Originally known as Antioch, New Hope incorporated in 1974 to avoid an annexation attempt by South Pittsburg, which most of the new city's residents opposed.

The headquarters for the New Hope Fire Department is located across the highway from the Town Hall, where volunteers may serve in the community.

On October 24, 2022, Charles and Michael King filed a lawsuit against New Hope requesting the removal of encroachments on property deeded by their father to the town for use of a volunteer fire department structure.

[15][16][17] On July 17, 2023, six of the eight New Hope volunteer firefighters resigned and held a press conference in protest, claiming hostile workplace with old gear.

[23] Festival Opera presented Carlisle Floyd’s “Susannah,” July 12 and 14, 2019, at the Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek, CA.

[24] Dubbed as “an American tale of innocence, lust, and social consequence,” the opera centers on the main character, 18-year-old Susannah Polk, a typical teenager entering womanhood in the quiet mountain town of New Hope, Tennessee, when she finds herself bereft of hope as she becomes the target of ruthless and malicious gossip.

[27] Chattanooga Guided Adventures operates a dusk kayak tour from Maple View to the cave daily between March and October.

[28][29] New Hope is also home to the Shrine of Our Lady Virgin of the Poor, built by Benedictine monks in 1982 for spiritual contemplation and open to anyone of any faith.

[41] A petition critical to rezoning this property[42] for commercial use was circulated among New Hope residents to be presented at a future Town Hall meeting.

[43][44] On July 4, 2023, it was announced that the property for the RV park was "back on the market," indicating that the developer's plans to purchase the land have ceased.