Kingsport: Demographics & People
Kingsport is home to 56,262 people, in 25,021 households. Population grew 0.8% from 55,807 (2022) to 56,262 (2024). Median age 43.0 years. (2.0y younger than Sullivan County; 8.0y older than Tennessee). Children under 18 are 21% of the population. Population is 89% White (non-Hispanic) and 4% Hispanic or Latino. The community is relatively homogeneous (Simpson index 0.15). 58% of households are family-led. County is gaining 2,742 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 38% adult obesity, 21% smoke.
- 2.2 people per household (vs Tennessee avg 2.5).
- 42% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs Tennessee 42%).
- 78 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Tennessee 65).
Population & Trend
Population grew 0.8% from 55,807 (2022) to 56,262 (2024) — about 1.4× the recent U.S. annual rate of ~0.6%/yr. Estimated 2026 population: ~56,724 (extrapolated at 0.4%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 57,347.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 56,721 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | 0.8% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 55,807 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 56,262 |
| Annual growth rate · Population growing | Yes |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | stable |
| Population | 56,262 people (vs Tennessee 63,091) |
| Population Estimate | 57,347 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 43.0y is 4.1 years older than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 21% — below the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 43.0 years (vs Tennessee 35.0y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 20.6% |
| Age Summary · Character | established |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 56,262 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 11,598 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 11,055.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 20,477.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 13,132 |
| Population under 18 | 11,598 |
| Median age | 43.0 years (vs Tennessee 35.0y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — place-level B01001 query · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 56,262 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.15 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as relatively homogeneous.
| White residents | 50,186 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 1,822 |
| Asian residents | 666 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 1,696 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 14.6% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | relatively homogeneous |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 4 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 92.3% |
| Asian population | 1.0% (vs Tennessee 1.9%) |
| Black population | 2.7% (vs Tennessee 16.2%) |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 3.7% (vs Tennessee 10.0%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 89.2% (vs Tennessee 66.3%) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Ancestry
Self-reported ancestry from Census ACS — what residents report as their ethnic origin, separate from race. Counts can exceed population because people can list multiple ancestries.
Top (8)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS). 0.7% are foreign-born — below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 3% have naturalized to U.S. citizenship.
| Residents born in this state | 34,037 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 20,238 |
| Share born in this state | 60.5% |
| Share born in another state | 39.5% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 36.0% |
| Foreign-born residents | 0.7% |
| Naturalized citizens | 2.8% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 1,398 |
| From Europe | 208 |
| From Africa | 634 |
Households & Family Composition
25,021 households. Averaging 2.2 people each — smaller than the U.S. average of 2.5. 58% are family households — below the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 14,453 families, 22% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 11,652 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 14,453 |
| Married couples with children | 3,182 |
| Single-parent households | 274 |
| Average household size | 2.23 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 18.3% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 839 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 180 |
| Family households | 14,497 households (vs Tennessee 15,978) |
| Households that are families | 57.9% (vs Tennessee 58.5%) |
| Total households | 25,021 households (at Tennessee median) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Residential Stability & Migration
How long residents have lived here and where they came from. 13.5% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is gaining 2,742 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 13.5% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 53,661 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 50,919 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 2,742 |
| Migration · Population growing | Yes |
| Migration · Year | 2022-2023 |
Sources: IRS SOI Migration 2021-2022 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Disability
Census ACS measures self-reported functional limitations — vision, hearing, mobility, cognitive, self-care, or independent-living. The U.S. baseline disability rate is about 12–13%; rates trend higher with median age.
| Residents with a disability | 4,780 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 8.7% |
Group Quarters
Group quarters are non-household living arrangements counted by the Census — college dormitories, nursing homes, military barracks, group homes, correctional facilities, and similar institutional or shared housing. 833 residents live in group quarters (1.5% of population).
| Living in group quarters | 833 |
|---|
Other
| Congressional District · District | 1 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 47073 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 47 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 073 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Hawkins |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 29.2% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 25.30 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 33.40 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 47073 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Hawkins County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Medium metro |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 1,987 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 47073 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Hawkins County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 51.2% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 45.9% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 45.1% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 56,786 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Metro |
| Family Score · Score | 10 |
| Family Score · Schools | 18 |
| Family Score · Childcare Centers | 32 |
| Family Score · Youth Sports Orgs | 2 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 20.6% |
| Family Score · Rating | excellent |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 56,262, stable, established, middle-class, mixed |
| Town Summary · Population | 56,262 people (vs Tennessee 63,091) |
| Town Summary · County | Hawkins County |
Sources: NCES school congressional district assignment · federal dataset cascade