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Johnson City, Tennessee
Johnson City is a city of 72,222 people in Carter County, Tennessee, founded in 1856.
Why visit Johnson City
Townapedia lists 20 museums and landmarks, 42 parks and trails, 179 places to eat, 16 places to stay and 11 attractions in and around town.
Highlights include AMC Johnson City 14, Goulding Amphitheater, Rocky Mount State Historic Site and Aquone.
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 86°F; January lows average 26°F.
Weather in Johnson City
Forecast from the National Weather Service. Full forecast
About Johnson City
Johnson City is a city in Washington, Carter, and Sullivan counties in the U.S. state of Tennessee, mostly in Washington County. Located in an Appalachian valley near the Boone Lake impoundment of the Watauga River, Johnson City is Tennessee's eighth-most populous city, with a population of 71,046 as of the 2020 Census. Johnson City is the largest city of the Johnson City Metropolitan Statistical Area, as well as the Tri-Cities (Tennessee-Virginia) region of Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia, which contains Kingsport, Tennessee and Bristol, Tennessee and had a population of 585,041 at the 2020 Census.
From the Wikipedia article Johnson City, Tennessee (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Things to do11
Goulding Amphitheater
Cinema and theater · 3.8 mi
4137 Bristol Highway, Johnson City
Mo-Su 09:00-21:00
Museums and landmarks20
Rocky Mount State Historic Site
Museum · 5.0 mi
200 Hyder Hill Road, Piney Flats
Mar-Dec We-Sa 11:00-16:30; Jan-Feb off
Aquone
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.3 mi
House in Johnson City, Tennessee
DeVault-Massengill House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 4.8 mi
Historic house in Tennessee, United States
Henry Hoss House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 5.3 mi
Historic house in Jonesboro, Tennessee
Jonesborough Historic District
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 6.2 mi
Historic district in Jonesborough, Tennessee
Mountain Branch, National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.2 mi
Old soldiers' home opened in 1904 in Mountain Home, Johnson City, Tennessee
Rocky Mount, Tennessee
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 5.0 mi
House in Tennessee, United States of America
Sabine Hill
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 6.3 mi
House in Elizabethton, Tennessee
Shelbridge
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.4 mi
House in Johnson City, United States of America
Sycamore Shoals
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 7.0 mi
Rapids in Carter County, Tennessee
The Warrior's Canvas & Veterans Art Center
Museum · 1.6 mi
The Warrior's Canvas & Veterans Art Center's mission is to improve the lives of veterans and their families by fostering a sense of...
3201 Bristol Highway, Johnson City
Tu,We 12:00-16:00, Fr 17:00-20:00, Sa 10:00-15:00
Tipton-Haynes State Historic Site
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 4.2 mi
Museum and historical site in Tennessee
8 more on the map.
Parks, trails and playgrounds42
Buffalo Mountain Park
Park · 5.1 mi
570 High Ridge Road, Johnson City
Mar-Oct 07:00-21:00; Nov-Feb 07:00-19:00
Carver Park
Park · 2.0 mi
322 West Watauga Avenue, Johnson City
Mo-Sa 09:00-19:00; Su 13:00-18:00; PH off
Civitan Park
Park · 1.9 mi
1000 North Broadway Street, Johnson City
Mar-Oct 07:00-21:00; Nov-Feb 07:00-19:00
Kiwanis Park
Park · 2.0 mi
821 West Market Street, Johnson City
Mar-Oct 07:00-21:00; Nov-Feb 07:00-19:00
Lions Park
Park · 2.2 mi
801 Country Club Drive, Johnson City
Mar-Oct 07:00-21:00; Nov-Feb 07:00-19:00
Powell Square Park
Park · 2.9 mi
201 West Poplar Street, Johnson City
Mar-Oct 07:00-21:00; Nov-Feb 07:00-19:00
Tipton-Haynes Historic Site
Park · 4.3 mi
2620 South Roan Street, Johnson City
Mar-Oct Tu-Sa 09:00-16:00; Nov-Feb Tu-Sa 09:00-15:00
Carnegie Park
Park · 2.1 mi
601 North Broadway Street, Johnson City
Mar-Oct 07:00-21:00; Nov-Feb 07:00-19:00
Jacob's Nature Park at Sinking Creek
Hiking and trails · 3.7 mi
1220 King Springs Road, Johnson City
Mar-Oct 07:00-21:00; Nov-Feb 07:00-19:00
30 more on the map.
