RANK #917 / 996 · POP 158,722 · TN
PROJECTED GROWTH: -1.9%
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.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| 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.
Sullivan County has a Boom Town Index score of 8/100, ranking #917 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.4% and a median household income of $54,357, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Sullivan County is $173,000 with median rent at $793/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3142, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.6% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.4%. Home values changed -0.2% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 2.59% of Sullivan County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.