Downtown Knoxville

Has multiple housing options including lofts, apartments, and single-family homes

Welcome to Downtown Knoxville

From Draft to Micro Brews

Downtown Knoxville Community Guide

If you are thinking about moving to or buying a home in the Downtown Knoxville, TN area, you might be interested in what the community has to offer. Here is a great community guide to get you started with exploring and learning about the Downtown Knoxville area. This guide includes some area statistics and market information, as well as a few highlighted local dining spots, parks, and recreation locations, and some of the arts and culture in the area.

About

Downtown Knoxville has something for everyone!

Downtown Knoxville has had quite the makeover in the past several years. What was once run-down and neglected has been renovated into vibrant shops, restaurants, and convenient, urban living. Thanks to these renovations, Knoxville now has multiple housing options including lofts, apartments, and single-family homes. From the restored historic buildings that line Gay Street to newer construction options popping up, there are still plenty of options for downtown living. Within walking or biking distance of eateries, local shops, bars, art galleries, and theaters, it is perfect for those looking for a wide variety of amenities. Market Square remains a hub of activity, with its farmer's market, music & food festivals, outdoor concerts, and film screenings, just to name a few.

Area Schools

Downtown Knoxville, TN Area Elementary Schools

Sequoyah Elementary School - K - 5 | Knox County School District
942 Southgate Road Southwest, Knoxville, TN, 37919 | (865) 594-1360
540 Students | 17:1 - Students : Teacher ratio
 
Green Magnet Math and Science Academy - K - 5 | Knox County School District
801 Town View Drive, Knoxville, TN, 37915 | (865) 594-1324
324 Students | 12:1 - Students : Teacher ratio
 

Downtown Knoxville, TN Area Middle Schools

Vine Middle/Magnet - 6 - 8 | Knox County School District
1807 Martin Luther King Junior Avenue, Knoxville, TN, 37915 | (865) 594-4461
339 Students | 9:1 - Students : Teacher ratio
 

Downtown Knoxville, TN Area High Schools

L & N Stem Academy - 9 - 12 | Knox County School District
401 Henley Street, Knoxville, TN, 37902 | (865) 594-1620
603 Students | 18:1 - Students : Teacher ratio
 

Downtown Knoxville, TN Area Private Schools

Annoor Academy of Knoxville - PK - 6
100 13th Street, Knoxville, TN, 37916 | (865) 249-7626
University Of Tennessee Early Learning Center - K - 1
1206 White Avenue, Knoxville, TN, 37916 | (865) 974-0843
16 Students
 

Dining & Drinks

Peter Kern Library - The Oliver Hotel

For those seeking an intimate setting with some of the finest handcrafted cocktails in town, look no further than the Library. Between shelves of literary classics and a richly-wooded ambiance, the Library has the perfect atmosphere to accompany a date night out on the town. Unlike many venues in the Scruffy City, visitors should dress like "they put forth some effort," or be prepared to be turned away. This cozy speakeasy derives its namesake from a 19th-century confectioner and former mayor of Knoxville, Peter Kern.



Location & Hours

407 Union Ave, Knoxville, TN 37902
  • Monday - Thursday 4:00 PM - 12:00 PM
  • Friday 5:00 PM - 1:00 PM
  • Saturday 4:00 PM - 1:00 AM
  • Sunday 4:00 PM - 12:00 AM 
View Website

 

Sweet P's Barbeque & Downtown Dive

Often praised for its exceptional hot wings and stellar ribs, Sweet P's has been featured on the Food Network, the Travel Channel, and CNN. Their newest location, the Downtown Dive, serves up the same famous barbeque but in a divey, warm setting. Sweet P's also caters to events and provides seasonal dishes like smoked Thanksgiving turkeys. So come see what Paula Deen describes as one of "the best eats in East Tennessee," and dive into Sweet P's.


 

Location & Hours

410 W Jackson Ave, Knoxville, TN 37902
    • Monday Closed
    • Tuesday - Thursday 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
    • Friday - Saturday 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM
    • Sunday 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
View Website
 

Sports & Outdoors

World's Fair Park

World's Fair Park is a public park in downtown Knoxville, Tennessee. The park sits on the former fairgrounds of the 1982 World's Fair hosted in Knoxville. Today, the park is home to the Sunsphere and the Tennessee Amphitheater, the two remaining structures from the exposition. The park hosts dozens of events and festivals each year, making it a constant center of entertainment, from music festivals to beer tastings to celebrations of Jamaican jerky.


