Northwest Georgia offers a highly skilled workforce of more than 85,000 workers across Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade and Walker counties — with access to over 437,000 workers in the greater Chattanooga metro area. The regional unemployment rate averages 4.0%, and typical commute times run 25–28 minutes.
Population by area
| Area | Population |
|---|---|
| Catoosa County | 70,633 |
| Chattooga County | 25,016 |
| Dade County | 16,000 |
| Walker County | 69,475 |
| Northwest Georgia (four counties) | 181,124 |
| Chattanooga, TN–GA MSA | 609,850 |
| State of Georgia | 11,269,916 |
Employment (four-county region)
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Labor force | 85,673 |
| Employed | 82,197 |
| Unemployed | 3,476 |
| Unemployment rate | 4.0% |
Individual county unemployment rates range from 3.9% in Catoosa and Chattooga to 4.3% in Dade.
Ready to work
Beyond the numbers, employers here find a workforce with a strong manufacturing heritage and a culture of dependability. Paired with Georgia's Quick Start training program, the region delivers a workforce that's ready on day one.
Hiring, or looking for work?
Open positions across the four counties are listed on Northwest Georgia Connect, the Authority's job platform. Employers can post their openings there, and job seekers can search everything currently available across the region in one place.
All four counties offer tax abatements on qualified real and personal property for new and expanding companies.