Hamilton County TN
County offices
401 Courthouse
625 Georgia Avenue
Chattanooga 423-209-7200
www.hamiltontn.gov
Chamber of Commerce
811 Broad St
Chattanooga 423-756-2121
www.chattanoogachamber.com
Hamilton County has a population of over 340,000, making it the fourth-most populated county in Tennessee. Its county seat is Chattanooga. The county was named for Alexander Hamilton, the first Secretary of the Treasury.
Surrounded by mountains, rivers and lakes, Chattanooga and Hamilton County, Tennessee, offer a little bit of everything to its residents, a thriving business community and a booming downtown along the Tennessee River brimming with shops, dining and history. Awarded Outdoor Magazine’s “Best Town Ever” title for two years, the Scenic City always delivers. Chattanooga blends an outdoor lifestyle with a strong business community.
Lifestyle
The county is home to a vast array of recreational opportunities all within a few short minutes of each community. Recreational amenities enrich daily life, encouraging residents to enjoy golfing on championship courses, play tennis on public or private courts, and enjoy the outstanding facilities available in local parks. Several outdoor attractions draw residents and visitors to the county, including:
Raccoon Mountain Caverns, a show cave located 8 miles northwest of downtown Chattanooga. It was originally explored in 1929 by Leo Lambert who developed trails and installed lights and opened the cave to the public on June 28, 1931. The cave was opened under the name Tennessee Caverns. The operators of the cave claim that its explored length is over 5.5 miles. The Crystal Caverns Cave Spider is only known to exist in this cave. Cave guides will occasionally spot one of these rare spiders and point it out to the tourists. Ruby Falls Cave is a show cave located on the side of Lookout Mountain south of downtown Chattanooga. The cave is home to an awe-inspiring waterfall that draws thousands of visitors each year. The county is home to several world class golf courses as well, offering golfers everything from river views to mountain vistas while they enjoy the fantastic weather of the region. For those looking for activities that don’t require as much physical activity, the county is home to a broad range of shopping options. Shoppers will find everything from small locally owned boutique to mainstream chain stores and everything in between. Those looking for food and drink will not be disappointed either. The area offers dining options that range from the simple to the superb. Whether it’s a riverside eatery or a country restaurant, residents and visitors alike will find what they desire. The arts are well represented in the region with Chattanooga offering a broad range of entertainment options, from theater to major concert events at a variety of venues. Local communities also offer their added excitement of annual festivals, school sports and community centered gatherings.
The housing selection throughout the County area is both diverse and attractive, from historic neighborhoods to modern developments. Newcomers will be able to choose from majestic older homes with exquisite architecture and lush greenery, rustic cabins, condominiums, estates and manors, modest bungalows, or suburban family homes. Commutes tend to be short and easy in this region, adding to the convenience of daily life. With its superb quality of life, affordable housing, exceptional natural beauty, and flourishing economy.
Economy
Hamilton county has a strong and diverse business community, that is made up of regional, national and international corporations of all sizes. Some of the businesses include Access America Transport, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, CBL & Associates, The Chattanooga Bakery, Chattem, the world’s first Coca-Cola bottling plant, Coker Tire, U.S. Xpress Inc., Covenant Transport, Double Cola, CraftWorks Restaurants & Breweries, Luken Communications, Miller & Martin, the National Model Railroad Association, Reliance Partners, Republic Parking System, Rock/Creek, Tricycle Inc., and Unum. McKee Foods Corporation, the maker of nationally known Little Debbie brand snack cakes, is a privately held, family-run company headquartered in Collegedale. In addition, Volkswagen has an assembly plant in the county. These diverse businesses attract employees from all around the globe, adding to the international appeal of the region.
As home to some of the nation’s most innovative healthcare providers, Hamilton County leads the way with some of the world’s finest medical and surgical services. The city is home to premier institutions and healthcare systems alike. Residents will find any type of medical care that they need from the simplest well visit to more advanced procedures.
Residents of Hamilton County enjoy easy access to quality educational facilities and programs on every academic level. The County School System is recognized for innovative program and excellence in education. A wide variety of higher education institutions can be found in Chattanooga and nearby. The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is the second largest campus of the University of Tennessee System, with a student population of over 11,669 as of 2015–16 school year. Chattanooga State Community College is a two-year community college with a total undergraduate enrollment of roughly 11,000 students. Chattanooga is also home to a branch of the University of Tennessee College of Medicine, which provides medical education to third- and fourth-year medical students, residents, and other medical professionals in southeast Tennessee. Southern Adventist University is located in Collegedale and enrolls roughly 3,000 students.
