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is a census-designated place (CDP) in Sullivan County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 2,959 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Sullivan County and is the only Tennessee county seat not to be an incorporated city or town.
Blountville is part of the Kingsport–Bristol (TN)–Bristol (VA) Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is a component of the Johnson City–Kingsport–Bristol, TN-VA Combined Statistical Area – commonly known as the "Tri-Cities" region.
The area that is now Blountville is thought to have been the location of a longhunter fort prior to its permanent settlement. The site of the town was part of a tract of about of land bought by James Brigham in 1782. In 1792 Brigham gave to Sullivan County for use as a county seat and established a hotel nearby. By 1830, the settlement had 209 residents, two churches, six stores, two taverns, ten mechanics, one doctor, and one lawyer.
If Blountville were an incorporated town, it would qualify as the second oldest municipality in Tennessee (second only to Jonesborough). However, it was unincorporated at one point in order to avoid having redundant government services for such a small area and population. This unique status has led to some odd results, including a lawsuit in which is was ruled that neighboring Kingsport was not allowed to annex areas of Sullivan County within a defined distance of the courthouse, in effect ensuring that the county seat could not be annexed out of existence.