Kingsport Spirit

“We’re full”.

It’s a quick comeback from Tennesseans frustrated with the rapid rate of newcomers gobbling up housing inventory.

But are we? It depends on what part of the state you’re in.

Let’s look at the most recent population trends released in 2023 (for 2020-2022).

Natural increase is defined as births exceeding deaths.

The places that are stressed are those with a high natural increase and high migration.

The other places need newcomers to offset natural population decline.

For example, Davidson County (Nashville) had 7,113 more births than deaths, coupled with a migration rate of -18,347 during the past 2 years. So, there was a net population decline from 2020-2022.

But neighboring counties like Montgomery (Clarksville), Rutherford (Murfreesboro), and Williamson (Franklin), had both a high natural increase and a high migration rate. Those places are feeling the stress of a high growth rate.

The economy of Sevier County (Sevierville-Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge) is based on tourism. Many of the home sales are investors in short term rental properties. Does that mean the county’s year-round resident population is increasing? No, the rate of newcomers just barely outpaced the death rate. Does that mean there’s any less traffic? No, because each new home sold attracts more visitors–and more traffic. But they’re not living in Sevier County year-round.

The economies of well-known retirement counties, like Cumberland (Crossville) and Loudon (Lenoir City) are dependent on a constant influx of newcomers to offset natural population decline. Although we’re living longer these days, older people still die at a higher rate than younger ones. Cumberland County deaths exceeded births by -1,476, but there were 3,905 newcomers to more than offset that loss. Similarly in Loudon County deaths exceeded births by -656, but 3,918 newcomers more than offset the loss.

What about Northeast Tennessee?

Every county in Northeast Tennessee had more deaths than births. Every. Single. One.

If left unchecked, a declining population is devastating to the local economy. Businesses cannot thrive. It means fewer consumers and fewer employees, which creates a downward spiral that lowers the quality of life for those remaining.

However, 6 of the 8 counties in Northeast Tennessee had a net population increase because of newcomers moving to the region. The two that did not were Unicoi County, which had a net population decrease, and Carter County, which broke even.

The questions become, “How much did the remaining counties increase, and is that growth rate faster than our ability to manage?”

Generally speaking, a population increase of 5%-10% per decade is considered sustainable. Anything more stresses the locality. Anything less is a threat to the economy.

If the current rate continued for 10 years, how would Northeast Tennessee counties fare?

Very rural Hancock County (Sneedville) is on pace to grow 14%, followed by Hawkins (Rogersville-Church Hill) at 11%, and Washington (Johnson City-Jonesborough) at 10%.

Greene (Greeneville) and Sullivan (Kingsport-Bristol) are at 8%, and Johnson (Mountain City) at 3%.

So, before you get on social media and say things like, “Don’t move here, we’re full”, consider the fact that Northeast Tennessee needs newcomers (within reason) to sustain our local economy and the current growth rate falls very much within the desired range.

Most newcomers do extensive research online to determine if we’re a good fit based on alignment with their personal value system. They aren’t moving here to ‘change’ us. All of California and all Californians are not alike. Many parts of California are very much like Tennessee. Those are the Californians who are moving here. The same could be said of other states as well. Just be neighborly and kind.

Sure, if we lived in one of the 12 Tennessee counties that are growing >20% per decade, you’d have a point.

But Northeast Tennessee is not growing at the rate of urban counties like Maury (Columbia-Spring Hill), Wilson (Lebanon-Mt Juliet), Montgomery (Clarksville), Loudon (Lenoir City), Rutherford (Murfreesboro), Williamson (Franklin), or even rural counties like Sequatchie (Dunlap), Fentress (Jamestown), DeKalb (Smithville), Moore (Lynchburg), Marshall (Lewisburg), or Van Buren (Spencer).

Finding the best possible place to live, work, play, worship, raise a family, and retire, is an innate human desire that transcends race, religion, ethnicity, and any other divisive demographic definition.

Kingsport has been a beacon for newcomers since its inception in 1917. You don’t have to look too far to find that even the “institutional” local families aren’t local at all. The founders, planners, financiers, and developers of Kingsport were all newcomers. There may be a very small percentage of current residents who stemmed from legacy landowners and early settlers, but they are few and far between.

The father of Kingsport, J. Fred Johnson, coined the term, “Kingsport Spirit”, which he loosely defined as putting aside selfish interests for the greater good. It’s that spirit that built a true community that gives unselfishly, volunteers, serves, builds, and tries to make a better life for all. If you want to make a difference, follow that model.

We live in a very negative world right now. We’re teaching our kids to hide behind their devices and spew venom. It’s hurtful, it’s unproductive, and it’s tearing us apart.

So next time you feel the need to vent your frustration on social media, criticize an elected official, or complain about something you may not know as much about as you think, consider this instead…

Take a walk on the Greenbelt and pick up trash…volunteer at a homeless shelter…deliver Meals On Wheels…check out an unadopted dog at PETWORKS and take it for a walk (yes you can do that)…check on a lonely senior to make sure they’re ok…take part in a Habitat for Humanity build…take a neighbor’s trashcan to or from the street for them…surprise someone by unexpectedly doing their yard work (leaves or grass or snow removal)…become a court-appointed advocate for a child in distress…foster a child that needs a family…clean out your garage and take your unwanted items to a resale store…or coach a little league team. The possibilities are endless!

Doing these things produces a more lasting result than posting a snarky comment on social media.

Finally, let’s all pledge to follow the Golden Rule—do unto others as you would be done.