Population115,465 (2025 est.)
A Springside Stop That Became A Civic Center
Bradley County, TennesseeCleveland anchors Bradley County, while Charleston provides another community perspective. The city’s early history recalls Taylor’s Place, a stopping point associated with nearby springs, before the community took on its formal role as the county’s administrative center. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated 115,465 residents in Bradley County, Tennessee, on July 1, 2025. The county has approximately 329 square miles of land, according to the 2020 Census Gazetteer.
Bradley County at a Glance
Population115,465 (2025 est.)
County SeatCleveland
Largest CityCleveland
Established1836 (organized; NACo County Explorer)
ZIP CodesSee postal resources
Total Area, Including Water331 sq mi (total)
Major RoutesSee transportation resources
Area CodesVaries by community
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Bradley County
Andrew Taylor's log house became known as Taylor's Place and served travelers near the area's springs. Cleveland was formally designated the Bradley County seat in 1838 and named for Benjamin Cleveland. The city's account connects that modest stopping place with later civic development, while county resources recognize both Cleveland and Charleston. The springside account gives geography a practical role in Cleveland's origins. Its later county-seat status describes another development stage, while Charleston keeps the wider county story connected to more than one town.
Use Cleveland's early springside story as an introduction, then consider Charleston for a wider county perspective. The public library and local visitor resources can help identify a particular historical subject. Keep the earlier stopping place distinct from the city's later formal organization. Compare the local accounts of the two communities rather than extending one town's story across the county. A focused historical question can make the library or visitor-resource stop more useful.
What Shapes Us
Local Character
The city's early history recalls Taylor's Place, a stopping point associated with nearby springs, before the community took on its formal role as the county's administrative center.
Community History
Andrew Taylor's log house became known as Taylor's Place and served travelers near the area's springs. Cleveland was formally designated the Bradley County seat in 1838 and named for Benjamin Cleveland.
Explore Locally
Use Cleveland's early springside story as an introduction, then consider Charleston for a wider county perspective. The public library and local visitor resources can help identify a particular historical subject.
Discover the local beginnings behind an established county center.
A Closer Look
Bradley County
Places and perspectives from Bradley County
Bradley County headlines via Google News
Early voting information for residents of Bradley County, TN - WCLE Mix 104.1
Early voting information for residents of Bradley County, TN WCLE Mix 104.1
Read the Story Oct 14, 2026 • 2 min read
Around Bradley County
Stories from every corner of Bradley County.
Early voting information for residents of Bradley County, TN - WCLE Mix 104.1
Early voting information for residents of Bradley County, TN WCLE Mix 104.1
Oct 14, 2026 • 2 min read
Air quality in Bradley County - IQAir
Air quality in Bradley County IQAir
Oct 13, 2026 • 2 min read
Friday Morning Football will complete Bradley County hat trick with trip to Cleveland High School - Local 3 News
Friday Morning Football will complete Bradley County hat trick with trip to Cleveland High School Local 3 News
Sep 30, 2026 • 2 min read
Bradley Central High School to get brand new track - Local 3 News
Bradley Central High School to get brand new track Local 3 News
Sep 24, 2026 • 2 min read
Developers sue Bradley County over data center regulations after buying land behind Walker Valley High - WCLE Mix 104.1
Developers sue Bradley County over data center regulations after buying land behind Walker Valley High WCLE Mix 104.1
Sep 23, 2026 • 2 min read
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Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
County Resources
Find the Right Local Connection
Start with the organization responsible for the service you need. Follow its official link for current requirements, office locations and availability.
Government
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Schools
Public school contacts
Selected local schools from the NCES 2024-2025 directory. Contact the school or district to confirm enrollment, attendance boundaries and current services; this is not a complete school list.
Charleston Elementary School – Elementary; grades PK-05. 8797 Hiwassee ST, Charleston, TN 37310. 423-336-2232.
Arnold Memorial Elementary – Elementary; grades PK-05. 473 8th N W ST, Cleveland, TN 37311. 423-472-2241.
Bradley Central High School – High; grades 09-12. 1000 South Lee Highway, Cleveland, TN 37311. 423-476-0650.
Lake Forest Middle School – Middle; grades 06-08. 610 Kile Lake RD, Cleveland, TN 37323. 423-478-8821.
North Cleveland GOAL Academy – Other; grades KG-12. 2181 Parker St NE, Cleveland, TN 37311. 423-476-0699.
Black Fox Elementary School – Elementary; grades PK-05. 3119 Varnell RD, Cleveland, TN 37311. 423-478-8800.
Hopewell Elementary School – Elementary; grades PK-05. 5350 Freewill Road NW, Cleveland, TN 37312. 423-478-8802.
Hospitals
Local hospital contacts
Facility contacts from the CMS Hospital General Information directory, updated July 22, 2026. Contact the facility directly to confirm current services and appointment arrangements.
