Chattanooga, TN

Census Place

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2024 Population
185,783
US Senator
Marsha Blackburn
Republican Party
US Senator
Bill Hagerty
Republican Party
2024 Median Age
36.3
0.82% 1-year decrease
2024 Poverty Rate
19.1%
8.61% 1-year increase
2024 Median Household Income
$64,523
5.73% 1-year growth
2024 Median Property Value
$283,200
9.26% 1-year growth
2024 Employed Population
91,906
1.34% 1-year growth

About

None of the households in Chattanooga, TN reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

94.2% of the residents in Chattanooga, TN are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Chattanooga, TN are The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga (2,666 degrees awarded in 2023), Chattanooga State Community College (1,209 degrees), and Miller-Motte College-Chattanooga (470 degrees).

In 2024, the median property value in Chattanooga, TN was $283,200, and the homeownership rate was 52.4%.

Most people in Chattanooga, TN drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 18.5 minutes. The average car ownership in Chattanooga, TN was 2 cars per household.

Photo by Bryce Edwards
United StatesTennesseeHamilton County, TNChattanooga, TN-GANorthwest Georgia Regional Commission--Walker, Catoosa, Chattooga & Dade Counties PUMA, GAWarren, Marion & Sequatchie Counties--McMinnville city PUMA, TNChattanooga city (South & Central) PUMA, TNHamilton County (South)--Chattanooga (North) & Red Bank cities PUMA, TNHamilton County (North)--Soddy-Daisy city PUMA, TN

Population & Diversity

Chattanooga, TN is home to a population of 186k people, from which 94.2% are citizens. As of 2024, 8.32% of Chattanooga, TN residents were born outside of the country (15.5k people).

In 2024, there were 2.01 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (103k people) in Chattanooga, TN than any other race or ethnicity. There were 51.2k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 6.79k Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

94.2%
2024 Citizenship
94.9%
2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 94.2% of Chattanooga, TN residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Chattanooga, TN was 94.9%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Chattanooga, TN compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Chattanooga, TN
  1. White (Non-Hispanic)
    103k ± 1.81k
  2. Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
    51.2k ± 1.73k
  3. Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic)
    6.79k ± 1.13k
9.99%
Hispanic Population
18.6k people

In 2024, there were 2.01 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (103k people) in Chattanooga, TN than any other race or ethnicity. There were 51.2k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 6.79k Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

9.99% of the people in Chattanooga, TN are hispanic (18.6k people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Chattanooga, TN as a share of the total population.

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Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place level, so we are showing data for Tennessee.
Most Common Origin
  1. Mexico
    96,695 ± 7,581 people
  2. Guatemala
    27,777 ± 4,084 people
  3. India
    24,683 ± 3,850 people

In 2023, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Tennessee was Mexico, the natal country of 96,695 Tennessee residents, followed by Guatemala with 27,777 and India with 24,683.

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Foreign-Born Population

8.32%
2024 Foreign-Born Population
15.5k people
7.7%
2023 Foreign-Born Population
14.1k people

As of 2024, 8.32% of Chattanooga, TN residents (15.5k people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Chattanooga, TN was 7.7%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Chattanooga, TN compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period
  1. Vietnam
    2,852 ± 390
  2. Gulf War (2001-)
    1,765 ± 363
  3. Gulf War (1990s)
    1,411 ± 311

Chattanooga, TN has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.62 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Chattanooga, TN.

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Economy

The economy of Chattanooga, TN employs 91.9k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Chattanooga, TN were Health Care & Social Assistance (12,485 people), Manufacturing (11,983 people), and Retail Trade (10,001 people), and the highest paying industries were Management of Companies & Enterprises ($181,250), Utilities ($113,523), and Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($97,250).

Employment

Occupations

91.9k
2024 Value
± 2,608
1.34%
1 Year growth
± 4.06%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Chattanooga, TN grew at a rate of 1.34%, from 90.7k employees to 91.9k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Chattanooga, TN, are Management Occupations (9,953 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (9,299 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (8,981 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Chattanooga, TN.

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Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Tennessee.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Tennessee (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

91.9k
2024 Value
± 2,608
1.34%
1 Year growth
± 4.06%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Chattanooga, TN grew at a rate of 1.34%, from 90.7k employees to 91.9k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Chattanooga, TN, are Health Care & Social Assistance (12,485 people), Manufacturing (11,983 people), and Retail Trade (10,001 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Chattanooga, TN, though some of these residents may live in Chattanooga, TN and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

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Median Earnings by Industry

$48,630
Median earning men ± $1,298
$41,244
Median earning women ± $1,221

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($68,148), Educational Services, & Health Care & Social Assistance ($62,636), and Public Administration ($58,750).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($68,542), Wholesale Trade ($60,685), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($55,256).

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Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Tennessee.
Y-Axis
3.15%
Year-over-year growth
Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 3.29M people employed in Tennessee. This represents a 3.15% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 10.8%.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Tennessee.

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Civics

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Tennessee went to Donald J. Trump with 64.2% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (34.5%), followed by Robert Kennedy (0.703%).

Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty are the senators currently representing the state of Tennessee. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Tennessee is currently represented by 9 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Voting results are not available for Chattanooga, TN. Showing the available data for Tennessee.
2024 Election Results
  1. Donald J. Trump (64.2%)
    Republican Party
  2. Kamala Harris (34.5%)
    Democratic Party
  3. Robert Kennedy (0.703%)
    Independent Party

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Tennessee went to Donald J. Trump with 64.2% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (34.5%), followed by Robert Kennedy (0.703%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Tennessee for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

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Senator Elections

US Senators from Tennessee

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Tennessee.
Marsha Blackburn
Senator from Tennessee1
Assumed office on January 3, 2019
Bill Hagerty
Senator from Tennessee2
Assumed office on January 3, 2021

Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty are the senators currently representing Tennessee.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Tennessee over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

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Education

In 2023, universities in Chattanooga, TN awarded 4,775 degrees. The student population of Chattanooga, TN in 2023 is skewed towards women, with 8,015 male students and 14,491 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Chattanooga, TN are White (3,423 and 72.2%), Black or African American (639 and 13.5%), Hispanic or Latino (293 and 6.18%), and Two or More Races (167 and 3.52%).

The largest universities in Chattanooga, TN by number of degrees awarded are The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga (2,666 and 55.8%), Chattanooga State Community College (1,209 and 25.3%), and Miller-Motte College-Chattanooga (470 and 9.84%).

The most popular majors in Chattanooga, TN are Liberal Arts & Sciences (517 and 10.8%), General Business Administration & Management (344 and 7.2%), and General Psychology (246 and 5.15%).

The median tuition cost for a public four year colleges is $8,232 for in-state students and $16,296 for out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University
Measure

In 2023 in Chattanooga, TN, the percentage of applicants admitted was 77%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 34%. The number of students enrolled in 2023 was 22,506 (35.6% men and 64.4% women).

The line chart  shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

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Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2023 there were 22,506 students enrolled in Chattanooga, TN, 35.6% men and 64.4% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 13,786 records, of which 62.4% were women and 37.6% men.

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Completions

Concentrations

Most Common
  1. General Psychology
    242 degrees awarded
  2. Kinesiology & Exercise Science
    202 degrees awarded
  3. General Business Administration & Management
    162 degrees awarded

In 2023, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Chattanooga, TN was General Psychology with 242 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Chattanooga, TN according to their major.

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Universities

Gender
Race
Largest Universities by degrees awarded
  1. The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga
    2,666 degrees awarded
  2. Chattanooga State Community College
    1,209 degrees awarded
  3. Miller-Motte College-Chattanooga
    470 degrees awarded

In 2023, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga with 2,666 degrees awarded.

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Student Diversity

University

In 2023, 1,728 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Chattanooga, TN, which is 0.567 times less than the 3,047 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2023, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 3,423 degrees mean that there were 5.36 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 639 degrees awarded.

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Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

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Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Private for-profit, 2-year ($10,665) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2023.

Public, 4-year or above ($1,912) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2023.

Private for-profit, 2-year ($3,840) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

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Housing & Living

The median property value in Chattanooga, TN was $283,200 in 2024, which is 0.851 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $259,200 to $283,200, a 9.26% increase. The homeownership rate in Chattanooga, TN is 52.4%, which is lower than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Chattanooga, TN have an average commute time of 18.5 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Chattanooga, TN is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property

$283,200
Median Property Value 2024
±$8,317
$41,437
Median Property Taxes
±$1,667

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Chattanooga, TN the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Chattanooga, TN compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

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Rent vs Own

52.4%
Homeownership
2024
64.6%
Homeowners with Mortgage
2024

In 2024, 52.4% of the housing units in Chattanooga, TN were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 53.1%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Chattanooga, TN compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

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Equity

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.
$64,523
Median Household Income
± $1,964
79.1k
Number of Households
± 2,458

In 2024, the median household income of the 79.1k households in Chattanooga, TN grew to $64,523 from the previous year's value of $61,028.

The following chart displays the households in Chattanooga, TN distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

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Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Chattanooga, TN is from Tennessee.
0.459
2023 Wage GINI in Tennessee
0.462
2022 Wage GINI in Tennessee

In 2023, the income inequality in Tennessee was 0.459 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.619% decline from 2022 to 2023, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Tennessee was lower than than the national average of 0.476. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Tennessee in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Tennessee across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

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Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024
  1. Drove Alone (73.6%)
  2. Worked At Home (13.6%)
  3. Carpooled (8.76%)

In 2024, 73.6% of workers in Chattanooga, TN drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (13.6%) and those who carpooled to work (8.76%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

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Commute Time

18.5 minutes
Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Chattanooga, TN have a shorter commute time (18.5 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 0.812% of the workforce in Chattanooga, TN have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Chattanooga, TN compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Car Ownership

2 cars
Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Chattanooga, TN distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Chattanooga, TN have 2 cars.

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Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

19.1% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Chattanooga, TN (34.4k out of 180k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 18 - 24 and then Females 55 - 64.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Chattanooga, TN is Black, followed by White and Hispanic.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

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Health

87.8% of the population of Chattanooga, TN has health coverage, with 44.3% on employee plans, 17.6% on Medicaid, 12.5% on Medicare, 12.3% on non-group plans, and 1.18% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Tennessee see 1,437 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,437 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1779 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 500 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.3% were men and 51.7% were women.

Coverage

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 22.8% under 18 years, 25.4% between 18 and 34 years, 34.9% between 35 and 64 years, and 17% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.3% were men and 51.7% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

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Uninsured People

12.2%
Uninsured
44.3%
Employer Coverage
17.6%
Medicaid
12.5%
Medicare
12.3%
Non-Group
1.18%
Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Chattanooga, TN grew by 4.68% from 11.7% to 12.2%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Chattanooga, TN changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

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