Karns is a community in western Knox County about 11 miles west of the center of Knoxville.

Karns is located in Beaver Creek Valley between Beaver Ridge and Copper Ridge. The elevation ranges from about 960 to 1,000 feet above sea level. Beaver Creek, a tributary of the Clinch River flows through the community.

The community was formerly called Beaver Ridge.  In 1913 when the first high school building was erected in Karns, the school was named in honor of Professor T.C. Karns, the first Superintendent of Public Instruction for Knox County.  In the 1950's, the community voted to officially change its name from Beaver Ridge/Byington to Karns.

Karns has grown from primarily a farming area to a community with a population of over 19,000.  Mixed among the remaining farms are subdivisions, small businesses, schools, and light industry.   Most people commute to work outside the community.

The Karns Community is growing rapidly with more families moving to the area than most other sections of Knoxville.

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