Johnson City
Johnson City, Tennessee, said to be the crossroads of the Eastern United States, began as a simple railroad depot in 1856 but quickly became a major hub for transport to the American Frontier with three major railroads intersecting here. Johnson City, with a population of over 55,000 in the 2000 Census, now has a 2007 estimate of 61,028. Most of Johnson City lies within Washington County, TN, but parts do extend into Carter and Sullivan Counties.
If you're heading to court in Johnson City, you should know that Tennessee's legal system includes four trial courts: the Circuit Courts, which, as courts of general jurisdiction handle civil and criminal matters and hear appeals from the courts with limited jurisdiction; the Chancery Courts, which exclusively hear civil cases and generally handle cases that fall outside the traditional common-law actions; the Criminal Courts, located in 13 of TN’s 31 judicial districts, which serve as relief for heavy caseloads in other courts, hearing criminal cases and misdemeanor appeals from the lower courts; and the Probate Court, which hears individual estate cases but only operates in a few districts. Tennessee Rules of Civil Procedure are readily available to the public.
If you have a personal injury case in Tennessee, your claim will be heard in civil court. This Self-Help section of the TN Courts website will tell you what to expect in court. Once you’ve gone through a trial, you may have the right to appeal your personal injury case to the state’s Appeals Court or the Supreme Court. The Tennessee Court of Appeals and the Tennessee Supreme Court both convene in the cities of Jackson, Knoxville and Nashville, as required by the Tennessee State Constitution.
Johnson City consistently receives high rankings for excellent quality of living, affordable costs, no state income tax, low tax base and excellent schools. Forbes ranked it #10 for the Best Small Place for Business and Careers. Cities Inc. placed it in the 40 Hottest Small Cities. Johnson City holds the 29th lowest crime rate of 261 MSAs surveyed. This is the largest city in the Tri-City Region, which includes Kingsport and Bristol in northeastern Tennessee, and the twin city of Bristol in southern Virginia. The Johnson City Metropolitan Area is the fourth largest in Tennessee.
Johnson City prides itself on being a family-friendly community. Locals gather together annually at the Blue Plum Festival, a free event held each June with music, arts and crafts, food, and animation entertainment. The Umoja/Unity Festival celebrates the ethnic diversity of Johnson City, displaying the different arts, culture and heritage of the community.
Johnson City is home to Eastern Tennessee State University, which includes the John H. Quillen College of Medicine. Within a 40-mile radius, students have 14 other institutes of higher learning from which to choose. Twenty-nine percent of students here hold a bachelor degree or higher.
Johnson City, Tennessee offers much in the way of outdoor activities. Nearby Boone and Watuaga Lakes provide some of the finest trout fishing in the region. Roan Mountain State Park contains stunning scenery, with hiking and biking trails winding through fields of wildflowers and rhododendron. Buffalo Mountain Park contains 14 miles of wilderness trails. Whether one is looking for an award-winning community or pristine natural mountain beauty, Johnson City provides it.
