1st Advantage MortgageAbout 74% of Catoosa County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $74,639. Use those as context only. A lender looks at your own documented income and debts; compare APR and total repaid on every Catoosa County offer.
On this page
- Catoosa County in brief
- Jobs and commutes in Catoosa County
- What Catoosa County households earn
- Where Catoosa County differs from the rest of Georgia
- Rent, home values and ownership in Catoosa County
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Catoosa County
- The counties around Catoosa County
- More Catoosa County figures
- $6,220 a month: the Catoosa County median budget
- Before borrowing in Catoosa County
- Georgia lender licensing
- Four steps for Catoosa County borrowers
- Other Georgia guides
- Frequently asked questions
Catoosa County in brief
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Catoosa County's population at 68,634; only 37 of Georgia's 159 county-level areas are larger. It covers 162 square miles of land, or about 423 people per square mile. Catoosa County counts toward the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro in the 2023 OMB delineation, so regional figures for Chattanooga, TN-GA include it. Of the 4 Census places inside Catoosa County, Fort Oglethorpe leads by population with about 10,416; 2 of the 4 are incorporated.
Jobs and commutes in Catoosa County
Top Catoosa County industry by residents employed: education and health care, 22%; second, manufacturing, 14%. Catoosa County over-indexes on construction: 11% versus 7% in Georgia. The survey's unemployment rate for Catoosa County averages 4.3% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 5.1%). 8% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 10% work from home. No car: 4.3% of Catoosa County households.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Catoosa County | Gap to Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 21.7% | +0.7 pts |
| Manufacturing | 13.7% | +3.7 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.0% | +0.7 pts |
| Construction | 11.2% | +4.2 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 8.6% | +1.3 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 7.9% | -5.7 pts |
Self-employed in Catoosa County? Two years of tax returns usually stand in for pay stubs.
What Catoosa County households earn
$74,639 is the median household income for Catoosa County, set against $77,353 for Georgia. That places it 36th among Georgia's 159 county-level areas.
| Household income | Catoosa County | vs Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 21.3% | -0.9 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.7% | +3.2 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 28.5% | +2.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 7.5% | -4.3 pts |
About 21% of households earn under $35,000, while 36% clear $100,000. Poverty rate, Catoosa County: 9.9%; Georgia: 13.4%. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Catoosa County median.
Where Catoosa County differs from the rest of Georgia
The 3 Catoosa County numbers that rank furthest from typical in Georgia, and what each means for a borrower:
- The share of commutes over 45 minutes: 8% in Catoosa County. Only 7 of 159 Georgia counties are lower. Short commutes keep vehicle costs down, which can free up room for savings.
- On the housing vacancy rate, Catoosa County sits near the bottom of Georgia at 7%, 18th lowest of 159. Low vacancy tends to push rents up over time.
- On the poverty rate, Catoosa County sits near the bottom of Georgia at 9.9%, 22nd lowest of 159. A low poverty rate does not mean every budget has room; test the payment.
Rent, home values and ownership in Catoosa County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $993 in Catoosa County versus $1,393 statewide. About 4 in 10 Catoosa County renters pay 30% or more of income for rent. Median value $240,900; median income $74,639; ratio 3.2. In Catoosa County, 74% of occupied homes are owned by the people living in them. Half the housing stock was built before 1993.
| Cost | Catoosa County | Georgia figure | Higher or lower |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $993/mo | $1,393/mo | 29% lower |
| Median home value | $240,900 | $303,300 | 21% lower |
| Owners | 74% | 66% | +8.6 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 43% | 52% | -9.0 pts |
| Burdened owners | 22% | 26% | -4.6 pts |
| Mobile homes | 9.0% | 7.8% | +1.1 pts |
| Vacant units | 7% | 10% | -3.6 pts |
Because most Catoosa County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral.
Cities, towns and CDPs in Catoosa County
20,644 of Catoosa County's 68,634 residents live in its 4 Census places (30%); the 4 largest are listed. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $42,583 in Ringgold to $81,346 in Indian Springs. Median rent ranges from $937 in Fort Oglethorpe to $1,160 in Indian Springs. None of the 4 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Oglethorpe | city | 10,416 | $51,867 | $937 | 6 mi |
| Lakeview | CDP | 4,723 | $61,405 | $1,014 | 8 mi |
| Ringgold | city | 3,435 | $42,583 | $956 | 1 mi |
| Indian Springs | CDP | 2,070 | $81,346 | $1,160 | 4 mi |
CDP: census-designated place, an unincorporated community mapped for statistics.
The counties around Catoosa County
Six nearby counties, 12 to 24 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. 1 of the six report a higher median household income than Catoosa County; Hamilton County is highest at $76,183 and Walker County lowest at $59,469. The list crosses into Tennessee, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catoosa County | - | $74,639 | $993/mo | 74% |
| Whitfield County, GA | 12 mi | $67,070 | $971/mo | 67% |
| Walker County, GA | 15 mi | $59,469 | $940/mo | 77% |
| Hamilton County, TN | 19 mi | $76,183 | $1,253/mo | 64% |
| Dade County, GA | 21 mi | $64,568 | $829/mo | 80% |
| Bradley County, TN | 24 mi | $66,552 | $1,030/mo | 67% |
| Murray County, GA | 24 mi | $69,253 | $857/mo | 74% |
More Catoosa County figures
College graduates make up 24% of the adult population. About 11% go without health insurance.
| People and households | Catoosa County | Compared with Georgia | Compared with median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 24.2% | -10.7 pts | +2.1 pts |
| Work from home | 9.6% | -6.3 pts | +1.0 pts |
| Poverty rate | 9.9% | -3.5 pts | -3.3 pts |
| Median age | 40.8 | +3.2 yrs | -0.7 yrs |
| No vehicle | 4.3% | -1.6 pts | -1.1 pts |
| No health insurance | 11.0% | -1.4 pts | +3.2 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.3% | -0.9 pts | -0.1 pts |
| No high school diploma | 10.3% | -0.5 pts | n/a |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 21.3% |
| 15 to 29 min | 42.9% |
| 30 to 44 min | 27.6% |
| 45 to 59 min | 4.1% |
| 60+ min | 4.1% |
$6,220 a month: the Catoosa County median budget
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Catoosa County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- Start: $6,220 gross per month ($74,639 / 12)
- Housing at the median rent of $993 uses 16%
- With a 43% ceiling, about $1,682 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
If your rent is above $993, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Before borrowing in Catoosa County
A few patterns in the Catoosa County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Uninsured care. 11% lack coverage here; nonprofit hospitals must publish an assistance policy, so ask for it first (guide).
- Getting ready. Gather pay stubs or benefit letters before you apply (checklist).
- Combining balances. It helps when total cost falls and the cards stay paid down (consolidation).
Georgia lender licensing
The Georgia Department of Banking and Finance is the place to verify any lender's Georgia license. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. The Georgia page has statewide figures to set beside Catoosa County's.
Four steps for Catoosa County borrowers
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
Other Georgia guides
No city in Catoosa County has its own guide yet; the state page is next up.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Catoosa County earn?
The median is $74,639; 36% earn $100,000 or more and 21% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How much is rent in Catoosa County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $993 a month; 43% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
I own my home in Catoosa County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 74% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
Is Indian Springs covered?
Yes. Indian Springs is one of 4 Census places in Catoosa County, and this guide covers all of them.
Can Catoosa County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every Georgia county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.