Restaurants and cafes179
7Brew Coffee
Restaurant · Coffee Shop · 2.7 mi
1210 Harris West Drive, Johnson City
Su-Th 05:30-22:00, Fr-Sa 05:30-23:00
Amigo Mexican Restaurant
Restaurant · Mexican · 1.2 mi
3211 Peoples Street, Johnson City
Mo-Sa 11:00-22:00; Su 11:00-21:30
Amigo Mexican Restaurant
Restaurant · Mexican · 2.1 mi
1705 West Market Street, Johnson City
Mo-Sa 11:00-22:00; Su 11:00-21:30
BURG’r & BARREL
Diner · American · 2.5 mi
530 Cherry Street, Johnson City
Mo off; Tu-We 16:30-21:00; Th 11:30-21:00; Fr-Sa 11:30-22:00; Su off
Blue's Brews Co. Brew Garden
Cafe · Coffee Shop · 2.5 mi
109 Cherry Street, Johnson City
Mo-Th 07:00-20:00; Fr 07:00-21:00; Sa 08:00-21:00; Su 08:00-18:00
Capone's
Restaurant · Burger · 2.4 mi
227 East Main Street, Johnson City
We 21:00-02:00; Th-Sa 20:00-03:00
Carrabba's Italian Grill
Restaurant · Italian · 1.3 mi
175 Market Place Boulevard, Johnson City
Mo-Th 11:00-22:00; Fr-Sa 11:00-23:00; Su 11:00-21:00
Chili's
Restaurant · Tex-Mex · 1.3 mi
3040 Franklin Terrace, Johnson City
Mo-Tu,Th 11:00-22:00; Fr-Sa 11:00-23:00; Su 11:00-22:00
Chuck E. Cheese
Restaurant · Pizza · 1.2 mi
3020 Peoples Street, Johnson City
Sa 10:00-22:00; Su-Th 11:00-21:00; Fr 11:00-22:00
Cootie Brown's Campus
Restaurant · American, Mexican, Pizza, Burger · 2.7 mi
1404 West State of Franklin Road, Johnson City
Su-Th 11:00-21:00, Fr-Sa 11:00-22:00
Diablo's Mexican Bar & Grill
Restaurant · Mexican · 2.4 mi
216 East Main Street, Johnson City
Su, Tu-Th 11:00-22:00, Fr-Sa 11:00-03:00
167 more on the map.
History
William Bean, traditionally recognized as Tennessee's first white settler, built his cabin along Boone's Creek near Johnson City in 1769. 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.
Founded in 1856 by Henry Johnson as a railroad station called "Johnson's Depot", Johnson City became a major rail hub for the Southeast, as three railway lines crossed in the downtown area.
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.
From the History section of Johnson City, Tennessee on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to stay16
Churches and places of worship90
Thankful Baptist Church
Church · National Register of Historic Places · 2.3 mi
Shopping43
Gas and EV charging28
Schools, colleges and libraries47
Tennessee College of Applied Technology Elizabethton - Boones Creek Campus
School · 3.2 mi
348 Christian Church Road, Johnson City
Healthcare23
Map of Johnson City
250 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Climate by month
Monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Snow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 46°F | 26°F | 3.8 in | 1.9 in |
| Feb | 50°F | 28°F | 3.8 in | 2.1 in |
| Mar | 59°F | 34°F | 4.0 in | 0.1 in |
| Apr | 69°F | 42°F | 3.8 in | 0.0 in |
| May | 77°F | 52°F | 4.4 in | 0.0 in |
| Jun | 83°F | 60°F | 5.2 in | 0.0 in |
| Jul | 86°F | 64°F | 5.9 in | 0.0 in |
| Aug | 85°F | 62°F | 4.2 in | 0.0 in |
| Sep | 80°F | 56°F | 3.0 in | 0.0 in |
| Oct | 70°F | 44°F | 2.8 in | 0.0 in |
| Nov | 58°F | 33°F | 3.4 in | 0.1 in |
| Dec | 50°F | 29°F | 3.9 in | 1.8 in |
U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Elizabethton (7 mi away), NOAA NCEI.
People and cost of living
American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.
Disaster history
Carter County has had 12 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for severe storms.
- 2026-02-06: Severe Winter Storm (Winter Storm)
- 2026-01-24: Severe Winter Storm (Winter Storm)
- 2025-04-02: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding (Severe Storm)
- 2024-10-02: Tropical Storm Helene (Tropical Storm)
- 2024-09-27: Tropical Storm Helene (Tropical Storm)
- 2020-04-02: Covid-19 Pandemic (Biological)
OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.
Getting there and nearby towns
Tri-Cities Regional Airport (TRI) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 9 miles away.
