CountyScore

Shelby County

Tennessee · TN

#95 in Tennessee
58.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Shelby County, Tennessee

Shelby Scores Notably Above National Median

Shelby County's composite score of 64.8 ranks 30 percent above the national median of 50.0, positioning it among stronger-performing U.S. counties despite lagging its state peers. The county benefits from moderate housing costs and reasonable taxes relative to national standards.

Shelby Underperforms State Average Significantly

With a score of 64.8, Shelby County ranks substantially below Tennessee's state average of 76.3, placing it in the lower-middle range among the state's 95 counties. The gap reflects higher tax burdens and more limited income potential compared to better-performing Tennessee counties.

Urban Vibrancy Offers Diverse Opportunities

Shelby County (home to Memphis) provides urban employment diversity and cultural amenities unavailable in smaller counties, with moderate housing costs at $1,170/month median rent and $229,700 median home values. A tax score of 73.2 with a 1.034% effective rate remains competitive despite being the highest in this group.

Tax Burden and Income Lag Behind Peers

The county's tax score of 73.2 is the lowest in this group, and its income score of 24.1 reflects a median household income of $62,337—among the lowest despite urban employment options. Safety, health, school, and water quality data are unavailable, requiring verification of urban services before relocating.

Best for Urban-Oriented, Diverse-Career Seekers

Shelby County suits professionals seeking urban amenities, diverse employment sectors, and cultural opportunities willing to accept higher taxes and modest income levels compared to smaller counties. The tradeoff favors those who value city living over tax savings.

Score breakdown

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

Tax73.2Cost68.6SafetyComing SoonHealth60.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome24.1Risk0.6WaterComing Soon
🏛73.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠68.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼24.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤60.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡0.6
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

Fulton County
Georgia
58.4
Median income: $91,490
Montgomery County
Maryland
58.4
Median income: $128,733
Ingham County
Michigan
58.4
Median income: $64,354
Gregg County
Texas
58.4
Median income: $64,809
Starr County
Texas
58.4
Median income: $38,182

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 County taxes exceed national median

Shelby County's 1.034% effective rate produces a median annual tax of $2,376 on properties worth $229,700—nearly at the national median of $2,690. This is Tennessee's highest county rate and roughly double the state average.

Shelby leads Tennessee in property tax burden

At 1.034%, Shelby's effective rate is more than double Tennessee's 0.511% state average, making it the highest-taxed county statewide. The median tax bill of $2,376 runs 134% above the state median of $1,016.

Shelby's taxes dramatically outpace region peers

Shelby's 1.034% rate towers over every other county profiled—nearly double Roane's 0.552% and three times Sevier's 0.314%. Homeowners pay $2,376 annually, exceeding the region's second-highest (Robertson at $1,547) by $829.

What Shelby County homeowners pay annually

On the median home value of $229,700 with a 1.034% effective rate, Shelby homeowners owe approximately $2,376 per year. Mortgage obligations add $172, bringing the total to $2,548.

Shelby homeowners have the most to gain from appeals

With the state's highest tax rate, Shelby County homeowners have the strongest incentive to challenge potentially inflated assessments. Comparing your property valuation to recent sales and filing a formal appeal could yield hundreds in annual savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Shelby County

via CostByCounty

Memphis metro housing strains even above-average earners

Shelby County's 22.5% rent-to-income ratio ranks among Tennessee's highest housing burdens, far exceeding the 15% comfort threshold and even surpassing Rutherford County despite lower median income of $62,337 versus the national average of $74,755. Memphis's urban housing market demands substantially more from residents than state or national norms.

Shelby ranks as Tennessee's least affordable county

At 22.5%, Shelby County's rent-to-income ratio ranks as Tennessee's worst housing affordability among these eight counties, standing 4.9 percentage points above the state average of 17.6%. The median rent of $1,170 reflects Memphis's metro-area pricing structure, where urban demand substantially exceeds rural Tennessee norms.

Shelby's urban burden far exceeds county peers

Shelby County's $1,170 rent falls between Robertson County's $1,176 and Rutherford County's $1,405, yet Shelby's 22.5% rent-to-income ratio substantially exceeds both—revealing that Memphis's lower median income ($62,337) makes even moderate rents disproportionately burdensome. Urban growth without proportional income growth defines Shelby's housing crisis.

