SEVIER COUNTY
County Offices
Sevierville 865-453-4654
Chamber of Commerce
Sevierville 865-453-6411
Sevier County, like much of rural Southern Appalachia, consists of relatively few incorporated municipalities and numerous unincorporated settlements. The county is home to only 3 incorporated cities and one town. But the county is also home to 18 unincorporated communities, which is actually where the majority, more than 60%, of the population lives.
From its beginnings as a traditional subsistence-based farming society, Sevier County has grown into a major tourist destination since the establishment of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which dominates the southern portion of the county. One of the very reasons for the park’s creation, however, was also one of the county’s first major industry the lumber industry. The creation of the national park stopped the logging industry in the late 1930s, but it created one of the largest tourist attractions in the country, as the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is now the most visited national park in the country. In recent years tourism has expanded beyond the city of Gatlinburg, which borders the northwestern segment of the national park, and into the nearby cities of Pigeon Forge and Sevierville. Sevier County now has the third largest tourism economy in the state, ranking behind Nashville and Memphis, the state’s two largest cities. In addition to the federally operated Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Sevier County is home to numerous smaller community parks, primarily within the cities of Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, and Gatlinburg.
Outdoor activity and everything related to it are what dominate the recreational options for residents of the county. But with all of the activity and all of those visitors, residents enjoy a broad range of shopping and dining experiences as the cities and towns cater to their many visitors. Unique shops, galleries and national retail chains make sure that shoppers find what they need and want. Bars, restaurants featuring local cuisine, cafes and bakeries make sure that no one goes hungry on their visit. Sevier County offers its residents an extremely high quality of life all in the natural beauty that the region has to offer. Residents don’t have to stray far from home to get everything they need.
Services
The Sevier County School System is the tenth largest school district in Tennessee with 31 schools and nearly 15,000 students from pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade. General education schools in the system are accredited by AdvancED, formally known as the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The schools offer comprehensive instructional programs with opportunities for every student to achieve and excel. Early post-secondary opportunities abound at the secondary level and include Advanced Placement (AP), Dual Enrollment, State Dual Credit courses, Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs and industrial certifications, services for exceptional children, and many other instruction and intervention options. There are two post-secondary institutions in the county, both located in Sevierville. The first is a satellite campus of the Morristown-based Walters State Community College. The second is a satellite campus of Johnson City-based East Tennessee State University.
Healthcare options in the county include several clinics and facilities to meet every personal need. The county is served by LeConte Medical Center, a 79-bed medical center offering a full array of medical specialties and outstanding medical technology, including the Dolly Parton Birthing Unit that offers family-centered maternity. The Emergency Department provides excellent care, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The hospital also offers a full surgery department and a full suite of diagnostic services. In addition, the county is also served by the East Tennessee Medical Center – Regional Health Center. The health center offers a full selection of services including many outpatient and clinical options.
Gatlinburg
City Offices
Gatlinburg 865-436-1400
Gatlinburg, home to just over 4500 residents but is visited by more than 10 million tourists each year, this quaint mountain town is one of the most visited locations in the country. With attractions ranging from thrill rides to scenic viewpoints, the city attracts both thrill seekers and nature lovers to its beautiful surroundings. Bordering Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Gatlinburg is an important destination in the state, with many man-made attractions. Ober Gatlinburg is the only ski resort in the state. It has eight ski trails, three chair lifts, and a wildlife encounter area and is accessible via roads and a gondola from the city center. The Gatlinburg Sky-Lift takes visitors up 1,800 feet to the top of Crockett Mountain and to the longest footbridge in the US which spans two mountains. The city is home to a wide selection of attractions that are all designed to take advantage of the natural surroundings. Besides the skiing and the sky-lift, the city is also home to the Gatlinburg Space Needle. The needle provides a 360-degree view of the Smoky Mountains from its 407-foot tower. The attraction includes glass elevators, educational exhibits on the history of Gatlinburg, a two-story arcade, and a magic and mentalism performance at the Iris Theater. For those who enjoy a little history or arts and crafts, the Gatlinburg arts and crafts community is an 8-mile loop located on the north side of town. With over 100 artists and craftsmen, the Community is a living, breathing tribute to the history of Tennessee. Residents and visitors enjoy festival and annual events, including the famous Winterfest. For the Christmas season, downtown Gatlinburg is decorated with lights for the Winterfest Celebration that takes place from November through February.
Gatlinburg really does have everything that a resident could want. And for those who are more outdoor oriented there is no end to the activities available with ziplines and whitewater rafting, golf and fishing, and 800 miles of hiking trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the area has it all. It is a great place to call home.
Pigeon Forge
City Offices
Pigeon Forge 865-453-9061
Pigeon Forge is home to just over 6700 residents. They enjoy a great place of life and are surrounded by the Great Smoky Mountains. The community has a long history in Tennessee and its location is the stuff of legends. Early history of the town dates back to before the Revolutionary War. Pigeon Forge once was a small farming community, but the mountains brought more and more visitors to the area, and new businesses were established to meet the needs of those travelers. Today, Pigeon Forge is a major tourist destination, and share part of the more than 10 million people who visit the area each year. Residents enjoy a surprisingly quiet pace of life in and among all those visitors. In addition to the Smoky Mountain scenery, Pigeon Forge has plenty of parks and recreational areas, a community center and public library, as well as an excellent educational system that ranges from pre -school through high school. Pigeon Forge is a typical small town with fiercely loyal residents who ensure that their community retains its southern charm and nostalgia. The city is best known as the home of Dollywood, the amusement park that is owned by the famous country singer. But the town is home to dozens of attractions, restaurants, shops, galleries, and everything else that one could want. Visitors and locals enjoy seasonal holidays and events in Pigeon Forge that take place throughout the year that draw people from all over the country. Whatever a resident may need, can be had close to home, and in this community there are a lot of things to choose from.
Sevierville
City Offices
Sevierville 865-453-5504
Sevierville is located alongside its sister cities of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg and is only minutes from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and 26.4 miles from Knoxville. The city of just over 18,000 residents is famous as the birthplace of Dolly Parton, and the city is home to a statue of the superstar in the downtown right by its famous courthouse. The community began as a quiet mountain town, but today is much more famous for its location, its shopping and the many festivals that take place each year. Like the other towns and communities in Sevier County, Sevierville benefits from the tourism industry brought by the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. In fact, almost 50 percent of businesses based in Sevierville were linked to tourism. For residents this mean that there is a wealth of interesting and exciting opportunities for recreation. The city is home to a petting zoo, a vast underground cavern network used by moonshiners, city parks and trails as well as a host of other exciting options. In addition to the attractions, Sevierville is home to Tanger Outlets which offers shoppers an outdoor adventure of their own. The town is also a great home-base for exploring the Smoky Mountains. Or for launching into adventures at nearby Dollywood.
In recent years the city has worked to restore and update its downtown. With those renovations and updates, the downtown district is now more than ever an exciting place to go. Residents and visitors can stroll along Bruce Street or Court Ave to take in all the sites. Restaurant, cafes, unique shops, and boutiques. The city has also made the are more pedestrian friendly, truly expanding the appeal of the downtown. In addition to the many attractions the city is famous for hosting amazing annual events. Those include, Rose Glen Literary Festival, Smallmouth King Bass Fishing Tournament, Bloomin’ BBQ and Bluegrass Festival, Smoky Mountain Harvest Fest, Smoky Mountain Homecoming Fall Festival and the immensely popular Winterfest. Sevierville is a great place to call home and offers its residents an active lifestyle.