Kingsport, Tennessee Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Kingsport, Tennessee had a total population of 56,262, the 13th largest city in Tennessee, with a median household income of $52,490, which is 25% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Kingsport Quick Facts
How Kingsport 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 | 55,807 | 56,262 | +0.8% |
| Median household income | $50,436 | $52,490 | +4.1% |
| Median home value | $203,000 | $234,100 | +15.3% |
How Kingsport 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+)
Kingsport Rankings in Tennessee
Explore Tennessee Rankings
Other Cities in Sullivan County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johnson City | 72,222 | $57,254 | 20.3% | $268,200 |
| 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 Kingsport
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland | 48,829 | $58,559 | $272,200 | 30.2% | 16.7% |
| Jackson | 68,435 | $53,032 | $217,800 | 27.8% | 22.2% |
| Smyrna | 56,692 | $81,926 | $358,300 | 27.8% | 12.5% |
| Johnson City | 72,222 | $57,254 | $268,200 | 42.5% | 20.3% |
| Columbia | 45,441 | $63,719 | $308,700 | 25.4% | 14.2% |
Population Overview
Kingsport is a mid-sized community located in Tennessee, within Sullivan County. The total population is 56,262. It ranks as the 13th most populous out of 502 Census-designated places in Tennessee.
Age Demographics
The median age in Kingsport is 43.0 years. This is 11% higher than the state median of 38.9 years. 10.5% 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 is $52,490. This is 25% lower than the state median of $69,595. It is also 35% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.7%. 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 4.9%. This is 5% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $234,100. Housing costs are 18% lower than the state median of $286,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.5x. 60.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% lower than the state average of 66.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Kingsport has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 89.2% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.7%. The Black or African American population (2.7%) is well below the state average of 15.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.7%) is well below the state average of 7.4%.
Education
31.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 1% 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 90.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Kingsport, 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 Kingsport, Tennessee?
Kingsport, Tennessee has a population of 56,262 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Kingsport, TN?
The median household income in Kingsport is $52,490, which is 35% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Kingsport, TN?
The poverty rate in Kingsport is 20.7%. This means approximately 11,522 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Kingsport, Tennessee?
Kingsport's population is 89.2% White, 2.7% Black, 3.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Kingsport, TN?
The median home value in Kingsport is $234,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.5x.
How educated is Kingsport, Tennessee?
31.5% of adults (25+) in Kingsport hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 12.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.