Sullivan County
TN · Pop. 159,693 · Mixed County
Sullivan County, Tennessee covers 414 square miles with a population of 159,693 and a density of 385.7 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, haylage, corn. A median home price of $191,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.63% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7b with a 183-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.5°F and average winter lows of 26.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 41 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Bristol Regional Medical Center is 5.8 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 98.3% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.63% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $191,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 98.3% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Bristol Regional Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 5.8 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.5% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- At 385.7 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.
At a glance
Sullivan County, TN is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 73/100
- Median home price
- $191k
- Property tax
- 0.63%
- Growing season
- 183 days (zone 7b)
- Annual rainfall
- 41"
- Broadband
- 98.3%
- Nearest hospital
- Bristol Regional Medical Center, 5.8 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Sullivan County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Sullivan County?
- Sullivan County is in USDA hardiness zone 7b with a 183-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.5°F, and average winter lows of 26.9°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $191,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.63%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 98.3% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Bristol Regional Medical Center is 5.8 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 5 hospitals in the county.
Explore Tennessee Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.
AcreTrader
Invest in farmland online — vetted properties with passive income potential.
More counties in Tennessee
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The closest counties to Sullivan County by distance, including across state lines.
Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
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