Community Information
Thinking of Relocating?
Nestled in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains, Cleveland/Bradley County is an ideal place to live, work and grow. Our seasonal climate, natural beauty and great business opportunities are all factors for any type of relocation to the area. Here is the information needed to make the transition from newcomer to resident an easy experience. Please email us if you need additional information.
Ambulance Service
The Bradley County Ambulance Service (423-728-7010) is a fully equipped life-support (paramedic) service. Staffed by 66 full-time paramedics and 26 part-time paramedics, it was the first Emergency Medical Service in the state of Tennessee to receive a Class A rating. Every response is manned by an advanced life support paramedic.
Area
City–27.1 square miles; county–338 square miles
Churches
Cleveland and Bradley County have over 200 churches representing most denominations.
Civic Clubs and Organizations
Over 68 clubs and organizations are active in the Bradley County area. Click here for a listing of clubs, times and places of meetings.
Colleges
Pentecostal Theological Seminary. Dr. R. Lamar Vest, President; 900 Walker St; 423-478-1131. Pentecostal Theological Seminary is dedicated to preparing pastors and training ministerial leaders for global evangelization. The seminary is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) in the United States and Canada and is approved to offer the following degrees: Master of Arts in Church Ministries (MACM), Discipleship and Christian Formation (MADCF), Counseling (MAC) and Divinity (MDiv) and the Doctor of Ministry (DMin). The seminary is also accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) to award the Master of Arts in Church Ministries and the Master of Divinity degrees.
Cleveland State Community College. Dr. Andrew W. White, President; 3535 Adkisson Dr; 423-472-7141. Situated in the scenic corridor of hills and valleys of Southeast Tennessee, Cleveland State is located between Exits 25 and 27 on Interstate 75, 30 miles northeast of Chattanooga. The school is a comprehensive two-year community college operating within the governance of the Tennessee Board of Regents and approved by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC). Cleveland State is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) to award associate degrees, which are available in over 40 fields of study.
Lee University. Dr. Paul Conn, President; 1120 Ocoee St NE; 800-533-9930 or 423-614-8000. Student-teacher ratio 15:1. Lee University is a private, comprehensive university offering over 100 baccalaureate degree programs within 50 majors with over 100 individual programs and accredited graduate programs in five areas of study including an MBA program. Lee is emerging as a leader in higher education in the Southeast region and continues to be ranked in the “Top Tier” in the South by U.S. News & World Report (Comprehensive Medium-Size Universities). Since the year 2000, Lee has also been listed in the Princeton Review ranking of “Best Colleges” in the South. Over the past two decades, Lee has become one of the largest Christ-centered private institutions in Tennessee and the largest in the Appalachian College Association. The university is a fully accredited liberal arts institution.
Tennessee Wesleyan University. Dr. Tyler Frost, President; 204 E College St, Athens TN; 1-800-PICK-TWC or 423-745-7504. Founded in 1857, Tennessee Wesleyan College (TWC) is a four-year liberal arts institution associated with the Holston Conference of the United Methodist Church. TWC offers over 30 majors in its traditional day program. It also offers bachelor of science and bachelor of applied science degrees in general management and accounting in its evening program, designed for working adults.
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. 423-425-4210. College of Business Administration. UTC’s College of Business Administration offers the only AACSB accredited Master of Business Administration (MBA) program in the Cleveland area. Professors travel to Cleveland once a week. The MBA program is designed to help potential as well as experienced managers improve their skills by learning in an application based teaching environment.
Education—Primary and Secondary
Bradley County Schools—Dr. Linda Cash, Director; 800 South Lee Highway; 423-476-0620. Student-teacher ratio, 16:1; 17 schools; 10,338 students. Bradley Central High School is a recipient of the national “Excellence in Education” award presented by the United States Department of Education. Walker Valley High School, on the north end of the county, is completely networked and provides a vast amount of computer technology to its students.
Cleveland City Schools—Dr. Jeff Elliott, Director; 4300 Mouse Creek Rd; 423-472-9571. Student-teacher ratios: K-3, 15:1; grades 4-5, 18:1; grades 6-12, 20:1; ten schools; 5,626 students. Cleveland High School is also a recipient of the “Excellence in Education” award.
