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At The End of The Day, People Vote with Their Feet
I’ve come to realize that many states are trying to replicate what we have in Tennessee—no income tax, no personal property tax, and no inheritance or estate tax. At last count 15 states are trying, but it’s easier said than done because they’ve become accustomed to that revenue stream and rarely want to cut costs.…
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Kingsport’s Largest Generation Might Surprise You
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…
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Tennessee’s Housing Challenges: Where and Why It Got So Expensive
Check out this report from The Sycamore Group. It’s the most comprehensive explanation I’ve seen. There are many charts and figures that paint a picture of housing trends all across Tennessee. In my opinion, it’s very consistent with what I’ve been saying for several years now, but it covers every county in Tennessee. It helps…
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Rewriting My Roots: Uncovering the German Influence in Appalachia
I’ve always taken pride in my Scots-Irish heritage, believing my ancestors’ lives mirrored the plot of Outlander, where Jamie and Claire settle in North Carolina, building a life among native tribes. As war with England looms, they fight to protect their home and loved ones—just as they did in Scotland. Their story closely parallels that…
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Balanced Growth: How Our Region Compares
Last week, the Census Bureau released updated population estimates for metropolitan areas from 2020 to 2024. Curious about how our region compares to similar metros nationwide, we analyzed all metros within 10% of the population of either Kingsport-Bristol or Johnson City. A healthy metro growth rate typically falls between 0.5% and 1% per year, equating…
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Retirement? More Like Refirement: Making A Difference in Life 2.0
It’s hard to believe it’s been six years since I retired! But to me, retirement isn’t about slowing down—it’s about “refiring.” It’s not about sitting on the couch but finding fulfillment in meaningful work. After all, you gain so much knowledge and experience over a career—it would be a shame to let it go to…
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Unlocking Economic Growth: New Housing’s Impact on Sales Tax Revenue
I was recently asked about the fiscal impact of a typical housing development on Kingsport’s sales tax revenue. Let’s consider a recent development with 77 single-family homes and 16 condos, totaling 93 units. Assuming a median price of $350,000 per home, a buyer would need an income of approximately $80,628 to afford this with a…
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Move To Kingsport – February 2025
February is typically a slow month for out-of-state relocations, but this year saw 37 new families move in, a 16% increase from last year. The monthly median purchase price reached $350,000, marking a 3% increase over the past 12 months. The top sources of newcomers from outside the region for the past month, in order,…
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The True Cost of a Job Move: How Kingsport Stacks Up Against Nashville and Savannah
Recently, we were asked to evaluate a job move for a Kingsport employee considering opportunities in Savannah and Nashville. The key question: How much salary would it take to match a $50,000 income in Kingsport? We analyzed the core cities as well as surrounding suburbs that offer the best combination of affordability and top-rated public…
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GDP Reflects the Economic Strength of Tri-Cities
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is a key measure of a local economy’s health, representing the total value of goods and services produced within a specific area. It provides insight into economic growth, business activity, and overall financial well-being. While the Census tracks population and demographics, GDP serves as a measure of economic output and business…
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