Kingsport, Tennessee

city in Sullivan, Hawkins, and Washington counties in Tennessee, United States

Kingsport is a city in Hawkins and Sullivan counties in the U.S. state of Tennessee. Most of the city is in Sullivan County. Kingsport is the biggest city in each county but it is not the county seat of either. As of the 2020 census its population was 55,442.[3]

Kingsport, Tennessee
City of Kingsport
Broad Street in downtown Kingsport
Broad Street in downtown Kingsport
Nickname: 
The Model City[1]
Location of Kingsport in Sullivan and Hawkins counties, Tennessee
Location of Kingsport in Sullivan and Hawkins counties, Tennessee
Kingsport is located in Tennessee
Kingsport
Kingsport
Location of Kingsport in Tennessee
Kingsport is located in the United States
Kingsport
Kingsport
Location of Kingsport in the US
Coordinates: 36°32′N 82°33′W / 36.533°N 82.550°W / 36.533; -82.550
CountryUnited States
StateTennessee
CountiesSullivan, Hawkins, Washington
Settled1771
Chartered/Rechartered1822, 1917
Government
 • TypeCouncil-Manager
 • MayorPat Shull
 • Vice MayorColette George
 • City ManagerChris McCartt
Area
 • City53.52 sq mi (138.62 km2)
 • Land52.60 sq mi (136.23 km2)
 • Water0.92 sq mi (2.39 km2)
Elevation
1,211 ft (369 m)
Population
 • City55,442
 • RankUS: 694th
 • Density1,054.1/sq mi (407.0/km2)
 • Urban
106,571 (US: 291st)
 • Metro
309,283 (US: 161st)
Time zoneUTC−5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP codes
37660, 37662, 37663, 37664, 37665 & 37669
Area code423
FIPS code47-39560
GNIS feature ID1303478[4]
Websitewww.kingsporttn.gov

The name is based on "King's Port" which referred to the area around Ross's Landing. It is part of what is known as the "Mountain Empire," which includes a portion of southwest Virginia and the mountainous counties in Tennessee to the east.

Pal's Sudden Service, a regional fast-food restaurant chain, opened its first location in 1956 and is headquartered in Kingsport. In 2001, Pal's Sudden Service, won the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, becoming the first restaurant company to receive the award.[5]

Geography

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Kingsport's Long Island.

Kingsport is located at 36°32′13″N 82°32′32″W / 36.53694°N 82.54222°W / 36.53694; -82.54222 (36.536851, -82.542123)[6] where U.S. highways 11 and 23 meet. Kingsport is also the starting and ending point of Interstate 26.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 53.5 square miles (138.6 km²), of which, 52.6 square miles (136.2 km²) of it is land and 0.9 square miles (2.4 km²) of it (1.72%) is water.

Education

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People who live in Kingsport use the Kingsport City Schools public school system. The system has eight elementary schools, two middle schools, and one high school. Kingsport is also home to eight private academies. The city is also part of Sullivan county which has 2 other high schools in Kingsport.

While no college or university houses its main campus within the city, Northeast State Community College, East Tennessee State University, and University of Tennessee have branch campuses in Kingsport.

Neighborhoods

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There are several neighborhoods located within or just outside of Kingsport, offering different ways of living:[1]

  • Allandale
  • Amersham
  • Bloomingdale
  • Borden Village
  • Carter's Valley
  • Cliffside
  • Colonial Heights
  • Cooks Valley
  • Downtown
  • Edinburgh
  • Fairacres
  • Fort Robinson
  • Gibson Town
  • Green Acres
  • Highland Park
  • Hillcrest
  • Huntington Hills
  • Indian Springs (Fall Creek & Airport)
  • Litz Manor
  • Lynn Garden
  • Malabar Heights
  • Meadowview
  • Midtown
  • Morrison City
  • Orebank
  • Preston Forest
  • Preston Hills
  • Ridgefields
  • Riverfront
  • Riverview
  • Rock Springs
  • Sevier Terrace
  • Sullivan Gardens
  • Tellico Hills
  • White City

Notable people

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Sports

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The Kingsport Axman of the Appalachian League, a rookie-level league, play in the city. The team has competed in the city since 1969, with the exception of 1983. The Mets play in Hunter Wright Stadium named after Mayor Hunter Wright. Previously the team was known as the Kingsport Mets. Their name changed in 2020.

References

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  1. 1.0 1.1 "Welcome to Our Kingsport Neighborhoods". Kingsport Maps. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
  2. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
  3. 3.0 3.1 "Quickfacts: Kingsport city, Tennessee". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
  4. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  5. Reuters: Pal's Sudden Service Shares Secret of its Success
  6. "US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2005-05-03. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  7. "Blake Leeper | American Blade Runner". Archived from the original on September 12, 2015. Retrieved August 27, 2015.

Further reading

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  • Long, Howard. Kingsport: A Romance of Industry. Overmountain Press (October 1993) ISBN 0932807895
  • Spoden, Muriel Millar Clark. The Long Island of the Holston: Sacred Island of the Cherokee Nation. ASIN: B0006WOGAM
  • Wolfe, Margaret Ripley. Kingsport Tennessee: A Planned American City. University Press of Kentucky (November 1987) ISBN 0813116244

Other websites

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