Clarkrange, TN

Sitting atop the Cumberland Plateau along Highway 127, Clarkrange is a quiet, rural community surrounded by rolling farmland and open skies. The town traces its name back to the late 1800s, when Cyrus Clark ran an inn and cattle ranch across the plateau's open range. That agricultural heritage is still visible today, giving the area a relaxed, spread-out feel that appeals to newcomers looking for acreage and a slower pace of life.

ATTRBrian Stansberry / CC BY 3.0

Local spirit runs deep around Clarkrange High School, which boasts an impressive legacy for a small school. The girls' basketball program is famous across Tennessee for winning eight state championships, and the chess team has brought home multiple national titles of its own. Between the strong community pride and easy access to outdoor recreation around the nearby Obed River, Clarkrange offers peaceful plateau living with plenty of small-town charm.