Overview

Introduction to Dayton, Tennessee

Dayton, Tennessee, in Rhea county, is 35 miles NE of Chattanooga, Tennessee and 109 miles SE of Nashville, Tennessee.

Dayton History

Dayton is the county seat of Rhea County. Dayton was formerly known as Smith’s Crossroads. It was renamed Dayton in 1877 and officially incorporated in 1895. The famous Scopes Monkey Trial took place in Dayton in 1925. In 1890, construction of the Cincinnati-Chattanooga railroad, which ran through Dayton, was completed.

Dayton and nearby Attractions

  • Red Clay State Historical Park
  • Hiwassee River State Park
  • Fall Creek Falls State Park
  • Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park
  • South Cumberland Recreation Area
  • Burgess Falls State Park

Things To Do In Dayton

While in Dayton, one can visit parks like the Swinging Bridge Park, Point Park and the Dayton Municipal Park, which offer multiple opportunities for recreation. Churches in the area include the Mount Zion Baptist Church, the First United Methodist Church and the Grace Bible Church. The city celebrates the Scopes Trial Play & Festival every July and the Tennessee Strawberry Festival every May.

Dayton Transportation

Chatanooga Metropolitan Airport is nearby.

Dayton Higher Education

The local institution of higher education is Bryan College. Others nearby include Cleveland State Community College, Roane State Community College and Lee University.

Demographics

People

Total Population7,340
Male Share of the Population49%
Female Share of the Population51%
Senior Citizens14.6%
Employed Population 16+2,595
Age of the Population31

Families

% of people married33.5%
Average household size3

Education and Earnings

Population % with Bachelor Degree or Higher9.4%
Median Earnings25+$26,645
Median Earnings Without High School Qualification$15,556
Median Earnings With High School Degree$21,913

Wealth

Median Family Income$39,844
% Above Poverty Level65.3%
% Below Poverty Level34.7%

Commute & Sprawl

Average Commute Time17 minutes
% Working from Home3%
% Walking and Biking to Work4.1%
% Using Public Transportation%

Housing

People Living Alone30.8%
Median Gross Rent$634
Median House Value$98,800

Ancestry

Other(often includes Hispanic and African American)32.9%
Irish10.4%
German10.2%
English8.5%
Dutch3.4%
Scottish2.3%
French Except Basque1.2%
Welsh0.8%
Italian0.8%
Russian0.7%
Norwegian0.4%
Swedish0.3%
Brazilian0.2%
Czech0.2%
Polish0.2%
Romanian0.1%
Nigerian0.1%
African0.1%
Slovak0.1%
Iranian0.1%
+ Show More

Dayton Almanac

CategoryValue
CountyRhea County
Standard Zip Codes37321
Phone Area Codes423
Time Zone
Approximate Latitude35.49
Approximate Longitude-85.01

Dayton Climate

Nearest Weather Stations

Notes:

  • Temp ranges are avg daily min and max for the month
  • Precipitation is rainfall (and rainfall equiv of snowfall)

StationDAYTON 2 SE
Distance2 miles
Jan Temp27 to 46 F
Apr Temp44 to 70 F
Jul Temp66 to 88 F
Oct Temp46 to 70 F
Annual Precip58.2 inches
StationPIKEVILLE
Distance13.5 miles
Jan Temp27 to 48 F
Apr Temp44 to 72 F
Jul Temp65 to 88 F
Oct Temp45 to 73 F
Annual Precip54.5 inches
StationROCKWOOD 2
Distance30.3 miles
Jan Temp25 to 45 F
Apr Temp42 to 69 F
Jul Temp64 to 87 F
Oct Temp43 to 70 F
Annual Precip60.2 inches

Nearby Cities and Towns

LocationPopulationMedian Family Income
Calhoun554$56,429
Charleston844$46,750
Decatur1,557$53,889
Graysville1,726$42,750
Pikeville2,251$34,143

Dayton Public Libraries

Clyde W. Roddy Public Library
371 FIRST AVENUE
Dayton, Tennessee
(423) 775-8406

library logo

More Information for Librarians

Dayton Hospitals

Rhea Medical Center
(Government - Local)
9400 Rhea County Highway
(423) 775-1121

Dayton Public Schools

Dayton City Elementary
520 Cherry St
ZIP: 37321
(423) 775-8414
Primary
Total Enrollment 813
Frazier Elementary
3900 Double S Rd
ZIP: 37321
(423) 775-7854
Primary
Total Enrollment 379
Graysville Elementary School
606 Long St
ZIP: 37321
(423) 775-7850
Primary
Total Enrollment 256
Rhea Central Elementary
1005 Delaware Av
ZIP: 37321
(423) 775-7842
Primary
Total Enrollment 656

Dayton Private Schools

Calvary Baptist School
160 Dayco Dr
ZIP: 37321
Combined Elementary And Secondary
Total Enrollment 17
Laurelbrook School
114 Campus Dr Frnt
ZIP: 37321
Secondary
Total Enrollment 52
Rhea County Academy
2809 Old Washington Hwy
ZIP: 37321
Combined Elementary And Secondary
Total Enrollment 34
Sources :
Our Partner Listings
Additional Resources
Info for Dayton Government Officials


Are you an official in the Dayton government or quasi-government agency such as the chamber of commerce, visitors bureau or economic development council? If so, visit our information page for government officials to see how CityTownInfo can support you.