Townsend
What’s happening
Weather
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Local news
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The Townsend album
Outdoors in Townsend
Parks & trails →Know a trail or park that’s missing? Anyone can add it to OpenStreetMap, and it shows up here on the next refresh.
Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US
1933
DETAIL AT NORTHEAST CORNER OF SOUTH CENTRAL PENS, SHOWING SPIKE AND BRIDLE HOOK MADE FROM HORSESHOES Date- July 10, 193…, 1933
Photo · Wikimedia Commons
About Townsend
City in Tennessee, United StatesTownsend is a city in Blount County, Tennessee. The city was chartered in 1921 by persons who were involved with the Little River Railroad and Lumber Company. The population was 550 at the 2020 census. For thousands of years a site of Native American occupation by varying cultures, Townsend is one of three "gateways" to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It has several museums and attractions relating to the natural and human history of the Great Smokies.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
Town numbers
Housing in Townsend
The typical Townsend home is worth about $409,000, up 1.1% in a year, 22% above the Tennessee typical home.
Only 1 sale in May 2026, too few for a market read. The typical value is the steadier guide.
Safety in Townsend
Not graded
Townsend has fewer than 1,000 residents. At that size one or two incidents swing the numbers so much that a grade wouldn't be fair, so we show the counts instead.
Work & commute in Townsend
Full picture →Most working residents leave Townsend for work: only 6% work in town. The top destinations are Maryville (20%), Knoxville (11%) and Alcoa (10%). Half commute less than 16 miles.
Health in Townsend
Compared with Tennessee
of 26 measures CDC estimates. The other 10 are too close to call.
What stands out
Care nearby
Natural hazards in Townsend
Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 59% of U.S. communities.
Climate in Townsend
Full climate →Townsend has mild winters and warm summers, with plenty of rain. A typical July afternoon reaches 88°, a January night drops to 29°, and about 5 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.
Schools in Townsend
All Townsend schools →School Grade B
The public schools Townsend’s kids attend, from kindergarten through graduation, outperform 55% of Tennessee’s districts on state tests and graduation. Among towns with similar incomes, they sit near the middle.
School data from the U.S. Department of Education (NCES, EDFacts). The School Grade is our own summary of state test results and graduation rates, graded within TN. Ratings are from neighbors.
Libraries near Townsend
See all →Famous people from Townsend
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Where Townsend is
Explore map →
Location map