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CITY · 2020 ACS

Chattanooga

Tennessee · 181,099 residents · 142.352 sq mi
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The short version

Chattanooga has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $47,165. Population has grown 16% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $174,900.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 37.0
US median: 38.8
Average education
31% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 40%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
181,099
+16%since 2000
from 155,554 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,272 / sq mi
+16%since 2000
from 1,093 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
37.0
+1%since 2000
from 36.8 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
149K159K169K179K189K1990201020202024Chattanooga
2024186K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$47,165
−2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $32,006 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$32,241
+64%since 2000
from $19,689 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
31.2%
+9.7 ptssince 2009
from 21.5% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
17.6%
−0.3 ptssince 2000
from 17.9% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade13.1%
US avg: 10%
Information10.4%
US avg: 11.1%
Other services8.7%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration6.9%
US avg: 4.7%
Finance & insurance5.7%
US avg: 5.5%
Wholesale trade4.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Professional, scientific, technical3.9%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing2%
US avg: 2.5%
Education & health services1.8%
US avg: 0.8%
Arts, entertainment, food1.7%
US avg: 2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.3%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.3%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$174,900
+40%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $83,300 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$891
+20%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $495 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
50.8%
−4.1 ptssince 2000
from 54.9% in 2000
49.2% rent
Afford Score
3.7
+42%since 2000
from 2.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Chattanooga on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic58.9%(91,582)
Black35.9%(55,874)
Hispanic / Latino2.1%(3,281)
Asian1.5%(2,384)
Other0%
Diversity Score63.6%(98,858)
2020
White, non-Hispanic54.7%(98,977)
Black28.9%(52,384)
Hispanic / Latino9.2%(16,581)
Asian2.7%(4,956)
Other3.2%(5,768)
Diversity Score74.6%(135,082)
Diversity Score
75
+17%since 2000
from 64 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
31.4%
+9.8 ptssince 2000
from 21.5% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
88.3%
+10.7 ptssince 2000
from 77.6% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
11.1%
+3.6 ptssince 2000
from 7.5% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
19.0 min
+57%since 2000
from 12.1 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
78.6%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 80.1% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
9.0%
−2.5 ptssince 2009
from 11.5% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.2%
−7.0 ptssince 2011
from 12.1% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
62.6%
−0.9 ptssince 2011
from 63.5% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
37.5%
−28.6 ptssince 2009
from 66.0% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.0%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 46.6% in 2009
Female
53.0%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 53.4% in 2009
Foreign born
6.7%
+2.6 ptssince 2009
from 4.1% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
11.0%
−73.8 ptssince 2013
from 84.8% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Chattanooga

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Pop 212,086
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Pop 201,183
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Pop 185,913
Sunrise Manor
Pop 200,218
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Head to head

Compare Chattanooga to nearby cities

CHATTANOOGA VS
Red Bank
Income$63,983+36%
Home value$269,400+54%
Population12,405−94%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHATTANOOGA VS
East Ridge
Income$62,247+32%
Home value$211,100+21%
Population21,921−89%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHATTANOOGA VS
Harrison
Income$89,395+90%
Home value$307,400+76%
Population8,011−96%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHATTANOOGA VS
Signal Mountain
Income$141,008+199%
Home value$544,300+211%
Population8,824−95%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Chattanooga, Tennessee?

Chattanooga, Tennessee has about 181,099 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Chattanooga, Tennessee?

The typical household in Chattanooga, Tennessee earns about $47,165 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Chattanooga, Tennessee expensive?

In Chattanooga, Tennessee, the median home is worth about $174,900, and the typical rent is about $891 a month.

How educated are people in Chattanooga, Tennessee?

About 31.4% of adults age 25 and over in Chattanooga, Tennessee hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Chattanooga, Tennessee?

About 17.6% of people in Chattanooga, Tennessee live below the federal poverty line.

Has Chattanooga, Tennessee grown since 1990?

Yes, Chattanooga, Tennessee has grown since 1990. The population has added about 28,611 residents, a change of about 19 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →