Homeownership for Heroes · Knox County

First-time homebuyer help in Knox County, Tennessee

Knox County, population about 511,000, is the largest county in East Tennessee on this list, with Knoxville as its seat.

County seatKnoxville

Population511,453

Income limit, 3+$119,255

Price limit$500,000

Buying a first home in Knox County

Knox County Schools covers the whole county, including Farragut, so one district rule applies whether you teach downtown or out west.

Knoxville Police, the Knox County Sheriff's Office and Knoxville Fire are the anchor public safety employers. Deputies, city officers and firefighters all fit the Heroes rule if they're currently employed in Tennessee.

Knox shares its income limit with Anderson, Blount and Loudon counties, so commuters weighing a home across those lines see the same number.

Knox County income and price limits

Income, 1–2 people	Income, 3+ people	Purchase price limit
$103,700	$119,255	$500,000

Knox County's limit is $103,700 for a household of 1-2 and $119,255 for 3 or more. See the statewide limits or estimate what you can afford.

Other down payment help in Knox County

These local programs can sometimes be used on top of, or instead of, the state program. Rules differ, so a loan officer checks which ones combine.

City of Knoxville Downpayment Assistance Program

Closed for now

City of Knoxville

Who: Buyers of homes developed by Home Source East Tennessee, Neighborhood Housing Inc., or East Tennessee Housing Development Corp.
Income limit: Household income below $55,650 (1) / $63,600 (2) / $71,550 (3) / $79,500 (4) / $85,900 (5) / $92,250 (6) / $98,600 (7) / $104,950 (8)
Other rules: Homebuyer education via Home Source East Tennessee, Knoxville Area Urban League or UT Extension

Page says applications are closed except for homes from the three listed nonprofit developers. Contact Kevin DuBose, (865) 215-2865.

Verified November 2026 · how we verify

See if I qualify →

Knoxville nonprofit affordable-home builders with buyer assistance

City of Knoxville

Who: Low- and moderate-income buyers of homes these nonprofits build/renovate
Other rules: Buy one of the nonprofit's homes; ETHDC also offers coaching and DPA/closing-cost help

City lists these as the path to an affordable home; no amounts posted.

Verified November 2026 · how we verify

See if I qualify →

See every program in Tennessee.

Homebuyer education near Knox County

Most down payment programs require a homebuyer education class before closing. These HUD-approved agencies near Knox County offer homebuyer classes or pre-purchase counseling:

Agency	City	Distance	Services	Languages	Formats
Knoxville Area Urban League	Knoxville	2 mi	homebuyer education class, pre-purchase counseling	English	Phone
Knox Housing Partnership, Incorporated Dba Homesource East Tennessee	Knoxville	2 mi	homebuyer education class, pre-purchase counseling	English, Spanish	Face to Face, Phone, Internet
Clinch-Powell Resource Conservation and Development Council, Inc	Rutledge	31 mi	homebuyer education class, pre-purchase counseling	English	Phone

Source: HUD housing counseling agency list. Not every class is accepted by every program.

Not sure which class your program accepts? A loan officer who offers Tennessee programs tells you which class counts, and can start your pre-approval at the same time. Check my eligibility

Who can use the program in Knox County

Eligible local employers include:

Knox County Schools
Knoxville Police Department
Knox County Sheriff's Office
Knoxville Fire Department

Officers with KPD or KCSO who are also veterans can skip the first-time buyer rule. See every eligible role.

Knox County questions

What's the Knoxville income limit?

$103,700 (1-2 people) and $119,255 (3+).

Does Farragut have a different limit?

No. Farragut is in Knox County and uses the same limit.

Can a Knox County deputy qualify?

Yes. Local law enforcement officers currently employed in Tennessee qualify.

Other areas: Shelby County, Davidson County, Hamilton County, Rutherford County, Williamson County, Montgomery County, Sumner County, Wilson County. All counties.