Get to Know Cookeville, TN

Cookeville is a lesser-known Tennessee small town with all the classic hallmarks: old brick Main Street, brightly painted murals, and an old-fashioned ice cream shop. Life here mixes southern small-town living with the economic vitality of a regional hub. As a place to call home, it’s within easy reach of over a dozen Tennessee state parks, has a youthful vitality thanks to the local college, and has a surprisingly trendy culinary scene. 

Despite its modest population, this city in the upper Cumberland region proudly holds its place as a sports and outdoor destination. That’s why its star is rising as a great place to live in central Tennessee. Learn the ins and outs of Cookeville to see if moving there makes sense for your family.

About Cookeville

Haven’t heard of Cookeville? That’s okay, as it tends to fly under the radar. But its affordable cost of living is helping some take notice, like Southern Living Magazine, which named it the third-best small town in Tennessee.

Cookeville is strategically halfway on Interstate 40 between Nashville and Knoxville and north of Chattanooga on Highway 111. Surrounding the town is a beautiful landscape featuring over 150 waterfalls, making it a natural beauty that’s hard to rival. Its proximity to over 1,200 miles of lake shoreline adds to its appeal for those longing for aquatic adventures. 

European settlers first moved into the Putnam County region in the later 1700s, but the town’s official founding year is 1903. Completing the Nashville-Knoxville Railroad increased the local trade and market for locally grown and produced goods, helping Cookeville grow.

Today, it is a regional center for Putnam County and its surrounding small towns. The town has many commuters who come for school, medical care, and work. Tennessee Tech University stabilizes the economy and attracts younger people into the area. Its status as a world-renowned sports destination is underscored by its moniker, “A Natural Fit”. But it still has classic roots everywhere you turn, from the massive Cream City Ice Cream sign to the barn-styled antique mall.

Just one note: if you move to Cookville, remember to set your clocks to Central Standard Time. As a Middle Tennessee city, it’s on the other side of the time zone.

Cost of Living in Cookeville

Even with Tennessee’s low cost of living standards, Cookeville is an affordable place to set up a home. Overall, you’ll spend 13% less than the national average on your essential expenses here.

Your biggest ticket item, housing, ran 23% below the median home cost in 2022. Transportation was even less, at 32% under, especially if you live near Cookeville’s walkable downtown.

Some budget items will run more, though, like health care costs. That was 31.5% above the national and Tennessee spending averages. Miscellaneous costs–line items like child care, shopping, or eating out–were 2% above average. But you can realize savings in your grocery bill and utilities.

Cookeville Real Estate

Central Cookeville has that classic Main Street America feel. Find delicious restaurants inside historic brick buildings, wide sidewalks, on-street parking, and greenspaces off Broad St. The collection of government buildings with tall columns and porticos adds to the southern old town character. Historic homes are now law offices and coffee shops.

Living in the downtown core makes this walkable, but each section of town has a slightly different character. Single-family homes dominate the Cookeville real estate market, but you’ll find more apartments and student housing near the campus. Some sections were built up in the 1950s and 1960s, showing midcentury trends of smaller homes on larger lots. A short drive from the town center quickly becomes backcountry roads in rolling hills.

The overall look at the greater Cookeville metro real estate showed year-to-date home sales up to November 2023 had a median price of $280,000. Homes spent a median of 87 days on the market.

Drilling down closer into Cookeville city limits, the market had an October 2023 median sold price of $380,000. The market listings as of December 2023 ranged from $9,500 for a 0.65-acre vacant lot to $3.5 million for a five-bedroom home on 45 acres.

