The Kingsport metro is home to 309,580 people (up 1.0% over five years), with a median household income of $55,948. Typical rent of $1,330/month works out to 28.5% of the median household income — near the 30% affordability threshold (Census ACS + Zillow, September 2026).
The share of Kingsport's workforce by sector — the base of tenant demand:
| Sector | % of workforce |
|---|---|
| Education & health care | 22.8% |
| Manufacturing | 15.6% |
| Retail trade | 13.6% |
| Arts, food & hospitality | 9.0% |
| Professional & management | 8.0% |
Education & health care is the metro's largest employment base — sectors like education and health care are recession-resilient anchors for rental demand.
Rents at 28.5% of median income leave moderate headroom; underwrite rent growth conservatively. Market pricing, yields and the Star Score live on the Kingsport market page; run a deal in the calculator.
At the 30%-of-income affordability rule, typical rent of $1,330/month suggests a household income around $53,000/year. The metro's median household income is $55,948.
By workforce share: Education & health care (22.8%), Manufacturing (15.6%), Retail trade (13.6%) (Census ACS 5-year).