ZIP Code 37421: Population, Income, Housing

State: TN

Total population: 52,985 Household income: $82,517 Rent: $1,405

Overview

Total population

52,985

Rent

$1,405

Year built

1989

Household income

$82,517

Per capita income

$47,620

Poverty rate

10.9%

Unemployment rate

N/A

Household size

2.3 persons

Rent over 30% of income

41%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

ZIP data use Census ZCTAs, which closely match USPS ZIP Codes in most cases (see FAQ for details).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available. New 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Demographics

State

Tennessee

County

Hamilton County

City

Chattanooga

Total population

52,985

Adults over 25

38,555

Total households

22,278

Household size

2.3 persons

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

ZIP data use Census ZCTAs, which closely match USPS ZIP Codes in most cases (see FAQ for details).

Income & Poverty

Household income

$82,517

Per capita income

$47,620

Poverty rate

10.9%

Unemployment rate

N/A

Rent over 30% of income

41%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

ZIP data use Census ZCTAs, which closely match USPS ZIP Codes in most cases (see FAQ for details).

Housing

Rent

$1,405

Year built

1989

Households that rent

39.8%

Households that own

60.2%

Rooms per home (all homes)

5.9

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

ZIP data use Census ZCTAs, which closely match USPS ZIP Codes in most cases (see FAQ for details).

Race

White

62.1%

Black

22.1%

Asian

5.1%

Two or more races

6.7%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

ZIP data use Census ZCTAs, which closely match USPS ZIP Codes in most cases (see FAQ for details).

Ethnicity

Hispanic or Latino

9.5%

Not Hispanic or Latino

90.5%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

ZIP data use Census ZCTAs, which closely match USPS ZIP Codes in most cases (see FAQ for details).

Commute

Commute rate

24,416 (87.6%)

Commute time to work

20 mins

Work from home

3,441 (12.4%)

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

ZIP data use Census ZCTAs, which closely match USPS ZIP Codes in most cases (see FAQ for details).

Education

Less than high school

27.8%

High school graduate or GED

21.7%

Some college or associate degree

11.6%

Bachelor’s degree or higher

38.8%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

ZIP data use Census ZCTAs, which closely match USPS ZIP Codes in most cases (see FAQ for details).

Comparison of ZIP Code 37421 with: Hamilton County, TN Chattanooga, TN Chattanooga metro area, TN-GA Tennessee United States

ZIP 37421

Total population52,985

Rent$1,405

Year built1989

Household income$82,517

Per capita income$47,620

Poverty rate10.9%

Unemployment rateN/A

Hamilton County, TN

Total population376,192

Rent$1,253

Year built1982

Household income$76,183

Per capita income$45,341

Poverty rate13.1%

Unemployment rate3.3%

Chattanooga, TN

Total population185,783

Rent$1,256

Year built1976

Household income$64,523

Per capita income$41,600

Poverty rate19.1%

Unemployment rate3.5%

Chattanooga Metro Area, TN-GA

Total population575,812

Rent$1,163

Year built1983

Household income$72,161

Per capita income$41,227

Poverty rate13%

Unemployment rate3.2%

Tennessee State

Total population7,066,383

Rent$1,189

Year built1987

Household income$69,595

Per capita income$39,437

Poverty rate13.8%

Unemployment rate3.4%

United States

Total population334,922,499

Rent$1,413

Year built1980

Household income$80,734

Per capita income$44,673

Poverty rate12.5%

Unemployment rate4%

Metric	ZIP37421	CountyHamilton, TN	CityChattanooga, TN	Metro AreaChattanooga metro area, TN-GA	StateTennessee	CountryUnited States
Total population	52,985	376,192	185,783	575,812	7,066,383	334,922,499
Rent	$1,405	$1,253	$1,256	$1,163	$1,189	$1,413
Year built	1989	1982	1976	1983	1987	1980
Household income	$82,517	$76,183	$64,523	$72,161	$69,595	$80,734
Per capita income	$47,620	$45,341	$41,600	$41,227	$39,437	$44,673
Poverty rate	10.9%	13.1%	19.1%	13%	13.8%	12.5%
Unemployment rate	N/A	3.3%	3.5%	3.2%	3.4%	4%

View the full multi-level comparison →

Summary for 37421

Rent & Income

In 37421, the typical monthly rent is $1,405 and the typical household income is $82,517. Rent here is higher than in both Chattanooga and Tennessee, and household income is also higher than in both. The estimated poverty rate is 10.9%, which is lower than in both Chattanooga and Tennessee.

Housing & Affordability

This ZIP Code is primarily owner-occupied, with renters accounting for about 39.8% of households. About 41% of renters spend more than 30% of their income on housing, indicating high cost burden.

Education & Employment

Educational attainment is high, with about 38.8% of adults holding a bachelor’s degree or higher.

