Kingsport, TN

Tennessee · Metropolitan Area

Kingsport is a mid-size city in Tennessee with a population of 55,807. Residents earn $50,436 per year, which is 33% below the national average.

3.1 /5.0
B Good
55,807 Population 1,051/sq mi density
$50,436 Median Income $35,828 per capita
$203,000 Home Value $249,148 Zillow
$843 Median Rent
58°F Avg Temperature
602 Violent Crime/100K 4,963 property/100K
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.4 / 5.0
$50,436 median income, 2.6% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.4 / 5.0
$203,000 home value, $843/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
602 violent crimes/100K (58% above avg)
B
Education
3.5 / 5.0
31.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $50,436
33% lower than US avg
Home Value $203,000
28% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 602/100K
58% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 31.0%
8% lower than US avg
Median Rent $843
28% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 38.9%
21% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.6%
28% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 16.6%
34% higher than US avg

How Kingsport Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population55,807
Median Age42.8 yrs
Density1,051/mi²
Male / Female46% / 54%
Largest GroupWhite 90%

Economy

B
Median Income$50,436
Per Capita$35,828
Unemployment2.6%
Poverty16.6%
County GDP$11,880M
Commute19 min

Housing

A
Home Value$203,000
Rent$843
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$249,148

Crime

F
Violent602/100K
Property4,963/100K
Murder3.8/100K
Assault494/100K
Burglary672/100K

Health

Obesity38.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression32.9%
Heart Disease6.5%

Climate

Avg Temp58°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain45.0 in/yr
Elevation1,191 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+31.0%
High School+90.6%
School Score5.08

Community

2024 VoteR 77% / D 22%
Commute19 min
EV Stations6
Libraries7

Is Kingsport a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Kingsport receives an overall livability score of 3.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Kingsport offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Kingsport is $50,436, 33% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.6%. The poverty rate of 16.6% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Kingsport is $203,000, 28% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $843 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 4x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

With 602 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, public safety is a notable concern — this is significantly above the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 4,963 per 100,000, 153% above the national average.

Education

31.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 90.6% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.1/10.

Climate & Weather

Kingsport enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 58°F. Winters average 37°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 45.0 inches, including 5.1 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Kingsport has a population of 55,807 with a density of 1,051 people per square mile. The median age is 42.8 years, 10% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (89.9%), with 3.3% Black.

Population

55,807
Total Population
1,051
People / sq mi
42.8yrs
Median Age
10% above US avg
53.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 46%
Female 54%

Race & Ethnicity

Kingsport vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only97.0%
24% above US avg
Spanish3.0%
78% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Kingsport vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Kingsport is $50,436, which is 33% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.6% (below the 3.6% US average). 16.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes.

Income: Kingsport vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$50,436
33% below US avg
Per Capita Income$35,828
Avg Weekly Wage$1,193
IRS Avg AGI$68,374

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.6%
28% below US avg
Poverty Rate16.6%
34% above US avg
Establishments (County)4,219
County GDP$11,880M

Business (County)

Restaurants355
Healthcare462
Retail558
Manufacturing131

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,964
13% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.95%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time18.8 min
Work from Home11.3%

Walkability

The median home value in Kingsport is $203,000, 28% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $843 (28% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $249,148.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$203,000
28% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$249,148
Median List Price$285,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$285,000
$/Sq Ft$153
Homes Sold63
Sale-to-List Ratio94.9%
Price Drops22.7%
Inventory309

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$843
28% below US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,352

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$882
1 Bedroom$924
2 Bedrooms$1,118
3 Bedrooms$1,445
4 Bedrooms$1,644

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied62.2%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,964
13% above US avg
Effective Rate1.95%
In Kingsport, 38.9% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 32.9% report depression. 28.8% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Kingsport vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity38.9%
21% above US avg
Diabetes12.7%
Heart Disease6.5%
High Blood Pressure36.5%
Asthma11.7%
COPD9.0%
Stroke3.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking14.2%
Physical Inactivity28.8%
Depression32.9%
Mental Distress22.0%
Physical Distress15.9%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate91.1%
Checkup Rate76.5%
Premature Death12,612/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.8/10
Exercise Access58.9%
Healthcare Facilities462
Kingsport has a violent crime rate of 602 per 100,000 residents, 58% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 4,963 per 100,000 (153% above US avg). The murder rate is 3.8 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Kingsport vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent601.8/100K
58% above US avg
Murder3.8/100K
40% below US avg
Rape37.7/100K
Robbery66.0/100K
Assault494.3/100K

Property Crime

Total Property4,963.2/100K
153% above US avg
Burglary671.6/100K
Theft4,018.1/100K
Vehicle Theft273.5/100K
Arson24.5/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)24

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Kingsport has an average annual temperature of 58°F (14°C). Winters average 37°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation is 45.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

37°F Jan (3°C) 77°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average57.5°F
6% above US avg
January Average37°F (3°C)
July Average77°F (25°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall45.0 inches
19% above US avg
Snowfall5.1 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,191 ft (363 m)
Area53.1 sq mi (137.5 km²)
Population Density1,051/sq mi
Coordinates36.5194°N, 82.5434°W
County FIPS47163
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 31.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (8% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 55-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 77%
D 22%

Winner: Republican by 55 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+31.0%
8% below US avg
High School+90.6%
School Test Score5.08
B Education Grade (3.5/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density1,051/sq mi
Total Area53.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations6
Alt Fuel Stations8
Public Libraries7
Healthcare Facilities462
Restaurants355
Retail Stores558

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)24
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute18.8 min
Work from Home11.3%

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