Kingsport city, Tennessee Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Kingsport city is a mid-sized community located in Tennessee. The total population is 55,807. It ranks as the 12th most populous out of 504 cities and towns in Tennessee.

Age Demographics

The median age in Kingsport city is 42.8 years. This is 10% higher than the state median of 38.9 years. 10.2% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Kingsport city is $50,436. This is 25% lower than the state median of $67,097. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 36% lower. The poverty rate stands at 20.8%. This is 51% 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 4.7%. The median home value is $203,000. Housing costs are 21% lower than the state median of $256,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x. 62.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% lower than the state average of 67.0%.

Race & Ethnicity

Kingsport city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 88.9% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 3.3%. The Black or African American population (3.3%) is well below the state average of 15.7%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.0%) is well below the state average of 7.1%.

Education

31.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 2% higher than the state rate of 30.4%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 90.6%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Kingsport city, Tennessee is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Tennessee state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 504 Census-designated places in Tennessee. For official data, visit data.census.gov.