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Johnson City, Tennessee

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Johnson City is a city in Washington, Carter, and Sullivan counties in the U.S. state of Tennessee, mostly in Washington County. As of the 2020 United States census, the population was 71,046, making it Tennessee's eighth-most populous city.<ref name="QF">Template:Cite web</ref> Johnson City is the principal city of the Johnson City Metropolitan Statistical Area, which consists of Carter, Unicoi, and Washington Counties<ref>METROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREAS AND COMPONENTS Template:Webarchive, Office of Management and Budget, May 11, 2007. Accessed July 30, 2008.</ref> and had a population of 207,285 as of 2020. The MSA is also a component of the Tri-Cities region. This CSA is Tennessee's fifth-largest, with a population of 514,899 as of 2020.

History

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William Bean, traditionally recognized as Tennessee's first white settler, built his cabin along Boone's Creek near Johnson City in 1769.<ref>Paul Hellman, Historical Gazetteer of the United States (Taylor and Francis, 2005), p. 1016.</ref> In the 1780s, Colonel John Tipton established a farm (now the Tipton-Haynes State Historic Site) just outside what is now Johnson City. During the State of Franklin movement, Tipton was a leader of the loyalist faction, residents of the region who wanted to remain part of North Carolina rather than form a separate state. In February 1788, an armed engagement took place at Tipton's farm between Tipton and his men and the forces led by John Sevier, the leader of the Franklin faction.<ref>A civil and political history of the state of Tennessee"; by John Haywood</ref>

Founded in 1856 by Henry Johnson as a railroad station called "Johnson's Depot",<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Johnson City became a major rail hub for the Southeast, as three railway lines crossed in the downtown area.<ref>Graybeal, Johhny, "Riding the Rails: The Storied History of the ET&WNC Line" Template:Webarchive, Johnson City Press, April 18, 2005</ref>

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Johnson City served as headquarters for the narrow gauge East Tennessee and Western North Carolina Railroad (the ET&WNC, nicknamed "Tweetsie") and the standard gauge Clinchfield Railroad. Both rail systems featured excursion trips through scenic portions of the Blue Ridge Mountains and were engineering marvels of railway construction. The Southern Railway (now Norfolk Southern) also passes through the city.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

During the American Civil War, before it was formally incorporated in 1869, the town's name was briefly changed to "Haynesville" in honor of Confederate Senator Landon Carter Haynes.<ref name=tnenc>Haskell, Jean. Johnson City. Tennessee Encyclopedia of History and Culture. Accessed: December 25, 2009.</ref>

Henry Johnson's name was quickly restored following the war, with Johnson elected as the city's first mayor on January 3, 1870. The town grew rapidly from 1870 until 1890 as railroad and mining interests flourished. But the national depression of 1893, which caused many railway failures (including the Charleston, Cincinnati and Chicago Railroad or "3-Cs", a predecessor of the Clinchfield), and resulting financial panic halted Johnson City's boom town momentum.<ref>"Johnson City is a Typical American City Template:Webarchive", The Sunday Chronicle (Johnson City), 1922.</ref>

In 1901, the Mountain Branch of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers (now the U.S. Veterans Affairs Medical Center and National Cemetery), Mountain Home, Tennessee<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> was created by an act of Congress introduced by Walter P. Brownlow. Template:Citation needed span Johnson City began growing rapidly and became Tennessee's fifth-largest city by 1930.<ref>Fifteenth Census of the United States – 1930 – Population: Volume III, Part 2: Montana-Wyoming, p890</ref>

Together with neighboring Bristol, Johnson City was a hotbed for old-time music. It hosted Columbia Records recording sessions in 1928 known as the Johnson City Sessions. Native son "Fiddlin' Charlie" Bowman became a national recording star via these sessions.<ref>"Old-Time Music Heritage", Johnson's Depot Website</ref> The Fountain Square area downtown featured a host of local and traveling street entertainers, including Blind Lemon Jefferson.

During the 1920s and the Prohibition era, Johnson City's ties to the bootlegging activity of the Appalachian Mountains earned the city the nickname of "Little Chicago".<ref>"Little Chicago", Johnson's Depot Website</ref> Template:Citation needed span

For many years, the city had a municipal "privilege tax" on carnival shows, in an attempt to dissuade traveling circuses and other transient entertainment businesses from doing business in town.<ref>"The Day They Hanged an Elephant in East Tennessee" Template:Webarchive, Blue Ridge Country, February 13, 2009</ref> The use of drums by merchants to draw attention to their goods is prohibited. Title Six, Section 106 of the city's municipal code, the so-called "Barney Fife" ordinance, empowers the city's police force to draft into involuntary service as many of the town's citizens as necessary to aid police in making arrests and preventing or quelling riots, unlawful assemblies, or breaches of peace.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Geography

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File:Johnsoncityroanstreet.jpg
Midtown Johnson City

Johnson City is in northeastern Washington County,<ref name="GR1">Template:Cite web</ref> Template:Citation needed span

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of Template:Convert, of which Template:Convert is land and Template:Convert, or 0.75 percent, is water.

