County · Tennessee
Sullivan County, Tennessee
Sullivan County, Tennessee. Sullivan County had 163,759 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 3.5% since 2020, slower than Tennessee (+5.8%). It holds 11 places (4 cities, villages and boroughs and 7 census-designated) and 40 census tracts. GEOID 47163.
Sullivan County is one of the 5 counties of the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
163,759
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 158,163 · ACS 2020-2024: 160,624
Median household income
$58,807
±$2,321 (90% margin)
Tennessee: $69,595
Median home value
$213,300
±$6,300 (90% margin)
Tennessee: $286,700
Median gross rent
$889
±$29 (90% margin)
Tennessee: $1,189
How many people live in Sullivan County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 158,163 residents in Sullivan County. The Census Bureau estimates 163,759 for July 1, 2025, up 3.5% since 2020, slower than Tennessee (+5.8%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 160,624 over 414 square miles of land.
| Measure | Sullivan County | Tennessee | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 160,624 | 7,066,383 | +3,574 |
| Households | 68,907±781 | 2,824,277 | +2,396 |
| Average household size | 2.30±0.03 | 2.45 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 76,324±125 | 3,143,670 | +1,119 |
Sullivan County's population since 2000
From 153,048 in 2000 to 163,759 in 2025: up 7.0%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. 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); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Sullivan County?
Sullivan County holds 11 places: 4 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 7 census-designated places. The largest is Kingsport with 57,530 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Kingsport | 55,442 | $52,490 |
|---|---|---|
| Bristol | 27,147 | $58,162 |
| Bloomingdale | 8,918 | $52,317 |
| Blountville | 3,120 | $54,754 |
| Colonial Heights | 3,055 | $80,148 |
| Walnut Hill | 2,331 | $51,742 |
| Bluff City | 1,822 | $61,059 |
| Spurgeon | 3,978 | $64,250 |
| Sullivan GardensGEOID 4771800 | 1,271 | $46,754 |
| OrebankGEOID 4755980 | 929 | $67,740 |
| Johnson City | 71,046 | $57,254 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Sullivan County?
The median resident of Sullivan County is 45.0 years old; 19.1% are under 18 and 22.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 91.6%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 2.6%. 1.9% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Sullivan County | Tennessee | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 45.0±0.2 | 38.9 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 19.1% | 22.2% | – |
| 65 years and over | 22.2%±0.1 pts | 17.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.6% | 7.4% | +0.7 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 91.6%±0.2 pts | 71.0% | −1.8 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 2.0%±0.2 pts | 15.4% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.7%±0.1 pts | 1.9% | no clear change |
| 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 | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.6%±0.3 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.2 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.9%±0.3 pts | 6.1% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.6%±0.4 pts | 8.6% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 8.1%±0.6 pts | 7.3% | – |
| With a disability | 18.7%±0.9 pts | 14.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 8.9%±0.7 pts | 10.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 89.9%±0.8 pts | 90.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 26.8%±1.1 pts | 31.1% | +3.2 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 9.0%±0.6 pts | 11.7% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.9%±0.5 pts | 3.0% | – |
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 Sullivan County earn?
Half of Sullivan County's 68,907 households earn less than $58,807 a year (±$2,321), against $69,595 in Tennessee. In 2015-2019 it was $57,454 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 15.4% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Sullivan County | Tennessee | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $58,807±$2,321 | $69,595 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $82,467±$2,397 | $96,820 | – |
| Per capita income | $35,877±$981 | $39,437 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 15.4%±1.2 pts | 13.8% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 26.0%±3.3 pts | 18.8% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 13.1%±1.0 pts | 10.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 88.1%±1.0 pts | 89.2% | – |
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 Sullivan County?
Owners occupy 72.1% of Sullivan County's occupied homes and renters 27.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $213,300 by its owner (±$6,300). The median renter pays $889 a month including utilities, and 35.0% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Sullivan County | Tennessee | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $213,300±$6,300 | $286,700 | +$39,403 |
| Median gross rent | $889±$29 | $1,189 | +$67 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 35.0%±3.4 pts | 39.7% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,290±$35 | $1,566 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 72.1%±1.3 pts | 66.9% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 76,324±125 | 3,143,670 | +1,119 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.0%±0.5 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.1%±1.5 pts | 6.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 70.2%±1.2 pts | 68.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 10.4%±0.9 pts | 8.1% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.9%±0.2 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 7.5%±0.8 pts | 5.6% | – |
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 Sullivan County building?
Builders took permits for 771 new housing units across Sullivan County in 2025 (522 single-family), 4.7 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Sullivan County get to work?
79.5% of Sullivan County's workers drive alone and 10.6% work from home. The average trip to work takes 21.9 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.4%.
| Measure | Sullivan County | Tennessee | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 56.2%±1.0 pts | 62.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4%±0.8 pts | 4.7% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 79.5%±1.2 pts | 75.8% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.2%±0.9 pts | 8.4% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Walked | 1.0%±0.3 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Worked from home | 10.6%±0.8 pts | 12.9% | +6.8 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 21.9 min±0.8 | 25.7 min | no clear change |
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 are Sullivan County's census tracts?
Sullivan County is divided into 40 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $28,556 (Tract 406) to $90,441 (Tract 433.01).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Sullivan County compare with Tennessee's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 9th of 95 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 68th of 95 |
| Residents per square mile | 10th of 95 |
| Median household income | 51st of 95 |
| Median home value | 41st of 95 |
| Median gross rent | 33rd of 95 |
| Poverty rate | 50th of 95 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17th of 95 |
| Median age | 25th of 95 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 Sullivan County 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' school search.