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Powell, TN

Frequently asked questions

Powell, TN

Powell, formerly known as Powell Station,  is a census-designated place in Knox County, Tennessee. The area is located in the Emory Road corridor (State Route 131), just north of Knoxville, southeast of Clinton, and east of Oak Ridge. It had a population of 13,802 during the 2020 census. It is included in the Knoxville, TN Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Despite its status as unincorporated, Powell is considered to be more of an "independent" small town than a suburb. One of the reasons behind this is that it was established in 1789 (two years before the establishment of Knoxville) by settlers passing through East Tennessee into the frontier. Among these early settlers was Stockley Donelson (1753–1804), a brother-in-law of President Andrew Jackson. Donelson's home, now known as the Alexander Bishop House, still stands on Bishop Lane. Another early settler was John Manifee, a Revolutionary War veteran who built a small fort and trading station along what is now Clinton Highway in the late 1780s.

The community's name is derived from the Powell Station train stop, which was in turn named for Columbus Powell, a prominent resident. The train station is not currently in use but remains in the town's "downtown" area. The railroad was essential to the economy of early 20th century Powell as bricks were made with the mud from Beaver Creek loaded onto the tracks and sent to various locations. The tracks were originally part of the East Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia Railway (now part of the Norfolk Southern line).

From 1951 to 2012, Powell was home to the Powell STOLport, a rural airstrip located adjacent to the I-75 and Emory Road (SR 131) interchange. In March 2013, following the Knoxville City Council's annexation of the airstrip site, the Knoxville-Knox County Metropolitan Planning Commission approved plans for a shopping complex on the site including a supermarket, theater, department store, and other retail developments.

Powell lies in the Beaver Creek Valley between Copper Ridge and Beaver Ridge, two narrow ridges typical of the Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians. It is situated along Emory Road (SR 131) about halfway between Halls and Karns, and roughly spans the area between Interstate 75 to the east, and Clinton Highway (U.S. Route 25W) to the west. Knoxville lies opposite Beaver Ridge to the southeast.

Powell places a strong emphasis on health and wellness for its residents. In addition to these facilities, Tennova Healthcare offers comprehensive health services, including wellness check-ups and preventive care programs. Explore a variety of fitness classes and wellness programs through Tennova Family YMCA. Planet Fitness offers comprehensive fitness programs including cardio, strength training, and group exercise classes. CrossFit One Valley is a high-intensity fitness center that provides CrossFit classes designed to improve strength, endurance, and overall fitness. BenchMark Physical Therapy offers personalized physical therapy services to help patients recover from injuries and improve their physical health. Anytime Fitness is a 24-hour gym providing a wide range of workout equipment, personal training, and fitness classes to accommodate all fitness levels. KTown Yoga is a serene yoga studio that offers a variety of yoga classes for all skill levels, focusing on mindfulness and physical well-being.

The top sites in Powell, TN are Powell Station Park, Knoxville Museum of Art, and Zoo Knoxville.

Population: 26,000 (2021). Elevation: 1,060 ft (320 m). Area: 8.54 sq mi (22.12 km²). ZIP Code: 37849. Area code(s): 865. 

FAQs

What is the history of Powell, TN?

Despite its status as unincorporated, Powell is considered to be more of an "independent" small town than a suburb. One of the reasons behind this is that it was established in 1789 (two years before the establishment of Knoxville) by settlers passing through East Tennessee into the frontier. Among these early settlers was Stockley Donelson (1753–1804), a brother-in-law of President Andrew Jackson. Donelson's home, now known as the Alexander Bishop House, still stands on Bishop Lane. Another early settler was John Manifee, a Revolutionary War veteran who built a small fort and trading station along what is now Clinton Highway in the late 1780s.

What are the demographics of Powell, TN?

Knoxville recovered relatively quickly after the war. In 1869, federal wartime restitution funding expanded the college, which was occupied by both armies during the war, and it changed its name to the University of Tennessee a decade later. Many immigrants came to the city during its manufacturing boom, and its population grew from 5,000 in 1860 to more than 32,600 by 1900. According to the most recent ACS, the racial composition of Knoxville was: White: 73.9%, Black or African American: 16.11%, Two or more races: 6.43%, Other race: 1.81%, Asian: 1.56%, Native American: 0.15%, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 0.04%.

What is the crime rate in Powell, TN?

Powell has an overall crime rate of 11 per 1,000 residents, making the crime rate here near the average for all cities and towns of all sizes in America. According to our analysis of FBI crime data, your chance of becoming a victim of crime in Powell is 1 in 87. Powell's crime rate is lower than approximately 48% of Tennessee communities.

Sources

City of Powell

Wikipedia

World Population Review

Neighborhood Scout

Knoxville Museum of Art

Zoo Knoxville

Powell Station Park 

Tennova Healthcare

Tennova Family YMCA

Planet Fitness

CrossFit One Valley

BenchMark Physical Therapy

Anytime Fitness

KTown Yoga

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