Your Community

Welcome to Washington County: the Birthplace of Tennessee

Some things just never get old - things like natural beauty, affordable cost of living, strong cultural heritage, great schools, low taxes and a business-friendly environment - and Tennessee's oldest county has all those going for it and more.

Here in the shadow of the Southern Appalachian mountains, the county's unique blend of attractions has continued drawing new settlers to the ridges and valleys traveled by Daniel Boone, David Crockett and other pioneers who helped settle the area. The fastest-growing county east of Knoxville, it is home to East Tennessee State University (ETSU). With its colleges of medicine, nursing, pharmacy and public health, ETSU has played a major role in developing the top-flight health care services that make Washington County an attractive destination for everyone from retirees to young professionals with families.

A vibrant cultural and arts scene, plentiful outdoor recreation opportunities, and unique attractions such as downtown Jonesborough (Tennessee's oldest town) Historic Jonesborough and the Gray Fossil Museum draw visitors from around the world and add to residents' quality of life. The county's urban center, Johnson City, consistently ranks among the nation's most popular small metro areas for everything from raising a family and retiring to business-friendly climate and low cost of living.

Government

Mayor Joe Grandy, the County Commission and county officeholders are working hard to make the county's government more efficient, customer-friendly, open and transparent. They're also working with other local governments, education systems, businesses and economic developers to keep quality employers here and attract new ones. And they're watching their pennies to help keep one of the area's lowest property tax rates in check.

We hope you appreciate this website's growing number of features meant to inform you about Washington County government, make your interactions with us more convenient and efficient, and highlight the achievements that are making a great county even better.