Please tell me about Franklin County (Chattanooga, Winchester: middle schools, university, income)

[leavingFlorida]

I was directed to post here with my questions about Franklin County. We love TN and plan to move there as soon as we can. We have been in FL 26 yrs too long. We raised our family here because my husband's family moved here from GA, so we followed. We were both born and raised in GA but have lived in Texas and FL more than GA in our 41 years of marriage. We honeymooned in TN and have always loved it. I am thinking a more layed back place to move in TN would basically be middle TN and I am very interested in finding out more about Franklin County. As long as it has mountains we will be o.k. We love eastern TN but don't want to get into a fast-growing place like we are now in central FL. My sister-in-law and family are moving to Dunlap or close to there. They have property in Dunlap already. Her daugher and her family live there. I appreciate any help you can give.

[moving123]

Franklin County is one of the most beautiful places in the world as for nature. It has mountains, rolling hills, lots of farm land, and lakes. People are friendly. It pretty rural in terms of big city life. Taxes are reasonable, no state income tax. You can be in Huntsville, Chattanooga, or Nashville in about an hour. Shopping is poor in Franklin County, not many restaurants, but the necessities. I lived there for several years and plan to return there some day. Still lots of family there. PM me if you have any specfic questions.

[kamoshika]

"We love eastern TN but don't want to get into a fast-growing place like we are now in central FL."

If you love the eastern part of the state, don't discount moving here just yet. There are many areas in NE Tenn. which are not growing fast and almost certainly will not see significant growth in the near future. Some counties you might want to check out: Hawkins, Greene, Sullivan and Unicoi. And if you love mountains, keep in mind that the highest point in Franklin Co. has an elevation of just 2039'.

Tennessee county map; click for tons of stats including population-growth rates: Tennessee QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau

[BUP41800]

I spent quite a bit of time in Franklin County last week. Unfortunately, they (and a large portion of Tennessee) are experiencing a tremendous drought and heat wave. Moving123 sums it up quite well. The people are very friendly and helpful--they bent over backwards to help us find some obscure cemeteries. We visited Monteagle, Cowan, Huntland, Belvidere and Winchester.
The land is very pretty--plenty of wide open spaces, farmland, rolling hills and mountains. The highest elevation may be "just" 2039 feet, but to us native Floridians, that IS a mountain!!

[JoAnn5]

I live in Franklin county and love it! it either has everything i need, or is close enough that i can get to somewhere else that DOES have it! Varied geographical features and friendly folks. Beautiful lakes!! Great fishing! University of the South on Sewanee Mountain is in our county.

[Buttercup5]

Perhaps you could tell me where the Cowan Lions little league football field is. My brother-in-law has a little league football game there this Saturday and we have no idea where it is. We are from Whitwell, TN, right out of Chattanooga.

[JoAnn5]

I believe all little league games are played on the football field that is right in Winchester, on the Dinah Shore Blvd. This used to be the site of the Franklin County High School. The school was torn down and rebuilt elsewhere, but they left the football field for the use of the Middle Schools and the Little Leagues. It's about a half-mile from the Winchester square on hwy 41-A.