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Property Value
Percent Owner Occupied
Housing Prices
Median Rent
Population
The Fortwood Historic District in Chattanooga, Tennessee, has experienced significant changes in its residential landscape over the past decade. This analysis focuses on the shifts in homeownership rates, rental trends, and property values that have shaped the neighborhood's character.
Homeownership rates in the Fortwood Historic District have declined dramatically from 2013 to 2022. In 2013, 33% of residents owned their homes, but by 2022, this figure had dropped to 15%. Concurrently, average rent prices in the area increased substantially, rising from $823 in 2019 to $1,186 in 2022, a 44% increase over three years.
The relationship between federal interest rates and homeownership rates in the district does not follow the typical economic pattern. Despite historically low interest rates in 2020 and 2021 (0.38% and 0.08% respectively), homeownership continued to decline, suggesting that local factors may have had a stronger influence on homeownership trends than national interest rates during this period.
The percentage of renters in the Fortwood Historic District has increased significantly, from 66% in 2013 to 85% in 2022. This rise in renters corresponds with the increase in average rent prices. The district's population has fluctuated, reaching a low of 603 in 2019 before growing to 859 in 2022. This population growth, combined with the increasing preference for renting, likely contributed to the upward pressure on rent prices.
Average home prices in the Fortwood Historic District have shown growth in recent years. In 2023, the average home price was $496,763, increasing to $507,412 in 2024, a year-over-year growth of about 2.1%. This rise occurred despite the Federal Reserve interest rate increasing from 5.02% in 2023 to 5.33% in 2024, indicating strong local demand for housing in the area.
Based on recent trends, average home prices in the Fortwood Historic District are expected to continue rising over the next five years, potentially reaching around $560,000 by 2029. Average rent prices are also likely to keep increasing, possibly surpassing $1,400 per month within the same timeframe, assuming current economic conditions and local market dynamics persist.
In conclusion, the Fortwood Historic District has transformed into a renter-majority community over the past decade, with homeownership rates declining sharply. Despite this shift, both average home prices and rent prices have shown strong growth, particularly in recent years. These trends indicate a highly desirable neighborhood with increasing property values, but potentially decreasing affordability for prospective homeowners.