Shelby County, AL

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Population

208,721

1.34% growth

Median Age

38.5


Median Household Income

$74,063

2.42% growth

Poverty Rate

8.33%


Number of Employees

104,093

1.35% growth

Median Property Value

$199,500

2.1% growth

About

Economy

Health

Diversity

Education

Housing & Living

About

In 2017, Shelby County, AL had a population of 209k people with a median age of 38.5 and a median household income of $74,063. Between 2016 and 2017 the population of Shelby County, AL grew from 205,951 to 208,721, a 1.34% increase and its median household income grew from $72,310 to $74,063, a 2.42% increase.

The population of Shelby County, AL is 78.5% White Alone, 11.7% Black or African American Alone, and 5.77% Hispanic or Latino. 8.19% of the people in Shelby County, AL speak a non-English language, and 96.6% are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Shelby County, AL are University of Montevallo (713 degrees awarded in 2016), University of Phoenix-Alabama (35 degrees), and Southeastern Bible College (29 degrees).

The median property value in Shelby County, AL is $199,500, and the homeownership rate is 79.6%. Most people in Shelby County, AL commute by Drove Alone, and the average commute time is 26.6 minutes. The average car ownership in Shelby County, AL is 2 cars per household.

Photo by Nicolas Henderson

United StatesAlabamaBirmingham-Hoover, AL

Economy

The economy of Shelby County, AL employs 104k people. The largest industries in Shelby County, AL are Health Care & Social Assistance (12,426 people), Retail Trade (12,425 people), and Educational Services (10,154 people), and the highest paying industries are Utilities ($98,955), Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($76,217), and Management of Companies & Enterprises ($69,091).

Median household income in Shelby County, AL is $74,063. Males in Shelby County, AL have an average income that is 1.44 times higher than the average income of females, which is $40,615. The income inequality in Shelby County, AL (measured using the Gini index) is 0.46, which is lower than than the national average.

Wages

Median Household Income

$74,063

2017 value

± $1,255

2.42%

1 Year Growth

± 2.54%

Households in Shelby County, AL have a median annual income of $74,063, which is more than the median annual income of $60,336 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $72,310 in 2016, which represents a 2.42% annual growth.

Look at the chart to see how the median household income in Shelby County, AL compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Wage by Gender in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Alabama.

$58,549

Average Male Salary

± $1,465

$40,615

Average Female Salary

± $997

In 2017, full-time male employees in Shelby County, AL made 1.44 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the gender-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in Shelby County, AL by number of full-time employees.

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Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Alabama.

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity

  1. Asian

    $58,018 ± $10,489

  2. White

    $47,885 ± $1,063

  3. American Indian and Alaska Native tribes specified; or American Indian or Alaska Native, not specified and no other races

    $45,909 ± $38,465

In 2017 the highest paid race/ethnicity of Shelby County, AL workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.21 times more than White workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity.

This chart shows the race- and ethnicity-based wage disparities in the 5 most common occupations in Shelby County, AL by number of full-time employees.

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Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Shelby County, AL is from Alabama.

0.46

2017 Wage GINI

0.458

2016 Wage GINI

In 2017, the income inequality in Alabama was 0.46 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.343% growth from 2016 to 2017, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even.

The 2017 the GINI for Alabama was lower than than the national average of 0.479. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Alabama in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Alabama across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

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Income by Location

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Highest Median Household Income (Total)

  1. Census Tract 302.17

  2. Census Tract 302.11

  3. Census Tract 303.42

In 2017, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Shelby County, AL was Census Tract 302.17 with a value of $119,659, followed by Census Tract 302.11 and Census Tract 303.42, with respective values of $116,146 and $113,007.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Shelby County, AL colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

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Poverty by Age and Gender

Females 35 - 44

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

8.33% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Shelby County, AL (17.1k out of 206k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 13.4%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 35 - 44, followed by Females 18 - 24 and then Females 25 - 34.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

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Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

  1. White

    11,210 ± 742

  2. Hispanic

    3,429 ± 425

  3. Black

    2,793 ± 426

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Shelby County, AL is White, followed by Hispanic and Black.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

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Occupations

Employment by Occupations

104k

2017 Value

± 2,253

1.35%

1 Year growth

± 3%

From 2016 to 2017, employment in Shelby County, AL grew at a rate of 1.35%, from 103k employees to 104k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Shelby County, AL, are Sales & Related Occupations (14,431 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (13,504 people), and Management Occupations (13,207 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Shelby County, AL.

