East Ridge is a city in Hamilton County, Tennessee, United States. As of the 2020 census, the city population was 22,167. East Ridge is bordered by Chattanooga to the west, north, and east, and the Georgia state line to the south. It is part of the Chattanooga, TN–GA Metropolitan Statistical Area. The name of the city comes from its location due east of Missionary Ridge. The Bachman Tubes beneath Missionary Ridge link East Ridge with downtown Chattanooga.

East Ridge, Tennessee
Flag of East Ridge, Tennessee
Official seal of East Ridge, Tennessee
Motto: 
Gateway to Tennessee
Location of East Ridge in Hamilton County, Tennessee.
Location of East Ridge in Hamilton County, Tennessee.
Coordinates: 34°59′48″N 85°14′15″W / 34.99667°N 85.23750°W / 34.99667; -85.23750
CountryUnited States
StateTennessee
CountyHamilton
Government
 • MayorBrian Williams
 • Vice-MayorEsther Helton Haynes
Area
 • Total8.28 sq mi (21.45 km2)
 • Land8.28 sq mi (21.45 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation778 ft (237 m)
Population
 • Total22,167
 • Density2,676.53/sq mi (1,033.42/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
37412
Area code423
FIPS code47-22720[4]
GNIS feature ID1283400[2]
Websitewww.eastridgetn.gov

History

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Geography

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East Ridge is located at 34°59′48″N 85°14′15″W / 34.99667°N 85.23750°W / 34.99667; -85.23750 (34.996674, -85.237482).[5]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.3 square miles (21 km2), all land.

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note
19302,152
19402,93936.6%
19509,645228.2%
196019,570102.9%
197021,79911.4%
198021,236−2.6%
199021,101−0.6%
200020,640−2.2%
201020,9791.6%
202022,1675.7%
Sources:[6][7][3]

2020 census

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East Ridge racial composition[8]
Race Number Percentage
White (non-Hispanic) 14,740 66.5%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 2,961 13.36%
Native American 54 0.24%
Asian 397 1.79%
Pacific Islander 4 0.02%
Other/Mixed 1,130 5.1%
Hispanic or Latino 2,881 13.0%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 22,167 people, 9,027 households, and 5,086 families residing in the city.

2000 census

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As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 20,640 people, 9,288 households, and 5,739 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,497.3 inhabitants per square mile (964.2/km2). There were 9,876 housing units at an average density of 1,194.9 per square mile (461.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 93.32% White, 3.21% African American, 0.31% Native American, 1.68% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.43% from other races, and 1.02% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.09% of the population.

There were 9,288 households, out of which 24.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.1% were married couples living together, 11.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.2% were non-families. 33.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.20 and the average family size was 2.80.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 19.5% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 29.1% from 25 to 44, 23.7% from 45 to 64, and 19.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $36,347, and the median income for a family was $43,858. Males had a median income of $31,359 versus $23,659 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,346. About 6.7% of families and 8.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.7% of those under age 18 and 7.0% of those age 65 or over.

Arts and culture

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The East Ridge City Library is located within the City Hall.[9] In 2008 the East Ridge History Center opened showcasing local history and culture.[10] A community center is also available for use by the public. Located next to City Hall and the Pioneer Frontier Playground, it offers programs for the community.

Sports

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East Ridge is home to three minor league level professional soccer clubs who all play their home matches at CHI Memorial Stadium a 2,500 seat soccer-specific stadium with a planned finished capacity of 5500. It was the first soccer-specific stadium built in Tennessee. It officially opened August 1, 2020.

The Chattanooga Red Wolves SC are a men's club that competes in USL League One, the third tier of US Men's professional soccer The Chattanooga Lady Red Wolves, a women's club will begin play in 2023 as members of the USL W League, the second tier of Women's US pro soccer which began play in 2022. The Dalton Red Wolves of USL League Two,a semi-professional developmental soccer league sponsored by United Soccer Leagues in the United States and Canada, forming part of the United States soccer league system

Parks and recreation

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Camp Jordan is a local park and an arena. The arena provides space for special and sporting events. Camp Jordan has 13 ball fields, nine soccer fields, an amphitheater, RV spaces, a sand volleyball court, picnic pavilion, fishing pond, playground, and a walking track.[11] East Ridge is home to the East Ridge Soccer Association, which provides soccer programs for youth and adults.[12] The East Ridge Baseball/Softball Association supports ball games for boys and girls.[13] Pioneer Frontover Playground is located by city hall on Tombras Avenue and includes a splash pad which opened in 2022.

