Oak Ridge's neighbor. Federal jobs, affordable land, and USDA-eligible parcels just 25 minutes from Knoxville.
Yes — Anderson County welcomes barndominiums in agricultural and rural zones. The county has moderate zoning with good flexibility for owner-builders.
| Zone | Min Lot | Barndo OK? |
|---|---|---|
| A (Agricultural) | 1 acre | ✅ Yes |
| R-1 (Low Density Residential) | 1 acre | ⚠️ Conditional |
| R-2 (General Residential) | 15,000 sqft | ❌ No |
Source: Anderson County Zoning Resolution
Tennessee allows owner-builders to act as their own general contractor for personal residences. Licensed subs needed for electrical, plumbing, and HVAC.
Anderson County Building Dept 100 N Main St, Clinton, TN 37716 (865) 457-6218 Mon–Fri 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Low flood risk. Only 9% of land falls in FEMA flood zones, mostly along the Clinch River. Upland parcels are generally clean.
Source: FEMA National Flood Hazard Layer, USDA Web Soil Survey
Anderson County offers good value — land is roughly 60% cheaper per acre than Knox County, with easy access to Oak Ridge and Knoxville employment.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2024, Anderson County Assessor
Anderson County blends federal-job security with rural Tennessee living. Oak Ridge brings science and steady paychecks; the surrounding hills bring peace and quiet.
ORNL and Y-12 provide thousands of high-paying federal jobs. Science meets Southern living.
Norris Lake and the Cumberland Plateau offer year-round outdoor recreation.
Land at $18K/acre with Knoxville 25 minutes away. Hard to beat that value.
Good infrastructure near Oak Ridge and Clinton. Rural areas rely on wells and septic. Broadband available along main corridors.
Most of Anderson County outside Oak Ridge and Clinton qualifies for USDA Rural Development — zero down payment for eligible buyers.
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