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 2024 the population of McMinn County is 54,608. The population is expected to grow to 55,486 by 2029 - a growth rate of 0.32%.
The median age of McMinn County residents is 43.
The diversity index of McMinn County is 30.9, meaning that there is a 31% 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 $82,037 and projected to be $95,012 in 2029. Per capita income is $33,388, projected to be $39,461 in 2029. 1.71% of households – 932 – have an income of $200,000 or higher. Average net worth is $862,979 and the average disposable income is $66,740.
There are 24,948 housing units in McMinn County; 16,302 are owner-occupied, 5,899 are rented, and 2,747 are vacant. The average home value is $286,331, with 1,736 homes built in 2010 or later, and 1,693 built in 1939 or earlier.
There are 1,575 businesses in McMinn County, employing 20,613 workers and pulling from a labor force of 22,261 age 16 and above. 7,656 workers commute into McMinn County from outside the county or state. Key industries for the area include:
14,251 residents both live and work in/around McMinn County. The average travel time is 23.3 minutes. 6.55% people have a commute of less than 5 minutes while 1.82% commute 90 minutes or more each way. Of commuters, 19,123 drive alone, 1,780 carpool, and 0 take public transportation. 276 use other modes of transport such as motorcycle, bicycle, walking, etc. 1,082 residents work from home.
15,437 members of the workforce hold a high school diploma or GED. 4,067 have associates degrees, 4,870 have bachelor’s degrees, and 2,498 hold a graduate or professional degree.
