Huntsville, TN

June 26, 2025

A Rural Success Story

How a Tennessee mountain town is finding prosperity without sacrificing community character

In an era when many rural communities struggle with population decline, the small town of Huntsville, Tennessee stands apart. Nestled atop the picturesque Cumberland Plateau 50 miles from Knoxville, this community of 1,700 residents has grown by approximately 400 people in just three years under the leadership of Mayor Dennis Jeffers, who has served since 2016.

“We are a very small town where everyone knows everyone,” says Mayor Jeffers. “Conservative values are important here. When we talk about God and country, we mean God and country. It is a very good place to raise a family. We have our challenges in rural Tennessee, but we are not subject to some of the bigger problems that larger municipalities face.”

This strong sense of community has helped Huntsville become an attractive destination for new residents and businesses. As the county seat of Scott County, the town serves as a hub for education, healthcare, and commerce in the region, despite its modest population. With Tennessee College of Applied Technology, Roane State Community College, and several schools within its boundaries, Huntsville’s daytime population swells well beyond the number of permanent residents, creating a vibrant atmosphere that balances small town charm with economic vitality.

New Residents and a Changing Community

Huntsville has experienced significant population growth in recent years, part of a broader influx to Tennessee’s Cumberland Plateau region. “We have had a large influx not just in Scott County or Huntsville, but in Tennessee as well,” Mayor Jeffers notes. “People are coming here to slow down because they realize it is a beautiful place. Taxes are low here. We are very user friendly to new businesses and homeowners.”

The appeal extends beyond out of state transplants. Many Scott County residents are relocating within the region, specifically targeting Huntsville for its combination of services and quality of life. The town sits as the gateway to the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, a 125,000-acre natural treasure that serves as the fifth largest national park in the eastern United States.

This strategic growth aligns with the town’s evolution from traditional industries to a more diverse economic base. After decades relying on coal mining and timber harvesting, Huntsville now embraces tourism and recreation while maintaining its industrial presence through employers like Great Dane trailer manufacturer, which employs approximately 350 residents.

The population surge brings opportunities and challenges. While new residents contribute to the tax base and economic vitality, they also require expanded infrastructure and services. Mayor Jeffers, who previously worked with Buckeye Home Medical before becoming mayor in 2016, has focused on infrastructure improvements that support sustainable growth while preserving the small-town character that remains central to Huntsville’s identity as a community where traditional values thrive alongside modern amenities.

Building a Business-Friendly Environment

Huntsville’s approach to economic development showcases how rural municipalities can leverage demographic data and strategic planning to attract businesses despite modest population numbers. Mayor Jeffers implemented a targeted retail strategy shortly after taking office, focusing on sustainable growth matched to community needs.

“When I first became mayor in 2016, I attended a retail strategies conference that was basically state funded,” he explains. “It was site specific and used different demographics of various companies and organizations to determine our median household income and what businesses would survive in our small community. It created a profile we could present to prospective businesses so they could see what we offered.”

The patience and persistence behind this data driven approach has yielded impressive results. In recent years, Huntsville has welcomed nine new commercial buildings housing diverse enterprises including financial advisors, a Mexican restaurant, laundromat, Family Dollar Tree, doctor’s office, pharmacy, district attorney office, a state-of-the-art gym and telecommunications services. A daycare center is under construction, with larger chain stores potentially on the horizon.

“It has taken quite a few years, but the word has slowly gotten out there,” says Mayor Jeffers. “Apparently we are doing something right.”

Low Taxes and Infrastructure Investment

Tennessee’s reputation for fiscal responsibility creates a foundation for Huntsville’s economic appeal. The state operates without income tax, providing an immediate advantage for residents and businesses considering relocation. Huntsville builds on this foundation with locally focused policies that emphasize both growth and sustainability.

“Tennessee as a whole is run really well financially,” Mayor Jeffers states. “We are very independent as a state, the county as well, and the city. Our tax rates are low. We have no state tax here. That really draws people into the state. When they look at some of the smaller counties that have all kinds of potential, they start seeing our tax rate and how user-friendly we are, and apparently they like what they see.”

The town approaches annexation with a resident centered philosophy, expanding only when property owners request incorporation. This measured approach ensures infrastructure can support growth while respecting property rights and community preferences.

“Our infrastructure is one of our strengths,” explains Mayor Jeffers. “When we first started talking about getting bigger, I said the only way we annex is when people request it. We have people who want to come into the city limits because we offer services, and we do things right.”

Infrastructure maintenance represents an ongoing priority for the small municipality. Huntsville operates two of the three wastewater systems in Scott County, including a system transferred from county control.

