Jamie Stitt
Assistant Commissioner, Business and Workforce Development
Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development
312 Rosa L. Parks Ave., Nashville, TN 37243Common Search Terms
Sullivan County
County Profile ToolSullivan County
Population & Demographics
Location
Time Zone
Eastern Time Zone
Grand Division
East Tennessee
Area (Square Miles)
413.4
County Seat
Blountville
Metropolitan Area
Kingsport-Bristol-Bristol, TN-VA
ECD Region
Northeast
Population
Population
(2010)
156,823
Population
(2020)
158,163
Population Change
(2010 - 2020)
0.90%
Population Forecast
(2040)
160,113
Foreign Born Population
2,477
Foreign Born Persons (Percentage of Population)
1.60%
Language Other Than English Spoken At Home
2.80%
Civilian Veteran Population
12,270
Race (Percentage of Population)
White Alone
94.10%
Black or African American, alone
1.90%
American Indian And Alaska Native, alone
0.30%
Asian, alone
0.70%
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, alone
0.10%
Some Other Race, alone
0.70%
Two or More Races
2.40%
Hispanic or Latino
2.00%
Age (Percentage of Population)
Male
Female
Total
Under 5 Years Old
Male: 5.20%
Female: 4.60%
Total: 4.90%
Under 18 Years Old
Male: 20.40%
Female: 18.30%
Total: 19.30%
18-64 Years Old
Male: 59.70%
Female: 58.00%
Total: 58.80%
65 Years and Over
Male: 19.90%
Female: 23.70%
Total: 21.90%
Median Age
Male: 43.7
Female: 46.8
Total: 45.3
Sources:
U.S. Census Bureau, 2015-2019 5-Year American Community Survey
U.S. Census Bureau, 2019 Annual Population Estimates
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Tennessee State Data Center (2022)
Housing & Income
Housing & Income
Households
66,645
Homeownership Rate
72.10%
Persons Per Household
2.33
Living In Same House 1 Year & Over
86.00%
Median Home Value
$145,300
Annual Home Sales
2,639
Median Sale Price of Homes Sold
$212,000
Persons In Households With Income Below Poverty Level
15.50%
Total Personal Income
$8.0B
Personal Income Per Capita
$50,418
County Median Wage
$18.22
Household Income & Benefits
Percent of Household
Less Than $10,000
6.80%
$10,000 to $14,999
5.40%
$15,000 to $24,999
12.40%
$25,000 to $34,999
12.00%
$35,000 to $49,999
15.40%
$50,000 to $74,999
18.40%
$75,000 to $99,999
11.60%
$100,000 to $149,999
10.60%
$150,000 to $199,999
3.90%
$200,000 or More
3.50%
Median Household Income
$47,438
Percentage of Households by Income Range
Sources:
U.S. Census Bureau, 2016-2020 5-Year American Community Survey
Tennessee Housing Development Agency (2022)
U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (2021)
Economic Modeling Specialists Intl. (2022)
Tax Structure
Property Tax
Property Tax Rate (County)
$2.41
State Property Tax
None
Assessment Ratio: Residential Property
25%
Assessment Ratio: Farm Property
25%
Assessment Ratio: Commercial/Industrial Property
40%
Assessment Ratio: Public Utility Property
55%
Assessment Ratio: Business Personal Property
30%
State Tax
State Income Tax on Wages
None
State Income Tax: Interest from Bonds and Notes and Dividends from Stock
None (Hall Income tax was fully repealed January 1, 2021)
Excise Tax (State)
6.5% of Tennessee taxable income
Franchise Tax (state)
0.25% of the greater of net worth or real and tangible property in Tennessee. The minimum tax is $100.
Unemployment Insurance Tax (state)
2.7% of the first $7,000 in wages for new employers
Sales Tax
State Sales Tax Rate
7.00%
County Sales Tax Rate
2.25% - 2.50%
Local Sales Tax Collections
(FY 2021)
$75,652,970
Local Sales Tax Collections
(FY 2020)
$67,365,255
Local Sales Tax Collections Growth
(FY 2020 - FY 2021)
12.30%
State Bond Ratings
Moody's
Aaa
Standard & Poor's
AAA
Fitch
AAA
Debt per Capita
State Debt per Capita
$992 (Lowest in U.S.)
