Hamilton County, Tennessee
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, making it the fourth-most populous county in Tennessee. Its county seat is Chattanooga, located along the Tennessee River. The county was named for Alexander Hamilton, the first secretary of the treasury.
Hamilton County | |
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Hamilton County Courthouse in Chattanooga | |
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Flag Seal | |
Location within the U.S. state of Tennessee | |
Tennessee's location within the U.S. | |
| Coordinates: 35.18°N 85.17°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Tennessee |
| Founded | October 25, 1819 |
| Named for | Alexander Hamilton |
| Seat | Chattanooga |
| Largest city | Chattanooga |
| Government | |
| • County Mayor | Weston Wamp (R) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 576 sq mi (1,490 km2) |
| • Land | 542 sq mi (1,400 km2) |
| • Water | 33 sq mi (90 km2) 5.8% |
| Population (2020) | |
| • Total | 366,207 |
| • Estimate (2023) | 379,864 |
| • Density | 620/sq mi (240/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional district | 3rd |
| Website | www |
Hamilton County is one of 95 counties within Tennessee. Hamilton County is part of the Chattanooga, TN-GA Metropolitan Statistical Area. The county was created on October 25, 1819. 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).