Kingsport Spirit

Every month, new housing reports arrive with a blizzard of numbers—sales up here, prices down there, percentages that can make your head spin. But when you sift through the data, one story consistently stands out: Kingsport remains the region’s steady hand.

According to the latest September 2025 report from the Northeast Tennessee Association of Realtors (NETAR), the Tri-Cities region saw a 10 percent increase in home sales over last year. The median sales price across all submarkets reached $295,000, up 2.8 percent—a sign of healthy, measured growth rather than the overheated spikes seen in larger metros.

And right in the middle of it all—literally and figuratively—is Kingsport. With 112 homes sold, it leads Northeast Tennessee. With a median price of $295,750, it sits almost perfectly at the regional midpoint.

Per Capita: Kingsport Still Leads in Real Activity

When you adjust for population, Kingsport’s strength becomes even clearer. With roughly 1.28 home sales per 1,000 residents, Kingsport outperformed Johnson City (1.07), Bristol (0.82), and Greeneville (1.17).

That means Kingsport isn’t just a large market—it’s an active one. More residents are buying, selling, and reinvesting locally, suggesting steady in-migration and strong neighborhood turnover.

The Value of Steadiness

Kingsport’s measured pace may prove the stronger long-term play. Real estate markets can overheat quickly when driven by short-term relocation surges or investor demand. Kingsport’s consistency reflects something deeper—community confidence, affordability, and a lifestyle that continues to draw people in.

For many newcomers, Kingsport feels like what their hometowns used to be—safe, close-knit, and sensible. They’re not coming here to change it; they’re coming because it hasn’t changed.

A Regional Perspective

Smaller geographies such as Gray, Bluff City, Church Hill, Piney Flats, and Jonesborough saw high per-capita activity. Piney Flats, Jonesborough, and Gray saw median sales prices north of $400,000, well above the regional median. Bluff City was more affordable at 6.8% above. Church Hill is the exception, with both high per-capita sales and prices lower than the regional median.

Yet Kingsport’s steady volume—paired with prices right in the regional median—anchors the broader Tri-Cities market. It remains affordable without being undervalued, and desirable without being overhyped.

What It Means Going Forward

As 2025 winds down, the regional housing market seems to be finding its balance. The pandemic-era frenzy has cooled, but fundamentals remain strong: East Tennessee continues to attract newcomers seeking lower costs, lower stress, and higher quality of life.

In that environment, Kingsport’s story stands out. Stability isn’t boring—it’s a strength. In a volatile world, steady markets are what help families plan, lenders lend, and communities grow with confidence.

The Bottom Line

If the Tri-Cities housing market tells a story this month, it’s this:
Kingsport continues to set the pace—not by racing ahead, but by holding course. And in real estate, as in life, there’s lasting value in being the community that never loses its balance.