Cocke County
TN · Pop. 36,503 · Suburban County
Cocke County is a suburban county in Tennessee, spanning 436 square miles with 36,503 residents at a density of 83.7 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, soybeans. The median home price is $142,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.64%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7b with a 195-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.5°F and average winter lows of 28.6°F. Annual rainfall averages 44.2 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Tennova Healthcare - Newport Medical Center is 4.8 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.6% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 195-day growing season in USDA zone 7b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.64% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $142,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 99.6% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Tennova Healthcare - Newport Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 4.8 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- A poverty rate of 20.3% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
At a glance
Cocke County, TN is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 82/100
- Median home price
- $142k
- Property tax
- 0.64%
- Growing season
- 195 days (zone 7b)
- Annual rainfall
- 44.2"
- Broadband
- 99.6%
- Nearest hospital
- Tennova Healthcare - Newport Medical Center, 4.8 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Cocke County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Cocke County?
- Cocke County is in USDA hardiness zone 7b with a 195-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.5°F, and average winter lows of 28.6°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, soybeans.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $142,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.64%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 99.6% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Tennova Healthcare - Newport Medical Center is 4.8 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital 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 Cocke 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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