$387,258Average Value$353Average Price per Sq Ft0Homes For Sale
A rural community in the Appalachians
Home to Big Ridge State Park, a 3,687-acre park on the banks of Lake Norris, Big Ridge is a small, rural community in the Appalachian Ridge and Valley Range located about 25 miles north of Knoxville. “There just has not been a bunch of development in Big Ridge,” says Laura Michaels, the director of operations for the Cooper Team at Keller Williams Realty. “The park is a big draw and takes up most of the area, but there are some residential pockets.” With rural mountain roads, Big Ridge offers serene escapes for those looking for a private plot of land or a vacation home for weekend getaways.
Sunny days on Norris Lake
Hidden underneath a canopy of green in the heart of the Appalachian Ridge and Valley range, the great outdoors is a lifestyle in Big Ridge. The state park spans 3,687 acres of heavily forested terrain and butts up against Norris Lake. With 15 miles of hiking trails with varying terrain, hikers can explore dry ridges, lush hollows, old roadbeds, lakeshores, cemeteries, and remnants from the early settlement. Stay the night and take advantage of the park’s 50 campsites near the water. Aside from stunning views, visitors can enjoy time on the white sand beaches, dip in the water, or explore the sights via boat. While the park provides access to the lake, both Waterside Marina and Hickory Star Resort and Marina offer boat slips, restaurants, and lodging.
Put your boat in Norris Lake at Waterside Marina.
Hickory Star Marina is a popular spot to store and put your boat in the water.
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Mountain and lakefront homes
Along winding and curvy mountainous roads, residents can sometimes drive for miles without seeing a house in sight. Yet, quite a few are hidden away on private lots or scattered around Norris Lake. The median lot size in the area hovers over 1 acre, offering residents their secluded slice of paradise. Plots of land for sale start around $25,000 and reach $75,000. Lakefront homes that range from modern Split-Levels, log cabins, and updated ranch-style homes to updated condos at the Waterside Marina can range from the $600,000s to the $900,000s. Further inland, locals can score an updated mountain cottage or cabin from the $100,000s to the $200,000s, with prices rising depending on acreage. With a small population and secluded streets, the community earns a 1 out of 10 crime score according to the CAP Index.
You can also find farmhouses scattered throughout the rural landscape of Big Ridge.
Waterside Marina also offers waterfront condo living for those that like less upkeep.
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Shopping and dining in Maynardville
Residents can grab their weekly groceries at Food City in neighboring Maynardville. Locals here can also find establishments like Affordable Ace Hardware and AutoZone Auto Parts, as well as small eateries and fast food chains. For more retail options, hop on Maynardville Pike South for 15 miles and end up at Halls Crossroad, home to Walmart Supercenter and Tractor Supply Co. 33 Diner is a popular local joint for classic American fare, while Pete’s Place is the go-to spot for ribeye and filets. Situated along Norris Lake, those closer to the shore can sit back and enjoy waterfront views at Monterrey Tacos and Beer at Waterside Marina.
33 Diner is a hidden gem in nearby Maynardville that serves up delicious home cooked food.
Monterrey Tacos & Beer is located at Waterside Marina and is open Friday through Sunday.
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Events in Big Ridge State Park
A place for community gatherings, Big Ridge State Park features many events throughout the year, like Solar Eclipse viewing parties and the popular Full Moon Float. This night-time kayaking event regularly sells out. Locals can also head into town to peruse the weekly county farmers market, held at Union High every Wednesday afternoon and Saturday morning.
C-rated schools in Union County
Children attend the Union County School District, headquartered in nearby Maynardville, serving about 6,000 students. Students start at Big Ridge Elementary School, one of the district’s five elementary schools that scores a C-plus on Niche. Students then move on to the C-plus-rated Horace Maynard Middle School and the C-rated Union County High School. Union County offers many clubs and extracurricular activities, including ROTC and an athletic program for students.
Big Ridge Elementary aims to prepare students for the 21st century and to be lifelong learners.
Horace Maynard Middle School fosters student achievement and a supportive learning environment.
Top-rated Union County High School excels academically and offers diverse extracurriculars.
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Getting around on Route 61
Winding mountain roads make this community highly car-dependent. Thoroughfares like U.S. Route 61 weave through the region and pass through the state park. It also diverges and serves as the main commercial road through neighboring Maynardville and connects to U.S. Route 33 to lead the 25 miles to Knoxville. The closest airport is Knoxville’s McGhee Tyson Airport. Amenities like North Knoxville Medical Center and Caring Medical Center in Maynardville are within a reasonable distance, while numerous houses of worship are clustered along Hinds Creek Road.
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
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Kimberly Bell,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Anderson County Park
Bike Trails
Boating
Camping
Big Ridge State Park
Camping
Fishing
Trails
Wilson Park
Baseball/Softball
Trails
Playground
Transit
Airport
McGhee Tyson
70 min drive
Big Ridge Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Big Ridge, Powell sell after 49 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Big Ridge, Powell over the last 12 months is $572,500, up 2763% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Enjoy the best of both worlds—Norris Lake just minutes away and all the recreational amenities of the nearby State Park at your fingertips. Experience the charm of farm-style living without the upkeep, paired with stunning mountain views and frequent wildlife sightings.This beautiful homesite is ready for your dream build, featuring existing electricity, well water, and septic from a previous
Lake front condo in sought after Waterside community on beautiful Norris Lake in East Tennessee! Now is your chance to own a lake front home near Knoxville under $500,000. This condo has been freshly painted! NO STEPS! All appliances are approximately one year old! Ceiling fan and cable hook up have been added to the balcony. On site boat slip and pontoon boat available for additional fee. This
Build your dream home on these 2 wooded lots above Hickory Star Marina & Norris Lake with seasonal lake views. Access from two roads, with the property sitting between Overlook Trl and Sara Ln. (Sara Ln is a private road.) If you are looking to build a vacation getaway, rental investment or a permanent residence, you will fall in love with this property and location.
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Kimberly Bell,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
1,790
Median Age
46
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
22.8%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
20.8%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$67,685
Below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$76,310
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
87.2%
College Graduates
27.2%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
14.2%
% Population in Labor Force
55.9%
Below the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
50''
Average Winter Low Temperature
25°F
Average Summer High Temperature
87°F
Annual Snowfall
26''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
1/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
3/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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.
