RANK #462 / 1001 NAT · #13 / 33 TN · POP 160,624
1YR FORECAST: -1.1%
5YR OUTLOOK: +29%
Bristol, Tennessee, one of Sullivan County's notable towns, holds the distinction of being the "Birthplace of Country Music," a heritage celebrated at its museum. Located in the northeastern corner of Tennessee, bordering Virginia, Sullivan County is part of the Tri-Cities region. The community offers a blend of historic districts and natural scenery, with the Holston River and South Holston Lake providing opportunities for outdoor recreation like fishing and boating. Major interstates I-26 and I-81 connect the county, facilitating regional travel. Life in Sullivan County attracts a mix of families, young professionals, and retirees, many of whom own their homes. The public school system is generally considered above average, with several top-ranked elementary schools. The local economy is seeing growth, particularly in manufacturing, healthcare, and retail sectors. Recent economic developments include investments in industrial parks and site preparation for future advanced manufacturing and industrial projects. The county's strategic location and existing infrastructure contribute to its appeal for businesses and residents alike.
Sullivan County's data profile doesn't fit any single market profile cleanly — its housing, labor, and demographic signals pull in different directions (home prices -0.1% YoY, population +0.6%, wages +9.7%). About 414 U.S. counties show this kind of mixed-signal pattern.
See all 414 Idiosyncratic Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Prices declining
Moderate climate & terrain
Below national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 7.1x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Riverside Energy Center (Natural Gas Power Plant)
Invenergy Company
|
$930M | Planned |
|
Town Line Solar and Battery Storage
RWE
|
$300M | Proposed |
|
Sullivan County Jail Expansion
Sullivan County
|
$107M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
Sullivan County scores 54/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 1001 U.S. counties (#462). Median household income is $58,807 and job growth is running at +0.3%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
Housing in Sullivan County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $213,300 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.28, with rents averaging $889/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Sullivan County's population is growing — up +0.6% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of +0.3%). Home values shifted -0.1% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.58% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Sullivan County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.