What Bert Has To Say About Dalton Metro Area
Dalton, a typical Southern town along I-75, is noted for its carpet industry. “Noted” actually understates the case a bit – there are reputedly over 150 carpet mills and 100 carpet outlet stores, and the area ships more than half – some sources say up to 90 percent -- of the world’s manufactured carpets. Such a concentration has made Dalton a minor tourist attraction, with carpet buyers and lookers coming from all over to look at and buy carpet, and yes, they do save money, even with freight. Aside from carpet, there is some chemical, plastic and other manufacturing industry, and the area is known for its productive labor force and good labor relations.
Downtown is older and typically Southern with a few historic buildings. There isn’t a lot to do locally, but Chattanooga, Tennessee, is 20 miles north and Atlanta is 75 miles south. As the tax climate in Tennessee is more favorable, relatively few make the commute to Chattanooga. Health care resources, anchored by the Hamilton Medical Center, are above average for the type of town. There is some recreational activity in the nearby mountains and streams, and the Chickamauga battlefield part 15 miles northwest adds historic interest. Predictably, cost of living and housing are low in this small Southern city.
Dalton is located in a broad and mostly wooded valley surrounded by hilly and deciduous-wooded terrain. The climate is mostly subtropical with a continental winter influence. Summers can be hot, still and sticky with occasional thunderstorms. Winters are variable with occasional cold snaps and periods of freezing rain or ice storms following them. Tropical moisture can produce steady rains at all times of the year, although most consider fall weather most pleasant. First freeze is early November, last is late March.