 
Pioneer Frontier Playground

Government

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East Ridge is a Home-Rule city with a City Manager-Council form of government with an elected Mayor.

Politics

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East Ridge city vote
by party in presidential elections
Year Democratic Republican Third Parties
2020[14] 40.96% 3,725 56.39% 5,128 2.65% 241
2016[15] 32.51% 2,549 60.37% 4,733 7.12% 558
2012[16] 33.45% 1,558 63.10% 2,939 3.45% 161
2008[17] 29.83% 1,576 67.77% 3,581 2.40% 127

Education

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East Ridge has four public schools, which are part of the Hamilton County Schools system: East Ridge Elementary, Spring Creek Elementary, East Ridge Middle School, and East Ridge High School, as well as two private schools: Belvoir Christian Academy and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School.[18]

Infrastructure

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The East Ridge Police Department maintains public safety within the city and is a full service and state certified agency, and also serves the city of Ridgeside.[19][20] The City of East Ridge Animal Services Division provides animal services by way of animal control and an animal shelter for the city.[21]

Utilities

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Public utilities are provided by Chattanooga Gas Company, Tennessee American Water Company, AT&T, EPB, and Comcast.[22]

Health

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East Ridge is home to Parkridge East Hospital, a branch of Parkridge Medical Center.[23]

Notable people

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Elbert Eugene Spriggs (1937-2021), founder of the Twelve Tribes cult group[24]

References

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  1. ^ "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
  2. ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: East Ridge, Tennessee
  3. ^ a b "Census Population API". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
  4. ^ a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  5. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  6. ^ "Census of Population and Housing: Decennial Censuses". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 4, 2012.
  7. ^ "Incorporated Places and Minor Civil Divisions Datasets: Subcounty Resident Population Estimates: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2012". Population Estimates. U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 11, 2013. Retrieved December 11, 2013.
  8. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 25, 2021.
  9. ^ "Library". Administration. City of East Ridge. Archived from the original on December 4, 2011. Retrieved November 12, 2011.
  10. ^ "Museum". Administration. City of East Ridge. Archived from the original on December 4, 2011. Retrieved November 12, 2011.
  11. ^ "Camp Jordan". City of East Ridge. 2007. Retrieved November 12, 2011.
  12. ^ "Welcome to East Ridge Soccer Association!". Home. East Ridge Soccer Association. 2009. Retrieved November 12, 2011.
  13. ^ "Welcome". Home. East Ridge Baseball / Softball Association. 2011. Archived from the original on November 7, 2011. Retrieved November 12, 2011.
  14. ^ "Hamilton County Election Results by PRECINCT" (PDF). Hamilton County Elections. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
  15. ^ "Hamilton County Election Results by PRECINCT". Hamilton County Elections. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
  16. ^ "Hamilton County Election Results by PRECINCT" (PDF). Hamilton County Elections. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
  17. ^ "Hamilton County Election Results by PRECINCT" (PDF). Hamilton County Elections. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
  18. ^ "School information". Administration. City of East Ridge. Archived from the original on December 4, 2011. Retrieved November 12, 2011.
  19. ^ http://www.ridgeside.net/services.php City of Ridgeside Services. Accessed August 31, 2021
  20. ^ "EAST RIDGE POLICE DEPARTMENT". Police Services. City of East Ridge. Archived from the original on December 4, 2011. Retrieved November 12, 2011.
  21. ^ "East Ridge Animal Services". Administration. City of East Ridge. Retrieved January 6, 2013.
  22. ^ "New to East Ridge?". Administration. City of East Ridge. Archived from the original on December 4, 2011. Retrieved November 12, 2011.
  23. ^ "About Parkridge East Hospital". About. Parkridge East Hospital. 2009. Retrieved November 12, 2011.
  24. ^ "Death of Twelve Tribes founder leaves future uncertain for international Christian movement founded in Chattanooga". timesfreepress.com. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
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