County Debt Per Capita
$1,492
Sources:
Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury (2022)
Tennessee Department of Revenue (2022)
The Tax Foundation (2022)
Labor Force
Labor Force Estimates (2022)
Tennessee
Sullivan
Labor Force
Tennessee: 3,352,030
Sullivan: 68,794
Employment
Tennessee: 3,238,559
Sullivan: 66,378
Unemployment
Tennessee: 113,471
Sullivan: 2,416
Unemployment Rate
Tennessee: 3.40%
Sullivan: 3.50%
Unemployment Rate*
Tennessee
Sullivan
2019
Tennessee: 3.30%
Sullivan: 3.60%
2020
Tennessee: 7.50%
Sullivan: 7.10%
2021
Tennessee: 4.50%
Sullivan: 4.40%
2022
Tennessee: 3.40%
Sullivan: 3.50%
Unemployment Rate (by percentage)
Sources:
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Industries
Industry
Employment
Establishments
Avg. Annual Wages
Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction
Employment: 43
Establishments: 5
Avg. Annual Wages: $76,141
Utilities
Employment: 115
Establishments: 7
Employment: $95,391
Construction
Employment: 3,887
Establishments: 301
Employment: $59,877
Manufacturing
Employment: 10,898
Establishments: 172
Employment: $98,264
Wholesale Trade
Employment: 2,055
Establishments: 241
Employment: $73,647
Retail Trade
Employment: 8,822
Establishments: 555
Employment: $34,523
Transportation and Warehousing
Employment: 2,813
Establishments: 113
Employment: $46,580
Information
Employment: 683
Establishments: 95
Employment: $78,034
Finance and Insurance
Employment: 1,827
Establishments: 244
Employment: $74,148
Real Estate and Rental and Leasing
Employment: 481
Establishments: 126
Employment: $45,489
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Employment: 3,033
Establishments: 415
Employment: $64,757
Management of Companies and Enterprises
Employment: 1,088
Establishments: 32
Employment: $104,793
Administrative, Support, Waste Management and Remediation
Employment: 5,611
Establishments: 193
Employment: $39,017
Educational Services
Employment: 493
Establishments: 32
Employment: $37,105
Health Care and Social Assistance
Employment: 10,229
Establishments: 568
Employment: $69,212
Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation
Employment: 583
Establishments: 57
Employment: $29,328
Accommodation and Food Services
Employment: 6,686
Establishments: 331
Employment: $20,451
Other Services (except Public Administration)
Employment: 1,632
Establishments: 289
Employment: $34,528
Government
Employment: 6,869
Establishments: 57
Employment: $48,044
Total
Employment: 67,872
Establishments: 3,840
Employment: $57,827
Unique Occupations*
Employment
Location Quotient*
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders
Employment: 840
Location Quotient*: 16.75
Chemical Plant and System Operators
Employment: 161
Location Quotient*: 14.53
Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers
Employment: 69
Location Quotient*: 11.94
Chemical Engineers
Employment: 131
Location Quotient*: 11.28
Gas Plant Operators
Employment: 84
Location Quotient*: 11.09
Key Cluster
Total Employment
Advanced Materials
263
Aerospace & Defense
180
Appliances & Electrical
1,144
Automotive
271
Business Services
4,331
Chemicals
547
Distribution & Logistics
3,558
Film, Music & Entertainment
131
Food & Beverage
459
Healthcare & Medical Devices
1,024
Top Employers
Top County Employers
Estimated Employees
City
Eastman Chemical Company
Est. Employees: 6,719
City: Kinsport
Holston Valley Medical Center
Est. Employees: 1,400
City: Kinsport
Sullivan County Board of Education
Est. Employees: 1,247
City: Blountville
Kingsport City Schools
Est. Employees: 1,100
City: Kinsport
Wellmont Health System
Est. Employees: 1,100
City: Bristol
Sullivan County Government
Est. Employees: 1,074
City: Blountville
Teleperformance USA
Est. Employees: 943
City: Bristol
Agero, Inc.
