Population 230,211 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Shelby County
Household size in Shelby County
| Period | Shelby County | Birmingham area | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.62 | 2.56 | 2.55 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.70 | 2.59 | 2.58 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.69 | 2.59 | 2.58 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.67 | 2.57 | 2.56 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.05 | +0.01 | +0.00 | −0.03 |
At 2.67 people per household, Shelby County sits close to the national average of 2.65. The typical household here is bigger than in the Birmingham area as a whole, where it has 2.57 people. Since 2006–10, household size has crept up from 2.62, even as the national average fell.
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 Shelby County
| Period | Shelby County | Birmingham area | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 37.1 | 37.9 | 38.2 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 38.3 | 39.1 | 39.1 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 40.2 | 39.9 | 40.1 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 40.9 | 40.0 | 40.2 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.8 | +2.1 | +2.0 | +2.3 |
Half of the people in Shelby County are younger than 40.9 and half are older, close to the national median of 40.1. The median age has climbed from 37.1 in 2006–10, as it has nationally. The youngest areas are in the south, the oldest in the northeast.
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 Shelby County
| Period | Shelby County | Birmingham area | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.2% | 12.1% | 12.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 8.6% | 12.0% | 12.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 6.9% | 11.2% | 11.8% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 8.5% | 12.0% | 12.2% | 11.6% |
| Change | +0.3 pts | −0.1 pts | −0.3 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in Shelby County: 8.5% of households, against 11.6% nationally. Few Alabama counties have a lower share of single-parent households: only two of 67.
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 Shelby County
Renters in Shelby County
| Period | Shelby County | Birmingham area | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 19.4% | 27.9% | 28.9% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 21.2% | 30.4% | 30.8% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 19.5% | 30.6% | 31.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 18.6% | 29.2% | 29.8% | 34.8% |
| Change | −0.7 pts | +1.3 pts | +0.9 pts | +1.5 pts |
Shelby County is largely a place of homeowners: only 18.6% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. Among homeowners, 31.9% have no mortgage at all, below the national share of 39.8%. The renter share is down 0.7 points from 2006–10, even as the national share rose.
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 Shelby County
| Period | Shelby County | Birmingham area | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.4% | 12.5% | 14.0% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 9.0% | 12.8% | 14.6% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 8.1% | 13.6% | 15.7% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 6.6% | 11.6% | 13.5% | 9.6% |
| Change | −2.8 pts | −1.0 pts | −0.5 pts | −1.8 pts |
Fewer homes sit empty in Shelby County than nationally: 6.6%, against 9.6% for the U.S. Since 2006–10, vacancy has fallen 2.8 points, mirroring the country. Shelby County has the lowest vacancy rate of any Alabama county.
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 Shelby County
| Period | Shelby County | Birmingham area | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1992 | 1979 | 1980 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1993 | 1981 | 1982 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1995 | 1982 | 1983 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1998 | 1984 | 1986 | 1980 |
| Change | +6 | +5 | +6 | +6 |
Much of the housing in Shelby County is relatively new: half of its homes were built after 1998, compared with 1980 for the U.S. as a whole. The median year built has moved up from 1992 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the center, while the southeast has the oldest housing. Of Alabama's 67 counties, only two have newer homes.
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 Shelby County
| Period | Shelby County | Birmingham area | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $990 | $827 | $716 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,098 | $903 | $785 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,164 | $984 | $858 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,491 | $1,238 | $1,091 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$502 | +$412 | +$375 | +$606 |
Rent in Shelby County runs $1,491 a month at the median, utilities included, below the U.S. median of $1,571. Even so, rents here are higher than in the Birmingham area as a whole ($1,238). Rent has climbed $502 a month since 2006–10, up 51%, a slower climb than the nation's. Shelby County has the highest rents of any Alabama county.
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 Shelby County
Bachelor's degrees in Shelby County
| Period | Shelby County | Birmingham area | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 40.2% | 28.3% | 23.3% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 40.9% | 29.1% | 24.3% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 42.8% | 31.1% | 26.2% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 47.0% | 34.7% | 29.0% | 35.6% |
| Change | +6.8 pts | +6.4 pts | +5.7 pts | +7.2 pts |
College graduates are unusually common in Shelby County: 47.0% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's degree or higher, against 35.6% nationally. Education tends to track local incomes and the kinds of jobs nearby. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 6.8 points, in line with the national trend. Shelby County has the highest share of college graduates of any Alabama county.
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 Shelby County
| Period | Shelby County | Birmingham area | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 91.8% | 85.7% | 82.3% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 91.4% | 86.8% | 84.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 92.7% | 88.9% | 86.4% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 94.6% | 90.5% | 88.7% | 89.3% |
| Change | +2.8 pts | +4.9 pts | +6.4 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Shelby County: 94.6% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. The share with a diploma is up 2.8 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Shelby County has the highest share of high school graduates of any Alabama county.
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 Shelby County
| Period | Shelby County | Birmingham area | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.5% | 8.0% | 8.6% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 6.1% | 9.2% | 10.2% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.7% | 5.9% | 6.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.0% | 4.4% | 4.9% | 5.4% |
| Change | −2.5 pts | −3.6 pts | −3.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Shelby County has been low: just 3.0% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Of Alabama's 67 counties, only five have lower unemployment. Unemployment has fallen 2.5 points since 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).
Shelby County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shelby County | 2.67 | 40.9 | 8.5% | 18.6% | 6.6% | 1998 | $1,491 | 47.0% | 94.6% | 3.0% |
| Talladega County | 2.34 | 43.1 | 14.3% | 28.0% | 13.3% | 1982 | $837 | 16.5% | 85.8% | 6.8% |
| Tuscaloosa County | 2.53 | 35.1 | 11.0% | 38.6% | 13.5% | 1992 | $1,138 | 33.2% | 91.0% | 6.4% |
| Clay County | 2.43 | 46.1 | 9.8% | 20.6% | 18.0% | 1983 | $631 | 14.4% | 82.5% | 2.4% |
| Randolph County | 2.41 | 42.9 | 12.9% | 22.8% | 24.8% | 1984 | $689 | 17.5% | 84.1% | 3.5% |
| Pickens County | 2.62 | 41.9 | 9.3% | 24.2% | 23.2% | 1983 | $636 | 13.0% | 85.8% | 4.9% |
| Heard County | 2.74 | 41.0 | 10.5% | 27.7% | 10.6% | 1985 | $972 | 12.4% | 87.5% | 4.3% |
| Noxubee County | 2.56 | 39.6 | 23.8% | 27.0% | 17.0% | 1983 | $765 | 10.9% | 75.9% | 8.4% |
| Coweta County | 2.76 | 40.6 | 11.9% | 21.6% | 5.8% | 1997 | $1,578 | 36.4% | 92.2% | 3.2% |
| Pike County | 2.95 | 39.3 | 11.2% | 15.4% | 8.7% | 1993 | $982 | 21.5% | 90.2% | 3.6% |
| Spalding County | 2.69 | 40.3 | 17.4% | 37.3% | 9.0% | 1983 | $1,165 | 17.7% | 85.4% | 7.0% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Marin County, CA · Lackawanna County, PA · Lafayette Parish, LA · Lake County, OH · Lancaster County, NE · Lexington County, SC · Linn County, IA · Lorain County, OH · Lubbock County, TX · Madison County, IL
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 Shelby County. 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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