Population 46,339 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Downtown Memphis
Household size in Downtown Memphis
| Period | Downtown Memphis | Memphis area | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.39 | 2.72 | 2.53 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.32 | 2.74 | 2.57 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.22 | 2.70 | 2.57 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.06 | 2.65 | 2.53 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.33 | −0.06 | +0.00 | −0.03 |
Households in Downtown Memphis are small: just 2.06 people on average, compared with 2.65 nationally. That is typical of places where many people live alone or as couples, and fewer have children at home. Household size has dropped from 2.39 in 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Of Memphis' 14 neighborhoods, only two have smaller households.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Downtown Memphis
| Period | Downtown Memphis | Memphis area | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 34.5 | 35.8 | 38.3 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 34.7 | 36.7 | 39.2 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 37.3 | 37.6 | 39.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 36.5 | 37.7 | 39.9 | 40.1 |
| Change | +2.0 | +1.9 | +1.6 | +2.3 |
Downtown Memphis is younger than the country as a whole: its median age is 36.5, against 40.1 nationally. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 34.5, in line with the national trend. Residents skew youngest in the northwest and oldest in the southwest.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Downtown Memphis
| Period | Downtown Memphis | Memphis area | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 24.1% | 17.3% | 12.2% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 19.4% | 16.4% | 12.0% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 15.7% | 15.6% | 11.6% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 16.8% | 16.3% | 11.8% | 11.6% |
| Change | −7.3 pts | −0.9 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head about one in six households in Downtown Memphis (16.8%), well above the national share of 11.6%. That is in line with the rest of the Memphis area. The single-parent share has fallen 7.3 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Downtown Memphis
Renters in Downtown Memphis
| Period | Downtown Memphis | Memphis area | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 61.9% | 34.7% | 30.4% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 64.3% | 37.9% | 32.9% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 67.1% | 40.0% | 33.7% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 71.3% | 39.5% | 33.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | +9.5 pts | +4.8 pts | +2.6 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Downtown Memphis rent: 71.3% of occupied homes are rented, far above the national share of 34.8%. Expect more apartments, and more turnover, than in owner-heavy areas. The renter share has risen 9.5 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Only one other Memphis neighborhood has a higher share of renters.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Downtown Memphis
| Period | Downtown Memphis | Memphis area | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 22.0% | 12.1% | 11.5% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 21.3% | 11.7% | 11.8% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 19.2% | 11.6% | 11.8% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 18.0% | 9.8% | 10.1% | 9.6% |
| Change | −4.1 pts | −2.3 pts | −1.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 18.0% of the housing in Downtown Memphis, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Vacancy is down 4.1 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Downtown Memphis
| Period | Downtown Memphis | Memphis area | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1968 | 1980 | 1981 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1969 | 1981 | 1982 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1972 | 1981 | 1983 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1974 | 1983 | 1986 | 1980 |
| Change | +5 | +3 | +6 | +6 |
Housing in Downtown Memphis leans a little older: the median home dates to 1974, against 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1968 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the northwest, the oldest in the southeast.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Downtown Memphis
| Period | Downtown Memphis | Memphis area | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $708 | $912 | $761 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $791 | $991 | $837 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $878 | $1,080 | $961 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,143 | $1,428 | $1,286 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$435 | +$516 | +$526 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Downtown Memphis costs $1,143 a month with utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $435 a month since 2006–10, up 61%, roughly in step with the nation. The typical renter here spends 35.2% of household income on rent, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched. Rents run highest in the northwest and lowest in the southwest.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Downtown Memphis
Bachelor's degrees in Downtown Memphis
| Period | Downtown Memphis | Memphis area | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 24.8% | 25.5% | 23.9% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 26.3% | 26.6% | 25.3% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 28.1% | 28.0% | 27.9% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 29.3% | 30.5% | 31.4% | 35.6% |
| Change | +4.5 pts | +5.0 pts | +7.5 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are a little less common in Downtown Memphis than nationally: 29.3% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's or higher, against 35.6%. The share with a degree has risen 4.5 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. College graduates are most concentrated in the northwest and least in the southwest.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Downtown Memphis
| Period | Downtown Memphis | Memphis area | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 71.5% | 84.8% | 83.3% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 77.8% | 86.4% | 85.4% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 81.1% | 87.8% | 87.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 86.7% | 89.2% | 89.9% | 89.3% |
| Change | +15.2 pts | +4.4 pts | +6.6 pts | +4.3 pts |
Just over one in eight adults in Downtown Memphis never finished high school, a bit more than nationally: 86.7% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% across the U.S. The share with a diploma has risen 15.2 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Downtown Memphis
| Period | Downtown Memphis | Memphis area | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 20.6% | 10.1% | 8.6% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 19.7% | 11.0% | 9.6% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 15.7% | 7.1% | 5.4% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 13.0% | 6.9% | 4.8% | 5.4% |
| Change | −7.5 pts | −3.2 pts | −3.8 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Downtown Memphis runs well above the national rate: 13.0% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4%. Only one other Memphis neighborhood has higher unemployment. Unemployment is down 7.5 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Downtown Memphis compared with nearby neighborhoods
| Neighborhood | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown Memphis | 2.06 | 36.5 | 16.8% | 71.3% | 18.0% | 1974 | $1,143 | 29.3% | 86.7% | 13.0% |
| Medical District | 1.52 | 41.7 | 16.8% | 92.7% | 23.7% | 1968 | $856 | 17.0% | 78.1% | 7.4% |
| Crosstown | 1.99 | 41.1 | 9.5% | 48.1% | 11.3% | 1945 | $1,089 | 45.4% | 90.1% | 6.2% |
| Midtown-Memphis | 2.06 | 39.0 | 13.1% | 55.5% | 15.2% | 1951 | $1,133 | 35.5% | 88.2% | 11.3% |
| East Memphis-Colonial-Yorkshire | 2.44 | 36.7 | 14.2% | 43.3% | 11.4% | 1959 | $1,292 | 41.9% | 89.2% | 8.6% |
| White Haven-Coro Lake | 2.65 | 38.3 | 24.3% | 49.8% | 12.7% | 1968 | $1,100 | 18.2% | 86.9% | 14.2% |
| Berclair-Highland Heights | 3.25 | 27.2 | 22.0% | 51.8% | 9.6% | 1956 | $1,078 | 14.5% | 68.5% | 6.7% |
| Shelby Forest-Frayser | 2.90 | 32.4 | 32.3% | 53.7% | 16.5% | 1970 | $1,224 | 14.1% | 83.8% | 11.4% |
| Parkway Village-Oakhaven | 3.04 | 29.1 | 27.0% | 59.6% | 19.2% | 1972 | $1,281 | 12.1% | 78.0% | 9.1% |
| Raleigh | 2.76 | 34.2 | 27.0% | 58.7% | 10.2% | 1976 | $1,296 | 16.4% | 86.8% | 6.8% |
| River Oaks-Kirby-Balmoral | 2.33 | 37.8 | 17.7% | 52.8% | 6.4% | 1983 | $1,415 | 43.8% | 92.0% | 4.3% |
All figures 2020–24.
Neighborhoods with similar populations: North Torrance, Torrance, CA · Shelby Forest-Frayser, Memphis, TN · Richmond, Philadelphia, PA · Rancho Bernadino, San Diego, CA · Playa Vista, Los Angeles, CA · Park, Stockton, CA · Paerdegat, Brooklyn, NY · Oak Lane, Philadelphia, PA · Norwood Park, Chicago, IL · Northeast, Anaheim, CA
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Downtown Memphis. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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