1st Advantage MortgageThe median Bradley County household earns $66,552, and 13% of residents live below the poverty line. Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in Tennessee before sharing details.
On this page
- Getting oriented in Bradley County
- Household income in Bradley County
- Work, industries and travel time in Bradley County
- Renting and owning in Bradley County
- Towns and communities in Bradley County
- Counties near Bradley County
- More Bradley County figures
- What the numbers mean for Bradley County borrowers
- Budget math at the Bradley County median
- Four steps for Bradley County borrowers
- Who licenses lenders for Bradley County residents
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Bradley County
Bradley County is home to about 111,065 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 13th most populous of 95 county-level areas in Tennessee. Packed into 329 square miles, that is close to 338 residents for every square mile of land. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Cleveland, TN metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. Cleveland is the biggest of its 7 Census places, at roughly 48,829 people (44% of the county total).
Household income in Bradley County
Half of Bradley County households take in less than $66,552 a year and half take in more, 4% below the Tennessee median of $69,595. That places it 22nd among Tennessee's 95 county-level areas.
| Households earning | Bradley County | +/- vs Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 25.8% | +1.7 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 44.8% | +2.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 23.4% | -1.1 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.0% | -3.0 pts |
About 26% of households earn under $35,000, while 29% clear $100,000. Census counts 12.7% of Bradley County residents in poverty, against 13.8% across Tennessee. A household earning below the $66,552 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Work, industries and travel time in Bradley County
Education and health care employs 23% of working residents, the largest share; manufacturing is next with 18%. Manufacturing stands out: 18% of workers here, versus 13% statewide. Averaged over the five survey years, 6.6% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 11% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 9% work from home.
| Industry | Share of Bradley County workers | vs Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 22.9% | +0.5 pts |
| Manufacturing | 18.5% | +5.9 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.0% | +0.4 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.5% | -1.4 pts |
| Other services | 7.2% | +2.4 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 7.1% | -3.6 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Renting and owning in Bradley County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $1,030 in Bradley County versus $1,189 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 45% of renter households here. With a median value of $261,900, a typical Bradley County house costs 3.9 times what the median household earns in a year. Owners occupy 67% of homes.
| Cost | Bradley County | Tennessee figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,030/mo | $1,189/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $261,900 | $286,700 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 67% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 45% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 23% | 25% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 8.8% | 8.1% | n/a |
Towns and communities in Bradley County
Here are the 7 most populous of the county's 7 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 59% of Bradley County residents live in one of the 7. McDonald has the highest median household income on the list ($95,698) and East Cleveland the lowest ($48,878), counting places with at least 500 residents. Rent is cheapest in South Cleveland ($845) and steepest in Hopewell ($1,296). This guide covers each of the 7 places and the rural areas around them.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland | city | 48,829 | $58,559 | $1,034 | 2 mi |
| South Cleveland | CDP | 7,452 | $66,601 | $845 | 4 mi |
| Wildwood Lake | CDP | 3,495 | $62,722 | $972 | 5 mi |
| Hopewell | CDP | 2,634 | $87,842 | $1,296 | 7 mi |
| East Cleveland | CDP | 1,934 | $48,878 | $911 | 0 mi |
| Charleston | city | 956 | $72,763 | $881 | 11 mi |
| McDonald | CDP | 712 | $95,698 | n/a | 8 mi |
Counties near Bradley County
Polk County is closest, 18 miles from center to center; the sixth, Whitfield County, is 25 miles off. Hamilton County leads the group on income ($76,183), Meigs County trails ($61,375), and Bradley County out-earns 3 of the six. The list crosses into Georgia, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bradley County | - | $66,552 | $1,030/mo | 67% |
| Polk County, TN | 18 mi | $62,522 | $676/mo | 84% |
| Hamilton County, TN | 19 mi | $76,183 | $1,253/mo | 64% |
| McMinn County, TN | 23 mi | $61,470 | $803/mo | 76% |
| Catoosa County, GA | 24 mi | $74,639 | $993/mo | 74% |
| Meigs County, TN | 25 mi | $61,375 | $875/mo | 81% |
| Whitfield County, GA | 25 mi | $67,070 | $971/mo | 67% |
More Bradley County figures
College graduates make up 24% of the adult population. The uninsured rate is 10.1%, against 10.0% for Tennessee.
| Indicator | Bradley County | All of Tennessee | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.5 | 38.9 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 24.4% | 31.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 11.3% | 10.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 10.1% | 10.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.3% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 9.1% | 12.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 12.7% | 13.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 6.6% | 4.7% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Bradley County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 31.5% |
| 15 to 29 min | 37.8% |
| 30 to 44 min | 19.4% |
| 45 to 59 min | 6.3% |
| 60+ min | 5.1% |
What the numbers mean for Bradley County borrowers
Where the Bradley County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Health costs. With 10% of the county uninsured, an interest-free hospital payment plan usually beats a loan (medical bills).
- Rent squeeze. 45% of renters spend 30%+ of income on rent; borrow only if the loan cuts what you pay overall.
- Paperwork. ID, proof of income and a bank account are the basics (requirements).
Budget math at the Bradley County median
Bradley County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Start: $5,546 gross per month ($66,552 / 12)
- 19% goes to median rent ($1,030)
- 36% debt-to-income limit: $967 left for all other debt payments
- Under a 43% cap, $2,385 total minus rent leaves $1,355
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Four steps for Bradley County borrowers
Quick steps for Bradley County:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- A Tennessee license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
Who licenses lenders for Bradley County residents
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Bradley County, check the Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. More on Tennessee: Tennessee personal loans.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Tennessee guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Bradley County earn?
The median is $66,552; 29% earn $100,000 or more and 26% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
Is Bradley County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $1,030 against $1,189 statewide, and 45% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Does this page cover Cleveland?
Yes, along with the other 6 Census places in Bradley County, such as South Cleveland, Wildwood Lake, Hopewell.
Can Bradley County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every Tennessee county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.
Is there a Bradley County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In Tennessee it is the Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions.