Oak Ridge, Tennessee

About Oak Ridge, TN

Oak Ridge, situated in the eastern part of Tennessee, spans across Anderson and Roane counties, approximately 25 miles (40 km) west of downtown Knoxville. With a population of 31,402 as of the 2020 census, it is a key component of the Knoxville Metropolitan Area. This city is renowned for its various nicknames, including the Atomic City, the Secret City, and the City Behind the Fence.

The roots of Oak Ridge can be traced back to 1942 when the U.S. federal government acquired almost 60,000 acres (240 km2) of farmland in the Clinch River Valley to create a planned city intended to support 75,000 residents. Collaborating with the architectural and engineering firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, the city was rapidly constructed between 1942 and 1943. Its primary purpose was to serve as a production site for the Manhattan Project, a massive joint effort involving the United States, Britain, and Canada, dedicated to the development of the atomic bomb.

Even today, Oak Ridge remains deeply connected to scientific and technological advancement, as it hosts prominent institutions like the Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the Y-12 National Security Complex. These entities continue to be central to the city’s economy and contribute significantly to its cultural identity.