Students’ scores on the American College Test (ACT) scores at all high schools are consistently higher than national and state averages. Local students in both systems benefit from Tennessee’s Basic Education Program (BEP), one of the most comprehensive reform packages in the country. Students in grades K-8 participate in a Balanced Literacy Program and a structured mathematics program and consistently score above the state and national averages on the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program.
Private Schools—Several private schools are located in Cleveland and Bradley County, providing high-quality, comprehensive academic programs for grades PreK-12. The community has an abundance of daycare centers. Click here for a list of Chamber-member educational related institutions.
Cost of Living
Living costs are 7.4 percent below the national average according to Chmura Economics & Analytics. Based on the prices of 59 different items, the report measures intercity cost differences for consumer goods and services. Taxes and non-consumer expenditures are excluded. In the all-items index, which includes grocery items, housing, utilities, transportation, healthcare, and miscellaneous goods and services, Cleveland’s living costs are 92.6 percent. The U.S. average is 100 percent.
Emergency Services
Countywide emergency services are available by dialing 911.
Employment
The 2019 average of nonagricultural employment is 60,057.
Manufacturing—19%
Construction and Mining—5.5%
Retail Trade, Transportation, Warehouse & Public Utilities—19.9%
Educational Services—6.6%
Healthcare and Social Assistance—10.8%
Financial Activities—2%
Government, Professional and Business Services—20.3%
Leisure & Hospitality—9.6%
Other Services—6.3%
For employment information, call the American Job Center, LWIA 5, at 423-790-5552 or the Department of Labor & Workforce Development at the Chattanooga Career Center, 423-894-5354, or the Athens Career Center, 423-745-2028.
Fire Protection
The Cleveland City Fire Department provides fire protection for both the city and county. The city has a Class III fire insurance rating. The department maintains six fire stations, 107 firefighters and 18 vehicles. Bradley County Fire Rescue is a combination paid/volunteer fire department with 10 stations, 42 full-time firefighters and 30 active volunteers.
Garbage Collection
Weekly household garbage pickup is provided for city residents. Call 423-476-2293 for information on collection days. For information on disposal of residential refuge (brush, appliances, etc.), call 423-472-2851. Collection for county residents is provided by private contractors. Click here for a list of Chamber members who provide this service.
Bradley County monitors recycling in the community at the Bradley County Landfill and at facilities on Urbane and Peerless roads. Public Works Department, 474 Second St SE; 423-472-2851. Hours: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday.
Bradley County Landfill accepts glass, aluminum drink cans, newspapers, mixed paper, light corrugated cardboard, as well as batteries, used oil and white goods. Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Saturday, 7 a.m.-3 p.m.
Urbane Road facility accepts glass (clear, brown and green), newspapers, mixed paper, corrugated paperboard, aluminum drink cans, plastics and cell phones. Hours: Tuesday and Thursday, 1.-5 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Peerless Road facility accepts glass (clear, brown and green), newspapers, mixed paper, corrugated paperboard, aluminum drink cans, plastics, cell phones, electronics and computers (no televisions or computer monitors). Hours: Monday/Wednesday/Friday, 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Health Services
Tennova Healthcare—Cleveland, 2305 Chambliss Ave NW; 423-559-6000. Tennova Healthcare is a 351-bed, two-campus, full-service, regional medical center providing outstanding healthcare. Services include surgery, digestive care, senior services, behavioral health, women’s services, emergency and pediatric care.
The Bradley County Health Department, 200 Dooley St SE; 423-728-7020. Offers a wide range of services.
Long-term Care/Assisted Living—Long-term care and assisted living facilities provide personalized care and support services to ensure that our loved ones maintain their dignity, quality of life and sense of well-being. Cleveland and Bradley County have one public owned county and two private nursing facilities and four assisted living facilities.
Click here for Chamber-member nursing homes.
Click here for a list of Chamber-member assisted living facilities.
Housing
Housing costs in Cleveland and Bradley County are 23 percent below the national average as reflected in the first quarter 2020 ACCRA cost-of-living survey.
Library
Cleveland Bradley County Public Library, Keisha Parks, Director; 795 Church St NE. Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, 9 a.m.–9 p.m.; Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, 9 a.m.–6 p.m.; Sunday, 1 p.m.–5 p.m. Number of items: 153,040. 423-472-2163. History Branch: 423-479-8367.
Lodging
Thirty-five hotels and/or motels are located in the county with a total of 1,800 rooms. Numerous cabins and bed-and-breakfast establishments are available in the region.
