Johnson City, Tennessee

Johnson City, Tennessee is a city located in the northeastern part of the state, near the North Carolina border, and is part of the Tri-Cities region, which also includes Kingsport, Tennessee and Bristol, Tennessee. The city is situated in Washington County, Tennessee, and is close to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Cherokee National Forest. Johnson City is home to East Tennessee State University, a public university that is part of the Tennessee Board of Regents system, and is also near the Virginia Highlands Community College and the Northeast State Community College. The city has a rich history, with notable residents including Carl Sandburg, who lived in nearby Greeneville, Tennessee, and Andrew Johnson, who was born in Raleigh, North Carolina, but later lived in Greeneville, Tennessee.

Geography

Johnson City is located in the northeastern part of Tennessee, near the North Carolina border, and is situated in the Great Appalachian Valley. The city is close to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which is a popular destination for hiking and wildlife viewing, and is also near the Cherokee National Forest, which offers opportunities for camping, fishing, and hunting. The city is drained by the Nolichucky River, which flows into the French Broad River, and is also near the Watauga River, which flows into the South Holston Lake. Johnson City is part of the Tri-Cities region, which also includes Kingsport, Tennessee and Bristol, Tennessee, and is close to the cities of Asheville, North Carolina, Knoxville, Tennessee, and Roanoke, Virginia. The city is home to the Johnson City Medical Center, which is part of the Mountain States Health Alliance system, and is also near the James H. Quillen Veterans Affairs Medical Center and the Wellmont Health System.

History

The area that is now Johnson City was originally inhabited by the Cherokee Native American tribe, and was later settled by European-Americans in the late 18th century. The city was founded in 1856, and was named after Henry Johnson, a Tennessee politician who was a United States Senator from Tennessee. During the American Civil War, the city was a key location for the Confederate States of America, and was the site of several battles, including the Battle of Blountville and the Battle of Blue Springs. The city is also home to the Tipton-Haynes State Historic Site, which was the home of Landon Carter Haynes, a Tennessee politician who was a United States Senator from Tennessee, and is also near the Andrew Johnson National Historic Site, which was the home of Andrew Johnson, the 17th President of the United States. The city has a rich cultural heritage, with notable residents including Carl Sandburg, who lived in nearby Greeneville, Tennessee, and Al Gore, who was born in Washington, D.C., but later lived in Nashville, Tennessee.

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States Census, the population of Johnson City was 71,046, with a population density of 633.9 people per square kilometer. The city has a diverse population, with a mix of European-American, African American, Asian American, and Hispanic and Latino American residents. The city is home to a large number of students from East Tennessee State University, which is a public university that is part of the Tennessee Board of Regents system, and is also near the Virginia Highlands Community College and the Northeast State Community College. The city has a strong sense of community, with many residents involved in local organizations, such as the Johnson City Chamber of Commerce and the United Way of Washington County, Tennessee. The city is also home to a number of places of worship, including the First Presbyterian Church of Johnson City and the St. Mary's Catholic Church.

Economy

The economy of Johnson City is diverse, with a mix of manufacturing, healthcare, and education industries. The city is home to a number of major employers, including the Johnson City Medical Center, which is part of the Mountain States Health Alliance system, and the East Tennessee State University, which is a public university that is part of the Tennessee Board of Regents system. The city is also near the Tri-Cities Airport, which is a major transportation hub for the region, and is close to the Interstate 26 and Interstate 81 highways. The city has a strong sense of entrepreneurship, with many residents involved in small businesses, such as the Johnson City Farmers Market and the Downtown Johnson City area. The city is also home to a number of major companies, including the Ballad Health system and the Wellmont Health System.

Education

Johnson City is home to a number of educational institutions, including East Tennessee State University, which is a public university that is part of the Tennessee Board of Regents system, and the Northeast State Community College, which is a public community college that is part of the Tennessee Board of Regents system. The city is also near the Virginia Highlands Community College and the Milligan University, which is a private university that is affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The city has a strong sense of commitment to education, with many residents involved in local organizations, such as the Johnson City Schools system and the Washington County, Tennessee school system. The city is also home to a number of libraries, including the Johnson City Public Library and the East Tennessee State University library.

Culture

Johnson City has a rich cultural heritage, with a mix of music, art, and literature. The city is home to a number of cultural attractions, including the Tipton-Haynes State Historic Site, which was the home of Landon Carter Haynes, a Tennessee politician who was a United States Senator from Tennessee, and the Reece Museum, which is located on the campus of East Tennessee State University. The city is also near the Barter Theatre, which is a professional theater company that is located in Abingdon, Virginia, and the Tennessee Theatre, which is a historic theater that is located in Knoxville, Tennessee. The city has a strong sense of community, with many residents involved in local organizations, such as the Johnson City Arts Council and the Washington County, Tennessee arts council. The city is also home to a number of festivals, including the Johnson City Bluegrass Festival and the Appalachian Festival. Category:Cities in Tennessee