35,000 acres, contains a Superfund site. The United States Environmental Protection Agency determined that "leakage from buried wastes, stored wastes, and operational activities from these facilities has resulted in hundreds of contaminated areas across the site." Most of the contamination is contained within the DOE grounds, but impact areas extend beyond the grounds, including surface water and sediment. Cleanup has been ongoing since the 1980s.
Oak Ridge's crime rates are on par with the national average. According to FBI data from 2022 and 2023, violent crimes in Oak Ridge were reported at a yearly rate of 1,323 per 100,00 people, about equal to the nation's average of 1,358 and lower than the state's 2,049. Over the same period, property crime in the city was reported at a yearly rate of 1,654 per 100,000 people, lower than the national and state rates, 1,979 and 2,365, respectively.
The city has a humid subtropical climate known for hot summers and mild winters. Temperatures rarely exceed 94 F or go below 17 F.
Written By
Liz Coughlin
Photography Contributed By
Andrew Byrum
Video By
Christian Gortler
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GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Oak Ridge, TN sell after 35 days on the market compared to the national average of 56 days. The median sale price for homes in Oak Ridge, TN over the last 12 months is $379,900, up 6% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome to 121 Salem Rd, a timeless home that has been lovingly cared for by the same family for nearly 70 years. Situated on a beautiful 0.54-acre lot with mature trees, this 4-bedroom, 3-bath home offers character, flexibility, and space for a variety of living arrangements. The main level features two bedrooms, two full bathrooms, and beautifully preserved original hardwood floors that
Welcome home to this beautifully remodeled 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom ranch in the desirable Burchfield Heights lake community! Offering approximately 1,300 square feet of thoughtfully updated living space, this move-in ready home combines modern finishes with a peaceful setting in the sought-after Karns/Hardin Valley area. Step inside to an inviting open-concept floor plan where the spacious living
WHAT A LOCATION!!!! This great 4 bedroom home is move-in-ready and comes with some extras! This home has a super efficient open floor plan on the main level and all the bedrooms on the second level. A 2 car garage, level driveway and yard also make taking care of the yard a breeze. Out back is a fenced yard with a tree lined landscape offering privacy and beauty. A back Patio with a hard top
Experience the best of East Tennessee living where outdoor adventure, neighborhood charm, and everyday convenience come together in one exceptional place to call home Nestled in the desirable River's Run Subdivision. The moment you step inside this stately home, you'll be captivated by the soaring 10-foot ceilings, impressive 8-foot doors, extensive crown molding, and beautifully refinished
Welcome to The Preserve, one of East Tennessee's premier waterfront communities, nestled between the Cumberland Plateau and the Great Smoky Mountains on a scenic bend of Watts Bar Lake in Oak Ridge. If you've been searching for fully updated, low-maintenance, single-level living, this is it! This beautifully updated 2-bedroom, 2-bath home features an open floor plan, stunning quartz countertops,
Welcome to this stunning two-story brick home, perfectly situated on a private lot designed for both comfort and entertaining. The backyard features an in-ground pool, ample privacy, and a spacious deck off the main level--ideal for outdoor gatherings or relaxing evenings. Inside, you'll find a thoughtfully designed floor plan with four generously sized bedrooms located on the upper level. The
Welcome to this beautifully crafted 5-bedroom, 4-bathroom home in The Preserve, built in 2024 and thoughtfully designed for both everyday living and entertaining. With an open-concept layout, soaring ceilings, and abundant natural light, this home offers a spacious yet inviting feel throughout. The main level features a luxurious primary suite along with an additional bedroom and full bath,
Welcome to 114 Hardinberry Street in the highly desirable Preserve at Clinch River community of Oak Ridge! This beautifully maintained home offers the perfect combination of modern comfort, quality craftsmanship, and resort-style living. Featuring an open and inviting floor plan, spacious living areas, and abundant natural light, this home is designed for both everyday living and entertaining.
Lots of opportunity in Oak Ridge. House hack by living in one side and renting out the other. Great for a family looking for an in-law suite with privacy. 100% Financing is available Come see what this versatile property can offer. Updated plumbing and electrical in 2022, New HVAC in 2024 and New Windows installed in 2026. Call and book your showing today!!
