A breakdown of Johnson City housing needs

There continues to be a housing need in Johnson City, according to a recent presentation. The city's economic development specialist Lexi Vance presented key findings from the 2025 Bowen National Research housing needs assessment to the Johnson City Housing and Community Development Advisory Board last week. The report was compiled in March 2025, and includes extensive analysis of Johnson City's housing supply and demand. Here's a breakdown of some of the most notable points in the presentation. Johnson City's Housing Gap The 2025 Bowen report assessment of Johnson City's housing gap showed an increase in housing need and an increase in housing prices compared to 2023. Johnson City's estimated housing gap for 2024–2029 has widened by 700 units compared to 2023, while rent prices have also increased. Although cost has played a role in these gaps, supply is the primary issue according to the Vance. There is a 99% occupancy rate across all housing in Johnson City. "It's not just a cost issue, it's also a supply issue," Vance said. Homeowner and Renter Cost Burdens According to the report, 45.2% of Johnson City households are renters and the majority of those households earn less than $50,000 per year. Additionally, the number of renters paying more than half of their income in rent and utilities has increased by 1.4% and renters paying more than a third of their income in rent and utilities has decreased by 3% since 2023. The same figures have decreased for homeowners by 0.1% and 1.2% respectively. More than a fifth of the city's population is estimated to be living below the poverty line, compared to 15% of the state population, according to the report. While the median Johnson City household income is projected to increase, it's expected to remain 15% less than the statewide median household income. Rental and Home Prices Median rent among most market-rate rental units that were surveyed by the Bowen report have increased from 2023–2025. Over the two years, these increases spanned from 24 to 35 percent at most rental properties. For homeowners, the median list price has decreased by 8.9% from $380,000 in 2023 to $346,250 in 2025. However, nearly a quarter of available homes are townhomes or condos and nearly a third of all available homes are smaller than 1500 square-feet in size. Additionally, more than half of all available homes were built before 1980.