COUNTY · 2000 CENSUS

Shelby County

Alabama · 143,293 residents · 785.441 sq mi

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The short version

Shelby County is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $55,440. Population has grown 44% since 1990. 37% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 24%. Median home value has risen by half since 1990, reaching $136,200. Households here earn about 62% more than the Alabama median.

At a glance

Wealthier

above the US median

US median: $42,589

Mid-age

median age 34.9

US median: 35.2

More educated

37% hold a bachelor's degree

US average: 24%

Stable housing

home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted

US median home: $120,530

Section 01

Population & growth

Total population

143,293

+44%since 1990

from 99,358 in 1990

1990 – 2025

Population density

182 / sq mi

+44%since 1990

from 126 / sq mi in 1990

US average: 242

Median age

34.9

+11%since 1990

from 31.6 in 1990

US average: 35.2

Population, 1990 – 2024

2024230K

Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income

$55,440

+14%inflation adjusted, since 1990

from $36,852 in 1990

US average: $42,589

1990 – 2024

Per capita income

$27,176

+67%since 1990

from $16,237 in 1990

US average: $21,522

Poverty rate

6.3%

−2.8 ptssince 1990

from 9.2% in 1990

US average: 12.4%

Section 03

Housing

Median home value

$136,200

+17%inflation adjusted, since 1990

from $88,500 in 1990

US average: $120,530

1990 – 2024

Median gross rent

$635

+5%inflation adjusted, since 1990

from $457 in 1990

US average: $602

Owner-occupied

81.0%

+5.4 ptssince 1990

from 75.6% in 1990

19.0% rent

Afford Score

2.5

+2%since 1990

from 2.4 in 1990

1990 – 2024

RELATED:See current rent listings in Shelby County on RentDataNow

Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990

White, non-Hispanic91.3%(90,700)

Black7.7%(7,609)

Hispanic / Latino0.5%(504)

Asian0.6%(587)

Diversity Score21.1%(21,013)

2000

White, non-Hispanic88.6%(126,951)

Black7.4%(10,570)

Hispanic / Latino2%(2,910)

Asian1%(1,465)

Diversity Score24.2%(34,655)

Diversity Score

+14%since 1990

from 21 in 1990

1990 – 2024

Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

36.8%

+7.8 ptssince 1990

from 29.0% in 1990

US average: 24.4%

High school or higher

86.8%

+8.7 ptssince 1990

from 78.2% in 1990

US average: 80.3%

Graduate degree

11.2%

+2.5 ptssince 1990

from 8.7% in 1990

US average: 8.8%

Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute

19.6 min

−15%since 1990

from 22.9 min in 1990

US average: 17.6

Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

Drill deeper

Places similar to Shelby County

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Pop 233,539

San Luis Obispo County

Head to head

Compare Shelby County to nearby counties

SHELBY COUNTY VS

Jefferson County

Income$66,388+20%

Home value$240,000+76%

Population665,742+179%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

SHELBY COUNTY VS

Chilton County

Income$65,603+18%

Home value$161,300+18%

Population47,708−80%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

SHELBY COUNTY VS

Talladega County

Income$57,776+4%

Home value$149,200+10%

Population81,603−66%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

SHELBY COUNTY VS

Bibb County

Income$52,541−5%

Home value$145,700+7%

Population22,262−91%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

Frequently asked

How many people live in Shelby County, Alabama?

Shelby County, Alabama has about 143,293 residents according to the 2000 Census.

What is the median household income in Shelby County, Alabama?

The typical household in Shelby County, Alabama earns about $55,440 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Shelby County, Alabama expensive?

In Shelby County, Alabama, the median home is worth about $136,200, and the typical rent is about $635 a month.

How educated are people in Shelby County, Alabama?

About 36.8% of adults age 25 and over in Shelby County, Alabama hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Shelby County, Alabama?

About 6.3% of people in Shelby County, Alabama live below the federal poverty line.

Has Shelby County, Alabama grown since 1990?

Yes, Shelby County, Alabama has grown since 1990. The population has added about 43,935 residents, a change of about 44 percent over that period.

DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →

Shelby County

Population & growth

Income & economy

Housing

Race & ethnicity

Education

Commute & transportation

Work & employment

People & community

Places similar to Shelby County

Compare Shelby County to nearby counties

How many people live in Shelby County, Alabama?

What is the median household income in Shelby County, Alabama?

Is Shelby County, Alabama expensive?

How educated are people in Shelby County, Alabama?

What is the poverty rate in Shelby County, Alabama?

Has Shelby County, Alabama grown since 1990?

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