Is Jonesborough Safe, Pros and cons of living in Jonesborough
Jonesborough, Tennessee, offers a blend of historical charm and modern amenities, making it an appealing place for many to consider a move. This town, nestled in the Appalachian foothills, provides a unique living experience with a strong sense of community. Understanding the various facets of life in Jonesborough is crucial for anyone contemplating a relocation to this historic Tennessee town.
From its cost of living and job market to its climate and educational opportunities, Jonesborough presents a diverse profile. This guide aims to provide a comprehensive overview, delving into the specifics that define life in Jonesborough and helping potential residents make an informed decision about whether it aligns with their lifestyle and needs.
Is it Safe to Live in Jonesborough?
Jonesborough’s overall crime rate is reported to be 30% lower than the national average per 100,000 residents (as reported by AreaVibes). This translates to an average of 0.27 daily crimes within the town, including approximately 0.03 violent incidents and 0.24 property-related offenses.
While the town is generally considered safe, the chance of becoming a victim of crime varies by neighborhood. In Jonesborough, there is a 1 in 68 chance of becoming a victim of any crime, with a 1 in 669 chance of falling victim to a violent crime (as reported by AreaVibes). Property crime presents a 1 in 76 chance of victimization (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).
Jonesborough is considered safer than 52% of cities in the United States, according to AreaVibes. However, it’s important to note that crime rates can fluctuate, and NeighborhoodScout indicates that Jonesborough has a crime rate higher than 74% of Tennessee’s cities and towns (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). Residents generally consider the northern part of the city to be the safest (as reported by AreaVibes).
Housing Costs and Living Expenses
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Jonesborough, Tennessee, is generally lower than the national average. Overall, it is 2.7% lower than the national average (as reported by Apartments.com). Housing costs are also slightly more affordable, with Jonesborough housing being 1.8% less expensive than the national average (as reported by Apartments.com).
Groceries are approximately 5.4% cheaper in Jonesborough compared to the national average. Utilities are also more budget-friendly, costing about 9.1% less than the national average. Transportation expenses are notably lower, with costs being 14.3% less than the national average (as reported by Apartments.com).
For a single adult with no dependents, a comfortable salary in Jonesborough would be around $66,000 before taxes. Annual expenses for housing are estimated at $19,572, with groceries at $8,496 and goods and services at $12,660 (as reported by Apartments.com).
Housing Market Trends
As of May 2026, the median rent for all bedroom counts and property types in Jonesborough is $1,725, which is 12% lower than the national average (as reported by Zumper). Specifically, a one-bedroom apartment averages around $964 per month, while a two-bedroom apartment is approximately $1,448 (as reported by Apartments.com).
The median listing price for a home in Jonesborough is approximately $469.9K (as reported by Homes.com). This price point suggests a high-value entry for potential buyers. The median price per square foot for homes is $227/ft² (as reported by Homes.com).
Rentals in Jonesborough show a median rent of $1.7K per month (as reported by Homes.com). Condos tend to be the most affordable rental option, while single-family homes and townhouses are generally more expensive (as reported by Homes.com).
Job Market and Economic Landscape
Major Employers and Industries
Jonesborough’s economy is supported by several key industries, with healthcare, education, and manufacturing playing significant roles (as reported by Washington County Economic Development Council). East Tennessee State University is a major employer in the broader region, with approximately 3,541 employees (as reported by Washington County Economic Development Council).
The Veterans Health Administration also employs a substantial number of individuals, with an estimated 2,400 employees (as reported by Washington County Economic Development Council). Other significant employers include the Johnson City Board of Education and American Water Heater Company (as reported by Washington County Economic Development Council).
The healthcare sector is a substantial contributor to employment, offering a wide array of roles in patient care, support services, research, and administration. Educational institutions also provide diverse job opportunities across K-12 schools and higher education centers (as reported by Washington County Economic Development Council).
