The population growth of Chattanooga and the surrounding area since 2020 has lagged behind most other major urban centers in Tennessee, according to recent figures released by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Sitting at a growth rate of 3% since 2020, the Chattanooga metropolitan statistical area — which includes Hamilton, Marion, Sequatchie, Dade, Walker and Catoosa counties — ranks behind the metro areas of Clarksville, Knoxville and Nashville.
Chattanooga’s growth did outpace Memphis, whose population has shrunk by 0.8% since 2020.
As of July 2023, the Chattanooga area, at a population of just under 581,000, is the fourth most populous behind Nashville, Memphis and Knoxville.
Clarksville, however, is poised to surpass Chattanooga in the coming years, the Chattanooga Times Free Press has reported.