Regional Profile
Located within a day's drive of 70% of the U.S. population, with a pro-business environment, a talented workforce, a diverse economy and a climate of mild seasons and natural beauty, the Knoxville-Oak Ridge region of East Tennessee is the perfect location - for business and for quality of life.
Location
-
15-county area in Knoxville region
- Junction of I-40, I-75 and I-81
- A major regional airport with more than 140 flights daily with 21 non-stop destinations
Population
- Population of over 1 million
- Workforce of over 550,000
- Over 55,000 college and university students
Population Breakdown By Age
>19 273,708
20-24 72,980
25-44 297,802
45-64 302,601
65-74 94,405
75+ 75,613
Source: US Census, Decision Data 2009
Education
- University of Tennessee main campus
- 8 four-year liberal arts colleges
- 4 two-year community colleges
- 4 technical institutions
- 6 technology training centers
- Numerous vocational and specialty schools
- 2 top-rated secondary school systems
| Nonagricultural Employment | |
| Trade, Transportation & Utilities | 19% |
| Government | 16% |
| Leisure & Hospitality | 13% |
| Manufacturing | 11% |
| Professional & Business Services | 12% |
| Education & Health Services | 12% |
| Financial Activities | 6% |
| Natural Resources, Mining & Construction | 5% |
| Other Services | 4% |
| Information | 1% |
| Source: Tennessee Department of labor and Workforce Development 3rd Q 2009 |
Technology
- 50,000 technical professionals
- Over 10,000 students concentrating in mathematics, science or engineering
- Affordable, state-of-the-art, high-bandwidth infrastructure
Research
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory
- University of Tennessee
- National Transportation Research Center
- Oak Ridge Centers for Manufacturing Technology
- Spallation Neutron Source
- Oak Ridge Center for Manufacturing and Material Science
Lifestyle
- Cost of living 11% below the national average
- Housing costs 18% below the national average
- Healthcare costs 10% below the national average
- 4 distinct seasons
Source: ACCRA 1Q 2010
Moderate Climate
Annual average temperature: 58 degrees
Average high: January 49 degrees, July 86 degrees
Average low temperature: January 28 degrees, July 69 degrees
Recreation
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Nation's most-visited park
- Seven TVA lakes
- Big South Fork Wilderness Area
- Collegiate football and basketball
- AA Chicago Cubs affiliate baseball team
- Professional ice hockey team
- 2 symphonies, 3 ballet companies, an opera company and a fine arts museum
- Nationally recognized zoo
