Area Code 865

Where Is Area Code 865?

Updated: February 23rd 2024

Area code 865 is the area code for central East Tennessee. Area code 865 is located in the Eastern Time Zone and covers nine counties of Tennessee. Area code 865 was put into service by the fall of 1999 and was created from a split of area code 423.

Located in East Tennessee, Knoxville is the third most populous city in the state and the county seat of Knox County. Knoxville is situated in the Great Appalachian Valley and is the principal city of the Knoxville metropolitan area. Knoxville has a humid subtropical climate, characterized by hot summers and cool winters; due to higher elevations, Knoxville is not quite as hot as cities to the south and west. Going back in history, there was a drastic increase in European-American settlement west of the Appalachians in the 1780s. In 1786, James White established White’s Fort, a settlement that eventually became Knoxville. In 1791, White’s Fort was chosen as the site of the new state capital and was renamed Knoxville after Secretary of War Henry Knox.

Knoxville has a population of 178,874 and the racial makeup of the city is 76.1% White, 17.1% African American, 4.6% Hispanic, and 1.6% Asian (2010 Census). Unfortunately Knoxville is among the top ten most dangerous cities in Tennessee.

Downtown Knoxville contains a mixture of architectural styles such as Greek Revival, Neoclassical, Gothic, and Art Deco. Before the collapse of the city's textile industry in the 1950s, Knoxville was a major wholesaling and manufacturing center. Today Knoxville has a diversified economy, with most of the residents employed in government, service, education, health care, and retail. Knoxville is home to the University of Tennessee, which was founded in 1794; the university’s athletics programs are extremely popular in the city and the surrounding region. The city is home to a rich arts community and holds many festivals throughout the year including the Big Ears Festival, the Dogwood Arts Festival, the Rhythm N' Blooms Festival, and the International Biscuit Festival. Points of interest in the city include Zoo Knoxville, the Tennessee Theatre, the Clarence Brown Theatre, the Knoxville Museum of Art, the McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture, the Ijams Nature Center, the World's Fair Park, and the Neyland Stadium.

Oak Ridge is a city in Anderson County in East Tennessee. Located approximately 25 miles west of Knoxville, Oak Ridge is part of the Knoxville metropolitan area. Going back in history, European-American settlers arrived in the late 1790s; the area was largely uninhabited, although the Cherokee used the land for hunting. During the early 19th century, settlers established several rural farming communities throughout the area. In 1942, the area was chosen by the federal government to be the site for the Manhattan Project, the code name given to the effort to produce the first nuclear weapons for the United States during World War II. People did not find out about the Manhattan Project because of the location and low population. In 1943, employees for the Manhattan Project chose the name Oak Ridge; the name wasn't formally adopted until 1949. The first atomic bomb was used against Japan in 1945 and was a result of the Manhattan Project. Oak Ridge was shifted to civilian control in 1947 and was incorporated in 1959.

Major Cities In Area Code 865

Knoxville

Oak Ridge

Maryville

Farragut

Sevierville

Oak Ridge has a population of 29,330 and the racial makeup of the city is 83.9% White, 8.1% African American, 4.6% Hispanic, and 2.5% Asian (2010 Census). The super low crime rate makes Oak Ridge one of the safest cities in Tennessee to reside in. Much of Oak Ridge’s economy is centered on the federal government projects; the United States Department of Energy maintains a major office in the city. Oak Ridge is also home to several technology-based companies and radioactive waste processing companies. When it comes to education, the Oak Ridge school district was ranked the number one school district in Tennessee. There are several parks located in Oak Ridge but the most popular park is the Haw Ridge Park; it is a riverfront park on a peninsula that offers plenty of wildlife and recreational activities. Points of interest in the city include the American Museum of Science & Energy, the Children's Museum of Oak Ridge, the Oak Ridge Art Center, and the University of Tennessee Arboretum.

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