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Catoosa County, GA

RANK #352 / 996  ·  POP 68,052  ·  GA

PROJECTED GROWTH: +1.3%

Catoosa County combines solid growth with real affordability — a rare combination.

[01] Why Catoosa County?

Ringgold, the county seat of Catoosa County, Georgia, holds a notable place in Civil War history, with its 1849 depot serving as a crucial hub and a site of significant fighting. The county, located in northwest Georgia along the Tennessee border, is approximately 17 miles south of Chattanooga, Tennessee, and about 100 miles northwest of Atlanta. This proximity allows for a manageable commute to Chattanooga, which many residents utilize for employment. The community offers a blend of small-town atmosphere with access to natural beauty, including portions of the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, providing hiking and historical exploration.

Life in Catoosa County often appeals to families seeking a quieter pace with convenient access to urban amenities. The public school system is a key draw, with Catoosa County Schools serving over 10,000 students and generally receiving positive ratings. The local economy is influenced by its position on Interstate 75, a major transportation artery, which has historically supported manufacturing and retail growth. Recent economic developments include efforts to attract new industrial investment and jobs, with a focus on leveraging the county's infrastructure and workforce.

[02] Market Snapshot

Housing Ratio
7.6x

Overvalued relative to economy

GDP Growth
-2.3%

Contracting economy

Home Prices
+0.7%

Well below national median

Climate & Terrain
-0.5

Below-average climate & terrain

Price/Rent
11x

Strong rental yield

Housing looks overvalued at 7.6x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.

[03] Signal Profile

[04] Home Value Growth vs National

Catoosa County U.S. National

The Numbers

DEMOGRAPHICS
Population
68,052
+0.7% YoY
Median Household Income
$68,896
Median Home Value
$191,200
+0.65% 12mo
Median Rent
$921
Average Annual Pay
$44,946
+1.6% YoY
Employment
16,284
+1.6% YoY
Income-to-Home-Value
0.3603
More affordable than average
Migration Inflow
2.87%
of pop. from another state

Market Activity

REAL ESTATE
Building Permits (2024)
848
Single-Family Permits
485

[05] Capital Investment

$100M
TOTAL
PROJECT AMOUNT STATUS
Mass Grading Project for Shovel-Ready Sites
Catoosa County Development Authority
$50M Completed
Residential Developments (Multiple Communities)
Various (e.g., Smith Douglas Homes, D.R. Horton)
$50M Under Construction

Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.

[06] Score Breakdown

GDP Growth -2.3% 2 percentile
Population Growth +0.7% 61 percentile
Income Growth +9.9% 79 percentile
Vacancy Rate 0.9% 67 percentile
Home Price Change +0.7% 40 percentile
Rent Growth +5.7% 85 percentile
Price/Rent 11x 81 percentile

Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.

[07] Frequently Asked Questions

Is Catoosa County, GA a good place to move to?

Catoosa County has a Boom Town Index score of 65/100, ranking #352 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.6% and a median household income of $68,896, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.

Is Catoosa County affordable?

The median home value in Catoosa County is $191,200 with median rent at $921/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3603, which is more affordable than the national average.

Is Catoosa County growing or shrinking?

Population growth: +0.7% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.6%. Home values changed +0.7% in the past 12 months.

Are people moving to Catoosa County?

Yes — 2.87% of Catoosa County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.

[08] Similar Metros

Lycoming County, PA 75 Hancock County, IN 75 Matanuska-Susitna Borough, AK 75 Granville County, NC 75 Bradford County, PA 75 Douglas County, KS 75 Albany County, NY 75 Comanche County, OK 75