Unicoi County, Tennessee

Unicoi County, Tennessee
Unicoi County Courthouse in Erwin
Location within the U.S. state of Tennessee
Coordinates: 36°06′N 82°26′W / 36.1°N 82.43°W / 36.1; -82.43
Country United States
State Tennessee
FoundedMarch 23, 1875
Named afterCherokee word for "fog-draped" or "hazy"
SeatErwin
Largest townErwin
Area
 • Total
186 sq mi (480 km2)
 • Land186 sq mi (480 km2)
 • Water0.3 sq mi (0.78 km2)  0.2%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
17,928
 • Density98/sq mi (38/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district1st
Websitewww.unicoicountytn.gov

Unicoi County (/ˈjnɪˌkɔɪ/) is a county located in the U.S. state of Tennessee. As of the 2020 census, the population was 17,928. Its county seat is Erwin. Unicoi is a Cherokee word meaning "white," "hazy," "fog-like," or "fog draped," and refers to the mist often seen in the foothills and mountains of this far northeast county. Unicoi County is part of the Johnson City metropolitan area, which is a component of the "Tri-Cities" region.