Speedwell ZIP Codes — Claiborne County, TN

There is one unique ZIP code in Speedwell, Tennessee and it is 37870. Area code: 423.

ZIP codes

82.98

sq mi land

3.46

sq mi water

423

area code

Speedwell, TN ZIP code map

About Speedwell, TN

Speedwell, Tennessee, is a quaint community located in the picturesque Claiborne County. Known for its serene landscapes and close-knit community, it offers a peaceful lifestyle amidst the natural beauty of the region. Residents enjoy a rural atmosphere that highlights Southern hospitality.

Location & geography

Speedwell is situated in the northeastern part of Tennessee, surrounded by rolling hills and abundant greenery. The town lies approximately 15 miles from the larger city of Tazewell to the east and about 18 miles from the vibrant community of LaFollette to the west. The total land area of Speedwell encompasses 82.98 square miles, with an additional 3.46 square miles composed of water, offering beautiful natural scenery and recreational opportunities.

Community & economy

The character of Speedwell is deeply rooted in its charming Southern traditions and welcoming residents. The local economy is primarily based on agriculture, small businesses, and tourism, which attracts visitors looking to explore the area's rich natural resources. Daily life in Speedwell reflects the close relationships among residents and a commitment to preserving the town's cultural heritage.

Transportation

Transportation in Speedwell is primarily facilitated through local roads and highways, including U.S. Route 25E, which connects the community to other parts of Claiborne County and beyond. The nearest named airport is the McGhee Tyson Airport, located approximately 45 miles to the south in Alcoa. Public transit options may be limited due to the town's small size, encouraging a reliance on personal vehicles.

History

Speedwell was established in the late 19th century, with roots in farming and local trade shaping its initial community development. Over the years, it has maintained its agricultural backbone while welcoming visitors drawn by its scenic environment. Notable events in the area's history often revolve around community gatherings and celebrations that showcase local traditions.

Did you know?

A surprising fact about Speedwell is that it is home to parts of the stunning Norris Lake, which offers a variety of recreational activities like fishing, boating, and hiking. Additionally, the town embodies a blend of history and modern rural life, attracting those interested in both the past and the present.

ZIP codes for Speedwell, TN (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
37870	Speedwell	Claiborne	View map

Demographics & statistics

3,633

Population

52.0

Median age

$38,672

Median household income

$24,831

Per capita income

$126,300

Median home value

$660

Median monthly rent

80.9%

Home ownership

19.6%

Poverty rate

6.5%

Unemployment

1,978

Housing units

14.5%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

5–9

104

10–14

139

15–19

122

126

20–24

110

155

25–34

137

35–44

467

45–54

411

176

55–59

155

166

60–64

146

334

65–74

293

75–84

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	556	15.3%
18 and over	3,077	84.7%
65 and over	866	23.8%
Median age	52.0 years

Race & ethnicity

White 97.9%

Two or more races 2%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.1%

Group	Count	%
White	3,555	97.9%
Two or more races	73	2%
American Indian / Alaska Native	5	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 9.5%

$10k–$15k 10.3%

$15k–$25k 14.2%

$25k–$35k 13.8%

$35k–$50k 10.0%

$50k–$75k 14.9%

$75k–$100k 9.4%

$100k–$150k 12.4%

$150k–$200k 5.0%

$200k+ 0.4%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	9.5%
$10k–$15k	10.3%
$15k–$25k	14.2%
$25k–$35k	13.8%
$35k–$50k	10.0%
$50k–$75k	14.9%
$75k–$100k	9.4%
$100k–$150k	12.4%
$150k–$200k	5.0%
$200k+	0.4%
Median income	$38,672

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 19.1%

$50k–$100k 24.5%

$100k–$150k 10.6%

$150k–$200k 11.8%

$200k–$300k 16.7%

$300k–$500k 12.0%

$500k–$1M 5.2%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$126,300
Median rent / month	$660
Owner occupied	80.9%
Renter occupied	19.1%
Vacant	29.4%
Single-family detached	66.9%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	31.5%
Median rooms	5.7
Avg household size (owned)	2.20

