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Voters split on whether Hamilton County’s growth is happening too fast

Staff photo by Abby White / Apartments being built by CNE are seen in Highland Park on Dec. 10, 2024. A Times Free Press survey of voters found that respondents were largely split on whether they thought the county's growth is going too fast or at the right pace. Staff photo by Abby White / Apartments being built by CNE are seen in Highland Park on Dec. 10, 2024. A Times Free Press survey of voters found that respondents were largely split on whether they thought the county's growth is going too fast or at the right pace.

By Ellen Gerst December 26, 2024 9 min read

Hamilton County is growing, and its residents are split on whether it’s happening at the right rate.

About 47% of voters surveyed in November said they feel the county is growing too fast, and another 46% said they feel it’s growing at the right pace, according to a Chattanooga Times Free Press survey of nearly 500 voters. Around 7% said they felt growth was too slow.

Among voters who felt that growth is moving too fast, many said they’ve noticed traffic getting worse and a lag between new housing and the infrastructure – including roads and schools – that new developments necessitate.

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The Chattanooga Times Free Press surveyed 491 randomly selected Hamilton County voters on Election Day and during each day of early voting.