Affiliate Of Vitruvian Health – Acute Care Hospitals. 2305 Chambliss Ave Nw, Cleveland, TN 37311. 423-339-4100.
Public Safety
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Emergency Services
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Parks & Public Lands
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Trails
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Utilities
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Libraries
Local library contacts
Locations and public phone numbers are from the IMLS FY2024 Public Libraries Survey. Call the branch to confirm current hours and services before visiting.
Cleveland Bradley County Library – 795 Church Street Ne, Cleveland, TN 37311. 423-472-2163.
Cleveland Public Library History Branch & Archives – 833 North Ocoee Street, Cleveland, TN 37311. 423-479-8367.
Courts
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
DMV
Tennessee — Title and Registration
Tennessee — Renewing Your License or Identification
Transportation
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Postal Services
USPS location finder — Search by street address, city or ZIP Code for nearby post offices, collection boxes and available services.
USPS ZIP Code lookup — Find the mailing ZIP Code for a specific street address.
USPS Hold Mail — Arrange a temporary mail hold and review identity-verification requirements.
USPS change of address and forwarding — Review forwarding options and submit an address-change request through USPS.
USPS package pickup — Check pickup availability for your address and schedule eligible shipments.
Veterans
National services available to local residents
VA accredited representatives — Find help with VA claims and benefit applications.
VA health care applications — Review application options and supporting information.
VA disability claims — Find the official steps for submitting a disability claim.
GI Bill and education benefits — Review how to apply for VA education benefits.
Veteran career and employment support — Explore VA employment, training and career assistance.
Employment
National services available to local residents
USAJOBS federal employment — Search federal openings by location and occupation.
Apprenticeship Finder — Search apprenticeship opportunities by location and occupation.
My Next Move career exploration — Explore occupations, industries and career interests.
Government job-training resources — Find routes to state training programs and support for different job seekers.
Unemployment benefit guidance — Find your state program and its application and eligibility information.
Get to Know Bradley County
Useful answers for residents, visitors and anyone planning their next step.
Local Questions
Bradley County Questions, Answered
Explore practical details about the county and the organizations that serve it.
115,465 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate). This is a dated Census Bureau estimate, rather than a live resident count.
331.449 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography). The total combines land and water area.
Start with these official Tennessee resources: Address Change; Title and Registration; Renewing Your License or Identification. Choose the page for the service you need, then check its office or online instructions before making a trip. These links cover state services; they do not establish that every transaction is available at a county office.
Use USPS ZIP Code Lookup for the mailing ZIP Code of a specific street address. Use the USPS location finder to search for nearby postal facilities and available services. An address lookup is more useful for mailing than assuming the entire county shares one ZIP Code.
The VA explains how to find and appoint an accredited representative for benefit claims. Contact a representative to confirm availability before appointing them. For education benefits, use the GI Bill application guidance. These are national VA services available to eligible local residents, rather than a listing of county offices.
Search USAJOBS for federal positions and the Apprenticeship Finder for apprenticeship opportunities, using location filters to narrow the results. USAGov job-training guidance points to training programs and state resources. Check each listing for current availability, eligibility and application instructions; a search result does not guarantee an opening in the county.
Andrew Taylor's log house became known as Taylor's Place and served travelers near the area's springs. Cleveland was formally designated the Bradley County seat in 1838 and named for Benjamin Cleveland. The city's account connects that modest stopping place with later civic development, while county resources recognize both Cleveland and Charleston. The springside account gives geography a practical role in Cleveland's origins. Its later county-seat status describes another development stage, while Charleston keeps the wider county story connected to more than one town.
Use Cleveland's early springside story as an introduction, then consider Charleston for a wider county perspective. The public library and local visitor resources can help identify a particular historical subject. Keep the earlier stopping place distinct from the city's later formal organization. Compare the local accounts of the two communities rather than extending one town's story across the county. A focused historical question can make the library or visitor-resource stop more useful.
The 2020 Census geography figures record 328.762 square miles of land and 2.687 square miles of water in Bradley County. The county’s total area includes both. These are geographic measurements for that Census vintage, not a measurement of current water levels or public recreation access.
In the Census Bureau’s 2025 estimate series, Bradley County had an estimated 108,832 residents on July 1, 2020, and 115,465 on July 1, 2025. Over that interval, the estimated population increased by 6,633 residents, or about 6.1%. Both figures come from the same estimate vintage, which revises earlier years for a consistent comparison.
Cleveland is the county seat listed for Bradley County by the National Association of Counties. For an office visit, confirm the specific department’s address before traveling. NACo county profile.
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
My Local Guide
Local Businesses
Businesses Serving Bradley CountyExplore the businesses listed for this county.
Businesses serving Bradley County
Additional county facts: county overview and references.
Connect with local businesses.Bradley County