Chattanooga is the fourth-largest city in Tennessee (behind Memphis, Nashville and Knoxville), and the seat of Hamilton County, Tennessee in the United States of America. According to data from the 2000 census, Chattanooga had a population of 155,554 in the city proper and 476,531 in the metropolitan area.
Located in Southeast Tennessee on the Tennessee River, near the border of Georgia, and at the junction of three interstate highways, transportation has always been an important aspect of Chattanooga's development.
The city is probably best known for the 1941 big-band swing song "Chattanooga Choo Choo" by Glenn Miller, but it has grown significantly since its days as a railroad hub and industrial center.
Owing to its industrial background, the city is currently fighting a major battle against air pollution. A new weapon in this battle is the institution of mandatory emissions testing for all automobiles weighing less than 10,500 pounds, which has been mandated by the state government.
The city is located at latitude 35°4' North, longitude 85°15' West.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 370.8 km2 (143.2 mi2). 350.2 km2 (135.2 mi2) of it is land and 20.6 km2 (8.0 mi2) of it is water. The total area is 5.56% water.
The most prominent natural features in and around Chattanooga are the Tennessee River and the surrounding mountains. A Tennessee Valley Authority dam creates Chickamauga Lake north of the downtown area. Five automobile bridges, one railroad trestle, and one pedestrian bridge cross the river.
Transport is served by Interstate 75 to Atlanta and Knoxville, Interstate 24 to Nashville, and Interstate 59 to Birmingham. Chattanooga and the surrounding area is served by Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport. Rail freight is offered by CSX and Norfolk Southern.
As of the census of 2000, there are 155,554 people, 65,499 households, and 39,626 families residing in the city. The population density is 444.2/km2 (1,150.5/mi2). There are 72,108 housing units at an average density of 205.9/km2 (533.3/mi2). The racial makeup of the city is 59.71% White, 36.06% Black or African American, 0.29% Native American, 1.54% Asian, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 1.01% from other races, and 1.30% from two or more races. 2.11% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 65,499 households out of which 25.3% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.2% are married couples living together, 17.3% have a female householder with no husband present, and 39.5% are non-families. 33.5% of all households are made up of individuals and 11.6% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.29 and the average family size is 2.92.
In the city the population is spread out with 22.4% under the age of 18, 10.8% from 18 to 24, 28.8% from 25 to 44, 22.8% from 45 to 64, and 15.2% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 37 years. For every 100 females there are 89.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 85.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $32,006, and the median income for a family is $41,318. Males have a median income of $31,375 versus $23,267 for females. The per capita income for the city is $19,689. 17.9% of the population and 14.0% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 27.0% of those under the age of 18 and 13.8% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
The local economy includes a diversified mix of manufacturing and service industries, four colleges, and several preparatory schools. "Sustainability" is a key concept for Chattanooga's development, especially after the crash of the industrial due to overseas labor.
Chattanooga is the corporate headquarters and home of Olan Mills, Rock Creek Outfitters, Krystal, CBL & Associates, Chattem, Covenant Transport, U.S. Xpress, Inc (the 4th largest trucking company in the U.S.), National Model Railroad Association, UnumProvident, The Chattanooga Bakery (home of the Moon pie), and Miller Industries, the largest tow truck manufacturer in the world. Following the city's industrial decline, many businesses in the banking and insurance industries set up operations in Chattanooga. The city is home to large branch offices of Cigna, Blue Cross, AT&T and UBS. In addition to the above, other major employers are the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), ALSTOM Power, Inc., Erlanger and T.C. Thompson's Children's Hospital, and the Hamilton County Board of Education.
The city boasts the most productive affordable housing program in the nation. Chattanooga is notable for leveraging development funds through effective public private partnerships, and has significant civic involvement. It was one of the first US cities to effectively use a citizen visioning process to set specific long-range goals to enrich the lives of residents and visitors.
In addition to corporate business interests, there are many retail shops in Chattanooga, both downtown and in the outlying neighborhoods. There are three shopping malls in the area: Northgate Mall in Hixson, Eastgate Town Center in Brainerd, and Hamilton Place Mall in East Brainerd. There is also a large outlet mall downtown.
Originally founded by John Ross as Ross's Landing in 1816 as a center for Cherokee trade, it was renamed Chattanooga in 1838 after their departure on the Trail of Tears. During the American Civil War on November 23, 1863, the Battle of Chattanooga III began when Union forces led by General Ulysses S. Grant reinforced troops at Chattanooga and counter-attacked Confederate troops. The next day the Battle of Lookout Mountain was fought near the town. These were followed the next spring by the Atlanta Campaign, beginning just over the nearby state line in Georgia and moving southeastward.
In more modern times, the city has received national recognition for the renaissance of its once dilapidated downtown and redevelopment of its riverfront. An early cornerstone of this project was the restoration of the historic Walnut Street Bridge, which is now the world's second-longest pedestrian bridge behind the Shelby Street Bridge in Nashville, Tennessee.
In 1935, as well as from 1993 to 1995, Chattanooga hosted the National Folk Festival
Source:
ChattanoogaTennessee.com
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