[citation needed] Mixed among the remaining farms and pastures are subdivisions, small businesses, schools, and light industry.

A new high school, Hardin Valley Academy, opened in 2008 to reduce pressure on Karns, Farragut, and Bearden High Schools due to growth in the student population in western Knox County.

[13] The Karns Fire Department serves a 65-square-mile (170 km2) area of western Knox County from four fire stations located in Karns, Ball Camp, Hardin Valley, and Solway.

Ambulance services are primarily provided by American Medical Response (AMR), per contract with Knox County.

The Knox County Sheriff's Department is responsible for law enforcement services.