Chattanooga, TN
CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE: Demographic and Financial Snapshot
(Last updated on 12.22.20)
AGE IN CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE
| Age Range | Population | Percent |
| 20 to 24 years | 13,429 | 7.6% |
| 25 to 29 years | 15,564 | 8.8% |
| 30 to 34 years | 13,213 | 7.4% |
| 35 to 39 years | 11,172 | 6.3% |
| 40 to 44 years | 9,825 | 5.5% |
| 45 to 49 years | 10,593 | 6.0% |
| 50 to 54 years | 11,458 | 6.5% |
| 55 to 59 years | 11,707 | 6.6% |
| 60 to 64 years | 11,201 | 6.3% |
| 65 to 69 years | 9,068 | 5.1% |
| 70 to 74 years | 6,728 | 3.8% |
| 75 to 79 years | 4,703 | 2.7% |
| 80 to 84 years | 3,867 | 2.2% |
| 85+ years | 4,367 | 2.5% |
The median age in Chattanooga is 37.6 years
Source: US Census Data; https://data.census.gov/cedsci
Survey/Program: American Community Survey (2018 estimates)
Data Point: Age
ETHNICITY IN CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE
| Ethnicity | Population | Percent |
| White | 112,989 | 62.6% |
| Black or African American | 56,502 | 31.3% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native | 297 | 0.2% |
| Asian | 3,738 | 2.1% |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander | – | 0.0% |
| Other | 1,515 | 0.8% |
Source: US Census; https://data.census.gov/cedsci
Survey/Program: American Community Survey (2018 estimates)
Data Point: Race
EDUCATION IN CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE
| Education Level | Population | Percent |
| Less than 9th grade | 5,186 | 4.0% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma | 10,897 | 8.3% |
| High school graduate (includes GED) | 32,256 | 24.7% |
| Some college, no degree | 29,541 | 22.6% |
| Associate’s degree | 10,723 | 8.2% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 25,404 | 19.5% |
| Graduate or professional degree | 16,496 | 12.6% |
| High school graduate or higher | 114,420 | 87.7% |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher | 41,900 | 32.1% |
| Less than Bachelor’s degree | 88,603 | 67.9% |
Source: US Census; https://data.census.gov/cedsci
Survey/Program: American Community Survey (2018 estimates)
Data Point: Education (population 25+ years)
HOUSEHOLD INCOME IN CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE
| Annual Household Income | Percent |
| Less than $10,000 | 8.6% |
| $10,000 to $14,999 | 7.0% |
| $15,000 to $24,999 | 13.0% |
| $25,000 to $34,999 | 11.7% |
| $35,000 to $49,999 | 14.7% |
| $50,000 to $74,999 | 17.4% |
| $75,000 to $99,999 | 9.7% |
| $100,000 to $149,999 | 10.3% |
| $150,000 to $199,999 | 3.3% |
| $200,000 or more | 4.3% |
Median household income: $43,964
Mean household income: $66,297
Source: US Census; https://data.census.gov/cedsci
Survey/Program: American Community Survey (2018 estimates)
Data Point: Household Income
HOUSEHOLD INCOME BY EDUCATION IN CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE
| Education Level | Average Income |
| Less than high school graduate | $17,622 |
| High school graduate (includes GED) | $25,374 |
| Some college or Associate’s degree | $31,968 |
| Bachelor’s degree | $47,249 |
| Graduate or professional degree | $59,815 |
Source: US Census; https://data.census.gov/cedsci
Survey/Program: American Community Survey (2018 estimates)
Data Point: Median earnings in past 12 months by education (population 25+ years with earnings)
MARITAL STATUS IN CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE
| Population | Percent | |
| Population 15+ years | 150,086 | NA |
| Never married | 60,905 | 40.6% |
| Now married (except separated) | 57,094 | 38.0% |
| Separated | 2,846 | 1.9% |
| Widowed | 11,702 | 7.8% |
| Divorced | 17,539 | 11.7% |
Source: US Census; https://data.census.gov/cedsci
Survey/Program: American Community Survey (2018 estimates)
Data Point: Marital Status for population 15 years and over
POVERTY STATUS IN CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE
| Population | Percent | |
| Living beneath poverty line | 31,917 | 18.8% |
Source: US Census; https://data.census.gov/cedsci
Survey/Program: American Community Survey (2018 estimates)
Data Point: Poverty Rate
HOUSING IN CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE
| Owner-occupied housing units | 38,334 |
| Renter-occupied housing units | 34,508 |
| Single-family detached units | 49,662 |
| Homeownership rate | 52.6% |
| Vacancy rate | 12.7% |
| Renters rate | 73.8% |
| Average housing value | $200,752 |
| Average monthly owner cost (with mortgage) | $866 |
| Average rent | $706 |
Source: US Census; https://cbb.census.gov/rae/#
Survey/Program: 2009-2013 and the 2014-2018 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
Data Point: Housing Characteristics
SOCIOECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS IN CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE
| Average income | $66,297 |
| Average household size | 2.31 |
| Percent population 16 years and over in labor force | 61.3% |
| Percent disabled | 15.3% |
| Percent with health coverage | 89.5% |
| Average travel time to work (in minutes) | 19.4 |
| Percent workers using public transportation | 2.2% |
| Percent veterans | 7.5% |
| Percent foreign born | 6.0% |
| Percent speaking Spanish at home | 2.4% |
Source: US Census; https://cbb.census.gov/rae/#
Survey/Program: 2009-2013 and the 2014-2018 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
Data Point: Socioeconomic Characteristics
CONSUMER SPENDING IN CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE
| Total consumer expenditures per household | $58,995.57 |
| Alcoholic beverages | $447.91 |
| Alcoholic beverages consumed at home | $264.31 |
| Beer consumed away from home | $79.83 |
| Wine consumed away from home | $39.05 |
| Apparel & services | $1,695.63 |
| Men’s apparel | $325.50 |
| Women’s apparel | $570.60 |
| Children’s apparel | $253.59 |
| Boys’ apparel | $87.08 |
| Girls’ apparel | $96.12 |
| Footwear | $386.14 |
| Dining out (food away from home) | $2,913.38 |
| Dining out – Breakfast | $297.97 |
| Dining out – Lunch | $906.40 |
| Dining out – Dinner | $1,352.10 |
| Education | $1,198.47 |
| Entertainment / recreation | $2,559.69 |
| Club membership fees | $176.06 |
| Dating services | $0.69 |
| Pet food | $212.01 |
| Pet services | $49.74 |
| Food consumed at home | $4,163.61 |
| Bakery products consumed at home | $547.13 |
| Dairy products consumed at home | $427.31 |
| Fruits and vegetables consumed at home | $805.20 |
| Meat, poultry, fish, eggs consumed at home | $923.25 |
| Nonalcoholic beverages consumed at home | $414.04 |
| Snacks / other food products consumed at home | $1,460.73 |
| Health care | $4,775.55 |
| Medical services | $864.76 |
| Nonprescription drugs | $118.41 |
| Household Services | $1,601.61 |
| Care for the elderly and handicapped | $65.91 |
| Lawn and garden services | $349.01 |
| Housekeeping services | $131.30 |
| PC repair | $5.42 |
| Housing | $18,551.21 |
| Home improvements | $1,954.00 |
| Utilities, fuel, and public services | $3,965.17 |
| Phone services | $1,430.77 |
| Water | $569.74 |
| Life and other insurance | $356.45 |
| Pensions and social security | $6,144.86 |
| Personal care products and services | $707.85 |
| Hair care products | $85.70 |
| Personal care products | $302.09 |
| Local transportation | $6,873.14 |
| Gasoline | $1,790.14 |
| Vehicle maintenance and repair | $948.15 |
| Travel | $1,684.51 |
| Airline fares | $404.06 |
| Auto / truck rental on trips | $19.82 |
| Lodging on trips | $462.76 |
| Food and drink on trips | $408.99 |
| Entertainment on trips | $143.22 |
Source: US Census; https://cbb.census.gov/rae/#
Survey/Program: 2009-2013 and the 2014-2018 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
Data Point: Consumer Spending (Consumer expenditures per household)
DEBT IN HAMILTON COUNTY (home to CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE)
| % with any debt in collections | 36% |
| Average debt in collections | $1,509 |
| % with medical debt in collections | 26% |
| Average medical debt in collections | $806 |
| % with student loan debt | 16% |
| Average student loan debt | $18,648 |
| Average monthly student loan payment | $169 |
| % with auto debt | 29% |
Source: Urban Institute; https://apps.urban.org/features/debt-interactive-map/
Survey/Program: Data from credit bureau data (2018) + the US Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (2017)
Data Point: Consumer Debt
UNEMPLOYMENT IN CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE
| Year | Population | Percent |
| January 2019 | 3,316 | 3.8% |
| February 2019 | 3,005 | 3.4% |
| March 2019 | 3,149 | 3.6% |
| April 2019 | 2,702 | 3.1% |
| May 2019 | 2,948 | 3.4% |
| June 2019 | 3,820 | 4.3% |
| July 2019 | 3,816 | 4.3% |
| August 2019 | 3,282 | 3.8% |
| September 2019 | 2,997 | 3.4% |
| October 2019 | 2,970 | 3.4% |
| November 2019 | 2,856 | 3.3% |
| December 2019 | 2,863 | 3.3% |
| January 2020 | 3,409 | 3.9% |
| February 2020 | 3,402 | 3.9% |
| March 2020 | 2,955 | 3.3% |
| April 2020 | 15,084 | 16.7% |
| May 2020 | 10,958 | 12.1% |
| June 2020 | 9,786 | 11.1% |
| July 2020 | 10,021 | 11.4% |
| August 2020 | 9,047 | 9.8% |
| September 2020 | 6,510 | 7.3% |
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics; https://www.bls.gov/lau/data.htm
Survey/Program: Local Area Employment Statistics
Data Point: Unemployment totals (not seasonally adjusted)
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