Greene County: A Snapshot Map: Historic, Scenic, Recreational

Greene County: A Snapshot

In area, Greene County is the fourth-largest county among Tennessee’s 95 counties. Greeneville is the county seat.

LOCATION

Greeneville is about 50 miles southwest of the Virginia state line at Bristol and Kingsport, and about 15 miles northwest of the North Carolina state line.

The town is 70 miles northeast of Knoxville and 250 miles east of Nashville. Asheville, North Carolina, is about 50 miles to the southeast.

Latitude: 36 degrees, 9 minutes north

Longitude: 82 degrees, 50 minutes west

Elevation: 1,597 feet above sea level

Area in square miles: Greene County, 622.17; Greeneville, 14.00 or 8,960 acres.

CLIMATE

Greene County enjoys four distinct seasons.

Weather patterns and temperatures usually do not reach extremes.

A key reason why Greene County has a temperate climate is its rolling hills and valleys nestled between two ranges of the Appalachian Mountains — the Unaka range to the south and the Bays Mountain range to the north.

Average high temperature: 69.3 (f)

Average low temperature: 43.6 (f)

Average annual precipitation: 42.73 inches

POPULATION

Greene County: 70,152 Greeneville: 15,479 Baileyton: 436 Mosheim: 2,479 Tusculum: 3,298 POPULATION PROFILE

Gender: 49.2 percent male; 50.8 percent female.

Marital status: 60 percent male now married, not including those who are legally separated (population 15 years and over); 49 percent female now married, not including those who are legally separated (population 15 years and over).

Income: Median household income, $43,150, and per capita income, $23,319.

Housing units: 32,775. Median value of owner-occupied housing units: $133,600.

The most current numbers are available from U.S. Census Bureau State & County Quick facts and American Community Survey at www.census.gov.

PROPERTY TAXES

Both Greene County and the Town of Greeneville separately assess taxes on property/real estate.

For the 2020 budget year, the Greene County tax rate on real estate was $2.0145 per $100 of assessed (not appraised) valuation.

For the 2021 budget year, the Greeneville property tax rate was $2.1775 per $100 of assessed value.

The assessment rate for residential and agricultural property in Tennessee is 25 percent of the appraised value. For example, a $100,000 tract of residential or agricultural property would be assessed for tax purposes as having a value of $25,000.

Commercial and industrial property is assessed at 40 percent of appraised value.

The other three Greene County municipalities — Baileyton, Mosheim, and Tusculum — do not have their own property tax. SALES TAX

The sales tax in Greene County is 9.75%. Of that rate, the state’s share is 7%; the local option share, approved by referendum, is 2.75%.

WHEEL TAX

The county “wheel tax” is $55 per registered motor vehicle.

That revenue appropriated to the county’s highway department, general fund and volunteer fire departments.

The county wheel tax is levied in addition to required state registration costs.

INCOME TAX

The state of Tennessee does not tax wages or salaries. However, certain investment income is taxed.

UTILITIES

Electricity: Electrical power is provided by Greeneville Light & Power System, under the oversight of Greeneville Energy Authority. It distributes electric power generated and distributed wholesale by Tennessee Valley Authority.

Water: Greeneville Water Commission provides water service to Greeneville and some nearby areas. It also sells water to the following utility districts: Chuckey, Cross Anchor, Glen Hills, Mosheim and Old Knoxville Highway.

The water source for the Greeneville Water Commission is the Nolichucky River, which originates in North Carolina. The commission’s capacity is 16 million gallons per day.

The North Greene Utility District uses Lick Creek as its primary water source.

Sewage: The Greeneville Water Commission’s Wastewater Treatment Plant, located off of the Old Asheville Highway, discharges to the Nolichucky River. The wastewater treatment plant is of the “oxidation ditch” type of process and is designed to treat an average flow of 7 million gallons per day.

Septic tank systems are widely used in the county. Installation and service of such systems is available through a number of firms.

Natural Gas: Natural gas is available through Atmos Energy. Call 1-888-2866700.

Propane Gas: Propane is available from Admiral Propane (278-9891), Heritage Propane (639-7788) and Marsh Petroleum (639-7226).

LAW ENFORCEMENT

Police: The Greeneville Police Department has 54 full-time officers and approximately 30 auxiliary police officers.

Sheriff’s Department: The Greene County Sheriffs Department has 199 employees which includes full time, part time, and auxiliary. The patrol division is assigned 43 officers. There are also officers assigned to civil process, records, administration, investigations, courthouse security, as well as officers assigned to the 3rd Judicial Drug Task Force. There are 17 officers assigned as school resource officers (SRO) to the county elementary, middle, and high schools.

Baileyton: Three full-time police officers, and two auxiliary officer.

Tusculum: Two police officers and eight auxiliary officers.

Mosheim: Five part-time officers.

Tennessee Highway Patrol: Two sergeants, a lieutenant and nine

SNAPSHOT FROM 6

Tennessee Highway Patrol troopers are based in Greene County. Their primary responsibility is to respond to accidents on the Greene County sections of Interstate 81 and other state highways. The district THP office is at Fall Branch.

FIRE PROTECTION

Greeneville: The Greeneville Fire Department employs 42 full-time employees including a chief, assistant chief, administrative chief, fire marshal, shift commanders, officers and two dozen firefighters. Five personnel are paramedics, 34 personnel are emergency medical technicians and three are first responder certified.

Non-emergency phone: 638-4243.

Volunteer Fire Departments: 16 departments belong to the Greene County Association of Volunteer Fire Departments. They are: Camp Creek, Caney Branch, Cedar Creek, Debusk, McDonald, Midway, Mosheim, Town of Mosheim, Newmansville, Nolichuckey, Orebank, South Greene, St. James, Sunnyside, Tusculum, and United.

They are dispatched through Greene County 911.

AMBULANCE SERVICES

Greene County/Greeneville Emergency Medical Services is a joint agency of Greene County and Greeneville that provides the exclusive Emergency and Non-Emergency ambulance service countywide. The agency is licensed by the State of Tennessee as a Class A Ambulance Service, and all of its ambulances are licensed as Advanced Life Support Ambulances.

There are both full-time and part-time EMS staff members, paid public employees, who are either emergency medical technicians or paramedics. Ambulances are on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The EMS headquarters is located at 1027 Forest St., Greeneville, TN 37743, and there are also five satellite stations at various locations: one on CCU Boulevard in Greeneville, one on Edens Road in Tusculum, one in Baileyton behind Town Hall, one in Mosheim on West Greene Drive near West Greene High School, and one at the South Greene Volunteer Fire Department Station on Asheville Highway near South Greene High School.

The Greeneville Fire Department, Caney Branch Volunteer Fire Department and Midway Volunteer Fire Department also work with EMS as licensed first responder agencies.

EMERGENCY & RESCUE SQUAD

The Greeneville Emergency & Rescue Squad is an entirely volunteer, United Way-supported agency whose members are trained and equipped to provide a variety of emergency services. The squad often works closely with Greene CountyGreeneville Emergency Medical Services and fire departments in emergency situations.

The rescue squad’s volunteer members are trained in such skills as basic first aid, CPR, vehicle extrication, rope rescue, structural collapse and water search and rescue.

Many, though not all, of its volunteer members also serve separately as fulltime firefighters, EMS employees or law enforcement officers.

The squad headquarters is located at 602 W. Church St., Greeneville, TN 37745. Their phone number is 638-3431.

PARKS AND RECREATION

The Greeneville Parks and Recreation Department offers a variety of activities and sports for youth and adults. Sports offered for children through age 17 include baseball, softball, volleyball, football and basketball.

Adult sports include softball, basketball and volleyball.

The department also hosts a variety of annual, seasonal and holiday events.

The department oversees Hardin Park, Dogwood Park, Veterans Memorial Park, Eagles Rest Pocket Park, Hal Henard Sports Complex, Neighborhood Gym, Legion Field, Eastview Ball Fields, Locust Street Ball Field, Andrew Johnson Center and the EastView Recreation Center, which houses the department’s administrative offices. There are nine full-time maintenance employees and 10 full-time office employees.

The Greeneville Parks and Recreation director is Harold “Butch” Patterson. The department’s phone number is 638-3143 or 638-3194 for athletic questions. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LAWS

State-licensed restaurants and private clubs, both within Greeneville and outside Greeneville’s city limits, are allowed to sell mixed drinks to patrons 21 years old or older.

By ordinance, liquor (mixed drinks) may not be sold between 3 a.m. and 8 a.m. Monday through Saturday, or between 3 a.m. and noon on Sunday.

Greeneville’s package liquor stores are allowed to sell alcohol for consumption off the premises.

