1st Advantage MortgageIn Sullivan County, Tennessee, the typical household earns $58,807 a year and the typical rent is $889. Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in Tennessee before sharing details.
On this page
- Sullivan County at a glance
- Jobs and commutes in Sullivan County
- What Sullivan County households earn
- Renting and owning in Sullivan County
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Sullivan County
- How Sullivan County compares with nearby counties
- Sullivan County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Before borrowing in Sullivan County
- Budget math at the Sullivan County median
- Checklist for Sullivan County applicants
- Checking a lender's license in Tennessee
- More guides for Sullivan County
- Frequently asked questions
Sullivan County at a glance
Sullivan County is home to about 160,624 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 9th most populous of 95 county-level areas in Tennessee. Packed into 414 square miles, that is close to 388 residents for every square mile of land. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. The Census Bureau counts 10 places in the county (3 incorporated, 7 census-designated); the largest is Kingsport, with about 56,262 residents, or 35% of the county.
Jobs and commutes in Sullivan County
Education and health care employs 22% of working residents, the largest share; retail trade is next with 14%. The sharpest difference from the state is in retail trade, at 14% locally and 12% for Tennessee. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 5.4% in Sullivan County. 9% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 11% work from home. Only 4.8% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Industry | Share of Sullivan County workers | vs Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 22.2% | -0.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 14.4% | +2.8 pts |
| Manufacturing | 13.6% | +1.0 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 9.3% | +0.4 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 9.3% | -1.4 pts |
| Construction | 6.9% | -0.2 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
What Sullivan County households earn
Half of Sullivan County households take in less than $58,807 a year and half take in more, 16% below the Tennessee median of $69,595. That places it 51st among Tennessee's 95 county-level areas.
| Household income | Sullivan County | vs Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 29.5% | +5.4 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.1% | +0.7 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 20.9% | -3.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.4% | -2.6 pts |
Some 30% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 27% have six-figure incomes. Census counts 15.4% of Sullivan County residents in poverty, against 13.8% across Tennessee. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.467 here. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Renting and owning in Sullivan County
Renters in Sullivan County pay a median of $889 a month, 25% below the Tennessee figure of $1,189. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 44% of renter households here. Home values center on $213,300, or 3.6 years of median income. The ownership rate is 72%. Half the housing stock was built before 1977.
| Home costs | Sullivan County | Tennessee | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $889/mo | $1,189/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $213,300 | $286,700 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 72% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 44% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 25% | 25% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 10.4% | 8.1% | n/a |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare).
Cities, towns and CDPs in Sullivan County
Here are the 10 most populous of the county's 10 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 69% of Sullivan County residents live in one of the 10. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $46,754 in Sullivan Gardens to $80,148 in Colonial Heights. Live in one of these Sullivan County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kingsport | city | 56,262 | $52,490 | $907 | 13 mi |
| Bristol | city | 27,636 | $58,162 | $842 | 6 mi |
| Bloomingdale | CDP | 9,292 | $52,317 | $836 | 12 mi |
| Spurgeon | CDP | 4,071 | $64,250 | $905 | 10 mi |
| Blountville | CDP | 3,309 | $54,754 | $1,192 | 2 mi |
| Colonial Heights | CDP | 3,258 | $80,148 | $944 | 11 mi |
| Walnut Hill | CDP | 2,415 | $51,742 | $1,219 | 4 mi |
| Bluff City | city | 2,225 | $61,059 | $931 | 4 mi |
| Sullivan Gardens | CDP | 1,267 | $46,754 | n/a | 16 mi |
| Orebank | CDP | 816 | $67,740 | $838 | 10 mi |
How Sullivan County compares with nearby counties
Distances run center to center, from Bristol city at 11 miles out to Washington County at 25. Washington County leads the group on income ($64,552), Scott County trails ($46,349), and Sullivan County out-earns 4 of the six. Some neighbors are in Virginia. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Sullivan County resident follows Tennessee rules.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sullivan County | - | $58,807 | $889/mo | 72% |
| Bristol city, VA | 11 mi | $50,404 | $801/mo | 64% |
| Washington County, TN | 18 mi | $62,809 | $1,005/mo | 65% |
| Carter County, TN | 18 mi | $50,135 | $739/mo | 75% |
| Scott County, VA | 22 mi | $46,349 | $699/mo | 77% |
| Johnson County, TN | 25 mi | $53,129 | $674/mo | 77% |
| Washington County, VA | 25 mi | $64,552 | $854/mo | 76% |
Sullivan County residents: age, schooling, coverage
Degree holders: 27% of adults over 25. 8.9% of residents have no health coverage.
| Measure | Sullivan County | Tennessee statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 45.0 | 38.9 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 26.8% | 31.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 10.1% | 10.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 8.9% | 10.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.8% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 10.6% | 12.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 15.4% | 13.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.4% | 4.7% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 31.4% |
| 15 to 29 min | 42.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 17.4% |
| 45 to 59 min | 5.0% |
| 60+ min | 4.0% |
Before borrowing in Sullivan County
Where the Sullivan County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Fixed incomes. Sullivan County's median age is 45.0. Social Security and pensions count as income when documented.
- Know your credit. Review all three bureau reports for free (AnnualCreditReport.com).
- Scams. A fee demanded before funding is a red flag; report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov (spotting scams).
Budget math at the Sullivan County median
Here is the Sullivan County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- $4,901 a month: gross income for a household at the Sullivan County median
- Less median rent of $889, which is 18% of it
- 40% debt-to-income limit: $1,071 left for all other debt payments
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Checklist for Sullivan County applicants
A short checklist for Sullivan County borrowers:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Sullivan County.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Tennessee borrowers.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
Checking a lender's license in Tennessee
The Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions is the place to verify any lender's Tennessee license. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. See the Tennessee state guide for the statewide picture.
More guides for Sullivan County
For statewide rules and data, see the Tennessee guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Sullivan County?
$58,807 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $69,595 for Tennessee. It ranks 51st of 95 in the state.
How does Sullivan County rent compare with Tennessee?
$889 locally versus $1,189 for the state, 25% below.
Should Sullivan County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 72% of Sullivan County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
I live in a small Sullivan County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Kingsport, Bristol, Bloomingdale, Spurgeon, Blountville and 5 more.
Will a Sullivan County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming Tennessee as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.