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METRO AREA · 1990 CENSUS

Memphis Metro

Memphis, TN-MS-AR · 9 counties · 1,075,309 residents · 4,981.851 sq mi
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The short version

Memphis has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $26,356. Population has declined 11% since 2000. Median home value is $62,486.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $30,130
Younger
median age 31.3
US median: 33.0
Average education
18% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 20%
More affordable
home values down 7%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $93,722
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,075,309
−11%vs 2000
vs 1,213,230 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
216 / sq mi
−11%vs 2000
vs 244 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 221
Median age
31.3
−6%vs 2000
vs 33.2 in 2000
US average: 33.0
Population, 1990 – 2024
1.0M1.1M1.2M1.3M1.4M1990201020202024Memphis
20241.3M
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$26,356
−12%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $39,451 in 2000
US average: $30,130
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$12,537
−37%vs 2000
vs $19,941 in 2000
US average: $14,340
Poverty rate
19.2%
+3.6 ptsvs 2000
vs 15.7% in 2000
US average: 13.2%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$62,486
−7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $88,866 in 2000
US average: $93,722
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$379
−10%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $551 in 2000
US average: $450
Owner-occupied
62.8%
−3.4 ptsvs 2000
vs 66.2% in 2000
37.2% rent
Afford Score
2.4
+5%vs 2000
vs 2.3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Memphis on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic51.9%(630,093)
Black43.3%(525,338)
Hispanic / Latino2.3%(28,485)
Asian1.3%(15,789)
Other0%
Diversity Score66.5%(806,304)
1990
White, non-Hispanic57.6%(619,838)
Black41.2%(442,739)
Hispanic / Latino0.7%(7,833)
Asian0.8%(8,173)
Other0.4%(4,559)
Diversity Score63.2%(679,209)
Diversity Score
63
−5%vs 2000
vs 66 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
18.1%
−3.8 ptsvs 2000
vs 21.9% in 2000
US average: 20.3%
High school or higher
71.8%
−7.0 ptsvs 2000
vs 78.8% in 2000
US average: 75.2%
Graduate degree
6.2%
−1.4 ptsvs 2000
vs 7.5% in 2000
US average: 7.1%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
20.4 min
+28%vs 2000
vs 16.0 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.

In this metro

Principal cities

MemphisCENTRAL609,647
What's inside

9 component counties

Shelby CountyCENTRAL910,226DeSoto CountyCENTRAL197,918Tipton County62,287Crittenden CountyCENTRAL46,210Fayette County45,071Marshall County34,654Tate County28,725Tunica County8,819Benton County7,502
Drill deeper

Metros similar to Memphis

Birmingham
Pop 1,197,766
Louisville
Pop 1,402,509
Oklahoma City
Pop 1,512,813
Buffalo
Pop 1,155,653
Places similar to Memphis
Head to head

Compare Memphis side by side

MEMPHIS VS
Birmingham
Income$72,464+175%
Home value$241,872+287%
Population1,197,766−11%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MEMPHIS VS
Louisville
Income$75,127+185%
Home value$252,743+304%
Population1,402,509+5%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MEMPHIS VS
Oklahoma City
Income$72,641+176%
Home value$228,101+265%
Population1,512,813+13%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MEMPHIS VS
Buffalo
Income$72,257+174%
Home value$225,816+261%
Population1,155,653−14%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?

Memphis, TN-MS-AR has about 1,075,309 residents according to the 1990 Census.

What is the median household income in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?

The typical household in Memphis, TN-MS-AR earns about $26,356 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Memphis, TN-MS-AR expensive?

In Memphis, TN-MS-AR, the median home is worth about $62,486, and the typical rent is about $379 a month.

How educated are people in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?

About 18.1% of adults age 25 and over in Memphis, TN-MS-AR hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?

About 19.2% of people in Memphis, TN-MS-AR live below the federal poverty line.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · METRO ROLLUP OF COMPONENT COUNTIES · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →