Population57,404 (2025 est.)
Railway And Textile Stories Across Several Towns
McMinn County, TennesseeAthens anchors McMinn County, while Etowah and Englewood contribute distinct railway and textile histories. The county’s historical society identifies museums and preserved places that connect these working traditions with the broader story of southeastern Tennessee communities. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated 57,404 residents in McMinn County, Tennessee, on July 1, 2025. The county has approximately 430 square miles of land, according to the 2020 Census Gazetteer.
McMinn County at a Glance
Population57,404 (2025 est.)
County SeatAthens
Largest CityAthens
Established1819 (organized; NACo County Explorer)
ZIP CodesSee postal resources
Total Area, Including Water432 sq mi (total)
Major RoutesSee transportation resources
Area CodesVaries by community
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
Discover McMinn County
McMinn County
McMinn County was established in 1819, with county courts moving to Athens in 1823. Later community development included railway activity in Etowah and textile production in Englewood. The historical society highlights the L&N Depot, Englewood Textile Museum and Living Heritage Museum as different ways to interpret these connected local histories. The museums make industrial history approachable through different local settings. Rail transport and textile work connected communities while giving each a distinct institutional and working identity within the wider county.
Choose Athens for a county-wide museum perspective, Etowah for railway history or Englewood for textile interpretation. A two-town route can show how different industries shaped neighboring communities. Confirm each museum's current visitor arrangements before linking several stops. Give each selected collection enough time to explain the work it represents. Comparing a railway building with textile interpretation can reveal different kinds of labor and community life across the county.
What Shapes Us
Local Character
The county's historical society identifies museums and preserved places that connect these working traditions with the broader story of southeastern Tennessee communities.
Community History
McMinn County was established in 1819, with county courts moving to Athens in 1823. Later community development included railway activity in Etowah and textile production in Englewood.
Explore Locally
Choose Athens for a county-wide museum perspective, Etowah for railway history or Englewood for textile interpretation. A two-town route can show how different industries shaped neighboring communities.
Discover the working histories that give neighboring towns their character.
A Closer Look
McMinn County
Places and perspectives from McMinn County
McMinn County headlines via Google News
FNF3 Week 1 Game of the Week: Bradley Central vs. McMinn County - Local 3 News
FNF3 Week 1 Game of the Week: Bradley Central vs. McMinn County Local 3 News
Read the Story Oct 14, 2026 • 2 min read
Around McMinn County
Stories from every corner of McMinn County.
FNF3 Week 1 Game of the Week: Bradley Central vs. McMinn County - Local 3 News
FNF3 Week 1 Game of the Week: Bradley Central vs. McMinn County Local 3 News
Oct 14, 2026 • 2 min read
Man wanted in McMinn Co. shooting incident arrested in Rhea - rheaheraldnews.com
Man wanted in McMinn Co. shooting incident arrested in Rhea rheaheraldnews.com
Oct 14, 2026 • 2 min read
The Towns In Tennessee Where Retirees Are Moving To - WorldAtlas
The Towns In Tennessee Where Retirees Are Moving To WorldAtlas
Oct 13, 2026 • 2 min read
Ray Hill speaks to McMinn County gathering - The Knoxville Focus
Ray Hill speaks to McMinn County gathering The Knoxville Focus
Oct 12, 2026 • 2 min read
McMinn County man awaiting extradition from Arizona - Chattanooga Times Free Press
McMinn County man awaiting extradition from Arizona Chattanooga Times Free Press
Oct 9, 2026 • 2 min read
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
County Resources
Find the Right Local Connection
Start with the organization responsible for the service you need. Follow its official link for current requirements, office locations and availability.
Government
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Schools
Public school contacts
Selected local schools from the NCES 2024-2025 directory. Contact the school or district to confirm enrollment, attendance boundaries and current services; this is not a complete school list.
Athens City Intermediate – Elementary; grades 03-05. 255 Keith LN, Athens, TN 37303. 423-745-2863.
Etowah Elementary – Elementary; grades PK-08. 858 Eighth ST, Etowah, TN 37331. 423-263-5483.
E K Baker Elementary – Elementary; grades PK-08. 1044 Co 172 RD, Athens, TN 37303. 423-745-2760.
Athens City Middle School – Middle; grades 06-08. 200 Keith LN, Athens, TN 37303. 423-745-1177.
McMinn High School – High; grades 09-12. 2215 Congress Pkwy, Athens, TN 37303. 423-745-4142.
Calhoun Elementary – Elementary; grades PK-08. 150 Sherwood AVE, Calhoun, TN 37309. 423-336-2974.
Englewood Elementary – Elementary; grades PK-08. 108 College ST, Englewood, TN 37329. 423-887-5260.
Hospitals
Local hospital contacts
Facility contacts from the CMS Hospital General Information directory, updated July 22, 2026. Contact the facility directly to confirm current services and appointment arrangements.