Buffalo Mountain, a ridge over Template:Convert high, is a city park on the south side of town. The Watauga River arm of Boone Lake, a Tennessee Valley Authority reservoir, is partly within the city limits.Template:Citation needed

Climate

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Johnson City has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa), with warm summers and cool winters. Temperatures in Johnson City are moderated somewhat by its elevation and proximity to the Appalachian Mountains. Precipitation is abundant, with an average of Template:Convert. Summer is typically the wettest part of the year, while early autumn is considerably drier. Snowfall is moderate and sporadic, with an average of Template:Convert. Template:Infobox weather

Demographics

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Template:US Census population

2020 census

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Johnson City racial composition<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Race Number Percentage
White (non-Hispanic) 55,950 78.75%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 4,809 6.77%
Native American 164 0.23%
Asian 1,710 2.41%
Pacific Islander 37 0.05%
Other/mixed 3,878 5.46%
Hispanic or Latino 4,498 6.33%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 71,046 people, 30,724 households, and 15,904 families residing in the city.

2000 census

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As of the census<ref name="GR2"/> of 2000, there were 55,469 people, 23,720 households, and 14,018 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,412.4 per square mile. There were 25,730 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the city was 90.09 percent white, 6.40 percent African American, 0.26% Native American, 1.22 percent Asian, 0.02 percent Pacific Islander, 0.69 percent from other races, and 1.32 percent from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 1.89 percent of the population.

There were 23,720 households, out of which 25.0 percent had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.1 percent were married couples living together, 11.6 percent had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.9 percent were non-families. 33.9 percent of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.5 percent had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.20, and the average family size was 2.82.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 19.8 percent under the age of 18, 13.7 percent from 18 to 24, 28.1 percent from 25 to 44, 22.5 percent from 45 to 64, and 15.9 percent who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $30,835, and the median income for a family was $40,977. Males had a median income of $31,326 versus $22,150 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,364. About 11.4 percent of families and 15.9 percent of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.9 percent of those under age 18 and 12.7 percent of those age 65 or over.

Economy

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File:Oldmtdewbottle.jpg
Mountain Dew traces its origins to the city.

Johnson City is an economic hub largely fueled by East Tennessee State University and the medical "Med-Tech" corridor,<ref name=tnenc /> anchored by the Johnson City Medical Center and Niswonger Children's Hospital, Franklin Woods Community Hospital, ETSU's Gatton College of Pharmacy, and ETSU's Quillen College of Medicine.

The citrus soda Mountain Dew originated in Johnson City. In 2012, PepsiCo announced a new malt-flavored version of the drink named Mountain Dew Johnson City Gold.<ref name="PepsiCo_MDJCG">Template:Cite news</ref>

Johnson City and its metropolitan area had a gross metropolitan product of Template:US$ in 2019.<ref name="forbes2019">Template:Cite web</ref>

Top employers in Johnson City (2008)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Employer Number of
employees
Ballad Health 3541
East Tennessee State University 1990
Washington County School System 1275
James H. Quillen VA Medical Center 1259
American Water Heater Company 1194
AT&T Mobility 1000

Major companies headquartered in Johnson City

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Other companies

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  • JD Squared, manufacturer of tube and pipe benders and other fabrication tools

Arts and culture

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File:JunaluskaSculptureOblique 20160313.JPG
Monument of Chief Junaluska in Metro-Kiwanis Park, Johnson City

Public art

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Public art includes 12 to 15 sculptures that change every two years.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Also, 24 bronze statuettes of animals indigenous to the Appalachian Highlands, cast by faculty and students at ETSU, are installed in various downtown locations; staff at the Johnson City Public Library created a list of clues to aid in the search for all the animals.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Other public art includes banners and art on light poles and traffic boxes, and quote stones along sidewalks and paths.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Two annual art events take place in the city.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Shopping

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As a regional hub for a four-state area, Johnson City is home to a large variety of retail businesses, from well-known national chains to local boutiques and galleries.

The Mall at Johnson City is the city's only enclosed shopping mall. Much of the new retail development is in North Johnson City, along State of Franklin Road. Johnson City Crossings is the largest of these developments.