Liquor stores are allowed to be open from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., Monday through Sunday. They are closed on five legal holidays: Christmas, New Years, Thanksgiving, Labor Day and Independence Day.

Hours of beer sales in Greene County are not restricted.

Mosheim and Tusculum permit sale of alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption. Tusculum also permits retail liquor package stores.

Voters in Greeneville, Tusculum and Mosheim all approved referendums that allow the sale of wine in grocery stores.

ECONOMIC RESOURCES

Main Economic Generators:

Manufacturing, trucking, general farming, beef cattle, tourism and lumber. Timber: Oak, poplar, pine and maple. Minerals: Limestone, zinc, barite and mica.

TRANSPORTATION

Highways: Interstate 81; U.S. 11E (Andrew Johnson Highway); U.S. 321 (Newport Highway); and Tennessee Routes 70S (Asheville Highway), 70N (Rogersville Road), 349 (Warrensburg Road), 348 (McDonald Road), 340 (Fish Hatchery Road), 93 (Kingsport Highway), 107 (Erwin Highway and Houston Valley Road), 351S (107 Cutoff), and 351N (Rheatown Road).

Airports: There are four airports in the region: at 246 Airport Road, Greeneville, TN 37745. Phone: 823-9310.

Website: www.greenevilleairport.com.

Airport identifier: GCY. 2525 Highway 75, Blountville, TN 37617.

Phone: 423-325-6000.

Website: www.triflight.com.

Airport Identifier: TRI. at 2055 Alcoa Highway, Alcoa, TN 37701. Phone: 865-342-3000.

Website: www.flyknoxville.com.

Airport Identifier: TYS

Terminal Drive, Fletcher, N.C. 28732.

Phone: 828-209-3660.

Website: www.flyavl.com.

Airport Identifier: AVL

Buses: Premier Transportation (formerly Greene Coach Company) offers a wide variety of charter services and tours. For more information call 638-8271, or visit their website at www. premiertransportation.net.

Taxis: Candy’s Cab and Candy’s Cab After Hours (525-5560); In a Flash (9720489); and Royal Carriage Limousine (6393186) offers limo services in Greeneville.

Railroad: Norfolk Southern Corporation (855-667-3655) operates a freight line running regularly through Greene County and Greeneville.

Sightseeing In Greene County

(Directions assume starting point is intersection of Main and Depot streets in the Greeneville historic district.)

“A WALK WITH THE PRESIDENT”:

A walking tour brochure of historical sites is available at the offices of the Greene County Partnership located at 115 Academy St., Greeneville, TN 37743, two blocks east of the intersection. Tours are available April through October. For more information regarding tours of Main Street Tours, call 787-0500.

1 — ANDREW JOHNSON NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE:

The Tailor Shop, two restored homes, a birthplace replica and the burial site of the 17th President within Depot, College and South Main streets as well as Monument Avenue. The Andrew Johnson Visitor Center is located on the corner of East Depot Street and College Street.

2 — BIG SPRING MEMORIAL PARK:

Located behind the library on North Main Street. Enter park from College Street across from the Greeneville Town Hall.

3 — CHEROKEE NATIONAL FOREST, NOLICHUCKY/ RANGER DISTRICT: 80,000 acres of national forest in Greene and Cocke counties that are largely open to a wide variety of recreational uses. Maps may be obtained at the district headquarters located at 4900 Asheville Highway, Greeneville, TN 37743, 5 miles south of the intersection of U.S. 70 (Asheville Highway) and U.S. 321 (Newport Highway).

4 — HOUSTON VALLEY CAMPGROUND:

Take U.S. 321 South (Newport Highway) 1.3 miles to Tennessee 70 South (Asheville Highway); turn left; go nine miles to Tennessee 107 (Erwin Highway); turn right; go seven miles to campground. Campground is on the left. 5 — HORSE CREEK RECREATION AREA:

Camping, picnicking, swimming, fishing, hiking, horseback riding: Take U.S. 11E North (Andrew Johnson Highway) 3.8 miles to state Route 107 (Tusculum) exit, or go a bit farther to the Tusculum Bypass. Turn right onto 107 and go 6 miles (Look for the brown sign “Swimming, Hiking, Camping, Horseback Riding”). Turn right onto Horse Creek Road; go 3 miles to recreation area.

