Shelby County, Tennessee
Income Data
U.S. Census Bureau ACSAt a Glance
Economic Indicators
How Shelby County Compares
Detailed Income Statistics
Income Advisory: Shelby County
Income Verdict
Shelby County has a median household income of $62,337 and per capita income of $37,666 — a gap of $24,671, suggesting a higher share of single-earner or non-family households.
Housing Affordability
With median gross rent at $1,170/month and a median household income of $62,337, rent consumes approximately 22.5% of monthly income — well within affordable thresholds.
Economic Context
With a median household income of $62,337, residents of Shelby County likely face budget constraints in higher-cost regions but may find cost of living manageable locally. Per capita income of $37,666 is in line with national norms for individual earners.
Neighbor Context
Shelby County earns approximately 5.7% above the Tennessee state median household income of $58,994, positioning it favorably within the state.
Data Story
About Household Income in Shelby County, Tennessee
Shelby lags nation despite Memphis presence
Shelby County's median household income of $62,337 trails the national median of $74,755 by $12,418, a 16.6% shortfall. Despite housing Tennessee's largest city and major employment hub, Shelby underperforms national averages due to income inequality and concentrated poverty.
Shelby ranks near Tennessee middle
Shelby County's median household income of $62,337 exceeds the state average of $58,994 by 5.7%, placing it slightly above Tennessee's midpoint. The county's diverse economy—anchored by healthcare, logistics, and government—provides stability despite urban challenges.
Shelby underperforms suburban counties
Shelby's $62,337 income ranks sixth among these eight counties, trailing Rutherford ($82,588), Robertson ($78,439), Roane ($66,218), and Sevier ($63,829). The gap reflects Nashville's suburban outperformance versus Memphis's urban economic structure.
Housing costs strain urban households
Shelby's rent-to-income ratio of 22.5% is the highest among profiled counties, with median home value of $229,700 consuming roughly $51,600 annually. Many Shelby households dedicate over one-quarter of earnings to housing, limiting savings capacity.
Build wealth despite urban cost pressures
Shelby households can overcome housing cost pressures through employer benefits: maximize health savings accounts for tax-advantaged saving, leverage 401(k) matches, and explore down payment assistance programs. Community development financial institutions in Memphis also offer affordable lending for homeownership.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Income Comparison Calculator
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Your income is above the Shelby County median
County median: $62,337 per year
vs. County Median
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vs. State Average
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vs. National Median
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Income Adequacy
Your monthly income ($5,195) vs. median rent ($1,170/mo). A ratio of 3.3x or higher means rent is under 30% of income.
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Compare RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023) — Informational only. Not financial or legal advice.