Rockwood, Tennessee Population, Hospitals, Airports, and Schools
Rockwood, Tennessee is a small city located in Roane County, in the eastern part of the state. Its population is estimated to be around 5,000 people. The geography of Rockwood is mostly flat with some rolling hills, and it is situated on the banks of the Emory River. The climate in Rockwood is typically mild and humid with warm summers and cool winters.
Rockwood has a rich history dating back to its founding in 1797 by Revolutionary War veteran, Captain John Hixson. In 1810, it was incorporated as a city and became an important stop on the stagecoach route between Knoxville and Chattanooga. During the Civil War, Rockwood was an important supply depot for Confederate troops stationed in Chattanooga.
Politically, Rockwood leans conservatively with most citizens voting Republican in local elections. The economy of Rockwood relies heavily on agriculture and tourism due to its proximity to Watts Bar Lake, which offers plenty of recreational activities for visitors throughout the year.
Rockwood has two schools: Rockwood Middle School, serving grades 6-8; and Rockwood High School serving grades 9-12. Both schools are part of the Roane County School System and offer students a variety of educational opportunities including Advanced Placement classes and extracurricular activities such as band and athletics.
Rockwood City Park is one of the most popular landmarks in town offering visitors scenic views of Watts Bar Lake along with picnic areas and playgrounds for children to enjoy. Other notable landmarks include: The Emory River Bridge which connects downtown Rockwood to Harriman; The Old Stone Church which dates back to 1894; And The Roane County Courthouse which was built in 1889 and still stands today as a reminder of Rockwood’s colorful past.
Population: 5,774. Estimated population in July 2024: 5,426 (-6.0% change)
Males: 2,633 (45.6%), Females: 3,141 (54.4%)
Roane County
Zip code: 37854
Demographics
Median resident age: 42.0 years
Median household income: $23,986
Median house value: $60,300
Population by Race
Races in Rockwood:
- White Non-Hispanic (92.4%)
- Black (5.4%)
- Two or more races (0.9%)
- Hispanic (0.8%)
- American Indian (0.7%)
Ancestries: United States (32.6%), Irish (6.4%), German (4.4%), English (3.9%), Scottish (2.3%), Scotch-Irish (1.9%).
Elevation: 883 feet
Land area: 7.9 square miles
Population by Education
Rockwood, Tennessee is a small town located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. The population of Rockwood is estimated to be around 5,000 people. The majority of residents are Caucasian, but there are also African American and Hispanic populations present. The median age of residents is 41 years old and the average household size is 2.5 people. Most households consist of married couples with children or single parent households.
The town has a strong sense of community pride and there are numerous activities for its citizens to participate in throughout the year. There are several churches in Rockwood that cater to different denominations, offering Sunday services as well as Bible study groups during the week. There are two schools in Rockwood, a public elementary school and a private high school that serve the educational needs of local students. Rockwood also boasts several parks, two libraries, and two museums that offer visitors an opportunity to learn more about its history and culture. In addition to these amenities, there are also several restaurants and shops located throughout town that provide locals with an array of dining and shopping options.
For population 25 years and over in Rockwood
- High school or higher: 66.6%
- Bachelor’s degree or higher: 8.8%
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.7%
- Unemployed: 7.2%
- Mean travel time to work: 23.9 minutes
For population 15 years and over in Rockwood city
- Never married: 19.4%
- Now married: 52.7%
- Separated: 2.1%
- Widowed: 11.2%
- Divorced: 14.7%
1.2% Foreign born
Population change in the 1990s: -139 (-2.4%).
Hospitals
Hospitals/medical centers near Rockwood:
- ROANE MEDICAL CENTER (about 11 miles; HARRIMAN, TN)
- SWEETWATER HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION (about 24 miles; SWEETWATER, TN)
- FORT SANDERS LOUDON MEDICAL CENTER (about 26 miles; LOUDON, TN)
Airports
Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Rockwood:
- MC GHEE TYSON (about 49 miles; KNOXVILLE, TN; Abbreviation: TYS)
- LOVELL FIELD (about 68 miles; CHATTANOOGA, TN; Abbreviation: CHA)
- RICHARD B RUSSELL (about 110 miles; ROME, GA; Abbreviation: RMG)
Other public-use airports nearest to Rockwood:
- ROCKWOOD MUNI (about 4 miles; ROCKWOOD, TN; Abbreviation: RKW)
- CROSSVILLE MEMORIAL-WHITSON FIELD (about 29 miles; CROSSVILLE, TN; Abbreviation: CSV)
- MARK ANTON (about 32 miles; DAYTON, TN; Abbreviation: 2A0)
Colleges and Universities
Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Rockwood:
- ROANE STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 11 miles; HARRIMAN, TN; Full-time enrollment: 3,490)
- LEE UNIVERSITY (about 50 miles; CLEVELAND, TN; Full-time enrollment: 3,171)
- CLEVELAND STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 50 miles; CLEVELAND, TN; Full-time enrollment: 2,022)
- THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE (about 51 miles; KNOXVILLE, TN; Full-time enrollment: 23,333)
- PELLISSIPPI STATE TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 51 miles; KNOXVILLE, TN; Full-time enrollment: 5,196)
- TENNESSEE TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY (about 58 miles; COOKEVILLE, TN; Full-time enrollment: 7,204)
- CHATTANOOGA STATE TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 69 miles; CHATTANOOGA, TN; Full-time enrollment: 4,821)
Schools
Public high school in Rockwood:
- ROCKWOOD HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 413; Location: 512 WEST ROCKWOOD ST; Grades: 09 – 12)
Public primary/middle schools in Rockwood:
- RIDGE VIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 702; Location: 625 PUMPHOUSE RD; Grades: KG – 05)
- ROCKWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL (Students: 375; Location: 434 WEST ROCKWOOD ST; Grades: 06 – 08)
- PINE VIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 171; Location: 349 DAYSVILLE RD; Grades: KG – 08)
Private primary/middle school in Rockwood:
- HIS SERVANTS ACADEMY (Students: 24; Location: 228 DELOZIER LANE; Grades: KG – 4)
Libraries
Library in Rockwood:
- ROCKWOOD PUBLIC LIBRARY (Operating income: $114,441; Location: 117 NORTH FRONT STREET; 32,987 books; 421 audio materials; 678 video materials; 45 serial subscriptions)