Plainview, TN

Tucked along the base of Copper Ridge in Union County, Plainview is a quiet town of about 2,000 residents sitting just north of the Knox County line. It offers a scenic rural setting with views of nearby House Mountain, making it an appealing spot for anyone wanting country living within an easy drive of Knoxville. The community officially incorporated in 1992 so residents could manage their own local affairs, and that independent spirit still runs deep. Much of the town's history revolves around the old schoolhouse, which neighbors saved and turned into a gathering place through pie suppers, dances, and volunteer labor.

ATTRBrian Stansberry / CC BY 4.0

Today, that historic building serves as the community center, sitting right alongside City Hall as the area's main civic hub. Younger students attend nearby Luttrell Elementary, while families throughout Plainview enjoy the quiet roads, spacious lots, and relaxed pace. For anyone looking to settle near Knoxville, it provides a welcoming, small-town atmosphere surrounded by East Tennessee hills.