Hamilton County, Tennessee

Hamilton County
Hamilton County Courthouse in Chattanooga
Hamilton County Courthouse in Chattanooga
Flag of Hamilton County
Official seal of Hamilton County
Map of Tennessee highlighting Hamilton County
Location within the U.S. state of Tennessee
Map of the United States highlighting Tennessee
Tennessee's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 35°11′N 85°10′W / 35.18°N 85.17°W / 35.18; -85.17
Country United States
State Tennessee
FoundedOctober 25, 1819
Named forAlexander Hamilton[1]
SeatChattanooga
Largest cityChattanooga
Government
 • County MayorWeston Wamp (R)[2]
Area
 • Total576 sq mi (1,490 km2)
 • Land542 sq mi (1,400 km2)
 • Water33 sq mi (90 km2)  5.8%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total366,207 Increase
 • Estimate 
(2023)
379,864 Increase
 • Density620/sq mi (240/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district3rd
Websitewww.hamiltontn.gov

Hamilton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Tennessee. It is located in the southern part of East Tennessee on the border with Georgia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 366,207,[3] making it the fourth-most populous county in Tennessee. Its county seat is Chattanooga, located along the Tennessee River.[4] The county was named for Alexander Hamilton, the first secretary of the treasury.

Hamilton County is one of 95 counties within Tennessee.[5] Hamilton County is part of the Chattanooga, TN-GA Metropolitan Statistical Area. The county was created on October 25, 1819.[6] Hamilton County expanded to meet the state line with Georgia after absorbing parts of three different counties including Bledsoe, Marion, and Rhea. Part of the traditional Cherokee homeland, the county was created after the Cherokee signed a treaty in 1817 with the United States and ceded land north of the Hiwassee River. In the 21st century, Hamilton County is the eighth-highest income Tennessee location by per capita income ($26,588).

  1. ^ John Wilson, "Hamilton County," Tennessee Encyclopedia of History and Culture. Retrieved: October 16, 2013.
  2. ^ WDEFAdmin (May 4, 2022). "Weston Wamp narrowly wins Republican nod for Hamilton County Mayor". WDEF. Retrieved January 17, 2024.
  3. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved December 2, 2013.
  4. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  5. ^ "County Outline Map". www.tn.gov. Retrieved April 18, 2019.
  6. ^ "Hamilton County Community Information". www.hamiltontn.gov. Retrieved April 18, 2019.