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	2.6%
2000–2009	17.4%
1990–1999	20.1%
1980–1989	16.9%
1970–1979	14.1%
1960–1969	6.3%
1950–1959	8.8%
1940–1949	4.3%
1939 or earlier	9.5%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.2%
1 bedroom	3.5%
2 bedrooms	36.1%
3 bedrooms	51.0%
4 bedrooms	7.3%
5+ bedrooms	1.8%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	7.2%
1 vehicle	28.2%
2 vehicles	32.0%
3 or more	32.6%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	0.1%
Electricity	68.7%
Propane / LP gas	14.7%
Fuel oil	1.9%
Wood	14.6%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	887	54.9%
Cohabiting couple	62	3.8%
Male householder, no spouse	304	18.8%
Female householder, no spouse	362	22.4%
Households with children under 18	386	23.9%
Households with seniors (65+)	600	37.2%
Average household size	2.25

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	28.1%	18.4%
Married	52.8%	56.3%
Separated	2.0%	1.9%
Widowed	4.3%	12.9%
Divorced	12.8%	10.5%

Education

Less than 9th grade 8.6%

Some HS, no diploma 10.2%

HS graduate 38.3%

Some college, no degree 22.6%

Associate's degree 5.8%

Bachelor's degree 8.1%

Graduate / professional 6.3%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	81.2%
Bachelor's or higher	14.5%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	0	0.0%
Kindergarten	6	0.9%
Elementary school	208	32.9%
High school	257	40.6%
College / grad school	162	25.6%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 19.8%

Manufacturing 15.2%

Construction 10.8%

Other services 10.3%

Retail trade 10.1%

Finance & real estate 7.3%

Transportation & utilities 6.8%

Agriculture & mining 5.7%

Professional & management 5.3%

Wholesale trade 3.7%

Public administration 2.9%

Arts, food & hospitality 1.7%

Information 0.6%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	23.9%
Service	14.8%
Sales & office	20.3%
Natural resources & construction	17.9%
Production & transportation	23.1%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	78.0%
Government	10.1%
Self-employed	12.0%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	80.7%
Carpool	5.7%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	0.0%
Other means	0.0%
Avg commute (minutes)	37.5

Poverty

All people 19.6%

Under 18 years 24.5%

18 and over 18.7%

Married-couple families 7.2%

Female-led households 33.8%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	44.1%
Retirement income	23.3%
Supplemental Security	12.3%
Cash public assistance	6.4%
Food stamps / SNAP	18.5%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	43.4%
High cholesterol	38.9%
Heart disease	9.2%
Stroke	4.3%
Asthma	10.9%
Arthritis	34.9%
Kidney disease	3.7%
Pulmonary disease	11.8%
Cancer	7.8%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	13.0%
No physical activity	28.7%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	35.7%
Fair or poor health	20.5%
Poor mental health	17.2%
Poor physical health	14.2%
No health insurance	16.9%
Visited doctor (checkup)	76.9%
Visited dentist	52.1%
Cholesterol screening	90.7%
Teeth loss	20.3%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	199	6.5%

Disability	%
Any disability	31.0%
Under 18	21.9%
18–64 years	25.0%
65 and over	52.0%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	58.5%
Public insurance	47.5%
Uninsured under 19	2.6%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	3,559	98.0%
Spanish	0	0.0%
Other Indo-European	0	0.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	3,626	99.8%
Born in same state	3,620	99.6%
Born in different state	1,555	42.8%
Foreign born	6	0.2%
Naturalized citizen	7	0.2%
Not a US citizen	0	0.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
French	646	17.8%
Italian	557	15.3%

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	419	11.5%
English	53	1.5%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	44.5%
Internet access	81.1%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Speedwell, TN have?

Speedwell, TN has one ZIP code: 37870. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.