East Ridge, TN

This city of 22,067 residents needs 460 more housing units over the next five years. East Ridge is part of the Chattanooga-Hamilton County/North Georgia Metropolitan Planning Organization.

Housing snapshot

Population
22,067 (2026)
Households
9,633
Median household income
$67,870 (2026)
Typical home value
$256,592
Owner-occupied
53%
Five-year housing need
460 units

Comparison to other Tennessee municipalities

East Ridge: $67,870 Median income (2026 estimate)
<$17K >$127K
East Ridge: 0.63 jobs to household ratio
<0.03 >3.39
East Ridge: Permits since 2021 represent 1.9% of housing
<0.1% >20%
On this page

How affordable is this community?

At $256,592, typical home prices in East Ridge, TN are close to the Tennessee average of $256,797. East Ridge, TN's median household income of $67,870 puts the typical home within reach for most households.

This chart tracks whether housing prices are keeping pace with local incomes. The gap between what homes cost and what households can afford reveals affordability trends over time.

How is the population changing?

East Ridge, TN has a population of roughly 22,070 that has been largely stable in recent years.

Population growth patterns reveal how communities are evolving. This chart shows historical population changes by age group and projects future trends based on demographic patterns.

How has employment changed over time?

Jobs by industry sector since 2012. Switch between local jobs — counted where the jobs are located — and resident jobs, counted where the workers live. On the local view the most recent year is a nowcast: it grows the latest local LODES job mix forward using recent county employment growth from QCEW and the BLS local employment series, so the newest point tracks today's economy instead of data that is roughly two years old.

How are households changing by income?

East Ridge, TN has roughly 9,633 households and a population that has been largely stable in recent years.

Understanding how households at different income levels are growing or declining helps identify which groups face the greatest housing pressure and where new housing is most needed.

Who lives here today?

In East Ridge, TN, detached single-family accounts for 68% of the housing stock. East Ridge, TN is roughly split between owners and renters, at 53% owner-occupied.

Households may have different structure type preferences depending on characteristics such as household size, income, employment, presence of children, age of individuals, and lifestyle choices. Understanding the housing stock in corresponding terms helps assess how well existing units align with existing households' ideals.

What does the housing stock look like?

The mix of housing types and ownership patterns shapes a community's character. This chart breaks down housing units by structure type and whether they're owner-occupied or rented.

How much new housing supply is needed?

To keep up with growth and fill current housing shortages, East Ridge, TN needs 460 new units over the next 5 years.

121
Units needed to keep up with expected growth
Projected total household growth from 2026 to 2031.
1.3%
Projected household growth rate
Expected increase in total households from 9,633 in 2026 to 9,754 in 2031.
339
Units to address shortages in existing housing stock
Production needs to address vacancy rates and other factors.
126
Replacement housing
Effective annual loss rate is 2.4 per 1,000 units.
213
Rental vacancy adjustment
Rental vacancy is 2.7%. This is below the minimum stable target of 7.4%.
460
Total 5-year housing production need (2026-2031)
92
Annual production pace
Average units needed per year to meet 5-year need
4.4%
Total housing unit growth
Percent increase in housing stock over 5 years
0.9%
Annual housing unit growth
Average percent increase in housing stock per year

How does this place compare to similar communities?