Cities
Chattanooga
City Hall
1000 Lindsay Street
Chattanooga 423-643-7170
www.chattanooga.gov
Chamber of Commerce
811 Broad St
Chattanooga 423-756-2121
www.chattanoogachamber.com
Chattanooga, the 4th largest city in the state, is located in Southeast Tennessee near the border of Georgia at the junction of four interstate highways. The city has received national recognition for the renaissance of its beautiful downtown and redevelopment of its riverfront. The city boasts the most productive affordable housing program in the nation. The city is home to an extensive greenway system which includes 5 miles of constructed riverwalk beginning downtown and meandering through the historic art district and several parks. The city supports a downtown shuttle fleet of zero-emission electric buses that make it easy for residents to commute and visitors to enjoy all of the local amenities. Attractions such as the Tennessee Aquarium, Lookout Mountain, Civil War battlefield sites, the African American Museum, and the Appalachian Trail are all popular attractions that draw people to the area, as do events like the Riverbend Festival, Bessie Smith Strut, Fall Color Cruise, the Creative Discovery Museum for children, and the Southern Writers Conference. Chattanooga is the home of NCAA Division I-AA national football championships and hosts the national softball championships every year. Residents who enjoy outdoor activities use the city as a base for hang-gliding, bass fishing, mountain climbing and caving expeditions; the nearby Smoky Mountains and Tennessee River watershed support an amazing array of outdoor adventures. The local economy includes a diversified mix of manufacturing and service industries, four colleges, and several preparatory schools known throughout the South. With its scenic beauty, stable population and economy, civic vitality and cross-sector partnerships, fiscal integrity, and strategic location, Chattanooga is one of the most progressive and livable mid-size cities in the US.
Collegedale
City Hall
910 Swinyar Drive,
Collegedale 423-396-3135
www.collegedaletn.gov
The City of Collegedale was incorporated in 1968 under the Commission / Manager form of government. The city has experienced steady growth over its history and enjoys a rich and diverse culture anchored by Southern Adventist University and being a suburban community of Chattanooga and the Tri-State region. It is home to more than 10,000 residents. Between the years 2000 and 2010, the city’s population grew more than 25 percent, making Collegedale the fastest growing community in the County. Collegedale is located just 15 minutes from Chattanooga, giving residents easy access to the city. Collegedale is located close to some of the major employers in the market including Volkswagen of America and Amazon. Collegedale is home to McKee Foods, the maker of Little Debbie snack cakes and Southern Adventist University. The city offers several amenities such as the natural scenic beauty of White Oak Mountain, the Wolftever Creek Greenway, Veterans Park, and the Collegedale Library. The community offers residents, a high quality of life, with a great choice of housing options.
East Ridge
City Hall
1517 Tombras Ave
East Ridge 423-867-7711
www.eastridgetn.gov/
The City of East Ridge is a community of just over 21,000 people that borders the City of Chattanooga. The famous Bachman Tubes, a pair of tunnels carved through Missionary Ridge link East Ridge with downtown Chattanooga. East Ridge is a primarily residential community that serves as an easy to commute to suburb of Chattanooga. The community does offer a full slate of amenities to residents including several city parks as well as easy local community recreation programs. Camp Jordan is a local park and has a small arena. The arena provides space for special and sporting events. Camp Jordan has 13 ball fields, nine soccer fields, an amphitheater, RV spaces, a sand volleyball court, picnic pavilion, fishing pond, playground, and a walking track. East Ridge is home to the East Ridge Soccer Association, which provides soccer programs for youth and adults. The East Ridge Baseball/Softball Association supports ball games for boys and girls. East Ridge has four public schools, which are part of the Hamilton County Schools system. East ridge offers a great quality of life with easy access to everything that Chattanooga has to offer.
Lakesite
City Hall
9201 Rocky Point Road
Lakesite 423-842-2533
www.lakesitetn.gov
Located just 15 miles from downtown Chattanooga, Lakesite is a community that offers some of the most beautiful lake side homes in the region. The City is home to a little more than 1900 residents. There are several subdivisions in the City of Lakesite: The original Lakesite subdivision, Chimney Hills, Coventry Acres, Blude Ridge, Glengerrie, Dallas Branch, Prairie Cabin, sections of Old Hixson Pike, Hale Road and Daisy Dallas Road are included. Lakesite is a primarily residential community, that offers a wide selection of mostly single-family homes. Residents generally commute to work in nearby communities and the Chattanooga. Homes in this area tend to be larger than in other communities in the region. Residents enjoy a quiet, countryside lifestyle.
