CountyScore

Shelby County

Alabama · AL

#62 in Alabama
67.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Shelby County, Alabama

Shelby County ranks in the 68th percentile nationally

Shelby County's composite score of 67.5 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 17.5 points, solidly outperforming most American counties. This reflects a county with above-average livability across multiple dimensions.

Close to the state middle, with distinct strengths

Shelby County's 67.5 score sits just below Alabama's 70.8 average, placing it firmly in the state's competitive middle. Though slightly lower than the state norm, its profile differs markedly from typical Alabama counties.

Health, income, and tax advantages shine

Shelby County leads on health (77.5), median household income of $93,543, and low tax burden (89.6 with 0.450% effective rate). These strengths signal a relatively affluent, healthy suburban community with strong economic fundamentals.

Housing costs climb; environmental risk is minimal

Housing affordability (63.6) lags other dimensions, with median home values of $298,700 and rent at $1,348/month reflecting suburban premium pricing. Environmental risk scores extremely low (9.7), so durability concerns are minimal.

Ideal for affluent families seeking health and stability

Shelby County appeals to higher-income professionals and established families who prioritize health, schools, and economic stability over bargain pricing. The county's strong income and health profiles outweigh its higher housing costs.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax89.6Cost63.6SafetyComing SoonHealth77.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome44.4Risk9.7WaterComing Soon
🏛89.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠63.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼44.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤77.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡9.7
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Shelby County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Kusilvak Census Area
Alaska
67.5
Median income: $48,233
Suwannee County
Florida
67.5
Median income: $55,479
Appling County
Georgia
67.5
Median income: $43,728
Baldwin County
Georgia
67.5
Median income: $55,413
Candler County
Georgia
67.5
Median income: $50,431

Deep Dives

Shelby County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Shelby County

via TaxByCounty

Shelby leads Alabama in property tax rate

Shelby County's effective tax rate of 0.450% is the highest in Alabama and ranks in the 78th percentile nationally. The median Shelby homeowner pays $1,343 annually—nearly half the national median of $2,690—because median home values here are lower. Despite higher rates statewide, Shelby's overall tax burden remains below the national average in dollar terms.

Shelby's tax rate leads all Alabama counties

At 0.450%, Shelby County has Alabama's highest effective property tax rate among all 67 counties. The median annual tax of $1,343 is 163% above Alabama's state average of $511. Shelby's higher median home value of $298,700 compounds this effect, making it distinctly the state's highest-taxing county.

Shelby outpaces St. Clair and Talladega nearby

Shelby's 0.450% rate significantly exceeds neighboring St. Clair County (0.305%) and Talladega County (0.369%). Among the central Alabama region, Shelby stands as the clear tax leader. The gap reflects both Shelby's higher property values and its more aggressive tax structure.

A $298,700 home costs $1,343 yearly in tax

The median Shelby County homeowner with a property valued at $298,700 pays $1,343 annually in property taxes. With a mortgage, tax obligations rise to $1,358; without one, they settle at $1,299. Over 30 years, Shelby homeowners commit approximately $40,300 to property taxes on a median-value home.

Shelby homeowners should verify their assessments

Shelby County's high tax rate means overassessments carry significant financial consequences. Homeowners should request a professional appraisal if they suspect their assessed value exceeds the current market price. A successful appeal in Shelby can recover hundreds of dollars annually.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Shelby County

via CostByCounty

Shelby's prosperity beats national odds

Shelby County residents earn $93,543—25% more than the national median of $74,755—and spend just 17.3% of income on rent, well below the 30% affordability threshold. This affluent suburban county near Birmingham demonstrates how strong incomes transform housing into a manageable expense.

Alabama's affordability leader

Shelby County's 17.3% rent-to-income ratio ranks among the state's best, outperforming Alabama's 18.0% average. Despite median rents of $1,348—69% above the state median of $799—high household incomes make housing sustainably affordable.

Clearly the premium market

Shelby County's $1,348 rent towers above St. Clair ($1,077) and Tuscaloosa ($997), reflecting its role as Alabama's wealthiest county. Owner costs reach $1,321 monthly, nearly double those in rural Tallapoosa ($646), matching a median home value of $298,700.

High costs, higher earning power

Shelby County homeowners invest $1,321 monthly—17.4% of the $93,543 median household income—toward ownership, remaining comfortably affordable. Renters allocate $1,348 monthly, or 17.3% of income, proving that strong paychecks make even premium housing manageable.

