Category: Move To Kingsport
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Scrappy, Hungry, and #1
Number one. Overall. Of all sizes. That’s how the Dobyns-Bennett High School Marching Band finished its 2026 competitive season Saturday night in Cookeville. With a score of 91.075, D-B won the Bands of America Middle Tennessee Regional Championship, edging Bartlett High School of suburban Memphis by just 0.075 points. Earlier that day, they had already…
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Solid Rock(y Top)
Tennessee’s Financial Foundation By Jeff Fleming As a retired city manager, I’m conditioned to keep an eye on the finances. I’m all for optimism, celebrating accomplishments, and marketing those Instagram moments that make our communities shine. I’m also a believer in “Love Where You Live.” That sense of belonging gives a community its soul. But…
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Northeast Tennessee Housing: Strong Appreciation, Lasting Value
After historic growth, the region’s housing market is finding a healthier balance while maintaining its competitive advantage. A home purchased before the pandemic may have built remarkable equity—and Northeast Tennessee still offers something increasingly difficult to find: housing prices that compare favorably with both Tennessee and the nation. That combination of investment value and opportunity…
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Closer to Home
Move To Kingsport Quarterly Report | July–September 2026 Kingsport continues to attract new families from outside the region, but the third-quarter numbers make one thing increasingly clear: the post-pandemic relocation surge has moved into a much quieter phase. From July through September, 63 families moved to Kingsport from outside the region, representing 18 states based…
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Kingsport’s Fastest-Growing Age Group Isn’t Seniors. It’s Younger Adults.
Recent Census Bureau data tell an important story about where America is headed — and where Kingsport may be headed with it. Between 2020 and 2025, the South grew 6%, almost twice the national rate. More important, it was the only region to gain population in every major age group. Children under 18 increased 1.1%.…
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One Region, Several Housing Markets
It is tempting to talk about the Northeast Tennessee–Southwest Virginia housing market as though it were one thing. The numbers suggest otherwise. Looking at single-family sales over the past 12 months by ZIP-area population reveals a series of distinct submarkets—urban, suburban, small-town and rural. Kingsport and Johnson City naturally lead in total activity, but their…
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Who’s Coming When You Call 9-1-1?
The Kingsport Fire Department released its Annual Report, and it brought back memories of my days in city government when we were explaining the benefits of living inside the city. Annexation discussions forced us to explain why city services matter. And, not to worry, Tennessee ended unilateral annexation of existing residential areas over a decade…
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The Case for Grounded Growth
There is a line on the population map that Northeast Tennessee should pay attention to. The map tracks net domestic migration—Americans moving from one part of the country to another—between 2020 and 2024. Green counties gained residents through migration. Purple counties lost them. Northeast Tennessee is on the green side, but just barely. Most maps…
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Where Americans Moved in 2025
You may have seen this pop-up in your feed recently. Though many will jump to political conclusions or shout we’re being overrun by newcomers, neither is entirely true. The graphic shows net domestic migration in 2025 per 10,000 inhabitants. That means the numbers are not percentages and not total headcounts. They show whether a state…
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Why Kingsport Is Called the Model City
Kingsport’s municipal election is underway, with early voting through August 1 and Election Day on August 6. This is a good time to remember why we are called the Model City. The name is often associated with Kingsport’s physical plan—Church Circle, an orderly street system, and a balanced layout for businesses, neighborhoods, parks, and schools.…