Est. Employees: 908
City: Blountville
Eastman Credit Union
Est. Employees: 805
City: Kinsport
Home Shopping Network
Est. Employees: 789
City: Piney Flats
Transportation & Logistics
Transportation
Nearest Commercial Service Airport
Tri-Cities Regional
Daily Flights At Nearest Commercial Service Airport
22
Nearest General Aviation Airport
Tri-Cities Regional, TN/VA (Bristol/Johnson City/Kinsport)
Runway Length at Nearest General Aviation Airport
8,000'
Mean Travel Time to Work (Minutes)
22.1
Access of Interstate
I-26 & I-81
U.S. Highways
11, 19, 421
State Highways
1, 34, 36, 37, 44, 75, 93, 126, 137, 346, 347, 355, 357, 358, 390, 394, 435
Nearest Port (From County Seat)
Knoxville
Railroads Serving County
CSX, NS
Sources:
Tennessee Department of Transportation
U.S. Census Bureau, 2016-2020 5-Year American Community Survey
Education
General Stats
Sullivan
Tennessee
Population Aged 25-64 With High School Degree Or Higher
Sullivan: 88.70%
Tennessee: 89.50%
Population Aged 25-64 With Associate's Degree Or Higher
Sullivan: 32.70%
Tennessee: 36.70%
Population Aged 25-64 With Bachelor's Degree Or Higher
Sullivan: 23.40%
Tennessee: 28.70%
High School Graduation Rate
Sullivan: 95%
Tennessee: 89%
College Going Rate
Sullivan: 67.10%
Tennessee: 63.40%
Average ACT Score
Sullivan: 21
Tennessee: 20.2
High School Graduation Rate
College Going Rate
Average ACT Score
Sullivan County Schools
Enrollment
Elementary Schools
Enrollment: 4,321
Middle Schools
Enrollment: 2,308
High Schools
Enrollment: 3,140
Bristol Tennessee City Schools
Enrollment
Elemetary Schools
Enrollment: 1,694
Middle Schools
Enrollment: 845
High Schools
Enrollment: 1,356
Kingsport City Schools
Enrollment
Elemetary Schools
Enrollment: 3,295
Middle Schools
Enrollment: 1,656
High Schools
Enrollment: 2,054
Regional Higher Education Institutions
City
Enrollment
Northeast State Community College
City: Blountville
Enrollment: 6,146
King University
City: Bristol
Enrollment: 2,804
East Tennessee State University
City: Johnson City
Enrollment: 14,128
Milligan College
City: Milligan College
Enrollment: 1,195
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Elizabethton
City: Elizabethton
Enrollment: 819
Sources:
U.S. Census Bureau, 2017 1-Year American Community Survey,
U.S. Census Bureau, 2013-2017 5-Year American Community Survey
Tennessee Department of Education (2017-2018)
National Center for Education Statistics (2016-2017)
Tennessee Higher Education Commission
† Regional higher education institutions include those within the selected and surrounding counties.
Health & Public Safety
Doctors
Number of Doctors
720
Overweight & Obesity Prevalence
Adults*
10.50%
Children** (Grade 8)
37.70%
Regional Hospitals
Number of Beds
City
Holston Valley Medical Center
Number of Beds: 336
City: Kingsport
Bristol Regional Medical Center
Number of Beds: 256
City: Bristol
Indian Path Community Hospital
Number of Beds: 117
City: Kingsport
Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Kingsport
Number of Beds: 40
City: Kingsport
Select Specialty Hospital-Tri Cities
Number of Beds: 33
City: Bristol
Johnson City Medical Center
Number of Beds: 455
City: Johnson City
James H. Quillen Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Number of Beds: 114
City: Mountain Home
Woodridge Psychiatric Hospital
Number of Beds: 84
City: Johnson City
Sycamore Shoals Hospital
Number of Beds: 81
City: Elizabethton
Franklin Woods Community Hospital
Number of Beds: 80
City: Johnson City
Quillen Rehabilitation Hospital
Number of Beds: 31
City: Johnson City
Hawkins County Memorial Hospital
Number of Beds: 16
City: Rogersville
Sources:
Tennessee Department of Health (2014)
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (2014)
† Regional hospitals include those within the selected and surrounding counties.
Climate
Climate
Average High Temperature
69.2°F
Average Low Temperature
45.8°F
Average Annual Temperature
57.5°F
Annual Rainfall
49.81"
Elevation (at County Seat)
1,672'
Prevailing Winds
West
Sources:
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (2023)
Community Information
Bluff City
Population (2020)
2,062
Charter Type
Private Act
Local Option Sales Tax Rate
2.25%
City Property Tax Rate
$1.28
Phone Number
(423) 538-7144
Retire Tennessee Participant
No
Tennessee Downtowns Participant
No
Main Street Participant
No
Bristol
Population (2020)
26,852
Charter Type
Private Act
Local Option Sales Tax Rate
2.25%
City Property Tax Rate
$2.16
Phone Number
(423) 989-5500
Retire Tennessee Participant
Yes
Tennessee Downtowns Participant
No
Main Street Participant
Yes
Johnson City
Population (2019)
66,515
Charter Type
Home Rule
Local Option Sales Tax Rate
2.25%
City Property Tax Rate
$1.95
Phone Number
(423) 434-6000
Retire Tennessee Participant
No
Tennessee Downtowns Participant
No
Main Street Participant
Yes
Kingsport
Population (2020)
53,376
Charter Type
Private Act
Local Option Sales Tax Rate
2.50%
City Property Tax Rate
$2.06
Phone Number
(423) 229-9400
Retire Tennessee Participant
Yes
Tennessee Downtowns Participant
No
Main Street Participant
Yes
Additional Community Information
ThreeStar Certified County
Yes
Sources:
Tennessee Municipal Technical Advisory Service
Tennessee Department of Revenue (2015)
Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury (2015)
U.S. Census Bureau, 2010-2014 5-Year American Community Survey