RANK #716 / 996 · POP 367,193 · TN
PROJECTED GROWTH: -0.1%
Hamilton County, Tennessee, is often recognized for Chattanooga, its largest city and county seat, which sits along the Tennessee River. The county is located in the southern part of East Tennessee, bordering Georgia, and offers a mix of urban, suburban, rural, and mountain communities. Commutes to Chattanooga from surrounding towns like Soddy-Daisy typically range from 17 to 25 minutes. The area is known for its outdoor recreation, with attractions like Lookout Mountain, Ruby Falls, and the Tennessee Riverpark providing opportunities for hiking, water activities, and scenic views. Hamilton County Parks and Recreation manages a network of parks and green spaces, offering various recreational programs.
Life in Hamilton County offers diverse community options, from the suburban feel of Ooltewah with its schools and parks, to the historic charm of St. Elmo at the foot of Lookout Mountain. Hamilton County Schools serves over 44,000 students across urban, suburban, and rural communities. The economy sees investment in data centers and industrial/logistics sectors. Downtown Chattanooga has experienced revitalization, with growth in hospitality, residential, and commercial areas. Efforts are also underway to support local entrepreneurship through initiatives like the Small Business Resource Center.
Well below national median
Prices declining
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks undervalued at 3.1x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Urban Story Ventures Data Center (Jailhouse Studios project)
Urban Story Ventures (in partnership with Oracle)
|
$500M | Proposed |
|
North River Commerce Park Development
Undisclosed (supported by TIF)
|
$100M | Under Construction |
|
Kordsa Chattanooga Facility Expansion
Kordsa Inc.
|
$50M | Completed |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Hamilton County has a Boom Town Index score of 28/100, ranking #716 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.6% and a median household income of $69,069, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Hamilton County is $250,900 with median rent at $1,079/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2753, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.9% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.6%. Home values changed -0.3% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 2.19% of Hamilton County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.