Updated September 10, 2026
How much housing does Knoxville have?
The Census counts 94,885 housing units in Knoxville for a population of about 193,721 — roughly 2.0 people for every housing unit.
That makes Knoxville the third largest of the four Tennessee cities with a page here; Nashville counts 333,074.
Who arranges chimney work on a Knoxville home?
About 46.6% of occupied Knoxville homes are owner-occupied, which leaves about 53.4% rented.
With 53.4% of occupied Knoxville homes rented, the person who notices the smell, the stain or the smoke is more often than not a tenant, and the person who authorizes a repair is someone else. Say which you are when you send a request, so the findings reach whoever has to act on them.
Tenure also decides who keeps the paperwork. A Knoxville chimney's earlier reports follow the property, not the occupant, so ask for them whichever side of that 46.6% you are on.
Which cities near Knoxville have their own page here?
Chattanooga, about 96 miles away, Nashville, about 159 miles away, and Memphis, about 343 miles away — measured from Knoxville.
Those are great-circle distances between the Census 2023 Gazetteer interior points of each place, so the drive is longer than the figure.
Chattanooga's median build year is 1975 against Knoxville's 1974, a 1-year difference in the housing the two chimneys belong to.
What you can observe safely
- Note whether the odor happens during use or when the fireplace is cold.
- Record the date of the last inspection if known.
What to avoid
- Do not climb onto the roof or enter the chimney.
- Do not alter gas components, venting, or safety controls.
- Do not use a test fire to diagnose the problem.
Possible causes to assess
- Combustion deposits
- Moisture interacting with deposits
- Airflow conditions
A symptom cannot establish the cause remotely. An assessment of the complete system helps determine the appropriate repair.
Chimney cleaning in KnoxvilleA few common questions
Can this be diagnosed from a photo?
A photo can document a symptom and help prepare a visit. It cannot confirm concealed conditions or establish that a chimney or fuel-burning appliance is safe.