City · Tennessee
Johnson City, Tennessee
Johnson City, city, mostly in Washington County (97.0% of its 2020 residents), with parts in Carter and Sullivan counties, Tennessee. Johnson City had 74,943 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 5.5% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 71,046 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 72,222 (±439). GEOID 4738320.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
74,943
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 71,046 · ACS 2020-2024: 72,222 ±439
Median household income
$57,254
±$2,942 (90% margin)
Tennessee: $69,595
Median home value
$268,200
±$12,691 (90% margin)
Tennessee: $286,700
Median gross rent
$1,023
±$37 (90% margin)
Tennessee: $1,189
Where is Johnson City and what county is it in?
Johnson City is a city mostly in Washington County (97.0% of its 2020 residents), with parts in Carter and Sullivan counties, Tennessee. It covers 43.8 square miles of land, 1,624 residents per square mile in 2020.
Johnson City is in the Johnson City, TN metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 3 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
| County | 2020 residents | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Washington County | 68,891 | 97.0% |
| Carter County | 1,328 | 1.9% |
| Sullivan County | 827 | 1.2% |
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Johnson City, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 74,943 people lived in Johnson City on July 1, 2025, up 5.5% since 2020, in line with Tennessee (+5.8%). The 2020 Census counted 71,046 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 72,222 (±439).
| Measure | Johnson City | Washington County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 72,222 ±439 | 136,261 | +5,707 |
| Households | 30,662 ±693 | 56,759 | +1,774 |
| Average household size | 2.23 ±0.05 | 2.32 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 33,360 ±630 | 62,077 | +884 |
Johnson City's population since 2000
From 55,469 in 2000 to 74,943 in 2025: up 35.1%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Johnson City as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Johnson City?
The median resident of Johnson City is 35.4 years old; 18.4% are under 18 and 15.8% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 81.8%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 5.8%. 4.6% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Johnson City | Washington County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 35.4 ±0.7 | 40.2 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 18.4% ±1.0 pts | 18.7% | – |
| 65 years and over | 15.8% ±0.9 pts | 18.9% | – |
| Male | 48.2% ±0.9 pts | 49.2% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 5.4% ±0.7 pts | 4.9% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 81.8% ±1.1 pts | 85.9% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 5.8% ±0.6 pts | 3.5% | −0.9 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 2.0% ±0.4 pts | 1.5% | −0.8 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.3% ±0.6 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.5% ±0.3 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 4.6% ±0.7 pts | 3.5% | −1.5 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 5.9% ±1.0 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 8.1% ±0.9 pts | 8.6% | – |
| With a disability | 14.9% ±1.1 pts | 17.0% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 10.6% ±1.3 pts | 10.4% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 92.3% ±1.2 pts | 91.2% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 42.5% ±2.6 pts | 34.3% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 19.3% ±1.8 pts | 14.5% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 79.6% ±1.9 pts | 84.8% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 5.4% ±1.1 pts | 4.2% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Johnson City earn?
Half of Johnson City's 30,662 households earn less than $57,254 a year (±$2,942), against $62,809 in Washington County and $69,595 in Tennessee. In 2015-2019 the median was $51,298 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $5,956 after inflation. 20.3% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Johnson City | Washington County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $57,254 ±$2,942 | $62,809 | +$5,956 |
| Mean household income | $84,772 ±$4,577 | $86,311 | – |
| Per capita income | $36,833 ±$2,032 | $36,806 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 20.3% ±2.6 pts | 15.5% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 21.1% ±5.3 pts | 17.4% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 9.3% ±1.3 pts | 8.6% | – |
| Households with a computer | 95.2% ±1.1 pts | 95.0% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 87.8% ±1.9 pts | 89.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Johnson City?
Owners occupy 51.3% of Johnson City's occupied homes and renters 48.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $268,200 by its owner (±$12,691). The median renter pays $1,023 a month including utilities, and 40.7% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Johnson City | Washington County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $268,200 ±$12,691 | $249,000 | +$62,059 |
| Median gross rent | $1,023 ±$37 | $1,005 | +$94 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 40.7% ±4.2 pts | 37.7% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,426 ±$72 | $1,367 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 51.3% ±2.1 pts | 64.5% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 48.7% ±2.1 pts | 35.5% | – |
| Housing units | 33,360 ±630 | 62,077 | +884 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.7% ±0.6 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.7% ±1.8 pts | 4.4% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 53.5% ±2.2 pts | 64.0% | – |
| Mobile homes | 3.8% ±1.0 pts | 8.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.8% ±0.5 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 11.0% ±1.6 pts | 9.9% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 9.0% ±1.1 pts | 8.0% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 7.3% ±1.5 pts | 5.2% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Johnson City building?
Builders took permits for 350 new housing units in Johnson City in 2025 (333 in single-family houses), 4.7 per 1,000 residents against 5.9 across Tennessee.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Johnson City work and get to work?
75.1% of Johnson City's workers drive alone and 12.5% work from home. The average trip to work takes 18.7 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.6%.
| Measure | Johnson City | Washington County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 62.9% ±1.7 pts | 59.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.6% ±1.3 pts | 4.7% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 75.1% ±2.4 pts | 77.3% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.4% ±1.6 pts | 7.4% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.5% ±0.4 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Walked | 2.1% ±0.7 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Worked from home | 12.5% ±1.7 pts | 11.9% | +8.1 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 18.7 min ±0.7 | 21.6 min | +1.1 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Johnson City?
19 census tracts lie mostly in Johnson City, and 14 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $30,840 (Tract 620) to $96,333 (Tract 614.04).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 611Washington County | 5,201 | $63,487 |
| Tract 613.02Washington County | 5,530 | $91,224 |
| Tract 601Washington County | 4,562 | $39,301 |
| Tract 606.02Washington County | 4,434 | $50,227 |
| Tract 620Washington County | 4,428 | $30,840 |
| Tract 604.02Washington County | 4,081 | $69,154 |
| Tract 609.02Washington County | 3,402 | $38,292 |
| Tract 605.01Washington County | 4,113 | $46,663 |
| Tract 608Washington County | 2,967 | $44,352 |
| Tract 605.04Washington County | 3,765 | $45,525 |
| Tract 609.01Washington County | 2,917 | $24,716 |
| Tract 604.01Washington County | 2,865 | $89,375 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Johnson City) · Census block assignment files
How does Johnson City compare with other places in Tennessee?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Johnson City is the 518th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 8th-most populous of 345 in Tennessee.
Johnson City ranks 150th of 287 places in Tennessee with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 8th | 345 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 81st | 230 |
| Residents per square mile | 16th | 289 |
| Median household income | 150th | 287 |
| Per capita income | 81st | 289 |
| Median home value | 96th | 285 |
| Median gross rent | 94th | 265 |
| Poverty rate | 85th | 239 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33rd | 276 |
| Median age | 235th | 289 |
| Owner-occupied share | 249th | 289 |
| Work from home | 78th | 167 |
| Travel time to work | 267th | 288 |
Johnson City's figures with every place in Tennessee (CSV)
Every place in Tennessee, sortable · Compare Johnson City with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Johnson City?
4 of the 57 figures for Johnson City on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Johnson City are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Johnson City.