- Central 5 mi east, about 8 min by car
- Pine Crest 5 mi southeast, about 8 min by car
- Watauga 5 mi east, about 8 min by car
- Jonesborough 6 mi southwest, about 10 min by car
- Oak Grove 6 mi northwest, about 10 min by car
- Elizabethton 8 mi east, about 13 min by car
- Bristol 17 mi northeast, about 28 min by car
- Greeneville 27 mi southwest, about 44 min by car
- Boone 41 mi east, about 1 h by car
- Asheville 54 mi south, about 1 h 30 min by car
Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.
Local news
Headlines from INDB, the NEMICO news database.
Reviews, tips and questions
Loading what members have shared...
Sources and licences
- NCES EDGE (Public domain): public schools
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (Public domain): climate by month
- OpenFEMA (Public domain): disaster declarations
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): places, airports, map data
- U.S. Census Bureau (Public domain): population, income, housing, education, commute
- Wikidata (CC0 1.0): elevation, founding date, time zone, website, landmarks and historic places
- Wikimedia Commons (see each image): photos
- Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): overview and history text
Photo credits
- Johnson City, Mrgriffter, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Toys R Us Johnson City, TN 10 (44701315832), Mike Kalasnik from Unionville, CT, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
- St. Paul AMEZ, Johnson City, Nyttend, Public domain
- Downtown Johnson City, Lfazz, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Market from Buffalo, Johnson City, Nyttend, Public domain
- Munsey Memorial United Methodist Church, Johnson City, Tennessee, Warren LeMay, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Old St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Market Street, Johnson City, TN 01, Warren LeMay, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Old St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Market Street, Johnson City, TN 08, Warren LeMay, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Old St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Market Street, Johnson City, TN 02, Warren LeMay, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Old St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Market Street, Johnson City, TN 03, Warren LeMay, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Old St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Market Street, Johnson City, TN 04, Warren LeMay, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Old St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Market Street, Johnson City, TN 06, Warren LeMay, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Old St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Market Street, Johnson City, TN 05, Warren LeMay, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Old St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Market Street, Johnson City, TN 07, Warren LeMay, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Greetings from Johnson City, Tennessee - Large Letter Postcard (6382575367), Steve Shook from Moscow, Idaho, USA, CC BY 2.0
- ETSU Dossett Hall, Smoke321, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Joe Wise 2023, CavsFan45, CC BY-SA 4.0
- 1804 Peter Range house, Boppertoad, CC BY-SA 4.0
- RefurbishedJunaluskaSculpture, Ken WP, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Junaluska 20160313 6, Sculptor: Peter Wolf Toth / Photo by: Niranjan Arminius, CC BY-SA 4.0
- JunaluskaSculptureOblique 20160313 2, Sculptor: Peter Wolf Toth / Photo by: Niranjan Arminius, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Junaluska 20160313 2, Sculptor: Peter Wolf Toth / Photo by: Niranjan Arminius, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Junaluska 20160313, Sculptor: Peter Wolf Toth / Photo by: Niranjan Arminius, CC BY-SA 4.0
- JunaluskaPlaque 20160313, Niranjan Arminius, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Junaluska 20160313 7, Sculptor: Peter Wolf Toth / Photo by: Niranjan Arminius, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Junaluska 20160313 5, Sculptor: Peter Wolf Toth / Photo by: Niranjan Arminius, CC BY-SA 4.0
- JunaluskaSculptureOblique2 20160313 4, Sculptor: Peter Wolf Toth / Photo by: Niranjan Arminius, CC BY-SA 4.0
- JunaluskaSculptureOblique2 20160313 2, Sculptor: Peter Wolf Toth / Photo by: Niranjan Arminius, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Junaluska 20160313 3, Sculptor: Peter Wolf Toth / Photo by: Niranjan Arminius, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Junaluska 20160313 4, Sculptor: Peter Wolf Toth / Photo by: Niranjan Arminius, CC BY-SA 4.0
- JunaluskaSculptureOblique 20160313, Sculptor: Peter Wolf Toth / Photo by: Niranjan Arminius, CC BY-SA 4.0
- JunaluskaSculptureOblique2 20160313 3, Sculptor: Peter Wolf Toth / Photo by: Niranjan Arminius, CC BY-SA 4.0
- The Warrior's Canvas & Veterans Art Center, Onyx7891, CC0
- Thankful Baptist Church 2013-09-21 23-29-02, kismetcollins, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Greetings from V. A. Center, Mountain Home, Tennessee - Large Letter Postcard (6330959493), Steve Shook from Moscow, Idaho, USA, CC BY 2.0
- Johnsoncitydowntown, Ajohns90, Public domain
- 5x5Exhibit&Fundraiser JCPA, Boustrephedon Dipinto, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Mountain Home main lawn, Boboskaditdatin, CC BY-SA 3.0
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