BLOUNT COUNTY
County Offices
Maryville 865-273-5800
Chamber of Commerce
Maryville 865-984-1386
Blount County is one of the oldest counties in Tennessee. The County was the tenth created in Tennessee when a part of Knox County was separated by the Territorial Legislature in 1795. It was named after William Blount, Governor of the Territory of the United States “South of the River Ohio.” The County seat was authorized to be laid out in 1795 and was named Maryville in honor of Mary Blount, the wife of Governor William Blount. The County is home to over 128,000 residents. Maryville is the county seat and home to more than 28,000. The County is over 558 square miles and is bordered on the east by the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and on the west by the chain of lakes created by the Tennessee Valley Authority.
Lifestyle
Blount County is one of the most visited counties in the country. It is home to a series of networked waterways that combine to offer some of the best water based activities in the nation, things like fishing boating and kayaking all come together to make it the place to go. Blunts claim to fame is definitely the Great Smoky Mountains National Park which make up a large part of its eastern border. Blount is truly in the foothills of the park and its communities serve as launching point for its many adventures. The area offers trails and parkways that range from beginner to expert. Residents and visitors can take in the waterfalls, flowers, animals and nature. The region is also famous as a destination for motorcyclists and road trippers who enjoy the spectacular scenery of the roads in and around the park, including the famous Foothills Parkway and the tail of Dragon.
The county is also home to outdoor sports events and festivals that combine with local community organizations to provide something for everyone. Indoors or outdoors residents can satisfy their need for relaxation or excitement and adventure. Two Bowling Centers, one Private Golf Course, five Public Golf Courses, seven Public Playgrounds, one Roller Skating Rink, three Public Swimming Pools, eighteen Public Tennis Courts, seven Horse Riding Stables, one Theater with 12 screens, one Drive-in Theater. The county has something for everyone, no matter the adventure they want. Blount County operates numerous smaller community parks and recreation centers, primarily in the cities of Alcoa and Maryville. With historic downtowns, residents get to experience everything that they might want close to home. There are local and national retailers, dining choices for every taste, live music and seasonal festivals to make it all feel like home.
Services
There are three main public school systems in Blount County: Alcoa City Schools, Maryville City Schools, and Blount County Schools. These three systems jointly received the State Department of Education’s Governor’s A+ Award for community commitment to excellence in education. Also, there are private schools that serve the area: Foothills Christian Academy, New Horizon Montessori School, Clayton-Bradley Academy and Maryville Christian School. There are a number of colleges and universities that serve the Blount County area, a few of which are: the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, Maryville College, and Pellissippi State Technological Community College.
Healthcare is well represented in the county with several clinics and doctors throughout the area. Blount Memorial Hospital serves residents and is equipped with the modern equipment and staffed by a competent medical staff of professionals. It serves not only Blount County but other nearby counties as well.
Maryville
City Offices
865-273-3900
Home to more than 28,000 residents, Maryville is more than the gateway to the Great Smokie Mountains it is a community that is based around a historic downtown, that is the center of activity for the community. The city has a thriving restaurant and brewery scene that draws people in from all over the county. The downtown also offers plenty of shopping in locally owned boutiques and nationally recognized shops. Residents are known to start their days with gourmet coffee from one of the cafes and end their day at local breweries and wineries. For those wanting a larger shopping experience, the Foothills Mall offers more than sixty stores to explore, including several large national retail brands. Locals enjoy performances at local concert venues, events at Maryville College and the Clayton Center for the Arts. History buffs will find what they are looking for at area history museums. Residents also enjoy the great outdoors with nine miles of paved greenways, beginning at downtown Maryville’s Greenbelt Park or hiking the trails of the Maryville College Woods. The community has something for everyone. Housing choices are varied and cover the whole spectrum from vintage in town homes to newer homes in modern subdivisions. Residents can find everything they need close to home and enjoy a high quality of life.
Townsend
City Offices
865-448-6886
The City of Townsend is nestled in Tuckaleechee Cove, in the smoky mountains. It is home to approximately 480 people. Townsend is the gateway to Cades Cove and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It was first settled by Native Americans along the Little River, Townsend was chartered in 1921 by the employees and families of the Little River Railroad and Lumber Company. The town is a small, peaceful mountain town that has become a favorite destination for travelers to the region who are looking for a quiet retreat. This is what drives the town to call itself the “Peaceful side of the Smokies.” Local residents and business owners pride themselves on their long-term investments into the community. Their “pioneer spirit” has bred a good-neighbor hospitality that provides a unique experience to visitors. The incredible natural scenery of the area provides the perfect backdrop for outdoor exploration. The downtown is home to several shops and restaurants that make a day of strolling through town a fun adventure. The city offers its residents an enviable quality of life in a rural setting. Residents have access to everything they need and easy access to nearby larger cities.
Alcoa
City Offices
865-380-4700
The City of Alcoa was chartered by a private act by the Tennessee General Assembly effective July 1, 1919. This followed several land purchases in 1910 by the Aluminum Company of America (ALCOA), now known as Arconic Inc. Today the city is home to more than 10,500 residents who enjoy a high quality of life in a beautiful natural setting. Alcoa has a rich history, steeped in manufacturing. Originally named after the large aluminum smelting plant, Alcoa today is still home to manufacturing facilities, but they are only part of the backdrop to the community. It is a quiet city with a lot of parks, greenways and outdoor activities for its residents. The quiet pace of life does not mean that the community has nothing going on, in fact the community hosts several annual events, and its residents gather to celebrate seasonally. There are shops and restaurants owned by local residents sprinkled through the city as well as all of the national brands. And its close proximity to Maryville means that residents don’t have to go far to get everything they need.
Friendsville
City Offices
865-995-2831
The community of Friendsville was settled by the Religious Society of Friends, or Quakers, in the 1790s on three rolling hills in what would later become Blount County. The Friends came out of North Carolina to gain freedom from the practice of slavery and from war. The community included farms and small businesses and was an ideal location on the Tennessee river. The city today is home to just over 900 lucky residents. It is a hidden gem in the region with pristine and abundant access to amazing and nearly untouched mountain biking, trail running and hiking trails. The city hosts year-round events and seasonal celebrations. The city is surrounded by Fort Loudon Lake, state parks and open space lands, meaning that residents don’t have to go far to enjoy the great outdoors. Its close proximity to the larger cities in the county and Knoxville means that residents don’t have to go far from home to find whatever they may need.
Louisville
City Offices
865-681-1983
Louisville is a growing community located on the banks of Fort Loudon Reservoir and in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. Its home to just over 4,000 residents. It’s in an ideal location in close proximity to the lake, the mountains, and its larger neighboring cities. Residents who want to live in a quiet community but need to commute to work will find this to be the best of both worlds. The lake and outdoor activities dominate the lifestyle here. Whether is golfing on a sunny day or hiking in the mountains, or boating residents enjoy the outdoors. The town has three parks located on the shores of Fort Loudoun Lake. Water sports on Fort Loudoun Lake and the Tennessee River, which flow through the town, include boating, camping, swimming, picnicking, fishing, water skiing, jet skiing, wakeboarding, and sculling. For those not looking to play on the lake, the mountains are nearby and offer an amazing opportunity to explore nature at its finest. Residents also enjoy several annual festivals that draw in people from all over the region, including Wolfstock an annual country music festival held in July. Housing choices in Louisville are broad featuring everything from older homes on large plots of land to large and luxurious homes right on the banks of the lake.