6 — MEADOW CREEK FIRE TOWER:

Mountain view about 1.5 miles beyond Houston Valley Campground on the tower. Gravel road. On the right; 3 miles to the top.

7 — PAINT CREEK CAMPGROUND:

Take U.S. 321 South (Newport Highway) 1.3 miles to Tennessee Hwy. 70 South (Asheville Highway). Turn left and go 12 miles; turn right at sign; then follow signs approximately 2 miles to campground.

8 — GREENEVILLE CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH:

Built in the 1860s. Greek Revival structure with notable cornice and steeple. Used as a hospital during the Civil War. Known for the cannonball that struck the front of the building in 1864. Corner of West Church Street and North Main Street.

9 — DAVID CROCKETT BIRTHPLACE STATE PARK:

Restored cabin, museum, public picnic area, RV campground and swimming pool. Take U.S. Hwy. 11E North (Andrew Johnson Highway) 12.4 miles; turn right at Limestone Road; go 2 miles to railroad underpass and then turn right. Two miles to park.

10 — EASTVIEW RECREATION CENTER:

The complex is open to the public and contains two gymnasiums. Go two blocks north on North Main Street; turn right at Tusculum Boulevard (11E North) and go to Bernard Avenue. The recreation center is on the left.

11 — FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (1780):

Federal architecture (1847). The church is Greene County’s earliest congregation. Located on North Main Street in downtown Greeneville.

12 — VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK:

Pavilions, picnic area and fitness walk specifically designed for senior citizens but open to the general public. Take South Main Street three blocks to West Main Street (U.S. Hwy. 321 South); then two blocks to Monument Avenue, turn left one block; then right on Forest Street. Park is two blocks ahead on the left.

13 — GREENE COUNTY COURTHOUSE:

At Main and Depot streets in downtown Greeneville. One of very few courthouses in the U.S. with memorials to both Union and Confederate forces. Original 1840 sidewalk and 1805 “gaol” (jail) can be found behind the courthouse.

14 — TUSCULUM LINEAR PARK TRAIL: ommunity walking trail in Tusculum. Starting point begins at Tusculum City Park behind Doak Elementary School. Take U.S. Highway 11E North (Andrew Johnson Highway) 3.8 miles to Tusculum. Turn right onto Erwin Highway (at Hardee’s). Turn left just past “Welcome to Tusculum” sign. Parking is available behind the school. For the starting point at Edens Road near the former Greene Valley Developmental Center, take U.S. 11E North about 6 miles; turn right onto Tusculum Bypass; turn left onto Edens Road. Entrance is on the right.

15 — HARDIN PARK:

Playgrounds, pavilions, picnic tables, tennis courts, fishing pond, basketball court, swimming pool and skate park. Go south on South Main Street; at Calvary Chapel of Greeneville, South Main Street turns toward the left; proceed on South Main to McKee Street; turn right. Park entrance is about one block ahead on the left. Traffic through park is one way; exit onto Vann Road.

16 — KINSER PARK:

Camping at a limited number of sites for the general public, picnicking, lake fishing, swimming pool, water slide, tennis, playgrounds, badminton, volleyball, basketball and baseball. Take U.S. Highway 321 South (Newport Highway) 1.3 miles to Tennessee Highway 70 South (Asheville Highway); then go 5.2 miles to East Allens Bridge Road; turn left and in 3.6 miles turn right at the University of Tennessee Research and Education Center; then go 1 mile to Kinser Park sign; right 0.7 mile to entrance.

17 — LINK HILLS COUNTRY CLUB:

Members only. Golf, tennis, swimming and dining. Take U.S. Highway 321 South 1.2 miles to Tennessee Highway 70 South (Asheville Highway); turn left and go 5.2 miles on East Allens Bridge Road; go 1.4 mile. Club is on the left.

18 — NEW HOPE QUAKER MEETING HOUSE (1795):

Restored 1866. Cemetery contains some of the oldest graves in the county. Near Rheatown. Take U.S. Highway 11E North (Andrew Johnson Highway) 11.4 miles; turn left at Chuckey onto Rheatown Road and go 2.3 miles.

19 — BABB HOMESTEAD (1787):

Originally built in 1787 off the Kingsport Highway by Seth Babb Sr., a Revolutionary War corporal who fought with George Washington at the Siege of Yorktown in 1781. One of the oldest structures in the county. Relocated to the Mary Gertrude Fox Park, opened in 2018 and staged for