Additionally, the town successfully leverages Community Development Block Grants and other funding sources to maintain and improve infrastructure without overburdening local taxpayers. Recently, Mayor Jeffers secured a $50,000 tourism enhancement grant from Tennessee to restore the historic Scott County Jail, built in 1904 from locally quarried sandstone and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Beautification and Community Spaces

While economic development remains important, Huntsville’s leadership recognizes that community character shapes quality of life more profoundly than growth statistics alone. The town invests substantially in public spaces that foster connection among residents and visitors, anchored by a revitalized town square and park system.

“When I first became mayor, everybody started talking about getting bigger, bigger, bigger. My motto was that we must learn to take care of what we have before we get more,” Mayor Jeffers emphasizes. “We have been concentrating on that. Our guys work really hard. We mow rights of way. We have a town square that hosts a festival on the 4th of July that draws anywhere from three to six thousand people with fireworks and food. It is one of the biggest festivals. The whole county shows up here.”

The natural setting enhances Huntsville’s appeal without requiring massive investment. Located atop the Cumberland Plateau, the town serves as a gateway to outdoor recreation areas that attract visitors year-round. This geographic advantage allows Huntsville to focus beautification efforts on maintaining rather than creating aesthetic appeal.

“As far as beautification and beauty here, it is unmatched,” says Mayor Jeffers. “We have mountains, fresh air, and tourism opportunities. We went through the coal boom, then coal played out, then we went through logging and timber. As that has slowed down, we have graduated into tourism. We just try to capitalize on the positives we have where we live.”

The town square serves as Huntsville’s central gathering place, hosting community events that strengthen social bonds. Beyond its annual Independence Day celebration, the town supports Heritage Festival each September at the Museum of Scott County, which according to the town’s website is “the nation’s first museum to be located on a high school campus.”

Tourism and Natural Assets

Huntsville embraces its position as an outdoor recreation hub, leveraging natural assets to establish a growing tourism sector. “We do have side by side trails here through Brimstone Recreation,” Mayor Jeffers explains. “It has slowed down a little bit, but we have a lot of Airbnbs. Many people just want to come and camp out, hang out, and enjoy the beauty and fresh air.”

Brimstone Recreation manages approximately 20,000 acres of land with over 300 miles of trails for all terrain vehicles. This extensive trail system ranges from beginner friendly routes to advanced challenges, attracting riders from across the Southeast. The operation hosts major events throughout the year, including WinterFest, the White Knuckle Event during Memorial Day weekend, and Brimstone Paragon in September, combining trail riding with country music concerts.

The proximity to Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area positions Huntsville strategically within the regional tourism landscape. This 125,000-acre national park, the fifth largest National Park Service unit in the eastern United States, offers hiking, equestrian trails, paddling, rock climbing, and camping opportunities that complement Huntsville’s offerings.

“It is just as beautiful as Gatlinburg, but without the hustle and bustle,” notes Mayor Jeffers. “You do not have thirty different restaurants to choose from, but you have four or five really good ones. A lot of people just want to get away and have a little piece of tranquility.”

Visitors have access to campgrounds, cabins, and Airbnb properties throughout the area, with Brimstone Campground offering full hookup sites overlooking New River with direct trail access. This tourism infrastructure supports economic diversification while preserving the natural character that makes the region attractive to visitors seeking alternatives to more commercialized destinations.

Education, Industry, and Housing

Despite its modest population, Huntsville functions as an educational and industrial center with daily activity levels far exceeding resident numbers. “What industry we have in Scott County is pretty much located in Huntsville,” Mayor Jeffers points out. “We have a Great Dane trailer manufacturer that employs about 350 people. We have Tennessee College of Applied Technology and Roane State campus. We have a high school with 850 students and a middle school and elementary school with about 800 students within the city limits. There are a lot of people here doing business, going to school, playing sports, or working.”

The educational institutions create pathways for local workforce development while providing essential services to the broader county. Roane State Community College offers two-year degrees, while partnerships with Tennessee Technological University enable students to complete four-year degrees without leaving Huntsville.

Housing development reflects both demographic shifts and market dynamics. New construction focuses primarily on larger, upscale homes that attract newcomers seeking rural living with modern amenities. Meanwhile, the short-term rental market transforms existing housing stock toward tourism uses.

“We have seen a lot of out-of-town people coming and building or buying spec homes,” explains Mayor Jeffers. “We have some developers who build spec homes, and most are sold before they are ever completed. These are upper end homes, mostly 2,200 to 4,200 square feet. They are beautiful homes with beautiful views, and they do not last long on the market. The market has never really slowed down here.”

As Huntsville moves forward under Mayor Jeffers’ leadership, the town balances growth with preservation, economic development with community character, and tourism opportunities with resident needs. This holistic approach ensures that Huntsville maintains its distinctive identity while embracing positive change.