RANK #757 / 1001 NAT · #25 / 33 TN · POP 111,065
1YR FORECAST: +0.1%
5YR OUTLOOK: +24%
Bradley County, Tennessee, is often recognized for Red Clay State Historic Park, the last seat of the Cherokee National Government before the Trail of Tears. Located in the southeastern corner of Tennessee, it sits among the Appalachian foothills, approximately 30 miles northeast of Chattanooga. The county seat, Cleveland, blends small-town atmosphere with city amenities. Commuting within the county is primarily by car, though public transit options are available through the Southeast Tennessee Human Resource Agency (SETHRA). The natural landscape, with its ridges, valleys, and access to the Hiwassee and Ocoee Rivers, offers opportunities for outdoor recreation like hiking, camping, and whitewater rafting.
Life in Bradley County offers a moderate climate with four distinct seasons and housing costs below the national average. The public school systems, Bradley County Schools and Cleveland City Schools, serve the area, with Bradley County Schools noting a high graduation rate. The economy is supported by a diverse manufacturing sector, which has been the anchor of the local economy for decades. Recent economic developments include ongoing investments in industrial parks and infrastructure, attracting new businesses in manufacturing, warehousing, and logistics services. This growth contributes to job creation and a stable economic environment for residents.
Bradley County's data profile doesn't fit any single market profile cleanly — its housing, labor, and demographic signals pull in different directions (home prices +1.3% YoY, population +1.2%, wages +4.8%). About 414 U.S. counties show this kind of mixed-signal pattern.
See all 414 Idiosyncratic Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 12.8x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
SK Food Group Production Facility
SK Food Group
|
$205M | Operating |
|
Amazon Fulfillment Center
Amazon
|
$200M | Operating |
|
New Residential Construction (Combined)
Various Developers
|
$100M | Under Construction |
|
Linde Inc. Air Separation Facility
Linde Inc.
|
$70M | Under Construction |
|
Bradley County RNG Facility
N/A
|
$50M | Operating |
|
Michigan Avenue Road / Dry Valley Road Urban Collector and Corridor Plan
Bradley County/TDOT
|
$50M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
At 24/100, Bradley County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 1001 counties we track. Median income of $66,552 combined with job growth of -1.6% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Housing in Bradley County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $261,900 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.25, with rents averaging $1,030/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Bradley County is attracting residents (population +1.2% YoY) even as the job market softens with employment at -1.6%. Housing values changed +1.3% over the past 12 months. People may be moving here for affordability or lifestyle reasons rather than job opportunities.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.97% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Bradley County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.