Salaries and Unemployment
The average annual salary for employees in Jonesborough is approximately $77,401 (as reported by ReadySetHire). However, other sources indicate a median wage of $33.3K per year, with a 75th percentile wage of $44.4K per year (as reported by ZipRecruiter). Another source states the average yearly salary is around $46,322 (as reported by ReadySetHire).
The unemployment rate for the Jonesboro, AR, Metropolitan Statistical Area was 4.2% as of April 2026 (as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics). Data for Jonesborough, TN specifically is not as readily available, but overall employment in the town declined by 2.37% from 2023 to 2024 (as reported by Data USA).
The most common job groups for residents include management occupations, office and administrative support, and food preparation and serving related occupations (as reported by Data USA). The average household income in Jonesborough was $94,007 in 2024, showing a 7.5% increase from the previous year (as reported by Point2Homes).
Climate and Environment
Temperature and Weather Patterns
Jonesborough experiences a climate characterized by long, warm, and humid summers, and short, very cold, and wet winters. Temperatures typically range from 28°F to 84°F throughout the year, rarely dropping below 13°F or exceeding 90°F (as reported by Almanac.com).
The warmest month is July, with average high temperatures around 83°F and lows of 65°F. Conversely, January is the coldest month, with average highs of 45°F and lows of 28°F (as reported by Almanac.com). The air can feel uncomfortably humid during the summer months, particularly from July to August (as reported by myPerfectWeather).
The town experiences approximately 158 days per year with comfortable weather, generally between mid-April to June and September to October. This is based on daily high temperatures between 65°F and 86°F, with low humidity and moderate cloud cover (as reported by myPerfectWeather).
Precipitation and Seasonal Aspects
Jonesborough receives an average annual precipitation of about 47 inches (as reported by myPerfectWeather). Rainfall is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year, with July being the wettest month, averaging around 5 inches of precipitation (as reported by myPerfectWeather).
The town experiences about 14.1 days of rain in July, while October has the fewest rainy days, averaging 7.1 days (as reported by Almanac.com). Snowfall averages around 8 inches annually (as reported by myPerfectWeather).
Seasonal outlooks suggest that summers will be warmer than normal, with the hottest periods in mid-June and mid-July. Winter is expected to be warmer than normal, with the coldest periods in mid-December, early and late January, and early February. Precipitation and snowfall are predicted to be below normal for the winter (as reported by Almanac.com).
Education and Demographics
School Ratings and Performance
Jonesborough is served by the Washington County School District. Jonesborough Elementary School serves students in grades PK-8 and has a student-teacher ratio of 16:1, which is slightly higher than the Tennessee state average of 15:1 (as reported by Public School Review). Jonesborough Elementary School received an overall Niche grade of C+ (as reported by Niche).
David Crockett High School, the only high school in the area, has a four-year graduation rate of 89.2%, which is higher than the state average. However, it also has a dropout rate of 6.7% (as reported by SchoolDigger.com). The Washington County School District faces challenges with chronic absenteeism, affecting 18.9% of students across all schools (as reported by SchoolDigger.com).
Sulphur Springs Elementary School is noted as a strong performer, consistently exceeding district and state averages on standardized tests (as reported by SchoolDigger.com). Jonesborough Elementary School has a diversity score of 0.29, which is lower than the state average (as reported by Public School Review).
Population and Demographics
As of 2024, Jonesborough is home to approximately 6,232 residents, with projections indicating a population of 7,161 by 2026 (as reported by Data USA and Jonesborough, TN Population 2026). The population has been growing at an annual rate of about 2.99% (as reported by Jonesborough, TN Population 2026).
The racial makeup of Jonesborough is predominantly White, accounting for about 77.8% of the population. Other significant demographic groups include those identifying with two or more races (13.3%), Black or African American (4.4%), and Asian (3.5%) (as reported by Point2Homes).
The median age in Jonesborough is 42.6 years (as reported by Jonesborough, TN Population 2026). The population is distributed with about 13.9% under 15, 10.1% between 15 and 24, 31.3% between 25 and 44, 23.7% between 45 and 64, and 21% are 65 or older (as reported by Point2Homes).