Click here for a list of Chamber members providing lodging in the area.
Newspapers
Cleveland Daily Banner. 2075 N. Ocoee St Ste B.; 472-5041, Paid circulation: Daily—14,900,
Sunday—10,000; Published Monday–Friday and Sunday.
Chattanooga Times Free Press. 400 East 11th St.; Chattanooga TN. 757-6900, Paid Circulation: Daily—75,594,; Sunday—100,149; Published Sunday-Saturday morning.
Personal Income
Per Capita Income: 2021—$28,294
2021 Median Household Income: $49,054
Police Protection
Cleveland Police Department, 100 Church St.; 423-476-7511 or 476-1121. Headed by Chief Mark Gibson. Police department is authorized for 91 Certified Police Officers, two (2) Codes Enforcement Officers and 33 full-time civilian employees, along with one (1) part-time civilian employee, 13 School Crossing Guards and eight (8) Animal Control employees. They also maintain a Volunteer Program consisting of a over 20 member Public Service Unit and a nine (9) member Chaplain Unit.
Bradley County Sheriff’s Department, 2290 Blythe Ave SE; 423-728-7300. Headed by Sheriff Steve Lawson. Staff includes 81 patrol personnel, 21 detectives, 82 corrections personnel.
Postal Service
U.S. Post Office, 1981 Keith St NW; 423-614-5280. Hours: Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–6 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. A branch is located downtown in the Courthouse Annex, 155 Broad St. Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.; 1:30 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Closed Saturday.
Population
Cleveland—47,955
Charleston—672
County—61,535
Total—110,162
Demographics (County): Male—49%; Female—51%
White—82.6%; Black—3.8%; Hispanic–7.1%; Other—6.5%
Under 18 years of age—28.4%
18-64 years of age—55.3%
65+ years of age—16.3%
*2021—U.S. Census Bureau
Radio
Seven local stations: AM—WBAC News Radio (1340), WCLE (1570); FM—Mix 104.1; TALK 101.3 The Buzz; Fiesta 99.1; Alive 96.9; and WOOP-99.9.
Recreation
Cleveland has a wealth of recreational activities, including three municipal community centers, Boys & Girls Club, Cleveland Family YMCA, various fitness complexes, three municipal pools, three private club pools, a private racquetball club, city parks with 11 tennis courts, one municipal golf course, a county park with fitness trail, softball and baseball fields, two private golf courses, one bowling alleys, two theaters, a BMX track, and organized programs in youth and adult softball, baseball, soccer and football. Camping, hiking and fishing are available in nearby state and local parks. For more information contact the Convention & Visitors Bureau or go online at http://www.visitclevelandtn.com/.
Taxes—Local
Property tax per $100 assessed valuation: City—$2.06, County—$1.78-$2.48, depending upon level of fire protection. Property is assessed using the following percentages: residential—25%; personal equipment—30%; commercial and industrial—40%.
County: Hotel/Motel Tax—7.0%
Sales Tax: State—7.0%, Local—2.75% (total 9.75%)
Television
Area: WTNB—Channel 5
WRCB—Channel 3, an NBC affiliate
WELF-TBN—Channel 4, an independent religious station
WFLI—Channel 6, an independent station
WTCI—Channel 7, a public TV station
WTVC—Channel 9, an ABC affiliate
WDEF—Channel 12, a CBS affiliate
WDSI—Fox 61, Fox affiliate
Utilities
Cleveland and Bradley County are served by two power distributors. Location in the county determines whether service is provided by Cleveland Utilities or Volunteer Energy. (Water is provided by Cleveland Utilities Authority, Calhoun Charleston Utility District, Ocoee Utility District and Savannah Valley Utility District.)
Cleveland Utilities Authority, 2450 Guthrie Dr, Cleveland, 423-472-4521. Deposit varies. Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Calhoun Charleston Utility District, 144 Main St S, Calhoun, 423-336-3571. Deposits: Water $25 for owners; $50 for renters. Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Ocoee Utility District, 5631 Waterlevel Hwy, Cleveland, 423-559-8505. Deposits: Water application fee—$50 for owner; $150 for non-owner. Hours: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Volunteer Energy Cooperative, 5335 Georgetown Rd NW, 423-476-6571. Deposit varies. Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Chattanooga Gas Co., 800-427-5463. Deposit varies.