Red Bank
City Hall
3117 Dayton Blvd
Red Bank 423-877-1103
www.redbanktn.gov
Red Bank is a City of 11,651 people geographically surrounded by the City of Chattanooga. Located within ten minutes of downtown Chattanooga it is conveniently located near a large retail center, quality health care facilities, higher education institutions, fine dining, and a metropolitan airport, Interstates 24 and 75 and US 27. Red Bank is the home of the Lions, 2001 TSSAA Class V-A State Football Champions and more than 300 local small businesses. The Community is a center for local churches, civic activities and the Dixie Youth League Baseball Program. The Red Bank Branch of the Chattanooga –Hamilton County Chamber of Commerce serves the business community. Because of its location, Red Bank residents enjoy all of the urban amenities of Chattanooga. Everything they need is literally right next door.
Soddy-Daisy
City Hall
9835 Dayton Pike
Soddy-Daisy 443-332-5323
http://soddy-daisy.org
Soddy-Daisy is located in Northwest Hamilton County about 15 miles from downtown Chattanooga. The city covers 18 square miles along Dayton Pike and U.S. 27 which serves as one of the main routes to Chattanooga. It has a population of approximately 13,000 residents. Nestled between wooden mountain ridges and sparkling Soddy Lake, Soddy-Daisy captures the best of both rural and urban life. With Chattanooga less than twenty minutes away, residents enjoy the pleasures and conveniences of a large metropolitan area tempered with the small-town friendliness and stunning natural beauty that characterize the city. Soddy-Daisy maintains the quiet charm of a rural residential area with a large selection of waterfront properties. Residents enjoy one of the lowest cost of living in the area and the relaxed Tennessee lifestyle, recreational opportunities and scenic beauty of the area make this an easy choice to call home. Residents can choose home sites in a variety of settings and price ranges. Many homes are located on or near Chickamauga Lake, with lots of choices available. The relatively temperate climate allows year-round outdoor recreation. Soddy Lake with its marinas and boat launching facilities draws fishermen from throughout the area, as well as swimming, water skiing and boating enthusiasts. Campgrounds and picnic areas around the lake take advantage of its beautiful woodland setting. It is truly a great place to settle with a family and to find a sense of community.
TOWNS
Lookout Mountain
Town Hall
710 Scenic highway
Look Out Mountain 423-821-1226
www.lookoutmtn.us
Lookout Mountain is a town of just over 2000 residents. It is located just a few minutes from downtown Chattanooga. Lookout Mountain is famous for its natural beauty and unique natural features. The Lookout Mountain Attractions include three world-famous natural attractions that showcase the natural beauty of Lookout Mountain and views of the Chattanooga Valley. Hiking through Rock City’s natural wonders and the ability to see Seven States views, tour Ruby Falls, America’s deepest cave and the largest underground waterfall accessible to the public. Lookout Mountain is also home to the Incline Railway, one of the world’s steepest passenger railways. Besides these attractions, the town offers its residents a strong community environment, where local people get together and support each other. The town is primarily residential, but thanks to its close proximity to the City of Chattanooga, residents have easy access to all of the amenities that the city offers. This is the type of community that city dwellers look for to call home and to leave the hectic lifestyle of the city behind.
Signal mountain
Town Hall
1111 Ridgeway Avenue
Signal Mountain 423-886-2177
http://signalmountaintn.gov
The Town of Signal Mountain is located on Walden’s Ridge at the southern end of the Cumberland Plateau. It takes its name from a promontory of land called Signal Point, which overlooks the Tennessee River Gorge and the City of Chattanooga. Signal Mountain is home to approximately 8,400 residents and is surrounded by natural beauty. The town is a full service community that offers residents all the services that they need. Signal Mountain is a primarily residential community. Its location of only ten miles from downtown Chattanooga means that residents and visitors can find everything that they need close to home. The town is home to eighteen miles of trails that loop from Shackleford Ridge Park through Prentice Cooper State Forest and connect to several other Town parks. There are also miles of trails for hiking, running and mountain biking just north of the Town in Prentice Cooper State Forest. The Signal Mountain Historic District contains many early 20th century period homes and summer cottages on tree-lined streets. Banks, shopping, family restaurants, an athletic club, a country club and golf course, health care services, service stations are located in the town. Signal Mountain has two elementary schools and a state-of-the-art Middle/High School operated by the Hamilton County Department of Education. Signal Mountain is a great place to call home, offering all the amenities that its residents could need.
Walden
Town Hall
1836 Taft Highway
Signal Mountain 423-886-4362
https://waldentn.gov
Walden is a town with a population of just over 2100 residents. The town is situated on Walden’s Ridge, a section of the Cumberland Plateau. Walden is a rural area that servers as a bedroom community to Chattanooga. Many of the residents in the community commute to work in the city and other nearby communities. Walden has an enviable pace of life with a quiet community feel. Homes are mostly single family and owner occupied. All of the amenities of Chattanooga are close by, so residents don’t lack for anything they need. He town also has a small park and a community center where residents can gather for events and recreation.