Nearly one-quarter of income goes to rent

Shelby residents allocate roughly $1,170 monthly to rent or $1,211 to mortgages from a median income of $62,337—consuming approximately 22.5% and 23.3% of gross earnings respectively, well above healthy affordability thresholds. The median home value of $229,700 reflects a market where housing appreciation has outpaced local wage growth.

Shelby demands careful income assessment before moving

If you're considering Shelby County (Memphis), ensure household income exceeds $75,000 to comfortably manage the 22.5% rent-to-income burden—significantly higher than most Tennessee counties. Compare Memphis's urban amenities and opportunity carefully against more affordable alternatives: a 1-hour drive to Roane County cuts rent costs by 40% while maintaining regional access.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Shelby County

via IncomeByCounty

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.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Shelby County

via HealthByCounty

Shelby's health lags despite urban advantage

Shelby County's 71.8-year life expectancy sits slightly above the U.S. average of 71.4 years, but this margin is narrow for a county containing Memphis—typically a regional health and economic center. Over 1 in 5 residents (22.4%) report poor or fair health, above national averages and suggesting significant health disparities within the urban county. Urban density hasn't translated to health leadership.

Shelby ranks below Tennessee average

At 71.8 years, Shelby County's life expectancy trails Tennessee's 72.4-year state average by 0.6 years, making it the second-lowest among the eight profiled counties. However, Shelby's 11.4% uninsured rate nearly matches Tennessee's 11.9% state average, suggesting coverage is less of a barrier than health outcomes themselves. Shelby faces health challenges beyond insurance access.

Shelby's providers vastly exceed peers

Shelby County's 86 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and 203 mental health providers per 100,000—the highest of any county profiled—position it as the regional health infrastructure leader. Yet despite this abundance, Shelby's 71.8-year life expectancy ranks among the lowest regionally. Provider supply alone cannot overcome the social and economic determinants driving Shelby's health disparities.

Rich infrastructure, stark disparities remain

Shelby's 86 primary care and 203 mental health providers per 100,000 residents represent unmatched regional capacity, yet 22.4% of the county reports poor or fair health—among the highest rates profiled. With 11.4% uninsured, coverage is relatively stable, suggesting the barriers lie in economic hardship, social stress, and health behaviors rather than access alone. Shelby's paradox reveals that provider abundance without addressing root drivers of illness falls short.

Shelby: access your abundant resources

Shelby's 11.4% uninsured population should explore coverage at Healthcare.gov or contact local enrollment assistance—your county's exceptional provider network can only help if you're covered. Once insured, prioritize establishing relationships with primary care and mental health providers; Shelby's infrastructure supports continuous care if you initiate it. Coverage access unlocks Shelby's extraordinary health resources.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Shelby County

via RiskByCounty

Shelby ranks among America's highest-risk counties

Shelby County scores 99.36 on composite risk—a Relatively High rating and nearly double the national average of roughly 50. This makes Shelby one of the most hazard-exposed counties in the entire United States, ranking in the top 1% for disaster risk. The score reflects Shelby's position in a high-tornado region, major flood corridors, and seismic zones.

Tennessee's most dangerous county overall

At 99.36, Shelby's composite score exceeds all other Tennessee counties, running 89% above the state average of 52.45. No county in Tennessee approaches Shelby's hazard concentration across tornadoes (99.78), floods (98.66), and earthquakes (99.52). Shelby residents face the state's most extreme and multifaceted natural disaster exposure.

Catastrophically outpaces surrounding counties

Shelby (99.36) far exceeds the risk profile of every adjacent county, standing as a dramatic regional outlier. Its tornado risk (99.78) is among the nation's absolute highest, while flood risk (98.66) reflects the Mississippi River and extensive urban development in vulnerable floodplains. No neighboring county comes within 40 points of Shelby's composite score.

Tornadoes, floods, and earthquakes converge

Shelby's tornado risk of 99.78 ranks among America's deadliest, while flood risk (98.66) reflects the Mississippi River, tributaries, and urban development spanning floodplains. Earthquake risk (99.52) adds significant seismic exposure, and wildfire (71.06) and hurricane (67.13) risks provide additional hazard layers. Shelby faces the convergence of virtually every major natural disaster type at extreme intensity.

Maximum protection is your only option

Shelby County demands comprehensive coverage: flood insurance (mandatory in most mortgaged areas), earthquake insurance, and verified tornado/wind protection with high limits. Invest in a safe room or storm shelter—Shelby's 99.78 tornado score justifies the expense. Review all policies annually with an independent agent familiar with Shelby's exceptional hazard profile, and maintain emergency savings for deductibles.

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.