Updated September 10, 2026
How much housing does Chattanooga have?
The Census counts 87,138 housing units in Chattanooga for a population of about 182,832 — roughly 2.1 people for every housing unit.
That makes Chattanooga the fourth largest of the four Tennessee cities with a page here; Nashville counts 333,074.
Who arranges chimney work on a Chattanooga home?
About 53.1% of occupied Chattanooga homes are owner-occupied, which leaves about 46.9% rented.
Even at 53.1% owner-occupied, the remaining 46.9% of Chattanooga homes are rented, where the person who notices a problem and the person who authorizes the repair are not the same. Say which you are when you send a request.
Tenure also decides who keeps the paperwork. A Chattanooga chimney's earlier reports follow the property, not the occupant, so ask for them whichever side of that 53.1% you are on.
Which cities near Chattanooga have their own page here?
Knoxville, about 96 miles away, Nashville, about 115 miles away, and Memphis, about 267 miles away — measured from Chattanooga.
Those are great-circle distances between the Census 2023 Gazetteer interior points of each place, so the drive is longer than the figure.
Knoxville's median build year is 1974 against Chattanooga's 1975, a 1-year difference in the housing the two chimneys belong to.
What you can observe safely
- Note whether the odor happens during use or when the fireplace is cold.
- Record the date of the last inspection if known.
What to avoid
- Do not climb onto the roof or enter the chimney.
- Do not alter gas components, venting, or safety controls.
- Do not use a test fire to diagnose the problem.
Possible causes to assess
- Combustion deposits
- Moisture interacting with deposits
- Airflow conditions
A symptom cannot establish the cause remotely. An assessment of the complete system helps determine the appropriate repair.
Chimney cleaning in ChattanoogaA few common questions
Can this be diagnosed from a photo?
A photo can document a symptom and help prepare a visit. It cannot confirm concealed conditions or establish that a chimney or fuel-burning appliance is safe.