Steady population growth fueling

LOUDON, Tenn. (WATE) — The City of Loudon is growing. Multiple projects are in the works to bring more housing, business and industries to the area.

According to a study by the University of Tennessee, Loudon is East Tennessee’s second fastest growing county after Knox County. The U.S. Census Bureau listed the county's 2010 population at 48,556. It's now estimated to be above 60,000.

"Residential growth, commercial, businesses and, actually industrial, here in the last couple of years especially," said Loudon Mayor Jeff Harris.

According to Harris, the area is growing in all directions.

"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,”

Realtor Dee Dee Burnette told 6 News that the county saw a 4% population bump in 2024, bringing in nearly 2,000 more people.

"That's pretty steep and 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," Burnette said.

Karen King relocated to Loudon and recently opened her second coffee shop in the county, Coffee Culture. After she moved here from Oregon, she said she was welcomed to the community with open arms.

"It's just a small-town atmosphere. You can't beat it," she said. "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.”

As a resident herself, Burnette said it's a great place to settle down.

"That's what I love about this area. So I think when people look at Loudon County, they kind of see the complete package, "she said. "It's a really great place to land, but also a great place to raise a family.”

While more people move to the area, Harris also said they have a few projects in the works. A waterfront development near downtown is set to bring in nearly 150 more residential units to the area as well as businesses and recreational activities. Pittsburgh Paint and Glass has plans to bring a manufacturing facility to their industrial park, which is set to bring in at least 250 to 300 jobs.

"I think everybody loves living here. We understand that. The growth is going to come this way," said 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 continue trickling down this way.”

While the area is growing, he said they do not have an exact timeframe for when these developments will be complete.