Simple country living in the small city of Philadelphia
Philadelphia is located on the southeast side of Loudon County, halfway between the larger communities of Sweetwater and Loudon. The small city is home to fewer than 800 people, and the surrounding cattle farmland is even less populated. "Philadelphia is great for someone who just wants country living," says Chevy Emert, a Realtor with United Real Estate Solutions who has sold all over the greater Knoxville area. He says that most residents would identify as living on either the Loudon side or the Sweetwater side, since both bigger cities are just 10 minutes in either direction. Visitors frequently stop by for Sweetwater Valley Farm, which is well-known for its gourmet cheddar cheese. Those who settle down here permanently can find a small-town community or a private piece of land hidden away from any activity.
Rural homes are separated by rolling farmland
Philadelphia's streets are lined with vintage bungalows from the early 1900s. But outside city limits, miles of rolling farmland are only occasionally interrupted by a home. Yards average around 2 acres, and houses can be set back from the roads with private dirt driveways. Only properties near the city center can access public sewer lines, but most get municipal water from the Loudon Utilities Board. There are often more open plots of land for sale than houses. Land can cost $60,000 for a half-acre or $150,000 for 5 acres.
Ranch styles from the 1930s and 40s can range in price from $130,000 to $250,000, based on size and condition. Newer construction or homes with several acres can range from $250,000 to $400,000. Some luxury homes with private lots get up to $500,000 to $700,000, but these rarely hit the market. Properties along Sweetwater Creek have a slight risk of flooding and may require additional insurance.
Football feuds at Loudon High School
Within the city center, Philadelphia Elementary School serves kindergarten through eighth grade. The school receives a B-minus from Niche. Kids head a few miles east to attend Loudon High School, rated B. Loudon High has a decades-long football feud with its next-door neighbors in Lenoir City. The two high schools are only a few miles apart, separated by a bridge over the Tennessee River. The annual football match between the two schools is dubbed The Battle of the Bridge because whoever wins gets to claim the bridge as their own for that year. Loudon High's win in 2024 secured the school a six-year winning streak.
Philadelphia has one of the county's best-known dairy farms
The small city is anchored by a post office, a fire department and a Dollar General. In addition to several churches, residents can meet up at the little Philadelphia Public Library, which has one room of books and a playground out back. However, Philadelphia's biggest claim to fame is Sweetwater Valley Farm, a local dairy farm that has operated in the community since the early 1900s. The farm has received statewide recognition for its sustainability practices and dedication to producing the highest-quality cheddar cheese. Visitors can sample a variety of cheeses in the farm shop or pick up a grilled cheese and milkshake at the Sweetwater Café. Outside Philadelphia, other farms are also open to the public for pumpkin patches, haunted corn mazes and sunflower picking.
Shopping options are in Sweetwater or Loudon
Philadelphia is about 6 miles, or 10 minutes, from both Sweetwater and Loudon. Sweetwater has its own hospital, large grocery stores and a small downtown with local restaurants. "Sweetwater is a cute town," Emert says. Loudon is smaller but still has a grocery store and some local shops. "Loudon is underrated, with a little downtown area," Emert says. "There's an ice cream shop that's really popular, and then you've got Watts Bar Lake that runs through."
Knoxville is less than an hour away
Philadelphia residents should be prepared to spend some time in the car to reach a bigger city. Knoxville is 40 miles away, accessible via Interstate 75 and Interstate 40. The trip typically takes 50 minutes, but there is often traffic around the I-75 and I-40 merge. The regional McGhee Tyson Airport is just outside the city, 35 miles from Philadelphia.
