city, seat (1796) of Carter county, northeastern Tennessee, U.S. It lies at the confluence of the Doe and Watauga rivers, in the southern Appalachian Mountains, about 105 miles (170 km) northeast of Knoxville and just east of Johnson City. Situated in the valley of the Watauga, it is one of the region's oldest settlements, where a compact for self-government (the Watauga Association) was made in 1772. The community was named for the wife of Landon Carter, an early settler for whom the county was named, and was Tennessee's first incorporated town. During the American Revolution, patriots marched from nearby Sycamore Shoals (now a state historic area) to the Battle of Kings Mountain (Kings Mountain, Battle of) (1780) in South Carolina. The arrival of the railroad in the 1880s brought industry to the area. During the early 20th century the city thrived on wood-related businesses and the manufacture of rayon.

The city's modern manufactures include electronics, tools, asphalt, and windows. Milligan College (1866) is just to the southwest. Nearby Watauga and Boone lakes are impounded by Tennessee Valley Authority dams and provide recreational facilities. The northern portion of Cherokee National Forest surrounds Elizabethton on three sides, and the Appalachian National Scenic Trail passes through it east of the city. Roan Mountain State Park is in the national forest southeast of Elizabethton. The Carter Mansion (1775–81) is the state's oldest frame house. Festivals celebrating Native American culture, bluegrass music, and rhododendrons are held separately in June. Inc. 1799. Pop. (1990) 11,931; (2000) 13,372.