HistoryFounded in 1783, Greeneville was originally settled by Scots-Irish frontiersmen who prized Greeneville's abundant natural resources, pleasant climate, and beautiful landscape. Around the famous Big Spring, these hard-working pioneers built a friendly community whose spirit of endeavor guided the town through its early agricultural roots and tumultuous Civil War era, to the booming Railroad Era and subsequent rise in industrial development. Nurturing Greeneville and beyond, two of the town's most prominent citizens, President Andrew Johnson and folk hero Davy Crockett, each left an enduring contribution to the American culture. Johnson, a tailor by trade, became the 17th President of the United States, while Crockett, famous for his adventurous frontier exploits, served in the U.S. House of Representatives. Today, as a certified Main Street Community, Greeneville embraces that same frontier vision, while preparing to answer the needs for a new generation of 21st century pioneer.
Greeneville/Historic Downtown Map
Demographics
| Area Demographics | |
| Greene County | 65,315 |
| Greeneville | 15,383 |
| Population Characteristics Source: Greene County Partnership/2000 US Census | |
| Age | |
| Median Age | 36.9 |
| Under 24 | 19,637 |
| 25-44 | 18,225 |
| 45-59 | 12,429 |
| Over 60 | 10,096 |
Economy
Primary industries in Greene County are:
More than 1,700 businesses employ 30,940 people, with an average of 18.2 employees per business. Of these, the major categories include 552 retail businesses, 105 financial, insurance or real estate firms, 95 manufacturing companies, 110 construction businesses, and 108 health services of various kinds.
Primary industries in Greene County are:
- manufacturing
- agriculture
- tourism
More than 1,700 businesses employ 30,940 people, with an average of 18.2 employees per business. Of these, the major categories include 552 retail businesses, 105 financial, insurance or real estate firms, 95 manufacturing companies, 110 construction businesses, and 108 health services of various kinds.
Environment
Nestled in the lush foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Greeneville enjoys a mild climate and vibrant landscape featuring the Cherokee National Forest, Great Smoky National Park, and Nolichucky River Valley. The town's proximity to mountains and waterways has resulted in an abundance of smaller parks and hiking trails, including Davy Crockett Birthplace State Park, Paint Creek, and Horse Creek, as well as scenic hikes to more than 17 waterfalls. An unusual location for a National Park, Greeneville's downtown historic district also features the Andrew Johnson National Historic Site. Hiking, camping, boating, fishing, and golfing are just a few of the numerous outdoor activities Greeneville offers.
Nestled in the lush foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Greeneville enjoys a mild climate and vibrant landscape featuring the Cherokee National Forest, Great Smoky National Park, and Nolichucky River Valley. The town's proximity to mountains and waterways has resulted in an abundance of smaller parks and hiking trails, including Davy Crockett Birthplace State Park, Paint Creek, and Horse Creek, as well as scenic hikes to more than 17 waterfalls. An unusual location for a National Park, Greeneville's downtown historic district also features the Andrew Johnson National Historic Site. Hiking, camping, boating, fishing, and golfing are just a few of the numerous outdoor activities Greeneville offers.
EducationGreeneville and Greene County offer competitive education programming in both academic and non-academic initiatives. Greeneville hosts the first city school system in the nation to be designated a "Sprint Showcase" for its technology program, and received honors for implementing a fiber optic "backbone" for Local- and Wide-area network infrastructure. In the pursuit of higher education, students have the option of pursuing two-year, four-year, and advanced post-graduate degrees all within an hour's drive from Greeneville. Walters State Community College in Greeneville specializes in workforce development and technology. Tennessee's oldest college, Tusculum College, also located in Greeneville, offers a variety of four-year liberal arts degrees, and has been widely praised for its innovative approach toward focused academics. Students looking for post graduate degrees are within an hour's drive to advanced programs in law, agriculture, pharmacy, and medicine at the University of Tennessee and East Tennessee State University.
Transportation
The ability to easily and efficiently connect to every major market in the eastern half of the United States is one of Greeneville's greatest resources, and the primary reason Greeneville is able to accommodate a varied wealth of industries. Located 12 scenic miles from Interstate 81 and served by six U.S. Highways, including the newly expanded Hwy 321 corridor, Greeneville is within an easy driving distance to neighboring destinations such as the Tri-Cities, TN; Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg, TN; Knoxville, TN; Asheville, NC; Abingdon, VA; Charlotte, NC; Lexington, KY; and Charleston, SC.
Area Airports
Greeneville Municipal Airport, Greeneville ( 0 miles)
Tri-Cities Regional Airport, Blountville (1 hour)
McGhee Tyson Airport, Alcoa (1.5 hours)
The ability to easily and efficiently connect to every major market in the eastern half of the United States is one of Greeneville's greatest resources, and the primary reason Greeneville is able to accommodate a varied wealth of industries. Located 12 scenic miles from Interstate 81 and served by six U.S. Highways, including the newly expanded Hwy 321 corridor, Greeneville is within an easy driving distance to neighboring destinations such as the Tri-Cities, TN; Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg, TN; Knoxville, TN; Asheville, NC; Abingdon, VA; Charlotte, NC; Lexington, KY; and Charleston, SC.
Area Airports
Greeneville Municipal Airport, Greeneville ( 0 miles)
Tri-Cities Regional Airport, Blountville (1 hour)
McGhee Tyson Airport, Alcoa (1.5 hours)
Religious Community
Visitors to Greeneville often remark on the number of beautiful old church steeples in our town, and for good reason. Comprised of both quaint country churches and traditional downtown churches, Greeneville is home to over 230 congregations representing an active, yet diverse community of faith.
Visitors to Greeneville often remark on the number of beautiful old church steeples in our town, and for good reason. Comprised of both quaint country churches and traditional downtown churches, Greeneville is home to over 230 congregations representing an active, yet diverse community of faith.