Blount County
TN · Pop. 137,747 · Mixed County
Blount County sits in Tennessee across 559 square miles, home to 137,747 people at 246.4 per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, haylage, soybeans. The median home price is $276,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.5%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7b with a 212-day growing season, average summer highs of 87.1°F and average winter lows of 31.1°F. Annual rainfall averages 47.9 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Blount Memorial Hospital is 5.1 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 96.4% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 212-day growing season in USDA zone 7b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.5% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 96.4% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Blount Memorial Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 5.1 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 3% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- At 246.4 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.
At a glance
Blount County, TN is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 65/100
- Median home price
- $276k
- Property tax
- 0.5%
- Growing season
- 212 days (zone 7b)
- Annual rainfall
- 47.9"
- Broadband
- 96.4%
- Nearest hospital
- Blount Memorial Hospital, 5.1 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Blount County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Blount County?
- Blount County is in USDA hardiness zone 7b with a 212-day growing season, average summer highs of 87.1°F, and average winter lows of 31.1°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, soybeans.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $276,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.5%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 96.4% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Blount Memorial Hospital is 5.1 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.
Explore Tennessee Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Tennessee
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The closest counties to Blount County by distance, including across state lines.
Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
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