Chattanooga, Tennessee Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Chattanooga, Tennessee had a total population of 185,783, the 4th largest city in Tennessee, with a median household income of $64,523, which is 7% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Chattanooga is the 4th largest city in Tennessee with a population of 185,783.
Chattanooga Quick Facts
How Chattanooga Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 185,783 | +1.6% |
| Median household income | $61,028 | $64,523 | +5.7% |
| Median home value | $259,200 | $283,200 | +9.3% |
How Chattanooga Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 46 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Chattanooga Rankings in Tennessee
Explore Tennessee Rankings
Other Cities in Hamilton County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Ridge | 22,070 | $62,247 | 13.1% | $211,100 |
| Soddy-Daisy | 13,231 | $75,113 | 7.3% | $256,600 |
| Middle Valley | 12,187 | $95,000 | 5.1% | $319,400 |
| Red Bank | 12,010 | $63,983 | 12.0% | $269,400 |
| Collegedale | 11,330 | $70,246 | 7.3% | $365,100 |
| Signal Mountain | 8,860 | $141,008 | 3.3% | $544,300 |
| Harrison | 8,011 | $89,395 | 3.9% | $307,400 |
| Apison | 4,271 | $129,307 | 12.4% | $459,000 |
| Sale Creek | 2,955 | $53,932 | 5.0% | $299,700 |
| Falling Water | 2,315 | $111,842 | 7.3% | $420,600 |
Cities Similar to Chattanooga
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clarksville | 176,456 | $69,303 | $263,600 | 29.9% | 12.3% |
| Knoxville | 195,185 | $54,039 | $239,700 | 34.6% | 20.2% |
| Murfreesboro | 161,445 | $80,108 | $402,100 | 43.0% | 8.8% |
| Johnson City | 72,222 | $57,254 | $268,200 | 42.5% | 20.3% |
| Franklin | 87,133 | $119,528 | $705,400 | 64.5% | 4.7% |
Population Overview
Chattanooga is a major urban center located in Tennessee, within Hamilton County. The total population is 185,783. It ranks as the 4th most populous out of 502 Census-designated places in Tennessee.
Age Demographics
The median age in Chattanooga is 36.3 years. This is 7% lower than the state median of 38.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Chattanooga is $64,523. This is 7% lower than the state median of $69,595. It is also 20% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 19.1%. This is 39% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.8%. The unemployment rate is 5.5%. This is 16% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $283,200. Housing costs are 1% lower than the state median of $286,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.4x. 52.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 22% lower than the state average of 66.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Chattanooga is White (non-Hispanic), making up 55.5% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 27.6%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (27.6% vs 15.4%).
Education
36.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 16% higher than the state rate of 31.1%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 90.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Chattanooga, Tennessee is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Tennessee state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 502 Census-designated places in Tennessee. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Chattanooga, Tennessee?
Chattanooga, Tennessee has a population of 185,783 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Chattanooga, TN?
The median household income in Chattanooga is $64,523, which is 20% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Chattanooga, TN?
The poverty rate in Chattanooga is 19.1%. This means approximately 34,433 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Chattanooga, Tennessee?
Chattanooga's population is 55.5% White, 27.6% Black, 10.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Chattanooga, TN?
The median home value in Chattanooga is $283,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.4x.
How educated is Chattanooga, Tennessee?
36.0% of adults (25+) in Chattanooga hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.