Kingsport Spirit

What’s the largest generation living in Kingsport today? The answer surprised me—it might surprise you too.

Millennials have just surpassed Boomers as the city’s largest demographic–just barely–but the gap is likely to grow as older generations age and younger generations fill their void.

Kingsport also has the highest percentage of Gen Alpha (under 10 years old) among the major cities in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. The future is bright.

That means more Kingsport residents are my children’s age than mine, and I couldn’t be more excited! They are the future of our city, and while I love history, Kingsport’s story is still being written. It’s up to the younger generations to carry the torch.

Since Census data doesn’t perfectly align with traditional generations, we used the closest age groups available. Here’s how each generation breaks down in 2023:

Traditional Generations:

• Greatest Generation (1901–1927): 96+ years old
• Silent Generation (1928–1945): 78–95 years old
• Baby Boomers (1946–1964): 59–77 years old
• Generation X (1965–1980): 43–58 years old
• Millennials (1981–1996): 27–42 years old
• Generation Z (1997–2012): 11–26 years old
• Generation Alpha (2013–2025): 0–10 years old

Adjusted for Census Data:

• Silent & Greatest Generations (1901–1945): 80+ years old
• Baby Boomers (1946–1964): 60–79 years old
• Generation X (1965–1980): 45–59 years old
• Millennials (1981–1996): 25–44 years old
• Generation Z (1997–2012): 10–24 years old
• Generation Alpha (2013–2025): Under 10 years old

As Kingsport evolves, it’s exciting to see younger generations shaping our future. Let’s embrace the change and work together to make our city stronger for everyone.

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How Millennials Differ from Boomers

Millennials (born 1981–1996) and Baby Boomers (born 1946–1964) have distinct differences in their preferences, lifestyle, and values due to unique life experiences and economic conditions.

Millennials prioritize work-life balance, flexibility, and purpose-driven careers, often preferring remote work or freelancing. Boomers, by contrast, value job stability and loyalty to employers, many spending decades with a single company. Communication styles also vary—Millennials favor texting and social media, while Boomers prefer phone calls and face-to-face interactions.

Shopping habits highlight another divide. Millennials embrace online shopping, subscription services, and ethical brands, whereas Boomers prefer in-store shopping, brand loyalty, and durable products. Millennials are more likely to rent, citing high home prices and student debt, while Boomers saw homeownership as a key milestone and are now downsizing or investing in retirement properties.

Technology adoption follows a similar pattern—Millennials, as digital natives, adapt quickly to new platforms, while Boomers, though later adopters, have embraced Facebook and email. Social and political views also differ, with Millennials tending to be more progressive, supporting diversity, climate action, and social justice, while Boomers are generally more traditional, though some perspectives have shifted over time.

When it comes to entertainment, Millennials rely on streaming, podcasts, and social media, whereas Boomers favor traditional TV, newspapers, and radio. Their approach to health and wellness differs as well—Millennials focus on mental health, fitness trends, and organic living, while Boomers prioritize regular check-ups and traditional healthcare.

Travel preferences also highlight generational contrasts. Millennials seek adventure, budget travel, and unique experiences like Airbnb and solo travel. Boomers, in contrast, prefer guided tours, cruises, and comfort-focused trips.

Family dynamics reflect broader societal changes. Millennials tend to marry and have children later, with a greater openness to cohabitation and non-traditional family structures. Boomers, on the other hand, largely followed the traditional nuclear family model, marrying young and having more children on average.

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Attention Spans Across Generations

If you’ve read this far—especially in print—you’re probably a Boomer or older! Attention spans have shifted across generations, shaped by technology and media consumption habits.

Millennials and Gen Z have shorter attention spans (8–12 seconds for Gen Z, 12 seconds for Millennials), a product of growing up with fast-paced digital content like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. They prefer short-form, visually engaging material, often skimming articles or consuming news through social media and podcasts. Interactive content such as gamified learning and discussion forums keeps them engaged.

In contrast, Gen X and Boomers have longer attention spans (20–25 minutes for deep reading), influenced by growing up with books, newspapers, and traditional media. They are more likely to read full articles, long-form journalism, and printed content, preferring structured, in-depth information from trusted sources.

The best way to engage both groups? Hybrid content—a mix of text, visuals, videos, and infographics—to bridge the gap between generations and ensure effective communication.

Embracing The Future

Kingsport is changing, and that’s something to celebrate. With Millennials now the city’s largest generation, the future is being shaped by fresh ideas, new technologies, and evolving values. While tradition and history ground us, progress moves us forward. Every generation has a role to play—Boomers bring wisdom, Gen X offers balance, and younger generations provide innovation and energy. Instead of resisting change, let’s embrace it. Let’s invest in the future, support new leadership, and create a city that thrives for generations to come. The next chapter of Kingsport’s story is still being written—will you be part of it or will you simply complain about the good old days? I chose the former.