Anderson County · Knoxville · population 34,039
Where Oak Ridge stands
At or near all-time high. averaging 9.7% annual growth over 5 years. population growing 2.0% per year.
Home value trajectory · last 10 years
Zillow ZHVI · monthlyLifestyle scores
Scores are heuristic estimates from population density, state, and known transit/walkable cities. Not based on a paid Walk Score / Transit Score API — see methodology for the formula.
Rent trajectory · last 5 years
Zillow ZORI · monthlyHome value vs rent · indexed to 100
Both rebased at first month of ZORI data (~2015)Rent vs buy
At a 15.6 price-to-rent ratio, Oak Ridge is in the 'depends on horizon' zone. Buy if you'll be there 5+ years and value flexibility on the home; rent if you might move, want zero maintenance friction, or expect rates to drop.
How the momentum score breaks down
methodology →Oak Ridge has been growing population at 2.0% per year while home values compounded +9.7% annually. Demand-driven appreciation — the kind that persists as long as people keep showing up, which they currently are.
Oak Ridge's bear case is the boring one: the cycle is real and any market that's run hard can stall. Watch for slowing population growth, rising days-on-market, or builder discounts as the early warning signals.
About Oak Ridge
Oak Ridge is a city in Anderson County, Tennessee, with an estimated population of 34,039. It anchors the Knoxville metro area. The population has grown 2.0% per year on average between 2020 and 2024 — among the faster-growing communities in the state. The median home value in Oak Ridge is $325,760 as of 2026-04, up 2.6% over the last 12 months. Over the last five years, home values have averaged +9.7% annual growth, with prices at or near the 5-year peak. Rents in Oak Ridge average $1,742 per month, roughly flat year-over-year (+1.2%). The composite momentum score is 77 of 100 (Rising). The market is healthy with prices supported by underlying demand.
▲ Bull case
▼ Bear case
About Oak Ridge (Wikipedia)
Oak Ridge is a city in Anderson and Roane counties in the eastern part of the U.S. state of Tennessee, about 25 miles (40 km) west of downtown Knoxville. Oak Ridge's population was 31,402 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Knoxville Metropolitan Area. Oak Ridge's nicknames include the Atomic City, the Secret City, and the City Behind a Fence.
Source: Wikipedia · this summary is contributed and licensed under CC-BY-SA.
Playbook
You're not in a frenzy but you're not getting bargains either. Make a competitive offer with normal inspection terms. Don't lowball — the listing will move with or without you.
Price at fair market value; expect movement in 30-45 days. Don't get clever with terms (rent-back, contingencies) — buyers in a Rising market have options.
Appreciation tailwind exists but cash flow requires discipline on price. Run the numbers conservatively and confirm rent comps before committing.
Local safety & alerts
No active National Weather Service alerts for Anderson County right now.
Public-safety links are official .gov sources, not curated by us. Anderson County routes NWS alerts; check the state EM portal for non-weather emergencies.
Cities like Oak Ridge
Run the numbers for Oak Ridge
Sources: Zillow ZHVI (home values), Zillow ZORI (rents), US Census ACS + place population. Updated when source agencies publish revisions.
Climate & natural-disaster risk
State-level averages from NOAA Climate Normals (1991-2020) and FEMA National Risk Index. City-level conditions can vary significantly within a state.
Current weather
Find rentals & listings
Open current Oak Ridge listings on the major real-estate sites.
Links open the live search on the destination site — results are always current.
Local news & community
Latest news
- Tennessee baseball signee records five hits in state tournamentVols Wire · 15h ago
- Oak Ridge National LaboratoryDepartment of Energy (.gov) · 6d ago
- Ed Westcott's photos captured WWII-era Oak Ridge. New statue honors himKnoxville News Sentinel · 2d ago
- Admission to Oak Ridge pool limited this summer due to paving projectWATE 6 On Your Side · 7h ago
- Jerry Stephen (Steve) Ivey Obituary – The Oak RidgerOakridger · 2h ago
- Stories from a Wildlife Veterinarian: From Oak Ridge to Peru and from Box Turtles to PenguinsThe Mountain Press · 9h ago
Updated 2026-05-21 from Google News + Reddit RSS. Headlines link to original sources.
Local sports teams
Major professional teams the Knoxville area cheers for. Detailed stats, schedules, and player pages on intherafters.com.
Local economy & environment
Humidity is annual average relative humidity (NOAA). Income is Census ACS 5-year estimate. Industries are largest employment sectors statewide (BLS); the local mix in a given city may vary.
Cities similar to Oak Ridge
Explore other places with comparable momentum or affordability.