Athens is the site of Tennessee Wesleyan College. It is also the home of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Cherokee National Forest. Athens is the county seat of McMinn County, Tennessee, United States. and the principal city of the Athens Micropolitan Statistical Area has a population of 53,569. The city is located almost equidistantly between the major cities of Knoxville and Chattanooga.

History of Athens, Tennessee

The town of Athens, Tennessee, was created in 1822, on land obtained from William Lowry and Joseph Calloway. Originally the town boundaries consisted of 35 acres bordering on the Eastnalle Creek, which was used as a source of water power to operate the various mills that eventually located along the creek. Important in the location of the town was a healthy water supply, which was provided by a large spring near the center of town.

Athens Today

 The city is surrounded by the Unicoi Mountains, the Tennessee River and the Starr Mountain. McMinn County Living Heritage Museum is great place to learn about the culture and history of the area. Athens is also home to the Swift Museum Foundation, a museum that shows history of famous Swift training planes. Loch Low-Minn quary lake is great spot for fishing and scuba diving. 

Real Estate in Athens, Tennessee

Athens, TN Housing Market

In the median home price in Athens, TN is about $190,679. This value is seasonally adjusted and only includes the middle price tier of homes. Athens home values have gone up 21.8% over the past year.

The total cost of housing, food, child care, transportation, health care, taxes, and other necessities for a single adult in Athens is $33,441 a year — about the same as the annual cost of living for Tennessee of $34,350 and less than the national figure of $38,433.

Here are some quick statistics on Knoxville, Tennessee:

• The metro population in Athens, Tennessee is 14,020
• The median home price in Athens, Tennessee is $189,900
• The Median Monthly Rent in Athens, Tennessee is $600
• The Average Annual Salary in Athens, Tennessee is $53654
• The Unemployment Rate in Knoxville is 5.3%
• Average Commute is in Knoxville 19 minutes

Things to Do in Athens, Tennessee

Some examples of things to do in Athens, Tennessee, include:

Visit the Mayfield Dairy Farms: Mayfield Dairy Farms is a 100-year old dairy farm located in Athens, TN, on I-75, between Knoxville and Chattanooga. Stop by the Mayfield Visitors Center and take a tour of the farm, before tasting the best, freshest ice cream you have ever tasted.  Click here to visit the website.

McMinn County Living Heritage Museum: McMinn Country Living Heritage Museum is a local culture and history museum founded in 1982. The Museum is a private, not-for-profit organization. It has 30 permanent exhibits with more than 10,000 artifacts that portray the culture and history of Southeast Tennessee in the period from the 1700s to the 1940s. In addition, four rotating displays change throughout the year. Each exhibit has a unique storyline about events and people that made a difference in the region. The Museum also offers educational programs and special events. Click here to visit the website.

Loch Low-Minn Scuba Diving Resort in Athens, Tennessee, provides a unique experience for beginners and experienced divers to explore a beautiful, crystal clear ten-acre quarry lake. What makes the lake especially exciting for divers is that it is home to the ancient species of fish called paddlefish and many other aquatic species. The beautiful lake is nestled in the lush wooded hills of East Tennessee. Its crystal clear waters have excellent average visibility of 35 feet, so the divers are sure to see many of its fish and other attractions. Besides paddlefish, the lake is home to bluegills, bass, catfish, and an eclectic range of artifacts. Click here to visit the website