Founded in 1835, Cleveland, Tennessee, is a small, family-friendly city known for its abundance of new homes and access to the outdoors. About 30 miles northeast of its larger neighbor, Chattanooga, Cleveland offers proximity to a larger metropolitan area as well as a suburban community and chain stores close to home. "The schools here are really highly rated and land is a lot more available than closer to Chattanooga, so it's a great place to raise a family," says Ryan King, a local Realtor with Keller Williams who lives nearby in Chattanooga.
Cleveland has historically been a hub for industry and manufacturing. In recent years, the city has attracted 12 large Fortune 500 manufacturers, including Whirlpool, Amazon and Jackson Furniture. These large manufacturers support the city’s economy and culture while also supporting a population increase from 32,000 in 1990 to over 49,000 people as of 2023.
Whirlpool is among the Fortune 500 manufacturers that are present in Cleveland.
Jackson Furniture is one of several manufacturing businesses providing jobs for Cleveland residents.
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Bradley County homes in a growing market
This increase in population has also led to a boom in Cleveland's housing market. "There's a lot of relocation here because property taxes are lower and there's no state income tax," King says. The median sales price has also risen to about $320,000 as of 2024, representing a 17% increase from the year before.
Homes in Cleveland date back to the early 1900s, with traditional and midcentury ranch-style homes complementing the city's naturally landscape. Neighborhoods like Annadale feature a mix of older styles and new construction. Deer Park is known for its recently built townhouses, while East Cleveland boasts wooded surroundings and large quarter to whole-acre lots.
Townhomes are among the home options found throughout the city of Cleveland.
Pockets of new construction homes can be found sprinkled across Cleveland.
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Heading outdoors in Tennessee's Ocoee Region
As the largest city in Bradley County, and the county seat, Cleveland is recognized for its access to an abundance of outdoor activities in Tennessee's countryside. "The Ocoee River is nearby, so residents can do all the hiking and river rafting they want. They even hosted the Olympic kayak and canoe slalom events here back in 1996," King says.
In addition to the nearby Cherokee National Forest, Cleveland Parks and Recreation maintains 12 parks throughout the city. Some of the most popular are the newly built Avery Johnson Park and the 18-acre soccer complex off Mouse Creek Road that's used by the Cleveland High Corner Kicks Club and Cleveland High School.
Cleveland's mild climate also makes it easy to get outside all year long. The area sees four seasons during the year and less than 4 inches of snow in the winter.
Ocoee River flows into Lake Ocoee giving Cleveland residents a unique opportunity for boating and fishing.
Avery Johnson Park provides a safe place for locals to spend quality time with their furry friends in Cleveland.
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Bradley County School District and nearby colleges
Bradley County School District is rated as the best school district in the Chattanooga Area, with an A-minus from Niche. The county serves more than 10,000 students across nine schools. The district offers the Bradley County Virtual School, an online option for third grade through 12th grades.
The city is home to three higher education institutions. Cleveland State Community College is a two year college that has programs in law enforcement, nursing and logistics and supply chain management. Pentecostal Theological Seminary offers training in Pentecostal ministry, while or Lee University is a small Christian school affiliated with The Church of God.
Residents within the Cleveland area can attend Church of God affiliate schools like Lee University.
Bradley County offers on site and virtual schooling options for Cleveland residents.
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Community gatherings hosted by the city of Cleveland
The city of Cleveland hosts numerous events throughout the year, but the largest is the annual Halloween Block Party. The block party draws in 20,000 people to the city and has live music, a costume contest, and plenty of food.
The Museum and Cultural Center at 5ive Points is free to the public and hosts six rotating exhibits dedicated to the history of Bradley County. It has cultural activities like creative workshops, music and education for children.
Those in Cleveland can attend the free Museum and Cultural Center at 5ive Points.
The Museum and Cultural Center at 5ive Points is a free attraction serving those in the Cleveland area.
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Lee Highway doubles as a retail center
Lee Highway is one of Cleveland's main throughfares and serves as a makeshift commercial hub. Residents can find a plethora of mom-and-pop shops like Ocoee Street Boutique and the veteran-owned Jenkins Restaurant and Deli. National brand chain restaurants and big-box stores line Lee Highway and Dalton Pike.
Jenkins Restaurant and Deli is a veteran owned restaurant in Cleveland.
TJ Maxx, Ulta, and other big box stores provide goods and services to Cleveland residents.
