Chattanooga, TN-GA Metro Area

Chattanooga, TN-GA · Metro Area

575,812Population

A metropolitan statistical area of 6 counties (3 central, 3 outlying), part of the Chattanooga-Cleveland-Dalton, TN-GA-AL combined area. The counties are tied together by commuting: people live in one and work in another.

Median household income: $72,161
Median home value: $272,400
Land area: 2,089 sq mi

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Counties in this metro area

Central counties hold the urban core; outlying counties are linked to it by commuting.

County	Role	Population	Median income	Median home value
Hamilton County, TN	Central	376,192	$76,183	$312,800
Walker County, GA	Central	68,762	$59,469	$197,100
Catoosa County, GA	Central	68,634	$74,639	$240,900
Marion County, TN	Outlying	29,250	$61,824	$195,200
Sequatchie County, TN	Outlying	16,809	$58,750	$232,600
Dade County, GA	Outlying	16,165	$64,568	$198,500

Largest cities and towns

40 places in our city pages lie in this area; the 25 largest are shown.

Place	Type	Population	Median income
Chattanooga, TN	City	185,783	$64,523
East Ridge, TN	City	22,070	$62,247
Soddy-Daisy, TN	City	13,231	$75,113
Middle Valley, TN	CDP	12,187	$95,000
Red Bank, TN	City	12,010	$63,983
Collegedale, TN	City	11,330	$70,246
Fort Oglethorpe, GA	City	10,416	$51,867
Signal Mountain, TN	Town	8,860	$141,008
Harrison, TN	CDP	8,011	$89,395
LaFayette, GA	City	6,967	$46,018
Dunlap, TN	City	5,678	$45,589
Fairview, GA	CDP	5,302	$64,050
Lakeview, GA	CDP	4,723	$61,405
Chattanooga Valley, GA	CDP	4,601	$52,813
Apison, TN	CDP	4,271	$129,307
Rossville, GA	City	3,978	$59,191
Jasper, TN	Town	3,612	$73,013
Ringgold, GA	City	3,435	$42,583
Chickamauga, GA	City	3,014	$92,532
South Pittsburg, TN	City	3,013	$57,865
Sale Creek, TN	CDP	2,955	$53,932
Falling Water, TN	CDP	2,315	$111,842
Lakesite, TN	City	2,168	$96,250
Trenton, GA	City	2,123	$39,441
Lookout Mountain, TN	Town	2,111	$201,000

Also in the Chattanooga-Cleveland-Dalton, TN-GA-AL combined area

Dalton, GA · metro · 144,160 Cleveland, TN · metro · 128,963 Athens, TN · micro · 68,227 Scottsboro, AL · micro · 53,053 Summerville, GA · micro · 25,036

Demographic Rates

Poverty Rate

13%

Unemployment

4.4%

College Educated

31.9%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1701, S2301, S1501

Race & Ethnicity

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B02001, B03003

Income Profile

Median Household Income

$72,161

Mean Household Income

$100,280

Income Distribution

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S1902, S1903, B19013, B19113

Sex Distribution

Male

48.8%

Female

51.2%

Population Split

Male48.8%

Female51.2%

The sex distribution of a population provides insight into the demographic balance of a community. Significant skews in this ratio can be influenced by local industries (e.g., military bases, mining, or tech hubs), educational institutions, or migration patterns. Understanding this balance is essential for planning public health initiatives and social services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Ancestry

English16.3%

Irish11.3%

German9.8%

Scottish2.9%

Mexican2.6%

Italian2.4%

French1.3%

Polish1.0%

African0.8%

Reported ancestry groups representing the cultural heritage of the population. Percentages may not sum to 100% as residents may report multiple ancestries or none.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B04006

Immigration & Nativity

Nativity Status

5.0%Foreign Born

95.0%Native Born

Citizenship Status

Naturalized38.6%

Non-Citizen61.4%

Period of Entry

2010 or Later43.1%

Before 201056.9%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B05001, B05002

Housing Characteristics

Total Housing Units

254,730

Median Rent

$1,163/mo

Median Home Value

$272,400

Median Year Built

1983

Housing Tenure

Housing Types

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table DP04

Education Enrollment

Total Enrolled

125,108

College Enrollment

19.8%

High School

21.9%

College Educated

31.9%

K-12 Enrollment

Higher Education

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1401, S1501

Transportation & Commute

Mean Commute Time

24.1 min

Drive Alone Rate

75.0%

Public Transit

0.4%

Work From Home

13.3%

Commute Mode

Vehicle Ownership

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0801, B08141

Age Distribution

Under 18

21.1%

18-34 Years

21.8%

35-64 Years

38.2%

65+ Years

18.9%

Population Composition

Under 1821.1%

18-3421.8%

35-6438.2%

65+18.9%

The age distribution of a community impacts local services, school requirements, and the labor market. A higher percentage of youth suggests a need for schools and family services, while a larger senior population may indicate a retirement destination or a need for healthcare services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Household Composition

Married Couples

48.6%

Single Parent

5.9%

Living Alone

28.6%

Avg Size

2.43

Household Types

Married Couples48.6%

Single Parent5.9%

Living Alone28.6%

Household composition offers insights into the social fabric of a community. A high percentage of married couples often correlates with stability and higher household incomes, while a significant number of single-person households may indicate a younger transient population or an aging community.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1101

Economic Profile

Per Capita Income

$41,227

SNAP Usage

10.5%

Health Insurance

89.8%

Household Income Breakdown

Under $25k15.5%

$25k - $50k19.6%

$50k - $100k29.6%

$100k+35.4%

Key Industries

Manufacturing

14.1%

Retail Trade

10.8%

Education & Health Care

21.9%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S2201, DP03

Health & Disability

Disability Rate

15.2%With Disability

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with a disability.

Health Insurance Coverage

89.8%With Coverage

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with health insurance coverage.

Why this matters: High disability rates may indicate a need for accessible infrastructure and specialized healthcare services. Health insurance coverage is a key indicator of a community's access to preventative care and financial resilience against medical emergencies.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1810, S2701

Technology Access

Broadband Internet

90.2%vs ~90% National Avg

Computer Ownership

94.8%vs ~95% National Avg

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S2801

Cost of Living & Housing

Cost of Living Scale

Lower is better

91.5

0130

Below average< 97

Near average97 - 103

Above average> 103

Prices compared with the US average (100). 105 means about 5% more expensive than average.

Housing Affordability

Higher is better

134.7

0200

Hard to Afford< 80

Moderate80 - 100

Affordable> 100

100 means a family earning the median family income just qualifies to buy the median-value home (20% down, 30-year loan at 6.72%).

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities · NAR affordability formula with Census ACS 2020–2024 incomes and home values and the Freddie Mac 30-year rate (2024)

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