Points of interest

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Sports

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Several Minor League Baseball teams have been based in Johnson City. Professional baseball was first played in the city by the Johnson City Soldiers in the Southeastern League in 1910.<ref name=BRcity>Template:Cite web</ref> The city's longest-running team was the Johnson City Cardinals, who played in the Appalachian League as the Rookie affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals from 1975 to 2020.<ref name=BRcity/> In conjunction with a contraction of Minor League Baseball beginning with the 2021 season, the Appalachian League was reorganized as a collegiate summer baseball league, and the Cardinals were replaced by the Johnson City Doughboys, a new franchise in the revamped league designed for rising college freshman and sophomores.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Government

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In the United States House of Representatives, Johnson City is represented by Republican Diana Harshbarger of the 1st district.

Johnson City is run by a five-person board of commissioners.<ref>[1] Retrieved October 18, 2022.</ref> The mayor is John Hunter, the vice mayor is Greg Cox, and the commissioners are Jenny Brock, Joe Wise, and Todd Fowler. The city manager is Cathy Ball.<ref>[2], Retrieved October 18, 2022.</ref>

Education

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Colleges and universities

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East Tennessee State University has around 16,000 students in addition to a K-12 University School, a laboratory school of about 540 students.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> University School was the first laboratory school in the nation to adopt a year-round academic schedule.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Milligan University is just outside the city limits in Carter County, and has about 1,200 students in undergraduate and graduate programs.

Northeast State Community College has renovated a building in downtown Johnson City for use as a new satellite teaching site.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> After a dispute over the leasing amount being increased from $1,000/month to nearly $30,000/month, Northeast State decided not to renew their lease in 2023.<ref>https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/jcda-approves-2-year-downtown-centre-lease-with-etsu/</ref>

This building is now being utilized by East Tennessee State University to house the Department of Biological Sciences whilst Brown Hall, the main academic hall for the department on ETSU's main campus, goes through a new phase of renovations. Classes will begin being offered at this downtown satellite campus by ETSU in the Fall 2025 semester.

Tusculum University has a center on the north side of Johnson City in the Boones Creek area.

K-12 schools

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Within Washington County, the vast majority of the city is in the Johnson City Independent School District, while small parts of the city are in the Washington County School District.<ref>Template:Cite web - Text list</ref>

The portion in Carter County is within the Carter County School District.<ref>Template:Cite web - Text list</ref> The portion in Sullivan County is within the Sullivan County School District.<ref>Template:Cite web - Text list</ref>

Schools in the Johnson City School System include:

Elementary schools

  • Cherokee Elementary
  • Fairmont Elementary
  • Lake Ridge Elementary
  • Mt. View Elementary
  • North Side Elementary
  • South Side Elementary
  • Towne Acres Elementary
  • Woodland Elementary

Middle schools

  • Indian Trail Middle School
  • Liberty Bell Middle School

High schools

Private schools

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  • Ashley Academy (PreK-8)
  • St. Mary's (K-8)
  • Providence Academy (K-12)
  • Tri-Cities Christian Schools (PreK-12)
  • University School (K-12) <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Infrastructure

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Transportation

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File:Jct.jpg
Transit center in downtown Johnson City

Johnson City is served by Tri-Cities Regional Airport (IATA Code TRI) and Johnson City Airport (0A4) in Watauga.

Highways

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Public transport

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Johnson City Transit operates a system of buses inside the city limits,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> including BucShot, a system serving the greater ETSU campus.

The Southern Railway used to serve Johnson City with several trains: the Birmingham Special (ended 1970), the Pelican (ended 1970) and the Tennessean (ended 1968).<ref>Southern Timetable, 1966, p. 6 http://streamlinermemories.info/South/SRR66-10TT.pdf</ref>

Hospitals

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Johnson City serves as a regional medical center for northeast Tennessee and southwest Virginia, along with parts of western North Carolina and southeastern Kentucky.Template:Citation needed

Johnson City Medical Center includes a level 1 trauma center,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> the Niswonger Children's Hospital, and Woodridge Hospital, an inpatient psychiatric hospital.

Franklin Woods Community Hospital is an 80-bed hospital with emergency services.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

James H. and Cecile C. Quillen Rehabilitation Hospital serves patients who have suffered debilitating trauma, including stroke and brain-spine injuries.Template:Citation needed

Notable people

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Sister cities

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Johnson City's sister cities are:<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

See also

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Template:Portal

References

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General

Template:Reflist

Specific
  • Greater Johnson City, by Ray Stahl, 1986.
  • A History of Johnson City, Tennessee and its Environs, by Samuel Cole Williams, 1940.
  • History of Washington County, Tennessee, by Joyce and Gene Cox, Editors, 2001.
  • Fiddlin' Charlie Bowman, by Bob L. Cox, University of Tennessee Press, 2007.
  • The Railroads of Johnson City, by Johnny Graybeal, Tar Heel Press, 2007.
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