Population 919,173 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Shelby County
Household size in Shelby County
| Period | Shelby County | Memphis area | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.70 | 2.72 | 2.53 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.73 | 2.74 | 2.57 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.69 | 2.70 | 2.57 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.64 | 2.65 | 2.53 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.06 | −0.06 | +0.00 | −0.03 |
At 2.64 people per household, Shelby County sits close to the national average of 2.65. Household size has edged down from 2.70 in 2006–10, in line with the national trend. The biggest households, usually families with children, are concentrated in the south.
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 | Memphis area | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 35.6 | 35.8 | 38.3 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 36.2 | 36.7 | 39.2 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 37.1 | 37.6 | 39.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 36.8 | 37.7 | 39.9 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.2 | +1.9 | +1.6 | +2.3 |
The median resident of Shelby County is 36.8 years old, a few years younger than the national median of 40.1. The median age has climbed from 35.6 in 2006–10, as it has nationally. Of Tennessee's 95 counties, only four are younger.
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 | Memphis area | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 18.1% | 17.3% | 12.2% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 17.2% | 16.4% | 12.0% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 16.4% | 15.6% | 11.6% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 17.4% | 16.3% | 11.8% | 11.6% |
| Change | −0.7 pts | −0.9 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are common in Shelby County: 17.4% of all households, against 11.6% nationally. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has edged down 0.7 points, as it has nationally. Only one other Tennessee county has a higher share of single-parent households.
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 | Memphis area | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 38.3% | 34.7% | 30.4% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 42.0% | 37.9% | 32.9% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 44.9% | 40.0% | 33.7% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 45.9% | 39.5% | 33.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | +7.6 pts | +4.8 pts | +2.6 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renting is far more common in Shelby County than nationally: 45.9% of households rent their homes, against 34.8%. Among owners, 39.9% have paid off their mortgages, about the same as nationally. Since 2006–10, the renter share has risen 7.6 points, a much bigger shift than nationally. Only two of Tennessee's 95 counties have 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 Shelby County
| Period | Shelby County | Memphis area | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.4% | 12.1% | 11.5% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 12.8% | 11.7% | 11.8% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 12.4% | 11.6% | 11.8% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 10.2% | 9.8% | 10.1% | 9.6% |
| Change | −3.2 pts | −2.3 pts | −1.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy in Shelby County is close to the national rate: 10.2% of homes are empty, against 9.6%. Since 2006–10, vacancy has fallen 3.2 points, mirroring the country.
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 | Memphis area | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1976 | 1980 | 1981 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1976 | 1981 | 1982 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1977 | 1981 | 1983 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1978 | 1983 | 1986 | 1980 |
| Change | +2 | +3 | +6 | +6 |
Homes in Shelby County are about the same age as the nation's housing: the median home was built in 1978, versus 1980 nationally. Homes here are older than in the Memphis area overall, where the median home dates to 1983. Newer construction is concentrated in the northeast, while the west has the oldest housing. Few Tennessee counties have older homes: only seven of 95.
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 | Memphis area | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $949 | $912 | $761 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,027 | $991 | $837 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,114 | $1,080 | $961 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,481 | $1,428 | $1,286 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$532 | +$516 | +$526 | +$606 |
Rent in Shelby County runs $1,481 a month at the median, utilities included, below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $532 a month since 2006–10, up 56%, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 32.9% of the typical renter's income, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Rents run highest in the northeast 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 Shelby County
Bachelor's degrees in Shelby County
| Period | Shelby County | Memphis area | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 28.9% | 25.5% | 23.9% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 30.0% | 26.6% | 25.3% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 31.1% | 28.0% | 27.9% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 33.3% | 30.5% | 31.4% | 35.6% |
| Change | +4.4 pts | +5.0 pts | +7.5 pts | +7.2 pts |
About a third of adults 25 and older in Shelby County (33.3%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, close to the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree has risen 4.4 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. Of Tennessee's 95 counties, only eight have a higher share of college graduates.
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 | Memphis area | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 85.6% | 84.8% | 83.3% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 86.9% | 86.4% | 85.4% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 88.1% | 87.8% | 87.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 89.2% | 89.2% | 89.9% | 89.3% |
| Change | +3.6 pts | +4.4 pts | +6.6 pts | +4.3 pts |
About as many adults in Shelby County have finished high school as nationally: 89.2%, against 89.3%. The share with a diploma is up 3.6 points from 2006–10, as it has 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 Shelby County
| Period | Shelby County | Memphis area | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.4% | 10.1% | 8.6% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 11.5% | 11.0% | 9.6% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 7.5% | 7.1% | 5.4% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 7.7% | 6.9% | 4.8% | 5.4% |
| Change | −2.7 pts | −3.2 pts | −3.8 pts | −2.7 pts |
Finding work has been harder in Shelby County: 7.7% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well above the national rate of 5.4%. Only five of Tennessee's 95 counties have higher unemployment. Unemployment is down 2.7 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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 | 2.64 | 36.8 | 17.4% | 45.9% | 10.2% | 1978 | $1,481 | 33.3% | 89.2% | 7.7% |
| Crittenden County | 2.64 | 37.1 | 21.8% | 42.6% | 14.5% | 1984 | $983 | 16.7% | 85.6% | 10.6% |
| Fayette County | 2.52 | 47.4 | 8.4% | 18.6% | 7.8% | 1997 | $1,131 | 27.2% | 91.9% | 4.8% |
| Hardeman County | 2.38 | 42.4 | 13.3% | 28.3% | 14.9% | 1983 | $853 | 13.8% | 86.3% | 8.8% |
| St. Francis County | 2.39 | 41.3 | 15.0% | 44.5% | 17.5% | 1985 | $742 | 12.6% | 84.3% | 6.5% |
| Cross County | 2.57 | 41.3 | 18.4% | 32.5% | 15.8% | 1982 | $784 | 19.3% | 85.8% | 11.2% |
| McNairy County | 2.61 | 43.1 | 10.7% | 20.3% | 18.5% | 1985 | $723 | 13.3% | 88.6% | 5.7% |
| Woodruff County | 2.22 | 46.5 | 8.0% | 35.3% | 17.2% | 1978 | $611 | 15.5% | 82.8% | 6.0% |
| Hardin County | 2.47 | 44.9 | 10.7% | 22.0% | 22.1% | 1984 | $797 | 14.3% | 82.5% | 4.7% |
| White County | 2.59 | 39.2 | 13.9% | 30.9% | 12.7% | 1992 | $891 | 20.8% | 87.6% | 5.8% |
| Wayne County | 2.55 | 45.0 | 11.0% | 19.8% | 18.7% | 1986 | $553 | 13.1% | 82.6% | 2.7% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Fresno County, CA · Honolulu County, HI · Westchester County, NY · Duval County, FL · Marion County, IN · St. Louis County, MO · Pierce County, WA · Pinellas County, FL · Milwaukee County, WI · Prince George's County, MD
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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