Blountville, Tennessee
—  CDP  —
Location of Blountville, Tennessee
Coordinates: 36°32′0″N 82°19′35″W / 36.533333°N 82.32639°W / 36.533333; -82.32639
Country	United States
State	Tennessee
County	Sullivan
Area
- Total	5.7 sq mi (14.8 km2)
- Land	5.7 sq mi (14.8 km2)
- Water	0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2)
Elevation	1,539 ft (469 m)
Population (2000)
- Total	2,959
- Density	518.0/sq mi (200.0/km2)
Time zone	Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
- Summer (DST)	EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code	37617
Area code(s)	423
FIPS code	47-06740[1]
GNIS feature ID	1305297[2]

Blountville is a census-designated place (CDP) in Sullivan County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 2,959 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Sullivan County^[3] and is the only Tennessee county seat not to be an incorporated city or town.

Blountville is part of the Kingsport–Bristol (TN)–Bristol (VA) Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is a component of the Johnson City–Kingsport–Bristol, TN-VA Combined Statistical Area – commonly known as the "Tri-Cities" region.

[edit] History

The area that is now Blountville is thought to have been the location of a longhunter fort prior to its permanent settlement. The site of the town was part of a tract of about 600 acres (240 ha) of land bought by James Brigham in 1782. In 1792 Brigham gave 30 acres (12 ha) to Sullivan County for use as a county seat and established a hotel nearby. By 1830, the settlement had 209 residents, two churches, six stores, two taverns, ten mechanics, one doctor, and one lawyer. ^[4]

If Blountville were an incorporated town, it would qualify as the second oldest municipality in Tennessee (second only to Jonesborough). However, it was unincorporated at one point in order to avoid having redundant government services for such a small area and population. This unique status has led to some odd results, including a lawsuit in which is was ruled that neighboring Kingsport was not allowed to annex areas of Sullivan County within a defined distance of the courthouse, in effect ensuring that the county seat could not be annexed out of existence.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Geography

Blountville is located at 36°32′0″N 82°19′35″W / 36.533333°N 82.32639°W / 36.533333; -82.32639 (36.533312, -82.326474)^[5].

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 5.7 square miles (14.8 km²), all land

[edit] Demographics

The Deery Inn in Blountville, built circa 1785-1801

As of the census^[1] of 2000, there were 2,959 people, 1,060 households, and 763 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 518.0 people per square mile (200.1/km²). There were 1,134 housing units at an average density of 198.5/sq mi (76.7/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 98.01% White, 1.32% African American, 0.17% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.07% from other races, and 0.20% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.88% of the population.

There were 1,060 households out of which 25.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.0% were married couples living together, 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.0% were non-families. 25.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.80.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 16.9% under the age of 18, 10.0% from 18 to 24, 35.3% from 25 to 44, 24.9% from 45 to 64, and 12.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 123.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 127.6 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $37,609, and the median income for a family was $41,594. Males had a median income of $31,842 versus $18,163 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $16,173. About 3.0% of families and 4.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.4% of those under age 18 and 8.1% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Education

Blountville has eight public schools. The five elementary schools are Akard, Holston, Blountville, Indian Springs, and Central Heights Elementary School. The two middle schools are Blountville Middle School and Holston Middle School. High school students attend Sullivan Central High School. The community is also the site of Northeast State Technical Community College.

[edit] Transportation

Blountville is the site of the Tri-Cities Regional Airport, located in Blountville primarily because of its central location between Johnson City, Kingsport, Bristol, TN/VA.^{[citation needed]} NASCAR champion Alan Kulwicki died in an airplane crash near Blountville.^[6]

[edit] Recreation

Blountville's historic district includes two 18th-century buildings— the Old Deery Inn and the Anderson Townhouse— and several notable 19th-century structures. Appalachian Ghost Walks— a ghost tour company that specializes in the "haunted" history of the Appalachian Mountains— has established a ghost tour of Blountville's historic district. The Big Hollow Par 3 Golf Course, Factory Stores of America, and Country Side Vineyard and Winery are all located in the Blountville vicinity. Appalachian Caverns— the largest show cave in East Tennessee— and Boone Lake are located just south of Blountville.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Blountville, Tennessee is at coordinates 36°32′00″N 82°19′35″W / 36.533312°N 82.326474°W / 36.533312; -82.326474 (Blountville, Tennessee)Coordinates: 36°32′00″N 82°19′35″W / 36.533312°N 82.326474°W / 36.533312; -82.326474 (Blountville, Tennessee)

v • d • e Municipalities and communities of Sullivan County, Tennessee County seat: Blountville Cities Bluff City | Bristol | Johnson City‡ | Kingsport‡ CDPs Bloomingdale | Blountville | Colonial Heights | Spurgeon‡ | Walnut Hill Unincorporated communities Piney Flats Footnotes ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties