Chattanooga is a city located in Hamilton County, Tennessee in the United
States of America. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of
155,554. It is the county seat of Hamilton County6. The second largest
campus of the University of Tennessee System is in Chattanooga. It is also
the corporate headquarters and home of Krystal, the hamburger chain, and
Miller Ind., the largest tow truck manufacturer in the world. In addition to
being the home of Miller Ind. Chattanooga is also the birthplace of the tow
truck, which was invented and improved on by the Holmes Company. It is also
home of the International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum.
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.
Chattanooga has traditionally marketed its tourist spots very
aggressively, including its large aquarium, caverns, and developments along
the Tennessee River. The red-and-black painted barns along highways in the
Southeast painted with the words "See Rock City" are remnants of a tourism
campaign to attract visitors to a tourist attraction in nearby Lookout
Mountain, Georgia. Chattanooga maintains a rivalry with the other major city
of East Tennessee, Knoxville.
Geography
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 km˛ (143.2 mi˛). 350.2 km˛ (135.2 mi˛) of it is land and 20.6 km˛ (8.0
mi˛) 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. 4 vehicular bridges,
1 railroad bridge, and one pedestrian bridge cross the river.
Demographics
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/km˛
(1,150.5/mi˛). There are 72,108 housing units at an average density of
205.9/km˛ (533.3/mi˛). The racial makeup of the city is 59.71% White, 36.06%
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 people living in poverty, 27.0% are under the age of 18 and 13.8% are
65 or older.
