Johnson City, TN Homes For Rent

Homes for Rent in Johnson City, TN: What You Need to Know

Johnson City is located at the northeastern tip of Tennessee. Its nickname, Little Chicago, comes from enduring rumors of the city’s ties to Chicago gangster Al Capone.

Johnson City’s History

The city was named after Henry Johnson, founder of Johnson’s Depot in the 1850s. In 1869, Johnson’s Depot was incorporated as Johnson City, with Johnson as its first mayor. After the Civil War, John T. Wilder, a Union general and industrialist, bought thousands of acres of land and helped in the development of Johnson City, including pushing for the building of the state’s railroad system. 

The Local Culture

A historical marker was unveiled in July 2019 recognizing the city as the home of Mountain Dew. The soft drink was first produced in Knoxville in 1946, but the flavor was born in Johnson City, thanks to Tri-City Beverage, which got the first Mountain Dew franchise in 1954. The rights to the drink were sold to Pepsi in 1964. 

While the city’s ties to Mountain Dew are official, its alleged links to Al Capone remain mythical. Johnson City’s location as a railroad crossroads in the Southern Appalachian Mountains, an area known for moonshining, reinforced rumors that Capone maintained bootlegging activities here during the Prohibition. To this day, Johnson City celebrates the annual Little Chicago Blues Festival.

The Cost of Living in Johnson City

If you’re dreaming of small-town living, Johnson City (population: 66,906) might just be the right choice for you. Its cost of living rate, food, and housing costs are 9.5%, 21.8%, and 48.7% lower than the national average, respectively. The city’s median gross rent is $734. Tennessee doesn’t levy any tax on salaries, wages, or bonuses. However, its 7% base sales tax is the second-highest in the U.S.

Know Your Neighborhoods

Residents praise the downtown area’s revival, which is attracting newcomers from all walks of life. Proximity to parks, restaurants and shops, and social events are a large draw. In the suburbs, Jonesboro and Gray are within commuting distance of Johnson City, and they have excellent schools. Jonesboro is known for its annual National Storytelling Festival and beautiful views of mountains. Gray gets kudos for its close-knit community and easy access to local attractions.

Schools and Higher Education 

College-age residents have lots of choices with 66 universities located within 100 miles of Johnson City. East Tennessee University is the closest and largest. It was founded in 1911 as the East Tennessee State Normal School with 29 students. Today it has 14,317 students and offers 140 academic programs. The city’s 20 public schools (12,683 students) have an average math proficiency score of 51%, considerably higher than the Tennessee average of 35%, and a reading proficiency score of 49% versus the 34% statewide average.