Chattanooga, TN town hall & government
Chattanooga spent $1.4 billion in the year to June 30, 2024, about $7,740 per resident.
Where the money goes, where it comes from, property taxes, and how to reach Chattanooga's government.
Who runs Chattanooga
From public records (Open States and Wikidata), which can lag behind an election. If a name is out of date, tell us: when two neighbors agree, it's hidden until the records catch up.
Where Chattanooga's money goes
Where the money comes from
- Utility sales 51%
- Fees & charges 18%
- Property taxes 12%
- From other local governments 7%
- From the state 4%
- Interest, fines & other 3%
- From the federal government 3%
- Sales taxes 1%
- Other taxes & licenses 1%
Who works for Chattanooga
Staff on the town's payroll in March 2025. Pay is March payroll times twelve, so it's approximate.
Hamilton County School District
Chattanooga's K–12 school district, shared with Collegedale, East Ridge, Lakesite, Lookout Mountain, Red Bank and Ridgeside. It is its own government, with a budget separate from the town's.
Where the district's money comes from Tennessee districts overall: 40% local, 44% state, 16% federal
- Local 50%
- State 34%
- Federal 16%
Of the $16,443 per pupil, $10,089 goes to classroom instruction (teachers, aides, supplies); the rest to support services such as buses, buildings, counselors and administration. Building projects and debt payments aren't in the per-pupil figure.
Which schools Chattanooga kids attend, test scores and graduation rate →
What homeowners in Chattanooga pay
The median yearly bill homeowners report, covering every local property tax on the home (town, schools, county). The effective rate is that bill divided by the median home value, so it's a rough guide, not the official tax rate.
Contact Chattanooga's government
Who represents Chattanooga
Chattanooga is represented in Congress by Senators Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty and Representative Charles J. "Chuck" Fleischmann. Bill Lee is governor.
Budget: U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 Census of Governments: Finance (every city and town government's revenue, spending and debt, grouped into plain categories). Property tax: Census American Community Survey, 5-year estimates.