Chattanooga, TN Demographics

A map of Chattanooga's Population by Race

Chattanooga, Tennessee has an estimated population of 185,783, a slight increase from the 181,099 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 55.5% White, 27.6% Black, 10.0% Hispanic, 4.3% Multiracial, 2.3% Asian, and 0.4% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Chattanooga, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Chattanooga is about as racially diverse as it was in the 2020 Census. It is considerably more diverse than Tennessee overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Chattanooga, that probability was 60.7% in 2020 and 60.4% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Chattanooga is ranked the 4th most populous place in Tennessee, out of 504 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Chattanooga was ranked the 4th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Chattanooga's White Population

103,085 residents of Chattanooga, or 55.5% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Chattanooga is significantly lower than in Tennessee overall, where 71% of the population is White. Chattanooga ranks 481st statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 504 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Chattanooga's White population has grown by an estimated 4.2%. White residents' share of Chattanooga's population has increased from 54.7% to 55.5%.

Chattanooga is less White than neighboring Ridgeside (91.4% White), Red Bank (80.4% White), East Ridge (66% White), Lakeview (87.1% White), and Rossville (83.8% White).

Chattanooga's Black Population

51,198 residents of Chattanooga, or 27.6% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Chattanooga is considerably higher than in Tennessee overall, where 15.4% of the population is Black. Chattanooga ranks 22nd statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 504 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Chattanooga's Black population has declined by an estimated 2.3%. Black residents' share of Chattanooga's population has decreased from 28.9% to 27.6%.

Chattanooga is more Black than neighboring Ridgeside (1.1% Black), Red Bank (6.1% Black), East Ridge (11.1% Black), Lakeview (1.6% Black), and Rossville (3.5% Black).

Chattanooga's Asian Population

4,187 residents of Chattanooga, or 2.3% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Chattanooga is comparable to the share in Tennessee overall, where 1.9% of the population is Asian. Chattanooga ranks 23rd statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 504 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Chattanooga's Asian population has declined by an estimated 15.5%. Asian residents' share of Chattanooga's population has remained roughly unchanged at 2.3%.

Chattanooga is more Asian than neighboring Ridgeside (0.5% Asian), Red Bank (1.7% Asian), East Ridge (1.4% Asian), Lakeview (0.5% Asian), and Rossville (0% Asian).

Chattanooga's Hispanic Population

18,563 residents of Chattanooga, or 10.0% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Chattanooga is slightly higher than in Tennessee overall, where 7.4% of the population is Hispanic. Chattanooga ranks 41st statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 504 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Chattanooga's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 12.0%. Hispanic residents' share of Chattanooga's population has increased from 9.2% to 10.0%.

Chattanooga is more Hispanic than neighboring Ridgeside (5.8% Hispanic), Red Bank (7.7% Hispanic), Lakeview (4.9% Hispanic), and Rossville (7.2% Hispanic). Chattanooga is less Hispanic than neighboring East Ridge (16.5% Hispanic).

Chattanooga's Native American/Other Population

765 residents of Chattanooga, or 0.4% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Chattanooga is comparable to the share in Tennessee overall, where 0.6% of the population is Native American/Other. Chattanooga ranks 182nd statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 504 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Chattanooga's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 35.2%. Native American/Other residents' share of Chattanooga's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.4%.

Chattanooga is more Native American/Other than neighboring Ridgeside (0% Native American/Other), Red Bank (0.2% Native American/Other), Lakeview (0% Native American/Other), and Rossville (0% Native American/Other). Chattanooga is less Native American/Other than neighboring East Ridge (1.2% Native American/Other).

Chattanooga's Multiracial Population

7,985 residents of Chattanooga, or 4.3% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Chattanooga is comparable to the share in Tennessee overall, where 3.7% of the population is Multiracial. Chattanooga ranks 241st statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 504 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Chattanooga's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 13.7%. Multiracial residents' share of Chattanooga's population has remained roughly unchanged at 4.3%.

Chattanooga is more Multiracial than neighboring Ridgeside (1.3% Multiracial), Red Bank (3.9% Multiracial), and East Ridge (3.8% Multiracial). Chattanooga is less Multiracial than neighboring Lakeview (5.9% Multiracial), and Rossville (5.5% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.