Kingsport, Manufacturing city in Sullivan and Hawkins counties, Tennessee, United States.
Kingsport sits along the Holston River at 369 meters elevation and forms the center of the Kingsport-Bristol metro area. The settlement spans parts of Sullivan and Hawkins counties in northeastern Tennessee.
The area was founded in 1822 as a shipping point on the Holston River and developed into a transport hub for freight moving downstream to Knoxville. In the early 20th century, planner John Nolen redesigned it following garden city principles.
The name recalls its former role as a river port along the Holston, where goods once changed hands. Today locals gather in downtown parks or stop by shops that serve as meeting points for the community.
The local transit system, Kingsport Area Transit Service, connects different parts of town, with minivan routes and Dial-A-Ride options available. Downtown areas are walkable, while outlying destinations require a car or public transport.
John Nolen designed the layout following garden city concepts, separating residential areas, business districts, and industrial zones into distinct sections. This planning from the 1910s still shapes the overall layout and spatial order today.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
