Shelby County, Tennessee

Geography According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,030 km² (784 mi²). 1,954 km² (755 mi²) of it is land and 75 km² (29 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 3.71% water.

Demographics As of the census of 2000, there are 897,472 people, 338,366 households, and 228,735 families residing in the county. The population density is 459/km² (1,189/mi²). There are 362,954 housing units at an average density of 186/km² (481/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 47.34% White, 48.56% African American, 0.20% Native American, 1.64% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.20% from other races, and 1.02% from two or more races. 2.60% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 338,366 households out of which 34.20% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.80% are married couples living together, 20.10% have a female householder with no husband present, and 32.40% are non-families. 27.00% of all households are made up of individuals and 7.70% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.60 and the average family size is 3.18.

In the county, the population is spread out with 28.20% under the age of 18, 9.70% from 18 to 24, 31.10% from 25 to 44, 21.00% from 45 to 64, and 10.00% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 33 years. For every 100 females there are 91.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 86.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county is $39,593, and the median income for a family is $47,386. Males have a median income of $36,932 versus $26,776 for females. The per capita income for the county is $20,856. 16.00% of the population and 12.90% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 22.90% are under the age of 18 and 13.30% are 65 or older.

Cities and Towns

• Arlington
• Bartlett
• Collierville
• Germantown
• Lakeland
• Memphis
• Millington