Kingsport, Tennessee

Kingsport is a city located primarily in Sullivan County, Tennessee, United States (though it is also located, partially, in Hawkins County). The population was 44,905 at the 2000 census. The city, along with Bristol, Tennessee, Bristol, Virginia and Johnson City, Tennessee, is part of the Tri-Cities, Tennessee.

History

Initially chartered in 1822, the town was an important river (Holston) shipping port. Goods originating for many miles from the surrounding countryside were loaded onto barges for the journey downriver to the Tennessee River. The bustling young town lost its charter after its downturn in fortunes precipitated by the Civil War.

It was re-chartered in 1917. Kingsport was among the first cities in the early twentieth century with a modern urban design (Nolen ^* of Cambridge, MA) and among the first municipalities with a city manager form of government and a school system built on a model developed at Columbia University. It is an industrialized city and is the international headquarters for Eastman Chemical Company (a Malcolm Baldridge Quality Award Winner).

Geography

Kingsport is located at (36.536851, -82.542123), at the intersection of U.S. highways 11 and 23.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 116.6 km² (45.0 mi²). 114.1 km² (44.1 mi²) of it is land and 2.4 km² (0.9 mi²) of it (2.07%) is water.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 44,905 people, 19,662 households, and 12,642 families residing in the city. The population density was 393.4/km² (1,018.9/mi²). There were 21,796 housing units at an average density of 191.0/km² (494.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 93.32% White, 4.22% African American, 0.24% Native American, 0.79% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.34% from other races, and 1.06% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.05% of the population.

There were 19,662 households out of which 26.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.5% were married couples living together, 12.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.7% were non-families. 32.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.80.

In the city the population was spread out with 21.7% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 26.2% from 25 to 44, 25.3% from 45 to 64, and 20.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 84.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $30,524, and the median income for a family was $40,183. Males had a median income of $33,075 versus $23,217 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,549. About 14.2% of families and 17.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.9% of those under age 18 and 13.0% of those age 65 or over.

Culture and Recreation

Bays Mountain Park

Bays Mountain Park is a 3000 acre, city-owned nature preserve located atop Bays Mountain. It features a lake, a small zoo, and an exhibit hall with a planetarium. During the summer there are weekly "Wolf Howlings" to make contact with the resident Wolves living in the preserve.

Fun Fest

An annual event sponsored by the Kingsport Chamber of Commerce, Fun Fest is a week long city-wide celebration. Featuring a multitude of fun, family-friendly events such as balloon chases, treasure hunts, excellent food and concerts. Fun Fest is usually held in mid to late July.

Other

The newspapers are the Kingsport Times-News and the locally owned "Daily News".

The vessel SS Kingsport Victory, which later became USNS Kingsport, was named in honor of the city.

The town hosts the Kingsport Mets baseball club of the Appalachian League.

Pal's Sudden Service, a regional fast-food restaurant chain, opened its first location in Kingsport.

The Eastman Chemical Company is headquartered in Kingsport and is the largest employer in the region.

Notable Kingsport Residents

Bobby Dodd, College Football Hall of Fame inductee as both a football player (University of Tennessee) and coach (Georgia Institute of Technology).
Brownie McGhee and Stick McGhee, brothers and blues musicians, grew up in Kingsport and other east Tennessee towns.
Gerald Sensabaugh, Defensive Back for the NFL team Jacksonville Jaguars.
Bettie Page, pinup model and pop culture icon.

External links

Cities in Tennessee | Sullivan County, Tennessee | Kingsport, Tennessee | Kingsport, Tennessee

Kingsport

Gourt Home::Gourt :: Kingsport, Tennessee