The City of Oak Ridge was named after one of the scenic mountain ridges that surround the city. It is located in the ridge and valley region between the Great Smoky Mountains and the Cumberland Mountains.
Home to nearly 28,000 people, the City of Oak Ridge is comprised of 92 square miles, two-thirds of which is the Department of Energy’s reservation. Oak Ridge has 1,282 acres of parkland and more than 1,300 acres of greenbelt. There are 35,000 acres of forested and planted pine on federal lands within the city limits. The city also is home to 1100 species of native plants and abundant wildlife, including 200 species of birds.
The Greenways project, as it is known, is a system of paths using the natural corridors of floodway zones and rights-of-way through the city to connect the various community centers of interest with the outermost borders. The greenways are conceived as interconnected loops, connecting the areas and resources which the citizens of Oak Ridge consider most valuable.
Jackson Square Historic Park was the original site of Oak Ridge and still maintains a 1940s feel to it. Oak Ridge has many cultural amenities, including an orchestra, symphony, children’s show choir, community band, ballet, playhouse, chorus, and junior playhouse.
Oak Ridge is home to Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), known throughout the world for its scientific research and development in energy and nuclear materials. ORNL has a number of sophisticated experimental research facilities. They supply various governmental agencies at all levels with expertise and technology to support national and homeland security needs. Medical and environmental research is also conducted at this sprawling facility. Founded in 1942 by the United States government for the Manhattan Project, Oak Ridge played an important role in ending World War II.
Oak Ridge boasts one of the best educational systems in the state and has ranked near the top in various studies conducted this decade. Approximately 80% of Oak Ridge High School students are college-bound after graduation.
The city offers a variety of housing options, from starter homes to meet any budget through mid-range homes up to executive homes, which line the two top-notch golf courses in Oak Ridge. Condominiums and apartments cater to those seeking a maintenance-free lifestyle. There are mini-farms and large lots ideal for custom homes. The gently rolling terrain affords views of the Great Smoky Mountains from many locations.