Kingsport, Tennessee
From Free net encyclopedia
Kingsport is a city located in Sullivan County, Tennessee. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 44,905.
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History
Initially chartered in 1917, Kingsport was the first city with a modern urban design 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 a very industrialized city dominated by Eastman Chemical Company.
Geography
Image:TNMap-doton-Kingsport.PNG Kingsport is located at 36°32'13" North, 82°32'32" West (36.536851, -82.542123)Template:GR, 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 is water. The total area is 2.07% water.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR 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. 1.05% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
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. 17.1% of the population and 14.2% of families were below the poverty line. 24.9% of those under the age of 18 and 13.0% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
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.
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 local newspaper is the Kingsport Times-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.
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.
External links
- Official site
- Kingsport City Schools
- Kingsport Times-News website
- TriCities.com
- Official Fun Fest Website
- DiscoverKingsport.com All About Kingsport and its history.
- DiscoverTriCities.com
- A satirical take on life in Kingsport and the Tri-Cities
- Bays Mountain Park website
- Report on Sullivan County
