Ringgold
RANK #297 / 996 NAT · #5 / 41 GA · POP 68,052
1YR FORECAST: +0.9%
5YR OUTLOOK: +29%
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.
Overvalued relative to economy
Contracting economy
Well below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing looks overvalued at 7.6x — 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.
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 |
|---|---|---|
|
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.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
With a Boom Town Index score of 70/100, Catoosa County sits in the upper half of all 996 ranked counties. Employment is expanding at +1.6%, and median household income stands at $68,896 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in GA.
By national standards, Catoosa County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $191,200, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.36 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $921/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Catoosa County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +0.7% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +1.6% clip. Home values shifted +0.7% in the past year.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.87% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Catoosa County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.