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Cookeville , Tennessee

What It Is Like to Retire in Cookeville

Cookeville, population 29,000, is in Putnam County and the home of Tennessee Technological University (12,000 students). Known as the "Hub of the Upper Cumberlands," approximately 25,000 people travel to work, shop, or attend school in Cookeville each day. The city is located in north central Tennessee. Photos courtesy of Wikipedia and in the public domain.

Where to Retire in Cookeville and Home Prices

According to Zillow.com the Home Value Index in Cookeville was $163,000 in early 2019, and calls it a "Very Hot" market at this time.

What Is Special about Cookeville

Cookeville is a regional center. As the home of highly rated Tennessee Tech. University the city enjoys being a college town. It has a diversified and resilient economy. TN does not tax wages, social security, or pension income. It does, however, tax some dividend and investment income.

What Is Not Special about Cookeville

The crime rate is above average.

Who Will Like Retirement in Cookeville

Cookeville is a low-key kind of place that would be suitable for someone looking for the basics of medium sized town but a slower pace of life. A third of the population is over 45.

Local Economy Is Driven by

Retail, construction

Climate and Physical Environment

Cookeville is in the north central part of the state midway between Nashville and Knoxville. Median January temperatures are in the upper 30s and median July's are in the upper 70s.

Restaurants & Cultural Scene

There are plenty of cultural options in Cookeville. Those include the Bryan Symphony Orchestra, the Cookeville Arts Center, and the 458-seat professional Cookeville Drama Center. There are numerous festivals throughout the year. The Appalachian Center for Craft, part of the Tennessee Technological University, has some interesting exhibits.