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Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Shelby County, AL, by number of employees, are Sales & Related Occupations (14,431 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (13,504 people), and Management Occupations (13,207 people).

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Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Shelby County, AL has an unusually high number of residents working as Computer & Mathematical Occupations (1.39 times higher than expected), Business & Financial Operations Occupations (1.35 times), and Sales & Related Occupations (1.31 times).

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Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Shelby County, AL, by median earnings, are Architecture & Engineering Occupations ($85,000), Management Occupations ($80,942), and Computer & Mathematical Occupations ($79,429).

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Industries

Employment by Industries

104k

2017 Value

± 2,253

1.35%

1 Year growth

± 3%

From 2016 to 2017, employment in Shelby County, AL grew at a rate of 1.35%, from 103k employees to 104k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Shelby County, AL, are Health Care & Social Assistance (12,426 people), Retail Trade (12,425 people), and Educational Services (10,154 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Shelby County, AL, though some of these residents may live in Shelby County, AL and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

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Most Common

The most common industries in Shelby County, AL, by number of employees, are Health Care & Social Assistance (12,426 people), Retail Trade (12,425 people), and Educational Services (10,154 people).

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Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Shelby County, AL has an unusually high number of Utilities (3.29 times higher than expected), Finance & Insurance (1.84 times), and Information (1.32 times) industries.

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Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Shelby County, AL, by median earnings, are Utilities ($98,955), Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($76,217), and Management of Companies & Enterprises ($69,091).

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Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Alabama to other states, or from other states to Alabama.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

  1. Motorized vehicles

    $40.7B

  2. Mixed freight

    $28B

  3. Coal-n.e.c.

    $21.5B

In 2015, the top outbound Alabama product (by dollars) was Motorized vehicles with $40.7B, followed by Mixed freight with $28B and Coal-n.e.c. and $21.5B.

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Alabama products.

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Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Alabama state.

$243B

2015 Value

$367B

Projected 2045 Value

50.7% growth

In 2015, total outbound Alabama trade was $243B. This is expected to increase 50.7% to $367B by 2045.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Alabama trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

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Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Alabama to other states, or from other states to Alabama.

Most Common Trade Partners

  1. Georgia

    $25.3B

  2. Florida

    $16.7B

  3. Tennessee

    $14.5B

In 2015, the top outbound Alabama domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Georgia with $25.3B, followed by Florida with $16.7B and Tennessee and $14.5B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Alabama shares with each state (excluding itself).

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Health

92.6% of the population of Shelby County, AL has health coverage, with 59.6% on employee plans, 6.85% on Medicaid, 10.6% on Medicare, 14.1% on non-group plans, and 1.44% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in the county of Shelby County, AL was $7,281 in 2014. This is a 4.07% increase from the previous year ($6,996).

Primary care physicians in Shelby County, AL see 1166 patients per year on average, which represents a 4.66% decrease from the previous year (1223 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1968 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 1712 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Greene County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (21.1%). Additionally, Macon County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (47.8%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,166 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio

Primary care physicians in Shelby County, AL see an average of 1,166 patients per year. This represents a 4.66% decrease from the previous year (1,223 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Shelby County, AL in comparison to neighboring states.

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Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

  1. West Virginia

    8.26% of the population affected

  2. Arkansas

    8.13% of the population affected

  3. New Hampshire

    7.98% of the population affected

In 2016, West Virginia had the highest prevalence of adults with major depressive episode, with 8.26% of the population affected. The second highest is Arkansas (8.13%), followed by New Hampshire (7.98%).