ZIP 37421 — Rent vs Household Income

ZIP 37421 — Poverty

How ZIP 37421 compares in Tennessee (69 ZIP Codes)

Metric	This ZIP	Rank	Starts from	State range
Rent	$1,405	43 / 69	from lower rent	$732 – $2,202
Household income	$82,517	22 / 69	from higher income	$36,901 – $154,578
Poverty rate	10.9%	28 / 69	from lower poverty	3.4% – 37.7%

Rankings are calculated among ZIP Codes in Tennessee with total population > 30,000 (year 2024).

Detailed Ranking Explanation for ZIP Code 37421

Rent

In terms of rental prices, this ZIP stands 43rd out of 69 ZIP Codes in Tennessee. Across Tennessee, figures vary from $732 in ZIP 37643 up to $2,202 in ZIP 37027.

Household income

When comparing household incomes, ZIP Code 37421 stands 22nd out of 69 ZIP Codes. Throughout Tennessee, numbers span from $36,901 in ZIP 38127 up to $154,578 in ZIP 37027.

Poverty rate

Looking at poverty indicators, this ZIP stands 28th out of 69 ZIP Codes. At the state level, values extend from 3.4% in ZIP 38017 up to 37.7% in ZIP 38127.

💰 Rent in ZIP Code 37421 (with Utilities)

Estimated Monthly Rent: $1,405 ℹ️ What’s Included:
✅ Base rent, electricity, gas, water/sewer, and heating fuels
❌ Not included: internet, cable TV, renter's insurance, parking

💡 What does this rent estimate mean?

Explanation: This estimate shows what renters typically pay each month for housing — including the apartment or home and essential utilities like heat, water, and electricity.

Included in this number: Rent plus electricity, gas, water/sewer, and heating fuel.

Not included: Internet, cable, parking, renter’s insurance, or furniture rental.

Note: This cost does not depend on the number of people living in the home.

👨‍👧‍👦 Household Income in ZIP Code 37421

Annual Household Income: $82,517

💡 What does Household Income mean?

Definition: This represents the middle value of all household incomes in the ZIP code — half of households earn less, and half earn more.

Includes: wages, salaries, self-employment income, Social Security, pensions, investments, unemployment, public assistance, and rental income.

Does NOT include: capital gains, non-cash benefits (like food stamps), or tax refunds.

Household = any group of people (or a single person) living in the same housing unit.

Example: A couple earning $40,000 and $30,000 together have a household income of $70,000. If that's in the middle of all local incomes, it's the value shown here.

📉 Poverty Rate in ZIP Code 37421

Estimated Rate: 10.9%

💡 What does the Poverty Rate represent?

Definition: The percentage of people in this area living below the federal poverty threshold.

How it works: The threshold is a dollar amount set by the U.S. Census Bureau that varies by family size and age. If a household's income is below that level, everyone in it is included in this rate.

Example: In a town of 10,000 people, if 1,500 have incomes below the poverty line, the poverty rate is 15%.

Note: This statistic only includes people living in households; it does not count those in student housing, military barracks, or nursing homes.

🏘️ Renter vs. Owner Households in ZIP Code 37421

In ZIP Code 37421, households that rent: 8,875 (39.8%)

📊 What does the renter household percentage reveal about this ZIP Code?

Household Type	Count	Share
Renter-Occupied	8,875	39.8%
Owner-Occupied	13,403	60.2%

Definition: This is the percentage of households that rent their home rather than own it. It includes only occupied housing units.

Why it matters: Areas with a high share of renter households often have younger populations, higher mobility, and different housing needs compared to mostly owner-occupied areas.

Example: If 65% of homes in an area are renter-occupied, it means 65 out of every 100 households rent their home.

📉 Renters Spending Over 30% of Income on Rent in ZIP Code 37421

In ZIP Code 37421, cost-burdened renters (households spending over 30% of income on housing): 3,639 (41%)

🏚️ What Does It Mean When Renters Spend Over 30% of Their Income on Housing?

Household Group	Households	Share
Cost-burdened renters (over 30%)	3,639	41%
Other renter households	5,236	59%
Total renter households	8,875	100%

Shares are calculated as a percentage of renter households.

This shows how many renters in the ZIP code are considered cost-burdened — meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on housing (rent and basic utilities).

It’s a sign that housing might be unaffordable in the area or that lower-income residents may be struggling with rent.

Data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.

📊 Education Levels in ZIP Code 37421

Less than High School: 10,718 people (27.8%)

Includes adults who did not complete high school.

High School Graduate or GED: 8,385 people (21.7%)

Includes adults whose highest education is a high school diploma or GED.

Some College or Associate Degree: 4,489 people (11.6%)

Includes adults who attended college without completing a bachelor’s degree (some college or associate degree).

Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 14,963 people (38.8%)

Includes adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher (bachelor’s, master’s, professional, or doctoral degree).

👥 Total Adults (25+): 38,555

ℹ️ Have questions about how these statistics are calculated? See our data methodology & FAQs

Source: ACS 5-Year Estimates (U.S. Census Bureau) — unemployment rate from BLS. Some values are derived metrics.