Knoxville is the 3rd largest city in the state of Tennessee, USA, coming in after the cities of Memphis and Nashville. It was founded in the year 1786 and has a rich history. Knoxville forms the county seat of Knox County. The city had a population of 173,890 according to the United States Census taken in 2000. The population grew to roughly 183,550 during the month of July of 2007. Knoxville was named for Henry Knox, the very first Secretary of War.
The city of Knoxville is the second biggest city within the Appalachia area and the biggest city in East Tennessee. It is even the principal city of the Knoxville Metropolitan Statistical Area. This consists of a 655,400 metro population and forms the central portion of the Knoxville-Sevierville-La Follette Combined Statistical Area that has approximately 1,029,155 people.
In Tennessee, Knoxville is one of the 4 major cities and is the 2nd oldest to the city of Nashville. Only seven years before Knoxville's founding, Nashville was founded. Tennessee State was admitted into the Union the same year Knoxville was founded in 1786. Knoxville became the state's first capital. In capacity it served until 1819. The capital was moved to Murfreesboro before Nashville was given the honor.
In the start of the 20th century, there were numerous quarries that were active within Knoxville. These quarries provided Tennessee pink marble, which is truly Ordovician limestone from the Holston Formation and hence the nickname "The Marble City" was born. Many buildings throughout the USA are constructed out of Knoxville marble such as the National Gallery of Art in Washington. The fountains of the gallery were made by the Candoro Marble Company, who once operated the the nation's largest marble lathes.
Another interesting fact about Knoxville is that the city was once regarded as the "Underwear Capital of the World." In the 1930s, there were at least 20 textile and clothing mills in operation within the city, making this particular business the biggest employer. The mills started to decline and close during the 1950s. During 1960, Knoxville experienced a 10 percent population loss.
The city is situated in the center of the Tennessee Valley Corridor, which is an area famous high-tech industry. The overall economy of Knoxville is somewhat diversified. Like for example, the nearby United States Department of Energy facility, the Tennessee Valley Authority head office and the University of Tennessee at Knoxville have various economic roles in the region. These institutions each take part in a technology transfer program which has allowed the creation of various companies. There are many incubator facilities within the region also.
There are a variety of manufacturing firms in the city of Knoxville as well as warehousing and distribution businesses. The city of Knoxville is likewise home to many telemarketing divisions of large businesses. Knoxville has a thriving tourist business since the city is located near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and different popular spots. Other particular economic elements are coal mining, livestock, zinc mining, food crops, and dairy products.
The fastest growing sectors within the city of Knoxville are the technical services sector, the professional, scientific services sector and the food services industry. Major jobs for the city of Knoxville is provided by businesses who manufacture items like for example motor vehicle supplies, aluminum products, pleasure boats, processed foods, plastics, clothing, and manufactured housing.