McMinn County, Tennessee has a strategic location for business along I-75 between Knoxville and Chattanooga. It's approximately 430 square miles is perfectly situated in the center of the regional amenities of either metro area, as well as the natural beauty of the foothills of the Smoky Mountains. That location, coupled with vibrant entrepreneurial opportunities, skilled workforce and low cost of living, place McMinn County high on any list for wonderful places to work and live.
Incorporated areas within McMinn County include the City of Athens, Town of Calhoun, Town of Englewood, City of Etowah, and the City of Niota. Athens is the largest incorporated area and a Micropolitan Statistical Area that is part of the larger Chattanooga/Cleveland/Athens Combined Statistical Area.
For more details about our county, cities and towns, please contact McMinn County Economic Development Authority.
As of 2025 the population of McMinn County is 55,689. The population is expected to grow to 57,224 by 2030 - a growth rate of 0.55%.
The median age of McMinn County residents is 44.
The diversity index of McMinn County is 31.6, meaning that there is a 32% chance that any two people selected out of 100 residents will be of different race or ethnicity from one another.
The average household income in McMinn County is $79,279 and projected to be $87,599 in 2030. Per capita income is $32,631, projected to be $36,567 in 2030. 1.9% of households – 1,058 – have an income of $200,000 or higher. Average net worth is $774,743 and the average disposable income is $64,172.
There are 25,481 housing units in McMinn County; 16,797 are owner-occupied, 6,076 are rented, and 2,608 are vacant. The average home value is $304,652, with 2,141 homes built in 2010 or later, and 1,663 built in 1939 or earlier.
There are 1,646 businesses in McMinn County, employing 19,685 workers and pulling from a labor force of 22,569 age 16 and above. 8,492 workers commute into McMinn County from outside the county or state. Key industries for the area include:
13,799 residents both live and work in/around McMinn County. The average travel time is 24.4 minutes. 6.87% people have a commute of less than 5 minutes while 2.35% commute 90 minutes or more each way. Of commuters, 19,204 drive alone, 1,826 carpool, and 0 take public transportation. 356 use other modes of transport such as motorcycle, bicycle, walking, etc. 1,183 residents work from home.
16,008 members of the workforce hold a high school diploma or GED. 4,344 have associates degrees, 4,829 have bachelor’s degrees, and 2,758 hold a graduate or professional degree.
