$362,790Average Value$200Average Price per Sq Ft94Homes For Sale
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.
1/4
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.
1/4
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.
1/4
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.
1/4
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.
1/4
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.
1/4
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
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Susan Calabrese,
an experienced agent in this area.
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
On average, homes in Oak Ridge, TN sell after 33 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 $374,900, up 4% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome to 152 Ibis Loop in Oak Ridge, TN. This updated 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath home offers 1,921 square feet of living space in the highly desirable Harbour Cove/Harbour Pointe neighborhood, just minutes from Knoxville, Turkey Creek, Melton Hill Lake, Y-12 National Security Complex, ORNL, Methodist Medical Center, and McGhee Tyson Airport. Inside, the home has been freshly painted and features smart
Welcome to 155 Ibis Loop in the highly sought-after Harbour Cove community of Oak Ridge, TN. Ideally positioned on the edge of Oak Ridge and West Knoxville, this home offers convenient access to ORNL, Y-12, Methodist Medical Center, Pellissippi Parkway, and is approximately 20-25 minutes to Downtown Knoxville, the University of Tennessee, and McGhee Tyson Airport.Harbour Cove is known for its
Style meets luxury in this stunning 2026 new construction home located in the heart of Oak Ridge, just minutes from the Y-12 and Oak Ridge National Laboratory. This 5-bedroom, 3.5-bath home offers 2,280 sq ft of thoughtfully designed living space on a generous 0.64-acre lot backing directly to a protected greenbelt—no rear neighbors, just peaceful wooded views and abundant wildlife, including
Beautifully maintained 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath home in the heart of Oak Ridge with an open-concept layout and thoughtful design throughout. All bedrooms feature walk-in closets, offering excellent storage, along with additional space to keep everything organized. Enjoy cozy evenings by the gas fireplace and a functional floor plan that flows seamlessly for everyday living. Located just moments from
Welcome to 152 Ibis Loop in Oak Ridge, TN. This updated 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath home offers 1,921 square feet of living space in the highly desirable Harbour Cove/Harbour Pointe neighborhood, just minutes from Knoxville, Turkey Creek, Melton Hill Lake, Y-12 National Security Complex, ORNL, Methodist Medical Center, and McGhee Tyson Airport. Inside, the home has been freshly painted and features smart
Welcome to 155 Ibis Loop in the highly sought-after Harbour Cove community of Oak Ridge, TN. Ideally positioned on the edge of Oak Ridge and West Knoxville, this home offers convenient access to ORNL, Y-12, Methodist Medical Center, Pellissippi Parkway, and is approximately 20-25 minutes to Downtown Knoxville, the University of Tennessee, and McGhee Tyson Airport.Harbour Cove is known for its
Move-In Ready in Oak Ridge!Welcome home to this charming 2-bedroom, 1-bath property in the heart of Oak Ridge! Perfectly sized and thoughtfully updated, this home is truly move-in ready and waiting for its new owner.Enjoy peace of mind with a brand-new HVAC system and new hot water heater, plus updated faucets and beautiful new flooring. The fresh updates create a clean, modern feel while
This home lives large through a thoughtful open-concept layout, where every detail has been completely modernized within the last five years. Gleaming hardwood floors flow seamlessly throughout the main living areas and both bedrooms, creating a cohesive and airy feel. The updated kitchen and living space transition naturally into two comfortable bedrooms and a crisp, modern full bath, ensuring a
Welcome to life in beautiful Oak Ridge, just moments from scenic Melton Lake! This spacious 4-bedroom, 2.5-bath home offers over 3,000 square feet of comfortable living, perfectly blending functionality with everyday elegance. Step inside to find a thoughtfully designed layout featuring generous living spaces, ideal for both relaxing and entertaining. The main level offers a welcoming flow with
Forest Creek Village has Oak Ridge's newest homesites and is neighboring the popular Oak Ridge Country Club. This is a great building lot in this up-and-coming development. All utilities including fiber optics will be at the lot line. Across the road is the North Boundary Greenway with 16 miles of trails for hiking, cycling, running, and nature wildlife walks. Easy access to Horizon Center,
Beautifully Renovated 5 Bedroom Home in Oak Ridge | Cul-de-Sac | 3-Car Garage | Near Melton Lake Welcome to 103 Amanda Place in Oak Ridge, TN, a beautifully updated two-story brick home tucked away on a cul-de-sac in the highly desirable Riverbend subdivision. Offering approximately 3,024 square feet, this spacious home features 5 bedrooms, 3 full bathrooms, and a 3-car garage--perfect for those
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
Amazing opportunity in Oak Ridge. Fully furnished 1 bedroom 1 bath has worked great for travel nurses and lab contractors. 5-bedroom 3 full bath side has steadily been leased by young professionals, families thatneed room to spread out and of course lab contractors. 100% financing available Updated electrical and plumbing in 2022, new HVAC in2024 and new windows in 2026. Great for
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
Tucked far off the road and up a long driveway, this three-story residence with a basement sits on .91 acres and backs directly to 70 acres of protected greenspace. Privacy like this is almost impossible to find -- and yet you're minutes from everything. Step inside and feel the warmth immediately. A cozy wood stove anchors the basement, creating the perfect gathering space. The main level offers
Modern Living in the Heart of Oak Ridge - Fully Remodeled! Welcome home to this stunning, top-to-bottom renovation! This 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom duplex offers the perfect blend of modern style and cozy comfort in a highly desirable Oak Ridge location. No detail was spared in this refresh--from the ceilings to the floors, everything is brand new and ready for you to move in. Designer Kitchen: Cook
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
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
1 MONTH FREE!Welcome to Poplar Creek, Oak Ridge’s newest townhome community featuring two spacious floor plans with 3 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms. Each home is thoughtfully designed with open-concept layouts filled with natural light, stylish kitchens with sleek cabinetry and stainless steel appliances, and spacious master suites complete with walk-in closets, private baths, and a balcony
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!
$1,190 per month
The Flats at Jackson Square -Studio, 1, & 2-Bedroom Flats and Lofts in Oak Ridge, TN
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
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
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
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
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
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
Royce Hill Apartments, where we blend comfort and convenience to enrich your modern lifestyle. Nestled in Oak Ridge, TN, our apartments provide everything you need for a life of ease that feels like home from the moment you arrive. Experience the vibrant neighborhood surrounding you, offering easy access to a variety of dining, parks, entertainment, and local shops. At Royce Hill, discover the
Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
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.
