Retire to Tennessee

Counties

Claiborne County

Claiborne County was established on October 29, 1801, created from Grainger and Hawkins counties and extended the southern boundary to Anderson County. It was named for Virginia tidewater aristocrat William C. C. Claiborne, one of the first judges of the Superior Court and one of the first representatives in U.S. Congress from Tennessee.

Claiborne County Statistics:

Average year-round temperature/weather:

All four seasons with an annual average temperature of 56°

Average winter temperature: 31°

Characteristics: Average High 40° – Average Low 23°

Average summer temperature: 72°

Characteristics: Average High 82° – Average Low 61°

Annual rainfall: 47” Most rainy months: April and October

Annual snowfall: 13” Most snowy months: February and March

Median price of homes:
Average cost of 3 BR: $163,000

The median home cost in Claiborne County is $83,800

Cost of living:
2008 cost of living index in Claiborne County is 79.7 (low, U.S. average is 100)

Population of city/county and/or median age:
31,461 (2008)

Median age: 37.4

Recreational and Cultural:
Attractions & Activities

Abraham Lincoln Library & Museum

Cumberland Gap Tunnel

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

Fishing - Boating - Water Sports

Pontoon & Boat Rentals, Jet Ski & Waverunner Rentals

Cedar Grove Campground & Marina

Beach Island Marina

Straight Creek Marina

Lone Mountain Boat Dock

Four Winds Stables

Haymaker Farms Stables & Event Center

Heavy’s BBQ Canoe & Camp

Hillcrest Bowling Lanes

Historic Rose Gulf Station

Historic Town of Cumberland Gap

Little Congress Bicycle Museum

Nashville Connection

Tazewell Speedway

Welcome Neighbors Club

Norris Lake

Woodlake Golf Club

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

Speedwell Academy

Local festivals and celebrations

Civil War Reenactment

Living Encampment

Christmas with the Lincolns

County Fair

Literary Festival

Education:
Elementary Schools

Springdale Elementary School

TNT Primary School

Clairfield Elementary School

Ellen Myers Primary School

Midway Elementary School

Powell Valley Elementary School

Middle Schools

H.Y. Livesay Middle School

Soldiers Memorial Middle School

High School

Claiborne High School

Cumberland Gap High School

Other

Forge Ridge School

The Alpha School

Colleges and Universities

Lincoln Memorial University

Walter’s State Comm. College

University of Tennessee – Knoxville

Tusculum College

Shopping:
Middlesboro Mall

College Square Mall

Medical Facilities:
Claiborne County Hospital

Crime Rate:
Violent crime rate: 1 in 70,000. Property crime rate is less than 1/10%.

Additional Information:

Info for retirees from the Claiborne County chamber website:
Are there houses for rent?
Yes Rental cost for 3BR: $350.00 - $600.00

Are there apartments available for rent?
Yes Rental cost for 3 BR apt.: $350.00 - $500.00

Are there condominiums for sale? Yes
Adult-only apartments? Yes

Are there planned retirement communities/resorts?
None

Are there golf courses homes/lots for sale?
Yes

Are there retirement subdivisions?
No

Are there home builders available?
Yes

Are there lots for new home construction for sale?
Yes

List major retirement developments: Lone Mountain Shores, Woodlake Golf Community

Rock Harbor, Briarcliffe and others in the process of development

Are there water or air quality problems?
None

Does sewerage seem adequate, with few or no septic tanks?
Sewer in City, Septic in outlying areas.

How many community hospitals? One
How many beds? 85

Are there any specialized medical facilities?
Yes

If so, what types?
Cancer treatment and future cardiac rehabilitation center

How many regional hospitals within 45 minutes?
Four

Is there emergency medical care available?
Yes What type? 24 hr. ER & class A EMS

What is the average response time?
8-15 minutes depending on how far out

Is there special equipment for emergency care?
Yes, class A

Are helicopter services available?
Yes

Is home health care available?
Yes

How many doctors accepting new patients?
20

Is there a physician on call at all times?
Yes

How many dentists are accepting patients?
9

How many pharmacies?
8

How many health spas or exercise facilities?
2

What are property tax rates (state and local)?
2.61 per $100.00 value

Sales tax rates (state and local)?
7% Cost of living index? 77.3

Distance to nearest major shopping mall?
12 miles Distance to regional airport? 45 miles

Can you buy locally grown produce and meats? Yes

How many local banks? 5

How many accountants? 3

How many financial planners? 5

How many brokerage houses? None

Are gas and electricity both available? Yes

Are the rates reasonable? Yes

Is there broadband Internet service available? Yes

Are cable services offered? Yes

Are there part-time jobs available? Yes
If so, list what types: Retail, hospital, general labor, factory work

Employment agencies specializing in finding jobs for retirees? Yes

Reputable handymen available? Yes

Lawn care/landscaping services available? Yes

How many libraries? 2

How many art galleries? None

How many museums? Two

How many movie screens?
None in Claiborne County Four within 12 miles

How many restaurants? 23

How many serve alcoholic beverages? 3

Is there a community theatre? Yes

What other types of performing arts? LMU

Is there an active local historical society? Yes

Arts society? Under development

List any ethnic celebrations: Black History Month

How many houses of worship? 150

List religious affiliations not found: Jewish

How many bowling lanes? 1

Volunteer centers? Yes

Senior Centers? Yes

How many Civic Organizations? 19

Dance clubs? 1

What type of volunteer opportunities are available?
Hospital, nursing home, habitat, Red Cross, C.E.A.S.E., Kiwanis, Lions Club

How many parks?
1 National Historical Park & 3 City Parks

Walking trails? 5

How many swimming pools? 2

How many public golf courses? 1

How many private golf courses? None

Distance to nearest fishing?
County wide some in walking distance

Type of fish caught?
Bass, Walleye, Crappie, Blue Gill, Catfish, Rock Fish

Nearest hunting property?
15 miles, Chuck Swan Wildlife Management Area

How many colleges or universities with classes available to seniors? 2

How many adult education courses or classes are available locally? Several
List types of classes available: The Arts. Languages, Computer Courses

Special Services for Retirees
Special transportation services (dial-a-ride, discounts, or other services for banking, shopping,and so on)? Yes, ETHRA

How many local travel agencies? 1

Are there special property tax exemptions for seniors? No

Personal tax exemptions? No

Housing or homestead exemptions? No

Discounts for retirees (entertainment, medicines, food, personal items, and so forth)? Yes

Community Environment
Are roads in good condition? Yes Is litter disposed of properly? Yes

Is the community aesthetically attractive? Yes

Is there an active chamber of commerce? Yes

Is local government financially stable? Yes

Are fire services available? Yes
Volunteer? Yes
What is the fire rating? Varies

Are citizens accepting of new retirees? Yes

Is there a Retirement Development Council/Committee? Yes

Are they actively recruiting retirees? Yes

Do they have specific literature for attracting retirees? Brochure and Website

What is unique or special about this community that makes it especially appealing to retirees?

• Climate
• Cost of Living
• Safety
• Lakes, Mountains and surrounding area
• National Parks

Cities and towns

• Arthur (unincorporated)
• Clairfield (unincorporated)
• Cumberland Gap
• Eagan (unincorporated)
• Harrogate
• Little Sycamore (unincorporated)
• Lone Mountain (unincorporated)
• New Tazewell
• Pruden (unincorporated)
• Shawanee (unincorporated)
• Speedwell (unincorporated)
• Tazewell