Investment opportunity in Oak Ridge! This 2-bedroom, 1-bath home has been almost completely gutted and is ready for renovation--offering a blank slate for investors, flippers, or buyers looking to customize a property from the ground up. *Do not go on property without a scheduled appointment for safety reasons.* Situated in a cul-de-sac, this home provides excellent potential for resale, rental
If you're looking for extra storage or hobby space, this home could be the one for you! This cute, two-bedroom, two-bath basement ranch home has extra space galore. Main level features beautiful hardwood floors, great natural light, and two spacious bedrooms. There is a large sunroom off the primary bedroom. Downstairs is a full bathroom and a blank slate of potential. Detached workshop provides
Beautifully Renovated 5-Bedroom Home in Riverbend | 3-Car Garage | Cul-de-Sac | Near Melton Lake Welcome to 103 Amanda Place, a beautifully renovated two-story brick home nestled on a quiet cul-de-sac in Oak Ridge's desirable Riverbend subdivision. Offering approximately 3,024 square feet, this move-in-ready home features 5 bedrooms, 3 full bathrooms, and a 3-car garage, providing exceptional
Nestled on a peaceful wooded lot, this spacious mid-century modern home is ready to be completely reimagined to fit your vision. The property features a desirable open floor plan with large bedrooms, providing plenty of options for use of space. Outside, a brand-new deck overlooks the beautifully private backyard, making it the perfect spot for relaxing. Situated in a highly desirable
Versatile .48-acre lot located directly across the street from Melton Hill Marina, offering scenic lake views of Melton Hill Lake and exceptional potential for a variety of uses. Zoned for residential or commercial, this property provides a rare opportunity for single-family, multifamily, investment, or small business development in a highly desirable waterfront-adjacent area. Electric and water
Welcome Home!!...To This Charming Move-In-Ready, Spacious Tudor Style Home Sitting on a Large Fenced Lot, in a Popular Oak Ridge Neighborhood! Beautiful Split Level with Gorgeous Brand New Laminate Wood Floors and New Paint Throughout The Home! (No Carpet) Large Family Room Upstairs w/Lots of Natural Lightning and Cozy Wood Burning Fireplace, Chef Kitchen Complete with Designer Custom Wood
Charming two-bedroom townhome with 1980 square feet located on the desirable West end of Oak Ridge in The Preserve. This home features an inviting open floor plan, LVP flooring in main living area, kitchen with white cabinets, pantry, stainless steel appliances, spacious upstairs family room, a primary ensuite bedroom with a walk-in shower and walk-in closet, a hall bath with a tub. Enjoy the
Discover our premier townhome rental community, Summit Place, in Oak Ridge, TN, near Knoxville. This brand-new community is nestled away in a serene location just minutes from the city, providing an exclusive retreat with easy urban access. All of our townhomes are pet-friendly and boast modern amenities and contemporary designs.Discover more when you come for a visit – call today!
3BR 1BA recently updated unit in Oak Ridge. Close to shopping, restaurants, and all of the amenities Oak Ridge has to offer. All appliances, off-street parking, and quiet. Sorry no pets.
Nestled not far from rolling green hills and Melton Hill Lake, you'll find The Flats at Jackson Square apartments in Oak Ridge, Tennessee! Our traditional flat and loft-style homes are within easy walking distance of Historic Jackson Square and convenient to the best features of Oak Ridge. Only 25 minutes from exciting Knoxville, The Flats at Jackson Square offers four thoughtfully designed floor
Spacious ranch home. Enjoy 3 bedrooms, 2 baths and bonus room in the quiet Briarcliff neighborhood. The home features soaring ceilings with beautiful hardwood and tile floors throughout the home. The recently updated kitchen includes new appliances, new quartz countertops, back splash, and freshly painted cabinetry. The sunroom with workshop storage offers the perfect spot for relaxing,
Main Street Lofts, a premier rental community offering Studios, 1, 2 and 3 Bedroom Apartment Homes. Located on S. Tulane Avenue near S. Illinois Avenue in Oak Ridge, TN, Main Street Lofts offers residents stellar on-site amenities including two beautifully decorated clubhouses & two fitness centers with strength, cardio and and HIIT Training, salt water swimming pool, pet park and pet spa, an
CURRENTLY FULLY LEASED JOIN OUR INTEREST LIST FOR FUTURE AVAILABILITY!Welcome to Poplar Creek Townhomes in Oak Ridge, TN spacious, modern living just minutes from Y-12 National Security Complex and Hardin Valley.Our 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath townhomes offer spacious floor plans designed with comfort and convenience in mind. Each home features bright, open-concept living, modern kitchens
Centennial Village Apartments is a luxury lakefront community located just ten minutes from Oak Ridge and twenty minutes from downtown Knoxville. Our gated community has a stunning salt water pool, outdoor gas and charcoal grills, fitness center, movie room, business center, sand volleyball court, billiard room, a car wash and pet grooming station. Our apartment homes feature full size washer and
Welcome to The Bunkers at Oak Ridge, a refuge from the everyday, nestled in the heart of Oak Ridge, TN. Enjoy our spacious apartments and townhomes, newly renovated, all in close proximity to West Knoxville, The Oak Ridge National Labs and the Y-12 National Security Complex.•Schools are some of the top schools in the state •Shopping is a mile away (Old Navy, Dicks, Ulta, Maurice’s, TJ
New owners and management, ongoing renovations and upgrades! We offer one-, two- and three-bedroom units and townhomes across multiple locations of Oak Ridge. Unit amenities vary depending on location. Select units include utilities, washer/dryer connections and dishwashers.Convenient to all local shopping, restaurants, Y-12 National Lab and Melton Hill Lake.Contact the office
Enjoy apartment living in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains at The Oaks in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Our efficiency, one and two-bedroom living spaces offer exceptional features and amenities at surprisingly affordable rates!Enjoy community features like a sparkling, outdoor community pool, picnic area with both charcoal and gas grills. Take advantage of technology like a secure online
Please email for more detailed information and / or to begin the application process. The price of rent at Teller Village is very reasonable because we are a rent restricted property. This means that the maximum amount of rent we are allowed to charge by unit type (not income or household size) is dictated by HUD annually in spring. The information in the "Income Restrictions" section
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