How Did Knoxville Get Its Name?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Knoxville was named after Henry Knox, President Washington's War Secretary

. William Blount selected the name for the City of Knoxville. Knoxville was the home of one of the most intense Union supporters, William Brownlow, editor of the Knoxville Whig newspaper.

Why is Knoxville called the scruffy city?

Knoxville was referred to as a “scruffy little city,” in 1980 by the Wall Street Journal

in reference to its bid to host the World's Fair

. Since then, Knoxville planted thousands of trees and invested in its rich history – all while embracing the name.

Were there slaves in Knoxville TN?

While

Knoxville was far less dependent on slavery than the rest of the South

, most of the city's leaders, even those who opposed secession, were pro-slavery at the onset of the Civil War. Some, such as J.G.M. Ramsey, had always been pro-slavery.

What was Knoxville's original name?

The city was officially founded and renamed Knoxville in 1791 for

Henry Knox

, secretary of war in President George Washington's Cabinet, and became the capital (1792–96) of the Territory South of the Ohio River and of the state of Tennessee (1796–1812, 1817–18).

Is Knoxville named after Henry Knox?

Knoxville was settled in 1791 and established in 1792. The City of Knoxville was incorporated in 1815.

Knoxville was named after Henry Knox

, President Washington's War Secretary. William Blount selected the name for the City of Knoxville.

What is the racial makeup of Knoxville TN?

Knoxville Demographics


White: 76.13% Black or African American: 16.98% Two or more races: 3.07% Asian: 1.77%

What is the biggest employer in Knoxville Tennessee?

Company County Total Employees
Covenant Health


Regional

11,357
Knox County Schools Knox 9,558 The University of Tennessee – Knoxville Knox 8,959 Y-12 National Security Complex Roane 7,241

Is Knoxville TN a good place to live?

Knoxville is in Knox County and is

one of the best places to live in Tennessee

. Living in Knoxville offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents rent their homes. In Knoxville there are a lot of restaurants and parks. Many young professionals live in Knoxville and residents tend to lean conservative.

Is Knoxville a safe city?

With a crime rate of 51 per one thousand residents, Knoxville has

one of the highest crime rates in America compared to all communities of all sizes

– from the smallest towns to the very largest cities. One's chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime here is one in 20.

Who was James White Knoxville?

James White (1747 – August 14, 1821) was an

American pioneer and soldier who founded Knoxville, Tennessee, in the early 1790s

. Born in Rowan County, North Carolina, White served as a captain in the county's militia during the American Revolutionary War.

Who settled Knoxville TN?


James White

, the founder of Knoxville, established his home here in 1786 as a fort and cluster of cabins. By 1791, the community was renamed Knoxville and enjoyed status as capital of the Southwest Territory. By 1794, the town was home to Blount College, known today as the University of Tennessee.

Is Knoxville a Southern city?

Knoxville, home of one of the greatest traditions in college football, is a golden pearl in the middle of the south.

Knoxville has become synonymous with the southern roots of the state

. It is home of the University of Tennessee, which dominates the identity of the city.

Is there another Knoxville?

Currently Knoxville's city population is over 170,000. The City of Knoxville shares its name with

Knoxville, Georgia – Knoxville, Iowa – Knoxville, Maryland – Knoxville, Pennsylvania – and New Knoxville, Ohio

.

What were the 4 capitals of Tennessee?

Nashville

Who settled east Tennessee?

In the 1750s and 1760s,

longhunters from Virginia

explored much of East and Middle Tennessee. In 1756, settlers from the Colony of South Carolina built Fort Loudoun near present-day Vonore, the first British settlement in what is now Tennessee.

How old is Johnny Knoxville?

51 years (March 11, 1971)

Is Knoxville a major city?

As of the 2020 United States census, Knoxville's population was 190,740, making it

the largest city in the East Tennessee Grand Division

and the state's third largest city after Nashville and Memphis.

Is Knoxville in a valley?

High in the valley


Knoxville may be nestled in the Tennessee Valley

, but its elevation of 886 feet is higher than that of Chattanooga (676 feet), Nashville (567) and Memphis (337).

Is Knoxville poor city?

The report ranks the city the No. 36 worst to live in and notes that

approximately one in four Knoxville residents live in poverty

, which is well above the 14 percent national average and second only to Memphis among the state's large cities.

What is the population of Knoxville Tennessee in 2021?

The metro area population of Knoxville in 2021 was

756,000

, a 2.02% increase from 2020. The metro area population of Knoxville in 2020 was 741,000, a 2.35% increase from 2019. The metro area population of Knoxville in 2019 was 724,000, a 2.4% increase from 2018.

What is the quality of life in Knoxville Tennessee?

Knoxville scores

high in value

Knoxville's scored best in the value category with a 7.4. “Residents enjoy a cost of living that's lower than the national average, which is reflected in reasonable housing, utility and transportation costs,” according to the report.

What is the largest industry in East Tennessee?

Since the early 1980s, Tennessee has emerged as a major hub for the

automotive industry

, which is now the largest manufacturing sector in the state.

Who is the largest employer in the US?

hideUnited States-based Largest Private Employers Rank Employer Global number of Employees 1

Walmart, Inc.

2,300,000
2 Amazon.com, Inc. 1,608,000 3 Allied Universal 800,000

Who's the largest employer in the state of Tennessee?

Rank Company Employees 1 FedEx 425,000 2

HCA Healthcare

249,000
3 Dolgencorp 130,000 4 Dollar General 130,000

Is it better to live in Nashville or Knoxville?

Winner:

Knoxville has the edge in affordability

. Knoxville bests Nashville in overall affordability.

Should I live in Knoxville or Chattanooga?

In terms of population and density, Chattanooga and Knoxville are fairly similar. However, when it comes to diversity,

Chattanooga wins compared to Knoxville

. It's much more diverse in Chattanooga as compared with Knoxville.

What is the best area to live in Knoxville TN?

  • Downtown Knoxville. One of the best in Knoxville is the city center itself. …
  • Farragut. Farragut is just 20 minutes away from downtown Knoxville along I-40. …
  • Oak Ridge. …
  • Maryville. …
  • Alcoa. …
  • Seymour. …
  • Norris. …
  • Work With the Top Realtors in Knoxville.
Juan Martinez
Author
Juan Martinez
Juan Martinez is a journalism professor and experienced writer. With a passion for communication and education, Juan has taught students from all over the world. He is an expert in language and writing, and has written for various blogs and magazines.