Pros and Cons of Living in Powell, TN (2026)

Powell has no mayor, no city hall, and no city property tax. This corner of north Knox County is an unincorporated community of 13,802 people at the 2020 Census, and that one fact shapes almost everything about living here, from your tax bill to who answers when you call the fire department. Here's what Powell does well, where it falls short, and what the numbers looked like in October 2026.

Want to see what's on the market first? Browse homes for sale in Powell, or widen the search with our Knox County homes page.

Here's what we'll cover:

Powell at a Glance

• Where: north Knox County along I-75, Emory Road, and Clinton Highway, about 10 miles by road from downtown Knoxville. Mail goes to ZIP code 37849.
• People: 13,802 at the 2020 Census, counted as a census-designated place since Powell has no city government.
• Typical price: a median sold price of $350,000 in September 2026, according to East Tennessee MLS data we pulled through flexmls.
• Taxes: Knox County only. The county's certified rate for July 2026 through June 2027 is $1.0158 per $100 of assessed value.
• Water and sewer: Hallsdale-Powell Utility District at most addresses.

The Pros of Living in Powell

One Property Tax Bill

Because Powell sits outside any city limits, homeowners pay the Knox County rate and nothing on top of it. Knox County Commission certified a rate of $1.0158 per $100 of assessed value for the fiscal year that runs July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, after the 2026 countywide reappraisal. Tennessee assesses homes at 25% of appraised value, so a home appraised at $350,000 carries an assessed value of $87,500 and a county bill of about $889 a year. Homes inside the City of Knoxville pay a city rate on top of the county rate, which is why buyers comparing north Knox addresses should check the tax line on every listing. The Knox County Trustee collects the bill, due by February 28 and delinquent on March 1.

Prices Under the Knoxville Average

The September 2026 median sold price in Powell was $350,000 across single-family homes, condos, and townhomes, per East Tennessee MLS data we pulled through flexmls on October 28, 2026. August came in at $375,700 and October 2025 at $370,000, so prices have been flat to slightly lower over the past year. The median asking price of active listings in September was $369,900. That range gives first-time buyers room to work, and our first-time home buyer guide walks through the steps. You'll find older ranches on wooded lots, 1990s and 2000s subdivisions, and new townhomes and houses still going up, including a 2025 build on Bisham Wood Lane and 2026 builds in Rogers Farm in the listings below.

Close to Knoxville and Oak Ridge

Powell sits between two of East Tennessee's biggest job centers. Using the free OSRM routing service, we measured these light-traffic drive times on October 28, 2026: about 17 minutes to downtown Knoxville, 22 minutes to UT Medical Center, 30 minutes to the Y-12 National Security Complex, and 33 minutes to Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Plenty of Powell buyers also look at homes in Oak Ridge and Knoxville homes side by side, then pick the address that splits the difference.

The Airplane Filling Station on Clinton Highway, a Powell landmark built in the 1930s.

Room to Spread Out

Drive a few minutes off Emory Road and the lots get bigger. Hilly, wooded parcels along the ridges north of town are common, and some include outbuildings or space for a garden. If land is the goal, start with our homes with acreage search and ask about septic, driveway grades, and flood zones before you write an offer. Builders are active here too, and our new construction buyer guide covers what to ask a builder before you sign.

A Water Trail, a Library, and Everyday Errands

The Knox County Water Trail on Beaver Creek runs about 44 miles from Halls to Melton Hill Lake, and Powell has an ADA launch called Aubrey's Launch at the Powell High Landing, 2136 West Emory Road. The Powell Branch Library is at 330 West Emory Road. Groceries, restaurants, and big-box stores line Emory Road and Clinton Highway, so most errands stay close to home.

The Cons of Living in Powell

Fire Service Is a Subscription

This is the one that surprises people. Unincorporated Knox County gets fire protection from Rural Metro Fire, and households pay for it through an annual subscription. Rural Metro's own FAQ says the subscription is not funded by property taxes and is priced by the home's square footage. Homes without a subscription can be billed for a fire response, and Rural Metro lists Tennessee non-member charges starting at $1,800 per hour per vehicle. Budget for the subscription the week you close, and call Rural Metro at 800-624-5835 for the price on your address.

Emory Road Construction Through 2028

TDOT is rebuilding the I-75 and Emory Road interchange at Exit 112 into a diverging diamond. Work started in October 2025 with an estimated completion of April 4, 2028, and WVLT reported in April 2026 that about 26,000 vehicles a day use the interchange. Expect lane shifts, nightly ramp closures, and rolling roadblocks on I-75 for a while. WATE reported delays of 10 to 15 minutes during some phases.

No City Services

Being unincorporated also means no city trash truck. Knox County does not run curbside garbage pickup in unincorporated areas, so households hire a private hauler or haul bags to the Powell Convenience Center at 7311 Morton View Lane. That center is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 8 to 6 and Saturday from 7 to 3, and it's closed Wednesday and Sunday. Zoning, roads, and codes all run through Knox County.

Traffic on the Main Roads

Emory Road, Clinton Highway, and Maynardville Pike carry most of Powell's traffic, and they back up at school times and rush hour. Our measured drive times are light-traffic numbers, so plan on longer trips during peak hours and test the drive before you buy.

Lakes, Mountains, and Getting Around

Powell is one of the quicker trips from Knoxville to Norris Lake. Here's what OSRM showed for light traffic on October 28, 2026, rounded into ranges so you can plan:

• Norris Dam State Park: about 28 to 35 minutes.
• Big Ridge State Park on Norris Lake: about 40 to 45 minutes.
• Melton Hill Dam: about 45 to 50 minutes.
• Clinton: about 15 to 20 minutes.
• Halls: about 13 to 15 minutes.
• Turkey Creek shopping in west Knoxville: about 30 to 40 minutes.
• McGhee Tyson Airport: about 45 to 55 minutes.
• Sugarlands Visitor Center in the Great Smoky Mountains: about 1 hour 20 minutes to 1 hour 35 minutes, roughly 53 miles.

If you'd like a dock or a water view, our Knoxville-area waterfront homes search covers Norris, Melton Hill, and Fort Loudoun lakes. Buyers who want to be even closer to Norris Lake often compare Andersonville homes and the rest of Anderson County.

Norris Lake at Big Ridge State Park, about 40 minutes from Powell.

Homes and Neighborhoods in Powell

Powell's housing runs from older brick ranches near the railroad to 1990s subdivisions like Barrington and newer builds off Emory Road. The 97 active listings we counted in Powell on October 28, 2026 ranged from listings under $150,000 to homes over $1 million. Average days on market in September was about 50, per our flexmls pull, so buyers usually have a little time to think. Before you shop, set a payment you're comfortable with using our mortgage calculator.

Homes for Sale in Powell Right Now

A sample of active Powell listings, pulled October 28, 2026. Prices and status change quickly.

$289,900

3 beds | 2.5 baths | 1,381 sq ft

3533 Bisham Wood Ln, Powell, TN 37849

MLS# 1359773

Listing courtesy of MG Rise Real Estate Group

View this home

$409,900

3 beds | 3 baths | 1,950 sq ft

1506 Sunrise Crest Ln, Powell, TN 37849

MLS# 1344099

Listing courtesy of Elite Realty

View this home

$550,000

3 beds | 2 baths | 2,162 sq ft

172 Overton Ln, Powell, TN 37849

MLS# 1359753

Listing courtesy of Keller Williams

View this home

$689,900

4 beds | 3 baths | 2,903 sq ft

8017 Little Joe Rd, Powell, TN 37849

MLS# 1342746

Listing courtesy of Realty Executives Associates

View this home

$1,160,000

4 beds | 3.5 baths | 4,418 sq ft

7615 Rio Grande Dr, Powell, TN 37849

MLS# 1358887

Listing courtesy of United Real Estate Solutions

View this home

IDX information is provided exclusively for personal, non-commercial use, and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

See All Homes in Powell

Schools in Powell

Powell is served by Knox County Schools. Powell High School, Powell Middle School, and several elementary schools sit in or near the community, and zones can split along streets. School zoning is set by address, so confirm the assigned schools for any home with the district before you make an offer.

Is Powell Right for You?

Powell tends to fit buyers who want a single tax bill, a reasonable drive to Knoxville or Oak Ridge, and quick access to Norris Lake. It asks you to handle a few things a city would normally handle, like fire service and trash, and to live with interchange construction for another couple of years. If that trade works for you, Powell gives you a lot of house and yard for the money. Still comparing areas? The Greater Knoxville relocation guide lays out the whole region.

Selling a Home in Powell

With a September median around $350,000 and about seven weeks on market, pricing right matters. Start with a free home value estimate, then run your numbers in our home sale calculator to see what you might walk away with. Our seller resources cover prep, photos, and timing.

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Powell, TN

Is Powell, TN a city?

No. Powell is an unincorporated community in Knox County with a 2020 Census population of 13,802. Knox County provides its government services.

What are property taxes in Powell?

Homeowners pay only the Knox County rate, certified at $1.0158 per $100 of assessed value for July 2026 through June 2027. Homes are assessed at 25% of appraised value, so a $350,000 home pays about $889 a year.

Do you pay for fire service in Powell?

Yes. Rural Metro Fire serves unincorporated Knox County through an annual subscription based on square footage. Call Rural Metro at 800-624-5835 for your address.

How far is Powell from Knoxville?

About 10 miles by road, or roughly 17 minutes to downtown Knoxville in light traffic. Allow extra time while the I-75 and Emory Road interchange is under construction.

What is the median home price in Powell?

The median sold price was $350,000 in September 2026, per East Tennessee MLS data pulled through flexmls on October 28, 2026.

Talk to MaX House

Thinking about Powell? Our team works with buyers and sellers across Knox County and East Tennessee, and we can set up showings whenever you're ready. MaX House, brokered by LPT Realty.

Cover photo: railroad tracks in Powell by Brian Stansberry, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Photos: Airplane Filling Station and Norris Lake at Big Ridge State Park by Brian Stansberry, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.