Cookeville Neighborhoods

With all the beautiful places to live, narrowing down the neighborhoods is a top challenge for people new to Cookeville! While not an extensive list, here are a few places to start a home search:

• White Plains is a beautiful golf course community of custom homes. There are 226 homes, and an HOA association manages the covenants.
• Rebecca Place lacks an HOA, but that doesn’t stop this tree-lined neighborhood just outside town from feeling close-knit. It’s a community where kids trick-or-treat on Halloween, and has two schools next door.
• For downtown-style living, check out Capshaw Woods. While not directly downtown, it is close and has its own small park and elementary school.
• Historic Westside places you in the cultural district with an incredible selection of local restaurants and boutique stores. Residents can walk to the performing arts center, Dogwood Park, and medical center.

What to Know About Life in Cookeville

Education

Tennessee Tech University is ranked among the top public universities in the state. Its small size of 10,000 students doesn’t limit the degree programs you can earn here, and it has a robust engineering school. It’s also considered a great value, with 45% of students graduating without debt. Tennessee Tech also adds to local events like music festivals, concerts, or sporting events.

Local K-12 kids attend Putnam County Schools, which has carried a “Best for All” award from the Tennessee Department of Education for several years running.

Climate

Want to experience all four seasons? Cookeville’s moderate climate brings it all. Expect humid and warm summers, typically reaching the mid-80F to 90Fs. Winters are relatively mild, with temperatures generally hovering between the mid-30Fs to 50Fs. Autumn and spring bring in beautiful colors and comfortable temperatures, making them the perfect seasons for outdoor activities.

However, Cookeville is within a region of the United States that’s susceptible to tornadoes, especially during the spring months. While they are not a daily occurrence, the risk is there. Residents are advised to stay informed about the weather conditions and remain prepared for such events.

What to Do in Cookeville

Golfing

White Plains Golf Course lies in a valley with mountains on the horizon, creating a beautiful 18 holes of play each way you turn. The immaculately kept course is public but does have memberships with some perks.

Golden Eagle Golf Club, a 12-minute drive from downtown Cookeville, has 18 holes and is part of the Tennessee Golf Trail. Enjoy its Southern-style clubhouse restaurant with scenic views when you’re not on the course. It likes to call itself “The Friendliest Course in Tennessee.”

For faster play, Belle Acres Golf Course plays as a nine-hole course with 2,923 yards.

Southern Hills Golf and Country Club is just outside town. The par 72 18-hole course sells memberships in the spring, has two event spaces, a bar and grill, and pro shop.

Waterfalls

The Upper Cumberland region of Tennessee is known as the “Waterfall Capital of the World.” That’s thanks to the over 150 waterfalls in the area, with perhaps the most well-known being Cummins Falls, Burgess Falls, and Fall Creek Falls. Burgess Falls State Park, located just 20 minutes from Cookeville, features a 130-foot waterfall along a four-mile trail.

Outdoor Activities

In addition to golfing and waterfall hikes, outdoor activities abound for all ages and hobbies. Find Boating, fishing, and camping opportunities near Center Hill Lake and Dale Hollow Lake. Inside Cookeville are city-run parks with walking trails, playgrounds, and picnic areas, perfect for a sunny day out.

Fitness

Why is Cookeville called a “center for fitness?” Besides its golf courses and outdoor recreation access, it’s home to a multiple Crossfit World Champion, Rich Froenig, who runs Crossfit Mayhem. The gym is a center for competitive CrossFit athletes and fitness fans.

Community Events

Numerous events keep Cookeville busy throughout the year. From the Putnam County Fair in August to Christmas parades and a farmers market, the events capture the small-town charm of Cookeville living.

Arts and Culture

The Tennesee Tech runs the Appalachian Center for Craft, a center for exploring the artistic folk traditions of the mountains. Cookeville also has two live performance venues, the Backdoor Playhouse and Cookeville Performing Arts Center.

Ready to Make the Move?

Start your home search today and find your perfect home in “A Natural Fit” community. Cookeville hits on many desirable features: affordable cost of living, a strong sense of community, and countless recreational opportunities. Why not join the “Cookeville family” yourself and discover all this charming town offers? Cookeville delivers on the quiet, suburban neighborhood or a lively downtown atmosphere.