Living in Karns
Karns is an unincorporated community about 11 miles northwest of downtown Knoxville, in the Beaver Creek valley between Beaver Ridge and Copper Ridge. Oak Ridge Highway (TN-62) is the main road, and Pellissippi Parkway is close by, which makes Karns popular with people who commute to Oak Ridge, West Knoxville, or Hardin Valley.
Because Karns is outside city limits, homeowners pay Knox County property taxes only.
Homes and history
The community was once called Beaver Ridge. It was renamed for Thomas C. Karns, Knox County's first superintendent of public instruction, when Karns High School was built in 1913. Today Karns is a mix of subdivisions, small businesses, and some remaining farmland, and most residents commute elsewhere for work.
Parks and things to do
- Karns Landing: an accessible kayak launch on Beaver Creek at 8051 Oak Ridge Highway, opened July 2026.
- Knox County Sportspark on Oak Ridge Highway.
- Cherokee Caverns, a historic cave off Oak Ridge Highway that opens for special events.
- Beaver Creek, which flows through the community toward the Clinch River.
Schools
Public schools serving the area include Karns High School, Karns Middle School, Karns Elementary, and Ball Camp Elementary; some nearby addresses are zoned to Hardin Valley schools. Zoning is set by address, so confirm any home's assigned schools with the Knox County Schools zoning lookup or ask us to look it up.