Starr Regional Medical Center Athens – Acute Care Hospitals. 1114 W Madison Ave, Athens, TN 37371. 423-745-1411.
Public Safety
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Emergency Services
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Parks & Public Lands
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Trails
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Utilities
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Libraries
Local library contacts
Locations and public phone numbers are from the IMLS FY2024 Public Libraries Survey. Call the branch to confirm current hours and services before visiting.
E. G. Fisher Public Library – 1289 Ingleside Avenue, Athens, TN 37303. 423-745-7782.
Calhoun Public Library – 746 Hwy 163, Calhoun, TN 37309. 423-336-2348.
Englewood Public Library – 35 Carroll Street, Englewood, TN 37329. 423-887-7152.
Etowah Carnegie Library – 723 Ohio Avenue, Etowah, TN 37331. 423-263-9475.
Courts
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
DMV
Tennessee — Title and Registration
Tennessee — Renewing Your License or Identification
Transportation
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Postal Services
USPS location finder — Search by street address, city or ZIP Code for nearby post offices, collection boxes and available services.
USPS ZIP Code lookup — Find the mailing ZIP Code for a specific street address.
USPS Hold Mail — Arrange a temporary mail hold and review identity-verification requirements.
USPS change of address and forwarding — Review forwarding options and submit an address-change request through USPS.
USPS package pickup — Check pickup availability for your address and schedule eligible shipments.
Veterans
National services available to local residents
VA accredited representatives — Find help with VA claims and benefit applications.
VA health care applications — Review application options and supporting information.
VA disability claims — Find the official steps for submitting a disability claim.
GI Bill and education benefits — Review how to apply for VA education benefits.
Veteran career and employment support — Explore VA employment, training and career assistance.
Employment
National services available to local residents
USAJOBS federal employment — Search federal openings by location and occupation.
Apprenticeship Finder — Search apprenticeship opportunities by location and occupation.
My Next Move career exploration — Explore occupations, industries and career interests.
Government job-training resources — Find routes to state training programs and support for different job seekers.
Unemployment benefit guidance — Find your state program and its application and eligibility information.
Get to Know McMinn County
Useful answers for residents, visitors and anyone planning their next step.
Local Questions
McMinn County Questions, Answered
Explore practical details about the county and the organizations that serve it.
57,404 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate). This is a dated Census Bureau estimate, rather than a live resident count.
432.179 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography). The total combines land and water area.
Start with these official Tennessee resources: Address Change; Title and Registration; Renewing Your License or Identification. Choose the page for the service you need, then check its office or online instructions before making a trip. These links cover state services; they do not establish that every transaction is available at a county office.
Use USPS ZIP Code Lookup for the mailing ZIP Code of a specific street address. Use the USPS location finder to search for nearby postal facilities and available services. An address lookup is more useful for mailing than assuming the entire county shares one ZIP Code.
The VA explains how to find and appoint an accredited representative for benefit claims. Contact a representative to confirm availability before appointing them. For education benefits, use the GI Bill application guidance. These are national VA services available to eligible local residents, rather than a listing of county offices.
Search USAJOBS for federal positions and the Apprenticeship Finder for apprenticeship opportunities, using location filters to narrow the results. USAGov job-training guidance points to training programs and state resources. Check each listing for current availability, eligibility and application instructions; a search result does not guarantee an opening in the county.
McMinn County was established in 1819, with county courts moving to Athens in 1823. Later community development included railway activity in Etowah and textile production in Englewood. The historical society highlights the L&N Depot, Englewood Textile Museum and Living Heritage Museum as different ways to interpret these connected local histories. The museums make industrial history approachable through different local settings. Rail transport and textile work connected communities while giving each a distinct institutional and working identity within the wider county.
Choose Athens for a county-wide museum perspective, Etowah for railway history or Englewood for textile interpretation. A two-town route can show how different industries shaped neighboring communities. Confirm each museum's current visitor arrangements before linking several stops. Give each selected collection enough time to explain the work it represents. Comparing a railway building with textile interpretation can reveal different kinds of labor and community life across the county.
The 2020 Census geography figures record 430.117 square miles of land and 2.062 square miles of water in McMinn County. The county’s total area includes both. These are geographic measurements for that Census vintage, not a measurement of current water levels or public recreation access.
In the Census Bureau’s 2025 estimate series, McMinn County had an estimated 53,347 residents on July 1, 2020, and 57,404 on July 1, 2025. Over that interval, the estimated population increased by 4,057 residents, or about 7.6%. Both figures come from the same estimate vintage, which revises earlier years for a consistent comparison.
Athens is the county seat listed for McMinn County by the National Association of Counties. For an office visit, confirm the specific department’s address before traveling. NACo county profile.
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
My Local Guide
Local Businesses
Businesses Serving McMinn CountyExplore the businesses listed for this county.
Businesses serving McMinn County
Additional county facts: county overview and references.
Connect with local businesses.McMinn County