Each year, staff updates the annual Facts & Figures report to provide an overview of what makes the Knoxville area a great place to live, work, and visit. The 2026 edition is now available.

The area boasts a beautiful landscape and lively community rich in art and culture, special events, outdoor activities, and more. Knoxville and Knox County are home to ample recreation and tourism offerings and have gained the reputation of an outdoor adventure destination with miles of multi-use trails, greenways and blueways, and close proximity to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Many businesses also call the region home, including Regal Entertainment Group, The Dollywood Company, Bush Brothers, Clayton Homes, and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, site of the largest U.S. Department of Energy research facility. With these and other major job sites, the unemployment rates for Knoxville and Knox County are lower than both the state and national averages. Due to the high quality of living and professional opportunities, Knoxville was ranked the 8^th best city to start a career in the U.S. by WalletHub.  

Another draw is the University of Tennessee’s flagship campus, as well as several other 2- and 4-year colleges and universities, contributing to forty-two percent of the population holding a bachelor’s degree or higher.

For more information on the Knoxville area, explore the latest edition of Facts & Figures at https://knoxplanning.org/data.