You know that feeling when you love where you live so much that you simultaneously want everyone to know how fantastic it is and also want to keep it a secret so it doesn’t become overrun with people and lose its charm?

If so, congratulations — you’re a Chattanoogan. 👏

Ultimately, we enjoy having new people share the Chattanooga-love, and it’s a good thing we do because people are moving to the Volunteer State + to Gig City.

Exhibit A:

In 2020, more people rented U-Hauls to move to Tennessee than any other state in the country.
Arrivals of one-way U-Haul trucks into Tennessee jumped 12% while departures rose only 9% over 2019.
East and Central Tennessee saw the most people moving in.

Exhibit B:

In 2017, Chattanooga’s population growth was the largest of Tennessee’s big four cities (Nashville, Knoxville, Memphis + Chattanooga) with a gain of 2,000 people from 2016-2017.
Between 2010-2018, Chattanooga’s growth rate (at 5.96%) surpassed the U.S. growth rate, according to the Chattanooga Times Free Press.
Between 2010 + 2019, the Chattanooga population grew 7.3%.

Why and from where?

The United Van Lines’ National Migration Study shows where and why Americans moved in the year 2020.

This study found 60% inbound moves and 40% outbound migration in 2020. | Screenshot

That report showed that most people are coming here for a job, family reasons, or to retire.

And, according to the U-haul report, people are moving here for the business-friendly environment + Southern hospitality. The fact that the state doesn’t have an income tax helps too.

Now, want to see something else cool?

The U.S. Census Bureau has this great tool that lets you see exactly how many people moved and from where between 2014-2018. Check out how many people moved here from Catoosa County.

This map shows that 863 people moved from Catoosa County, Georgia, to Hamilton County. | Screenshot

And, Hamilton County is drawing people from across the nation, including California, Texas, and Northeastern states.

More than 200 people moved from San Bernardino County to Hamilton County during a five-year period.

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