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Commuter times and driving on Interstate 75
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Cleveland is an entirely car-dependent city, and most commuters drive 26 minutes to work daily. Interstate 75 connects the 32 miles to Chattanooga, taking drivers there in just 40 minutes. "One good thing is there isn't much traffic since it's such a small town," King says.
The closest hospital is Bradley Medical Center on Chambliss Avenue. It serves the greater Southeast Tennessee area with 351 beds, an accredited Chest Pain Center and a 24-hour emergency care unit. The closest airport, Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport, is about 23 miles southwest of Cleveland with service throughout the Midwest and East Coast provided by major airlines like Delta and United.
Important to know
According to FBI Crime Data Explorer, Cleveland's overall crime rates are just over the national average. Rates for violent crimes have decreased by 40% since 2015, while rates for violent crimes have decreased by 50%.
Efforts by The Cleveland Police Department are also underway to further address crime, such as the Community Relations Unit, which helps to form a bridge between the community and Cleveland's officers. This unit is also responsible for managing social media and public housing for Cleveland's community.
Written By
Bayley Malo
Video By
Taylor Noll
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Cleveland by the Numbers
48,946
Population
45
Average Days on Market
Home Trends
Median Price (12 Mo)$310,000
Median Single Family Price$334,900
Average Price Per Sq Ft$191
Months Of Supply2
Demographics and Finance
Cost of Living-17%
Cost of living vs. national average
Median Household Income$49K
Lower than National Average$71K
% Owners48%
Lower than National Average63%
College Graduates26%
Lower than National Average34%
Cost of Living Comparison
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Top Schools in Cleveland, TN
Source:
Best Public Elementary Schools
#1 Candy's Creek Cherokee Elementary School
A-
Niche
#2 Michigan Avenue Elementary School
A
Niche
7
GreatSchools
#3 Donald P. Yates Primary School
B+
Niche
#4 Hopewell Elementary School
A-
Niche
6
GreatSchools
#5 Parkview Elementary School
B+
Niche
6
GreatSchools
#6 Charleston Elementary School
A-
Niche
5
GreatSchools
#7 North Lee Elementary School
A-
Niche
5
GreatSchools
#8 Black Fox Elementary School
B+
Niche
5
GreatSchools
#9 Ernest L. Ross Elementary School
B
Niche
5
GreatSchools
Best Public Middle Schools
#1 Ocoee Middle School
B+
Niche
5
GreatSchools
#2 Lake Forest Middle School
B+
Niche
4
GreatSchools
#3 Cleveland Middle School
B
Niche
3
GreatSchools
#4 Bradley County Virtual School
C+
Niche
4
GreatSchools
#5 GOAL Academy
1
GreatSchools
Best Public High Schools
#1 Walker Valley High School
A-
Niche
6
GreatSchools
#2 Cleveland High School
B+
Niche
6
GreatSchools
#3 Bradley Central High School
B-
Niche
4
GreatSchools
#4 Bradley County Virtual School
C+
Niche
4
GreatSchools
#5 GOAL Academy
1
GreatSchools
#6 Cleveland State Community College
Best Private Schools
#1 Tennessee Christian Preparatory School
A-
Niche
#2 Cleveland Christian School
B-
Niche
#3 Bowman Hills School
#4 Cleveland Academy
#5 First Baptist Weekday Ministry
#6 Harvest Chr Academy
#7 Landmark Christian Day School
#8 Lee University’s Development Inclusion Classroom
Kathryn is a dedicated real estate agent based in Chattanooga, TN, with over three years of experience helping clients navigate the dynamic housing market. Her passion for real estate is matched only by her commitment to providing exceptional, personalized service. Whether you're buying or selling, Kathryn takes the time to listen to your needs, ensuring that each interaction is thoughtful and tailored to your unique situation.
What sets Kathryn apart is her unwavering focus on solving the challenges her clients face. Her keen understanding of the local market, paired with her expert negotiation skills, allows her to identify the best opportunities and act swiftly. She works relentlessly to ensure that each transaction is seamless, offering her clients peace of mind every step of the way. Whether you're a first-time homebuyer or a seasoned investor, Kathryn is dedicated to finding the perfect fit for you, as quickly and efficiently as possible.
As someone who truly cares about her clients, Kathryn goes beyond just facilitating a transaction—she builds lasting relationships. Her goal is to make every client feel supported and valued, providing not only the knowledge and resources needed to succeed but also a caring touch that makes the process easier and more enjoyable. If you're looking for a real estate agent who puts your needs first and is committed to your success, Kathryn is the trusted partner you need in Chattanooga.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
