Rhea County Map, Tennessee

Written and Fact-checked by | Updated On: April 28, 2026 | 15:21 ET

Map of Rhea County - Rhea County is a county located in the U.S. state of Tennessee. Rhea County Map showing cities, highways, important places and water bodies. Get Where is Rhea County located in the map, major cities in Rhea county, population, areas, and places of interest.

Map of Rhea County, Tennessee

Map of Rhea County, Tennessee

About Rhea County Map, Tennessee: The map showing the county boundary, county seat, major cities, highways and neighbouring counties.

Tennessee More Maps & Info

Tennessee MapTennessee County MapMap of Tennessee With Cities
Tennessee Physical MapTennessee Blank MapWhere is Tennessee
Tennessee Road MapWhere is MemphisWhere is Nashville
Tennessee ZipcodesAirports in TennesseeTennessee Area Codes

About Rhea County, Tennessee

Rhea County is a county located in the U.S. state of Tennessee. It's county seat is Dayton. As per 2020 census, the population of Rhea County is 33136 people and population density is square miles. According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 316 sq mi (818 km2). Rhea County was established on 1807.

Rhea County Facts

ContinentNorth America
CountryUnited States
StateTennessee
County SeatDayton
Largest City/TownDayton
Established1807
Total Area336 sq mi
Land Area316 sq mi
Water Area20 sq mi
Population32,870 (Census 2020)
Population Density104 people per sq mi
Time ZoneEastern (EST)
Major HighwaysUS-27, TN-30, TN-60
Neighboring CountiesRoane County, Meigs County, Hamilton County, Bledsoe County
Famous ForScopes Trial, Tennessee River, outdoor recreation
Top AttractionsDayton Scopes Trial Museum, Chickamauga Lake, Laurel-Snow State Natural Area
Official Websitehttps://www.rheacountytn.gov

Cities and Towns in Rhea County, Tennessee

  • Dayton (county seat) – 7,065 (Census 2020)
  • Graysville – 1,502 (Census 2020)
  • Spring City – 1,949 (Census 2020)
  • Evensville – 0 (unincorporated community)

Roads and Highways in Rhea County

Rhea County is served by several key highways that connect it to nearby cities and provide easy access across eastern Tennessee.

  • U.S. Route 27 (US-27) – Runs north-south connecting Dayton to Chattanooga and Harriman
  • Tennessee State Route 30 (TN-30) – East-west route linking Dayton to Decatur and Pikeville
  • Tennessee State Route 60 (TN-60) – Connects Spring City to Dayton and Cleveland

Neighboring Counties of Rhea County

  • Roane County (north)
  • Meigs County (west)
  • Hamilton County (south)
  • Bledsoe County (east)

Top Attractions in Rhea County

Rhea County offers a mix of history and outdoor activities, especially around the Tennessee River and nearby natural areas.

  • Scopes Trial Museum – Highlights the famous 1925 trial held in Dayton
  • Chickamauga Lake – Popular for boating, fishing, and scenic views
  • Laurel-Snow State Natural Area – Known for waterfalls, hiking trails, and rock formations
  • Tennessee River – Great for water recreation and relaxing views
  • Rhea County Courthouse – Historic site tied to the Scopes Trial
  • Dayton City Park – Local park with walking trails and family spaces
  • Watts Bar Dam – Offers scenic overlooks and fishing spots

Distance from Rhea County to Nearby Cities

  • Dayton to Chattanooga – 38 mi (61 km)
  • Dayton to Knoxville – 88 mi (142 km)
  • Dayton to Nashville – 145 mi (233 km)
  • Dayton to Cleveland – 32 mi (51 km)
  • Dayton to Crossville – 55 mi (89 km)

FAQs about Rhea County

What is Rhea County known for?

Rhea County is best known for the 1925 Scopes Trial, a famous court case about teaching evolution.

What is the county seat of Rhea County?

Dayton is the county seat and the largest town in Rhea County.

What outdoor activities are available in Rhea County?

Visitors can enjoy boating, fishing, hiking, and exploring natural areas like Laurel-Snow.

Which river runs through Rhea County?

The Tennessee River flows along the county, offering many recreational opportunities.

Is Rhea County in Eastern or Central Time?

Rhea County is in the Eastern Time Zone (EST).

<