A little history
A short, interesting history
Before Tennessee was a state, Greeneville was a capital. In 1785 it became the seat of the State of Franklin — a breakaway 14th state that governed itself for a few defiant years before quietly folding back into North Carolina. Greeneville is still the second-oldest town in Tennessee, and the only town spelled this way in the entire country.
The county has a habit of producing famous Americans. Davy Crockett was born along the Nolichucky River near Limestone in 1786. A young tailor named Andrew Johnson set up shop on the Greeneville square, got into local politics, and went on to become the 17th President of the United States — his home and tailor shop are now a National Historic Site.
Just outside town, Tusculum University (chartered 1794) is the oldest college in Tennessee. The Civil War left its mark too: Confederate cavalry general John Hunt Morgan was killed in Greeneville in 1864, and the Battle of Blue Springs was fought near Mosheim the year before.
By the numbers
Greene County today
A snapshot of the county. Sources: U.S. Census Bureau and DataUSA.
~73,800
Residents
2025 estimate
28,400
Households
$56,200
Median household income
2024
$207,500
Median home value
2024
622
Square miles
≈67% rural
1783
Year founded
named for Gen. Nathanael Greene
The economy runs on manufacturing (the county's largest employer, with roughly 6,700 jobs), followed by retail and health care. It's a mostly rural county — about two-thirds of residents live outside the towns — anchored by Greeneville's historic downtown square.
Ask the archive
17 years of county records, one question away
The Greene County Archive is an independent, AI-powered search across commission meetings back to 2009 — every motion, vote, and budget — plus county departments, elected offices, and services. Ask a question the way you'd ask a neighbor and get a plain-English answer with links to the original records.
Search the county archive →An independent archive — not affiliated with Greene County government.
Local guide
Explore the communities
From the county seat to the crossroads towns, every community in Greene County — with its story, its businesses, and what's happening there.
Greeneville
The county seat and historic heart of Greene County — once the capital of the lost State of Franklin, and President Andrew Johnson's hometown.
Learn more →Tusculum
Tennessee's first college town — home of Tusculum University (1794), the oldest college in the state.
Learn more →Mosheim
From Blue Springs to a growing Greene County town — German Lutheran roots, a Civil War battlefield, and the "World's Fastest Dirt Track."
Learn more →Baileyton
A small incorporated town at Interstate 81 exit 36 — the northern gateway to Greene County, built where an old pioneer road met a mountain pass.
Learn more →Limestone
Where Tennessee's frontier story comes alive — David Crockett's birthplace, an early Revolutionary fort, and one of the first schools west of the Appalachians.
Learn more →Chuckey
A Nolichucky River railroad community with some of the oldest farms in Tennessee — and a surprising link to the Wright brothers.
Learn more →Afton
An eastern Greene County crossroads — home of the Chuckey-Doak Black Knights, historic stone houses, and one of the county's largest manufacturers.
Learn more →Camp Creek
A community in the southern mountains of Greene County — home to Margarette Falls, deep frontier roots, and a story of remarkable resilience.
Learn more →Mohawk
A rural railroad community in the Lick Creek valley that once boasted one of East Tennessee's largest Chevrolet dealerships.
Learn more →Midway
A quiet rural community west of Mosheim — a former railroad village with a surprising high-tech industrial side.
Learn more →Bulls Gap
A historic railroad town in a mountain pass on Greene County's western edge — and the hometown of Hee Haw comedian Archie Campbell.
Learn more →New to Greene County?
Our local's guide covers the towns, schools, jobs, cost of living, and things to do — everything you want to know before you move.
Read the Moving to Greeneville guide →Good to know
Greene County FAQ
- What is the population of Greene County, Tennessee?
- Greene County has about 73,800 residents (2025 estimate) across roughly 28,400 households, spread over 622 square miles — a mostly rural county, with about two-thirds of residents living outside the towns.
- What is the county seat of Greene County?
- Greeneville is the county seat. It's the second-oldest town in Tennessee and briefly served as the capital of the State of Franklin, a breakaway would-be 14th state, in 1785.
- Why is Greeneville spelled with an extra 'e'?
- Greeneville is named for Revolutionary War general Nathanael Greene, so it keeps the 'e' from his name — spelled G-r-e-e-n-e-ville. It's the only Greeneville spelled this way in the entire country, and locals notice when it's misspelled 'Greenville'.
- What is Greene County, Tennessee known for?
- Greene County packs in a lot of American history: it was home to the State of Franklin, frontiersman Davy Crockett was born near Limestone in 1786, and Andrew Johnson — the 17th President of the United States — got his start as a tailor on the Greeneville square. Tusculum University, chartered in 1794, is the oldest college in Tennessee.
- When was Greene County founded?
- Greene County was founded in 1783 and named for General Nathanael Greene.
- What towns and communities are in Greene County?
- Greene County's communities include Greeneville, Tusculum, Mosheim, Baileyton, Limestone, Chuckey, Afton, Camp Creek, Mohawk, Midway, Bulls Gap. Greeneville is the largest and the county seat.