District 4
RANK #851 / 996 NAT · #30 / 33 TN · POP 158,722
1YR FORECAST: -0.9%
5YR OUTLOOK: +14%
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.
Prices declining
Moderate climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 2.9x — home prices are low 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.
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 996 counties.
The data is not encouraging — Sullivan County scores just 14/100 on the Boom Town Index, ranking #851 of 996 counties. Job growth at +1.4% and median household income of $54,357 reflect an economy that has been contracting or stagnating relative to the rest of the country.
Housing in Sullivan County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $173,000 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.31, with rents averaging $793/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Sullivan County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +0.6% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +1.4% clip. Home values shifted -0.2% in the past year.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.59% 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.