COUNTY · 1990 CENSUS

Shelby County

Tennessee · 826,330 residents · 761.263 sq mi

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The short version

Shelby County has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $27,132. Population has declined 8% since 2000. Median home value is $65,600.

At a glance

Lower income

below the US median

US median: $30,130

Younger

median age 31.4

US median: 33.0

Average education

21% hold a bachelor's degree

US average: 20%

Stable housing

home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted

US median home: $93,722

Section 01

Population & growth

Total population

826,330

−8%vs 2000

vs 897,472 in 2000

1990 – 2025

Population density

1,085 / sq mi

−8%vs 2000

vs 1,179 / sq mi in 2000

US average: 221

Median age

31.4

−5%vs 2000

vs 32.9 in 2000

US average: 33.0

Population, 1990 – 2024

2024919K

Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income

$27,132

−10%inflation adjusted, since 2000

vs $39,593 in 2000

US average: $30,130

1990 – 2024

Per capita income

$13,330

−36%vs 2000

vs $20,856 in 2000

US average: $14,340

Poverty rate

18.3%

+2.3 ptsvs 2000

vs 16.0% in 2000

US average: 13.2%

Section 03

Housing

Median home value

$65,600

−5%inflation adjusted, since 2000

vs $90,800 in 2000

US average: $93,722

1990 – 2024

Median gross rent

$394

−8%inflation adjusted, since 2000

vs $566 in 2000

US average: $450

Owner-occupied

59.5%

−3.6 ptsvs 2000

vs 63.1% in 2000

40.5% rent

Afford Score

2.4

+5%vs 2000

vs 2.3 in 2000

1990 – 2024

RELATED:See current rent listings in Shelby County on RentDataNow

Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000

White, non-Hispanic46.2%(414,888)

Black48.4%(434,201)

Hispanic / Latino2.6%(23,364)

Asian1.6%(14,552)

Other0%

Diversity Score67.6%(606,503)

1990

White, non-Hispanic55%(454,581)

Black43.6%(360,343)

Hispanic / Latino0.8%(6,595)

Asian0.9%(7,599)

Other0.5%(3,807)

Diversity Score64.4%(531,755)

Diversity Score

−5%vs 2000

vs 68 in 2000

1990 – 2024

Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

20.8%

−4.5 ptsvs 2000

vs 25.3% in 2000

US average: 20.3%

High school or higher

75.1%

−5.6 ptsvs 2000

vs 80.8% in 2000

US average: 75.2%

Graduate degree

7.1%

−1.8 ptsvs 2000

vs 8.9% in 2000

US average: 7.1%

Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute

19.6 min

+34%vs 2000

vs 14.5 min in 2000

US average: 21.9

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

Head to head

Compare Shelby County to nearby counties

SHELBY COUNTY VS

DeSoto County

Income$85,297+214%

Home value$269,600+311%

Population197,918−78%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

SHELBY COUNTY VS

Crittenden County

Income$55,358+104%

Home value$160,200+144%

Population46,210−95%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

SHELBY COUNTY VS

Tipton County

Income$74,127+173%

Home value$240,600+267%

Population62,287−93%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

SHELBY COUNTY VS

Fayette County

Income$88,456+226%

Home value$340,800+420%

Population45,071−95%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

Frequently asked

How many people live in Shelby County, Tennessee?

Shelby County, Tennessee has about 826,330 residents according to the 1990 Census.

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

The typical household in Shelby County, Tennessee earns about $27,132 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Shelby County, Tennessee expensive?

In Shelby County, Tennessee, the median home is worth about $65,600, and the typical rent is about $394 a month.

How educated are people in Shelby County, Tennessee?

About 20.8% of adults age 25 and over in Shelby County, Tennessee hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Shelby County, Tennessee?

About 18.3% of people in Shelby County, Tennessee live below the federal poverty line.

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

How we source and harmonize this data →