In partnership with
Many parents blamed themselves, or their kids, for the hours lost to the feed. But legal claims allege social media companies built in psychological triggers on purpose: intermittent rewards, endless scrolling, toxic social comparison, and recommendation engines that pull kids into content rabbit holes.
Now families are filing legal claims against platforms like Instagram and TikTok.
You may be eligible if:
Excessive social media use started under age 18
There was a diagnosis of an eating disorder, severe anxiety, depression, or self-harm
ClaimsHero checks whether you qualify for a claim and gets your family justice. Nothing upfront. We only get paid if your claim is successful.
Kingsport is a city of about 55,000 in the northeast corner of Tennessee, with city limits that run right up to the Virginia line. It's the largest city in the Kingsport and Bristol metro area. If you're moving here, this covers the practical stuff: which county you're in, who to call for utilities, how schools work, what you'll pay in taxes, and what to handle in your first 30 days.
Step one: confirm you're actually in Kingsport
A Kingsport mailing address doesn't guarantee you're inside Kingsport city limits. The city also spans two counties, Sullivan and Hawkins. Which side of those lines your address falls on decides your school system, your property tax bill, and some of your city services.
The city has annexed areas in pieces over the years, parts of Colonial Heights among them, so don't assume a neighbor's answer applies to you. Look up the property on the Sullivan County or Hawkins County property assessor's site, or ask your agent or landlord before you sign.
Setting up utilities in Kingsport
Electric: AEP Appalachian Power. The company's legal name in Tennessee is Kingsport Power Company, so you may see both on paperwork.
Natural gas: Atmos Energy holds the natural gas franchise for the city.
Water and sewer: the City of Kingsport. To start service, email a copy of your driver's license, your lease or purchase agreement, and the city's completed water service application to [email protected]. A customer service rep will call to verify your information, and setup can take up to five days. If you need it faster, go in person to City Hall at 415 Broad Street.
Trash and yard waste: inside city limits, the city runs weekly garbage pickup, plus brush and yard waste collection and leaf pickup. Backdoor pickup is available for residents who can't get carts to the curb.
Internet: options vary street by street, so check your exact address with providers before you commit to a place.
If you're outside city limits, some of these providers may be different. Ask before you move.
Schools in Kingsport
Kingsport City Schools serves students who live inside city limits, in both the Sullivan and Hawkins county parts of town. It's a district of about 7,400 students across 13 schools, and its high school is Dobyns-Bennett. The district's roots go back to the original city plan. Read We Hired Columbia University To Build Our Schools for that story, and The DB Band Was Never Just A School Program for the story of its band.
If you live outside city limits, you're generally zoned for Sullivan County Schools or Hawkins County Schools, depending on the county. Families outside the city can apply to attend Kingsport City Schools as tuition students. Applications open each spring, have to be renewed every year, and are approved only if there's room. Bus transportation generally isn't provided for those students.
Taxes
No state income tax on wages. Tennessee doesn't tax your paycheck.
Sales tax: Tennessee's state rate is 7 percent, and local taxes push the combined rate in Kingsport above 9 percent.
Property tax: inside city limits, you pay both city and county property tax. Outside the city, it's county only. Rates are set each year, so check current numbers with the City of Kingsport and your county trustee.
Your first 30 days
Driver's license. New residents have 30 days after establishing residency to get a Tennessee license. You'll surrender your out-of-state license, and you can get your documents pre-approved online through the Tennessee Department of Safety. Coming from California, Connecticut, Illinois, Kentucky, Nevada, Oklahoma, Vermont, or West Virginia? You'll also need a motor vehicle record from your old state.
Vehicle registration. Title and register your car with your county clerk within 30 days. Tennessee ended mandatory emissions testing statewide in January 2022, so there's no emissions test to schedule first.
Water. Start the city application early, since setup can take up to five days.
Getting around
Interstates: Kingsport sits at the north end of Interstate 26, which runs south through Johnson City toward Asheville. Interstate 81 runs along the south side of the city.
Airport: Tri-Cities Airport (TRI) in Blountville is a short drive southeast.
Buses: KATS, the Kingsport Area Transit System, runs fixed routes around the city plus van service. More in The KATS Route Nobody Talks About.
Healthcare
Ballad Health runs two hospitals in Kingsport: Holston Valley Medical Center, which includes the Christine LaGuardia Phillips Cancer Center and an Advanced Primary Stroke Center, and Indian Path Community Hospital.
Once the boxes are unpacked
Moving to Kingsport FAQ
What county is Kingsport, TN in?
Both Sullivan and Hawkins. Most of the city is in Sullivan County, and part of the west side is in Hawkins County.
Does Tennessee have a state income tax?
Not on wages. Tennessee doesn't tax your paycheck.
What school district serves Kingsport?
Kingsport City Schools serves addresses inside city limits. Outside the city, it's usually Sullivan County Schools or Hawkins County Schools.
Who provides electricity in Kingsport?
AEP Appalachian Power.
How long do I have to get a Tennessee driver's license after moving?
30 days after you establish residency. Vehicle registration has the same 30-day window.
Hey Kingsport is a free weekly newsletter about this town, its history, and what's worth doing on the weekend. It comes out every Friday, and it's a good way to get to know the place. Subscribe here.