Johnson City, Tennessee Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Johnson City, Tennessee had a total population of 72,222, the 8th largest city in Tennessee, with a median household income of $57,254, which is 18% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- 42.5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Tennessee.
Johnson City Quick Facts
How Johnson City Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | 72,222 | +1.1% |
| Median household income | $55,429 | $57,254 | +3.3% |
| Median home value | $238,000 | $268,200 | +12.7% |
How Johnson City Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 46 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Johnson City Rankings in Tennessee
Explore Tennessee Rankings
Other Cities in Sullivan County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kingsport | 56,262 | $52,490 | 20.7% | $234,100 |
| Bristol | 27,636 | $58,162 | 13.6% | $194,500 |
| Bloomingdale | 9,292 | $52,317 | 25.7% | $165,500 |
| Spurgeon | 4,071 | $64,250 | 21.9% | $219,300 |
| Blountville | 3,309 | $54,754 | 8.3% | $177,300 |
| Colonial Heights | 3,258 | $80,148 | 4.7% | $217,100 |
| Walnut Hill | 2,415 | $51,742 | 5.9% | $219,900 |
| Bluff City | 2,225 | $61,059 | 15.3% | $157,400 |
| Sullivan Gardens | 1,267 | $46,754 | 8.0% | $194,800 |
| Orebank | 816 | $67,740 | 12.5% | $185,100 |
Cities Similar to Johnson City
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson | 68,435 | $53,032 | $217,800 | 27.8% | 22.2% |
| Kingsport | 56,262 | $52,490 | $234,100 | 31.5% | 20.7% |
| Hendersonville | 63,091 | $97,200 | $430,700 | 43.9% | 6.3% |
| Cleveland | 48,829 | $58,559 | $272,200 | 30.2% | 16.7% |
| Smyrna | 56,692 | $81,926 | $358,300 | 27.8% | 12.5% |
Population Overview
Johnson City is a mid-sized community located in Tennessee, within Sullivan County. The total population is 72,222. It ranks as the 8th most populous out of 502 Census-designated places in Tennessee.
Age Demographics
The median age in Johnson City is 35.4 years. This is 9% lower than the state median of 38.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Johnson City is $57,254. This is 18% lower than the state median of $69,595. It is also 29% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.3%. This is 47% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.8%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 5.6%. This is 21% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $268,200. Housing costs are 6% lower than the state median of $286,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.7x. 51.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 23% lower than the state average of 66.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Johnson City is White (non-Hispanic), making up 81.8% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 5.8%. The Black or African American population (5.8%) is well below the state average of 15.4%.
Education
42.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Johnson City in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 37% higher than the state rate of 31.1%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 92.3%. Notably, 19.4% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Johnson City, Tennessee is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Tennessee state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 502 Census-designated places in Tennessee. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Johnson City, Tennessee?
Johnson City, Tennessee has a population of 72,222 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Johnson City, TN?
The median household income in Johnson City is $57,254, which is 29% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Johnson City, TN?
The poverty rate in Johnson City is 20.3%. This means approximately 13,909 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Johnson City, Tennessee?
Johnson City's population is 81.8% White, 5.8% Black, 5.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Johnson City, TN?
The median home value in Johnson City is $268,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.7x.
How educated is Johnson City, Tennessee?
42.5% of adults (25+) in Johnson City hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 19.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.