Collegedale is a city in Hamilton County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 8,282 at the 2010 census and 10,729 in a 2014 estimate. Collegedale is a suburb of Chattanooga and is part of the Chattanooga, TN - GA Metropolitan Statistical Area. Collegedale is home to Southern Adventist University. The median household income is among one of the highest in Hamilton County. It has been ranked as one of the best and safest places to live in Tennessee.HistoryCollegedale was founded as the site of Southern Adventist University (then Southern Junior College) in 1916. It was incorporated under a city manager government in 1968. J. M. Ackerman was the first city manager, and Fred Fuller served as the city's first mayor.GeographyCollegedale is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.3sqmi, all land.DemographicsAs of the census of 2010, there were 8,282 people, 2,728 households, and 1,830 families residing in the city. The population density was 836.7 people per square mile (323.0/km²). There were 2,199 housing units at an average density of 263.9 per square mile (101.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 82.0% White, 7.3% African American, 0.4% Native American, 4.1% Asian, 0.3% Pacific Islander, 3.6% from other races, and 2.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 12.4% of the population.
