Unhealthy air days have decreased in our region since 2000, with 2015 the second year in which no county measured a day with unhealthy air. In 2015, 87% of days with air quality measurements in the region were good air days, up from 58% in 2006. 

In 2014, there were 2,000 miles of impaired streams in our region, up 31% from 2004. All counties in the region experienced increases in miles of impaired streams over the decade, while the greatest miles of impaired streams were found in Knox and Blount.

Acres of land devoted to the production of food crops in our region increased by 12% since 2010.  Loudon had the largest increase at 42% while Anderson and Union saw the largest decrease (76% and 74% respectively).  Monroe County had the highest number of food production acres in 2015, at more than 12,000.