With a touch of the “luck of the
Irish” and a good dose of Southern hospitality, Houston County is a community
that values and welcomes each member with open arms. The green rolling hills of
the Tennessee countryside originally brought a group of Irish settlers who were
nostalgic for their homeland to the area in its early years. Today, the expanse
of beautiful land along with busy hum of the nearby metropolitan areas have
made Houston County and its county seat Erin an ideal home for many residents.
Houston County offers a direct
connection to nature with miles of scenic beauty and many lakes and rivers
where residents can fish and enjoy fresh air to their heart’s content. The
county is home to a number of parks that offer more exhilarating forms of leisure.
Houston County Park, which is
located in Tennessee Ridge, is one of the largest parks in the area and
features baseball fields, batting cages, a picnic pavilion, playgrounds and
tennis courts. This park is the center of activity for many families in the area
throughout summer when the Dixie Youth league plays.
Another popular site for all Houston
County residents throughout the year is Erin, the county seat. The town, which
was established in 1863, features a strong sense of local history with a
vibrant historical district lined with Victorian homes and century-old business
buildings.
Every year the city celebrates its
Irish heritage by hosting the Irish Day Parade and Arts and Crafts Festival.
The event is a verdant-hued spectacle with lively leprechauns, banquets,
carnival rides, pageants and crafts booths. Held on the third Saturday in
March, the event is one of the largest St. Patrick’s Day celebrations south of
Chicago.
Working
in Houston County Tennessee
Houston County’s economy is focused
heavily around manufacturing and retail trade according to the U.S. Census,
providing about 29.4 percent of jobs in the region. Other important sectors
include education, health and social services, which accounts for about 18.7
percent, and construction with 10.7 percent.
Agriculture and farming are also an
important part of the Houston County culture and economy. The U.S. Census
reports the average farm in Houston County is about 145 acres and commercial
hunting and fishing are also significant industries for the local economy.
Vivacious
Communities Nearby
While the quiet hum of life in
Houston County is perfect for many home owners, its ideal location just an hour
and a half drive from Nashville, allows residents easy access to the city’s
electric lifestyle and amenities. The capital of country music is one of the
most exciting cities in the United States, meaning Houston County residents
don’t have to travel far for country music concerts, professional sports games
and world-class shopping and dining destinations.
However, after a few hours or days
on the busy Nashville scene, Houston County beckons many a home owner back to a
simple and fulfilling life among the rolling green hills of the Tennessee
countryside.