Move to Shelby if incomes align

Shelby County delivers superior schools, amenities, and economic stability—but demands incomes near or above the $93,543 county median to feel comfortable. If your household reaches six figures, Shelby offers exceptional affordability; below $75,000, budget tightly or explore more rural alternatives.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Shelby County

via IncomeByCounty

Shelby County Exceeds National Prosperity

Shelby County's median household income of $93,543 surpasses the U.S. median of $74,755 by 25%, placing it among the most affluent counties in Alabama. This strong income advantage reflects a thriving local economy and higher-earning workforce.

Alabama's Wealthiest County

Shelby County ranks as the most prosperous county in Alabama, with a median household income 72% above the state average of $54,196. The county's economic strength far outpaces its peers across the state.

Shelby Leads Regional Income Leaders

Shelby County's $93,543 median household income vastly exceeds neighboring St. Clair County ($78,993) and Tuscaloosa County ($63,947). This premium reflects Shelby's status as Alabama's economic powerhouse, driven by suburban Birmingham prosperity and affluent residential communities.

Strong Income Supports Premium Housing

Shelby County's 17.3% rent-to-income ratio ranks among Alabama's best, ensuring comfortable housing affordability for most households. A median home value of $298,700 remains achievable for the county's well-compensated workforce.

Shelby Residents Can Build Wealth Fast

With median household income of $93,543, Shelby County residents are well-positioned to maximize retirement contributions, diversify investments, and build substantial long-term wealth. Investing aggressively in index funds, real estate, and tax-advantaged accounts accelerates path to financial independence.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Shelby County

via HealthByCounty

Shelby County leads Alabama in health outcomes

At 79.4 years, Shelby County's life expectancy exceeds the U.S. average of 77.2 years and ranks among the nation's stronger performers. Just 14.6% of residents report poor or fair health—a mark well below national and state averages—reflecting a county-wide culture of wellness.

Best-in-state health metrics and longevity

Shelby County's 79.4-year life expectancy surpasses Alabama's 72.1-year state average by 7.3 years, placing it at the very top of Alabama's counties. The 14.6% poor/fair health rate also ranks among the state's lowest, underscoring robust population health.

Shelby's healthcare infrastructure stands out

Shelby County offers 77 primary care providers per 100K—more than four times Russell County's density—and 132 mental health providers, the highest in the region. This robust provider supply supports proactive, accessible health management across the population.

Lowest uninsured rate enables broad healthcare access

Shelby County's 7.6% uninsured rate is the lowest among its peers and well below Alabama's 11.1% average, meaning most residents maintain continuous coverage. High provider density and strong insurance uptake create a healthcare environment where preventive care, mental health support, and specialty services are readily available.

Maintain your coverage and thrive

Shelby County's high health outcomes reflect strong insurance enrollment; continue reviewing your coverage annually at healthcare.gov to ensure it meets your family's needs. If you're uninsured or changing jobs, local employers and the Alabama Marketplace offer multiple plan options.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Shelby County

via RiskByCounty

Shelby County Faces Moderate Natural Disaster Risk

Shelby County scores 90.27, placing it in the relatively moderate risk category and nearly 30 points above Alabama's state average of 61.54. This composite score reflects elevated exposure across multiple hazard types, especially tornadoes and earthquakes.

Among Alabama's Higher-Risk Counties

Shelby County ranks near the top for disaster risk in this analysis, with a score second only to Tuscaloosa (90.81) among the eight counties examined. Its tornado and earthquake risks substantially exceed state norms.

One of the State's Riskier Communities

Shelby County's 90.27 composite score exceeds all peers in this group except Tuscaloosa (90.81), making it a notably hazard-prone region of Alabama. Nearby Russell County (54.74) and Sumter County (53.02) face considerably lower combined risk.

Tornado Risk Dominates Shelby County

Tornado risk scores 98.25—the highest among all eight counties—followed by flood risk at 91.57 and earthquake risk at 84.48. Shelby residents face severe convective weather exposure and should prioritize storm-resistant building practices and emergency preparedness.

Strengthen Tornado and Flood Defenses

With tornado risk at 98.25 and flood risk at 91.57, homeowners insurance alone is insufficient—Shelby County residents need both flood insurance and a verified storm shelter or safe room. Consider retrofitting your home with impact-resistant doors and windows to withstand high winds.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.