LOUDON, Tenn. — Loudon, located in East Tennessee, is seeing rapid growth, with multiple projects currently underway aimed at boosting housing, business, and industry in the area. According to a recent study by the University of Tennessee, Loudon is now the second fastest-growing county in East Tennessee, following Knox County. The county’s population, which was recorded at 48,556 in the 2010 census, is now estimated to have surpassed 60,000.
Loudon Mayor Jeff Harris spoke about the development, highlighting the expansion across all sectors: residential, commercial, and industrial. “There’s a lot of resources committed to it, but we’re excited about it. We welcome people here with open arms. We love our community and our town, and I think that most of the people here are very heartwarming and welcoming,” said Harris.
Real estate expert Dee Dee Burnette echoed the sentiment, noting that the county experienced a 4% population increase in 2024, with nearly 2,000 new residents joining the community. “That’s pretty steep,” Burnette said. “There’s a lot of people coming to this area for a lot of good reasons, but we have people coming from outside of Tennessee and inside of Tennessee.”
One recent arrival to Loudon is Karen King, who moved from Oregon and opened her second coffee shop, Coffee Culture, in the county. King praised the friendly, welcoming nature of the town, saying, “It’s just a small-town atmosphere. You can’t beat it. The people in this county are friendly and nice, and you make eye contact with people. You talk to people, you really get to know people and you get to know the heart and the soul of a community.”
Local residents like Burnette also emphasize Loudon’s appeal as an ideal place to settle down. “That’s what I love about this area. It’s a really great place to land, but also a great place to raise a family,” Burnette said.
As the population grows, several exciting projects are in the pipeline. A waterfront development project near downtown is expected to bring in approximately 150 new residential units, along with businesses and recreational activities. Additionally, Pittsburgh Paint and Glass has announced plans to build a manufacturing facility in the industrial park, which will create 250 to 300 new jobs.
“We understand that growth is going to come this way,” said Mayor Harris. “Knoxville can only take on so many. Lenoir City’s seen their amount of growth too, and I think it’s just going to keep continuing to trickle down this way.”
While the developments are promising, the town does not yet have an exact timeline for when these projects will be completed. However, the ongoing growth is a clear indicator of the area’s bright future, as Loudon continues to welcome new residents and businesses alike.
As more people move to the area, the charm and tight-knit community spirit of Loudon remain key elements that make it an attractive destination in East Tennessee. With its thriving local economy and warm, welcoming atmosphere, the future of Loudon appears as promising as ever.
