Tag: housing
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Tennessee’s Most Valuable
If you’ve heard me talk about growth, you’ve heard me talk about “all things in moderation” or “not too hot, not too cold, just right,” suggesting a balanced, thoughtful approach to growth and community life. It points to a place that’s not too large to feel overwhelming or impersonal, but not so small that it…
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Move To Kingsport – March 2025
Month of March 2025: Past 12 Months (ending March 2025): Since 2020: The recent data indicates that homes in Kingsport are slightly more affordable than the past year when considering the price per square foot. In March 2025, the price per square foot was $140, an $18 decrease compared to the past 12-month average of…
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Making Fair Comparisons: Housing Markets Across Eastern Tennessee
Comparing cities can be tricky—it’s a lot like comparing yourself to someone else. For example, if your friend saves $10,000 while you save $5,000, they might seem more successful. But if they earn twice your salary, you’re actually saving at a higher rate. It’s the difference between saying, “Who has more?” versus “Who is doing…
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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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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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Kingsport’s Workforce: Living Here, Working Everywhere
Many of us remember when Kingsport was a commuter town—factories were built, and people came here to work. For many, securing a blue-collar job with a steady paycheck was the ultimate goal. Each morning, a steady stream of headlights flowed into town, and at day’s end, taillights disappeared as the whistle signaled the workday’s close.…
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Southeast Georgia vs. Northeast Tennessee
I recently spent time in Savannah, Georgia, and was surprised to find that its metro population (640,193) is comparable to the Johnson City-Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area (598,800). Despite similar population sizes, living in Southeast Georgia and Northeast Tennessee offers distinct experiences shaped by differences in climate, lifestyle, and cost of living. Each region appeals to…
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Do We Still Need Newcomers?
It’s no secret that the death rate exceeds the birthrate in every jurisdiction in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia, but we’re not alone. According to a March 2024 report from the Census Bureau, 69% of U.S. counties now have more people passing away than being born. However, 60% managed to counterbalance those losses through positive…
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Update on Kingsport Housing Market
In an effort to stay abreast of the local housing market, here are two recent articles from the City of Kingsport and the Kingsport Times-News. Kingsport experiences steady growth in new housing construction Residential permits lead in Kingsport for start of 2025
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Is Kingsport Growing or Dying?
I know I’m a city planning geek who thinks way too much about this stuff, but have you ever wondered what the “right size” for a city really is? Of course, the answer depends on individual preferences. But even if you find a city that feels like the perfect fit, how can you be sure…
Kingsport Spirit 