 

Location & Hours

507 S Gay St, Knoxville, TN 37902
    • Open Tues-Sun 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
View Website


Charles Krutch Park

An attractive park located just south of Market Square, along Union Avenue. In the midst of downtown, the park is a serene respite from the hustle and bustle. Visitors can enjoy the quiet trickling of Kruth's waterfalls from the park's picnic tables or benches. The park also extends across the street to the east, with several water play fountains that children love to run through. It can also be reserved for special events such as small weddings or parties. The park is named after famed painter Charles Krutch, known for his majestic depictions of the Smoky Mountains.



 

Location & Hours

504 Market St, Knoxville, TN 37902
    • Open 7 Days per Week Dawn - Dusk
View Website


Arts & Culture

East Tennessee History Center

From the frontier days to the Manhattan Project, Knoxville has played a pivotal role in many of our nation's defining moments. The East Tennessee History Center puts our storied past on display, with award-winning exhibits, educational events, and showcases of arts and culture. Admission is typically free for members and for the public on Sundays, with regular tickets around $5.00 for adults during the week.



Location & Hours

601 S Gay St, Knoxville, TN 37902
    • Monday - Friday 9:00 AM - 4:00PM
    • Saturday 10:00 AM - 4:00PM
    • Sunday 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM

View Website

Scruffy City Hall:

Knoxville's Cathedral of Entertainment and Libations. From the CinePub Under the Stars on the Scroof, to the Loggia Balcony Bar overlooking Historic Market Square, to the gothic Main Hall and fifty beers on tap, Scruffy City Hall is a working piece of art on three levels.
 
 
 

Location & Hours:

18 Market Square, Knoxville, TN 37902
    • Monday - Friday 3:00PM - 3:00AM
    • Saturday - Sunday 12:00PM - 3:00AM
View Website
 

Women's Basketball Hall of Fame:

The Women's Basketball Hall of Fame honors those who have contributed to the sport of women's basketball. The Hall of Fame opened in 1999 in Knoxville, Tennessee. It is the only facility of its kind dedicated to all levels of women's basketball. Tickets start at $7.95 for adults, $5.95 for seniors and children, and free for children under five.
 
 
 

Location & Hours:

700 S Hall of Fame Dr, Knoxville, TN 37915

    • September 1 - April 30: Tuesday - Saturday, 10:00AM - 5:00PM
    • May 1 - August 31: Monday - Saturday, 10:00AM - 5:00PM
 
View Website

Overview for Downtown Knoxville, TN

1,891 people live in Downtown Knoxville, where the median age is 34 and the average individual income is $48,137. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

1,891

Total Population

34 years

Median Age

High

Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.

$48,137

Average individual Income

Around Downtown Knoxville, TN

There's plenty to do around Downtown Knoxville, including shopping, dining, nightlife, parks, and more. Data provided by Walk Score and Yelp.

88
Very Walkable
Walking Score
65
Bikeable
Bike Score
60
Good Transit
Transit Score

Points of Interest

Explore popular things to do in the area, including The Village Mercantile, Chicken City, and Farm Fresh Produce.

Name Category Distance Reviews
Ratings by Yelp
Dining 3.64 miles 5 reviews 5/5 stars
Dining · $$$ 2.33 miles 5 reviews 5/5 stars
Dining 3.51 miles 6 reviews 5/5 stars
Dining 0.9 miles 8 reviews 5/5 stars
Dining 4.49 miles 13 reviews 5/5 stars
Dining 4.26 miles 10 reviews 5/5 stars

Demographics and Employment Data for Downtown Knoxville, TN

Downtown Knoxville has 1,136 households, with an average household size of 2. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. Here’s what the people living in Downtown Knoxville do for work — and how long it takes them to get there. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. 1,891 people call Downtown Knoxville home. The population density is 10,946.085 and the largest age group is Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

1,891

Total Population

High

Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.

34

Median Age

61.4 / 38.6%

Men vs Women

Population by Age Group

0-9:

0-9 Years

10-17:

10-17 Years

18-24:

18-24 Years

25-64:

25-64 Years

65-74:

65-74 Years

75+:

75+ Years

Education Level

  • Less Than 9th Grade
  • High School Degree
  • Associate Degree
  • Bachelor Degree
  • Graduate Degree
1,136

Total Households

2

Average Household Size

$48,137

Average individual Income

Households with Children

With Children:

Without Children:

Marital Status

Married
Single
Divorced
Separated

Blue vs White Collar Workers

Blue Collar:

White Collar:

Commute Time

0 to 14 Minutes
15 to 29 Minutes
30 to 59 Minutes
60+ Minutes

Schools in Downtown Knoxville, TN

All ()
Primary Schools ()
Middle Schools ()
High Schools ()
Mixed Schools ()
The following schools are within or nearby Downtown Knoxville. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Type
Name
Category
Grades
School rating
PUBLIC
9th - 12th
5/5
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