Get ready-to-use data, reports, analysis, and visualizations covering the demographics of Shelby County, Tennessee based on the current United States Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates.
Explore Topics
Shelby County, Tennessee Demographics: Sex by Age
According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, the total population of Shelby County, Tennessee is 922,195. The median age of the population in Shelby County, Tennessee is 35.8. The median age for males is 34.3 years, and for females, it is 37.2 years.
The age distribution of the population in Shelby County, Tennessee is as follows:
- Under 5 years: 6.86%
- 5–17 years (children): 18.61%
- 18–24 years (young adults): 8.72%
- 25–34 years: 14.77%
- 35–54 years: 24.67%
- 55–64 years: 11.98%
- 65 years and over (seniors): 14.38%
The total dependency ratio in Shelby County, Tennessee is 66.25%. The youth dependency ratio is 42.35%, and the old-age dependency ratio is 23.91%. In demographic terms, the dependency ratio measures the size of the population typically not in the labor force (children and older adults) relative to those of working age.
Shelby County, Tennessee Demographics: Population by Race & Ethnicity
According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, the breakdown of the population in Shelby County, Tennessee by race and ethnicity (racial demographics) is as follows:
- White: 33.28%
- Black/African American: 52.65%
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.04%
- Asian: 2.83%
- Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander: 0.07%
- Some other race: 0.30%
- Two or more races: 2.35%
- Hispanic or Latino: 8.49%
The diversity index score in Shelby County, Tennessee is 60.35%, suggesting a high level of diversity.
Shelby County, Tennessee Demographics: Household Income
According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, the median household income in Shelby County, Tennessee over the past 12 months, adjusted for 2023 inflation, was $62,337.
The distribution of household income by income bracket in Shelby County, Tennessee is as follows:
- Less than $20,000: 15.49%
- $20,000–$34,999: 12.83%
- $35,000–$49,999: 12.58%
- $50,000–$74,999: 16.63%
- $75,000–$149,999: 26.34%
- $150,000 or more: 16.14%
Shelby County, Tennessee Demographics: Educational Attainment
According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, the breakdown of the total population of Shelby County, Tennessee, age 25 and older, by educational level is as follows:
- Less than high school graduate: 10.17%
- High school graduate (incl. equivalency): 27.44%
- Some college or associate's degree: 28.19%
- Bachelor's Degree: 20.10%
- Graduate or professional degree: 14.10%
In Shelby County, Tennessee, 34.20% of the population has a bachelor's degree or higher, while 89.83% are high school graduates or higher.
Shelby County, Tennessee Demographics: Health Insurance Coverage Status by Sex by Age
According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, the uninsured rate in Shelby County, Tennessee is 12.09%.
Rates of people in Shelby County, Tennessee lacking health insurance coverage, by age group and sex are as follows:
- Under 18: 8.21% of males and 6.20% of females are uninsured
- Ages 18–34: 12.31% of males and 11.11% of females are uninsured
- Ages 35–64: 21.78% of males and 14.85% of females are uninsured
- Ages 65 and older: 0.75% of males and 4.69% of females are uninsured
Shelby County, Tennessee Demographics: Nativity and Citizenship Status in the United States
According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 95.22% of people living in Shelby County, Tennessee are U.S. citizens. This includes individuals born in the United States, Puerto Rico, or U.S. Island Areas, those born abroad to American parents, and those who became citizens through naturalization. 2.77% of the population obtained U.S. citizenship through the naturalization process. In Shelby County, Tennessee, 2.77% of the population are naturalized immigrants, who obtained U.S. citizenship through the immigration and naturalization process.
Shelby County, Tennessee Demographics: Means of Transportation to Work
According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, the means of transportation to work for the population of Shelby County, Tennessee are distributed as follows:
- Car, truck, or van: 87.47%
- Public transportation (excluding taxicab): 0.54%
- Bicycle: 0.12%
- Walked: 1.26%
- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.22%
- Worked from home: 9.39%
Frequently Asked Questions
According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, the age breakdown of the population of Shelby County, Tennessee is as follows:
- Under 5: 6.86%
- Ages 5–17: 18.61%
- Ages 18–24: 8.72%
- Ages 25–34: 14.77%
- Ages 35–54: 24.67%
- Ages 55–64: 11.98%
- 65 or older: 14.38%
According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, the racial demographics of the population of Shelby County, Tennessee are as follows:
- White: 33.28%
- Black/African American: 52.65%
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.04%
- Asian: 2.83%
- Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander: 0.07%
- Some other race: 0.30%
- Two or more races: 2.35%
- Hispanic or Latino: 8.49%
* Hispanic includes respondents of any race. Other categories are non-Hispanic.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, the distribution of household income in Shelby County, Tennessee by income bracket is as follows:
- Less than $20,000: 15.49%
- $20,000–$34,999: 12.83%
- $35,000–$49,999: 12.58%
- $50,000–$74,999: 16.63%
- $75,000–$149,999: 26.34%
- $150,000 or more: 16.14%
According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, the median household income in Shelby County, Tennessee in the past 12 months, in 2023 inflation-adjusted dollars, was $62,337.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 33.28% of the population in Shelby County, Tennessee identifies as White alone (not Hispanic or Latino).
According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 52.65% of the population in Shelby County, Tennessee identifies as Black or African American alone (not Hispanic or Latino).
According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 12.09% of the population of Shelby County, Tennessee lacks health insurance coverage.
The detailed breakdown by age and sex is as follows:
- Under 18: 8.21% of males and 6.20% of females
- Ages 18–34: 12.31% of males and 11.11% of females
- Ages 35–64: 21.78% of males and 14.85% of females
- Ages 65 and over: 0.75% of males and 4.69% of females