Rural charm and outdoor access draw people to Unicoi
Unicoi is a small Appalachian community with roughly 4,000 residents south of Johnson City. “It’s a pretty remote, sleepy little town — there’s not even a stoplight,” says Shane O’Hare, an affiliate broker with Re/Max Checkmate who has lived in the area for more than 25 years. Buyers are often drawn to its rural setting and access to outdoor recreation. “It’s not unusual to see people going up and down the streets on their ATVs or off-road vehicles,” O’Hare says. “There’s an awful lot of national land in the county, so there are quite a few spots to jump in there and enjoy that land.”
In 2024, Hurricane Helene swept through the region, causing severe flooding that destroyed homes, the county hospital and several roadways and bridges. “Some people labeled it a once-in-a-thousand-year flood,” O’Hare says. Locals rallied in support of their neighbors, and several long-term nonprofits were formed to aid continuing recovery efforts. FEMA is currently working to remap flood zones, and lenders may require flood insurance.
Exploring Cherokee National Forest land and local parks
The town is surrounded by Cherokee National Forest land, which is open to hiking, camping and hunting. At Jack Snider Park, hikers can connect with the Pinnacle Tower Trail, which snakes up the side of Buffalo Mountain to a fire tower with sweeping valley views. A nature-themed playground at the trailhead is a popular spot for kids.
The region is also known for its many waterfalls, such as Red Fork Falls. “People love to go up to Red Fork Falls — they just park along the side of the creek and go for a swim,” O'Hare says. The Bogart-Bowman Cabin and the Buffalo Creek Park rest side by side off Unicoi Drive, providing space for soccer games and community events. Johnson City Indoor Soccer is just up the road and hosts youth and adult soccer leagues as well as birthday parties.
Railroad worker bungalows and hillside homes in Unicoi
Railroads came to the town in the early 1900s, and railroad workers built their homes along the gridded streets near the tracks. Many of those bungalows and wood-sided farmhouses still stand, while some have been replaced with newer residences. Steep, winding roads branch out from there, passing cabins, ranch-style houses and custom builds that dot the hillsides and hollows. While a few subdivisions have building restrictions, the area is known for its relatively lax building codes. “No one’s going to tell you that you can’t build a barndominium or a mother-in-law suite,” O’Hare says.
Most homes sell between $190,000 and $430,000, but houses on multiacre lots or large, custom estates range from $620,000 to $1.28 million. Land sales vary from about $7,000 to $95,000 per acre, depending on grade, views and utility access. Although sewer and water service are available in parts of Unicoi, many owners rely on private wells and septic systems. The community’s CAP Index Crime Score is 2 out of 10, below the national average of 4.
Elementary school is in town, and middle and high school are in Erwin
Unicoi Elementary, which is located in town, receives a C-plus rating from Niche. Unicoi County Middle School earns a B-minus, and Unicoi County High School holds a C-plus. Both are in the neighboring town of Erwin. The high school offers career and technical programs in fields such as manufacturing, health sciences and automotive repair.
Unicoi has a Walmart and restaurants, more options in Johnson City
Shopping options in town include a Walmart Supercenter, a Dollar General and Scott’s Farm Market — a seasonal produce stand that sells locally grown strawberries, tomatoes and honey. Nearby Johnson City is home to big-box stores and grocery chains like Earth Fare, Kroger and Aldi.
As far as eateries go, Maple Grove Restaurant serves traditional Southern cuisine, and Whistle Stop Deli & Catering has hoagies and fresh-baked desserts. In the Rocky Bottom Centre next to Walmart, diners can choose between Los Jalapeños Méxican Restaurant and Primo's Italian Cuisine and Catering.
Gathering for the strawberry festival and other events
Unicoi hosts several annual events, including Fourth of July fireworks at the elementary school and a Christmas gathering at the Bogart-Bowman Cabin. One of the town’s largest celebrations is the Wayne Scott Strawberry Festival in May, where bakers showcase their finest strawberry creations, kids explore the fun zone and local bands play.
Appalachian Christian Camp, just off state Route 107, offers summer camps and retreats that draw participants from around the region. People who live nearby may notice an uptick in traffic on camp start and end dates.
Car travel via I-26 to Johnson City and Kingsport
Northeast Tennessee Rural Public Transit, or NET Trans, offers an on-demand ride service for Unicoi County residents, but many locals depend on cars for travel. Interstate 26 connects drivers to Johnson City, about 10 miles north. Kingsport and Bristol, Tennessee, are both around 35 miles away. A hospital in Erwin was the area's go-to for medical care, but it was destroyed in the hurricane. Unicoi residents now drive a bit farther to Johnson City Medical Center, a Level I trauma center. The Tri-Cities Airport is in Blountville, roughly 25 miles north.