The following map shows the percent of individuals with major depressive episode by state over multiple years.

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Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

  1. Mississippi

    19.2% of adults

  2. Texas

    17.9% of adults

  3. Louisiana

    17.6% of adults

In 2016, Mississippi had the highest prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost, at 19.2%. It is followed by Texas (17.9%) and Louisiana (17.6%).

The following map shows the prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost by state over multiple years.

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Health Care Spending

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Alabama.

$7,281

Total Per Capita Spending on Personal Health Care 

$3,641

Per Enrollee Private Health Insurance Spending on Personal Health Care

$5,042

Per Enrollee Medicaid Spending on Personal Health Care

$10,267

Per Enrollee Medicare Spending on Personal Health Care

Between 2013 and 2014, all personal health care spending per capita in Alabama (including private, Medicare, and Medicaid) grew 4.07%, from $6,996 to $7,281.

The following chart shows how this spending changed over time in comparison to Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance spending, per enrollee.

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Health Care Coverage

7.41%

Uninsured

59.6%

Employer Coverage

6.85%

Medicaid

10.6%

Medicare

14.1%

Non-Group

1.44%

Military or VA

Between 2016 and 2017, the percent of uninsured citizens in Shelby County, AL declined by 9.26% from 8.17% to 7.41%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Shelby County, AL changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

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Health Risks

Data available at the county level.

Most at risk counties

  1. Greene County

    21.1% prevalence

  2. Perry County

    20.9% prevalence

  3. Sumter County

    20.4% prevalence

Greene County has the highest prevalence of diabetes in Alabama, at 21.1%.

The following map shows the prevalence of diabetes in Alabama by county over multiple years.

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Diversity

Shelby County, AL is home to a population of 209k people, from which 96.6% are citizens. As of 2017, 5.27% of Shelby County, AL residents were born outside of the country.

The ethnic composition of the population of Shelby County, AL is composed of 164k White Alone residents (78.5%), 24.4k Black or African American Alone residents (11.7%), 12k Hispanic or Latino residents (5.77%), 3.97k Asian Alone residents (1.9%), 3.48k Two or More Races residents (1.67%), 458 American Indian & Alaska Native Alone residents (0.219%), 385 Some Other Race Alone residents (0.184%), and 56 Native Hawaiian & Other Pacific Islander Alone residents (0.0268%).

The most common foreign languages spoken in Shelby County, AL are Spanish or Spanish Creole (10,208 speakers), Vietnamese (677 speakers), and Chinese (474 speakers).

Age

Age by Nativity

38

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.3

39

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 1.2

In 2017, the median age of all people in Shelby County, AL was 38.5. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 38, were generally younger than than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 39. But people in Shelby County, AL are getting getting older. In 2016, the average age of all Shelby County, AL residents was 38.

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Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

5.27%

2017 Foreign-Born Population

5.46%

2016 Foreign-Born Population

As of 2017, 5.27% of Shelby County, AL residents were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.7%. In 2016, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Shelby County, AL was 5.46%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Shelby County, AL compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Global Diversity

Most Common Origin

  1. Mexico

    51,837 ± 5,560 people

  2. Guatemala

    11,080 ± 2,581 people

  3. India

    9,229 ± 2,356 people

In 2017, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Shelby County, AL was Mexico, the natal country of 51,837 Shelby County, AL residents, followed by Guatemala with 11,080 and India with 9,229.

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Citizenship

96.6%

2017 Citizenship

96.4%

2016 Citizenship

As of 2017, 96.6% of Shelby County, AL residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.1%. In 2016, the percentage of US citizens in Shelby County, AL was 96.4%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Shelby County, AL compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Race and Ethnicity

Most Common

  1. White Alone

    164k ± 193

  2. Black or African American Alone

    24.4k ± 402

  3. Hispanic or Latino

    12k ± 1.22k

In 2017, there were 6.7 times more White Alone residents (164k people) in Shelby County, AL than any other race or ethnicity. There were 24.4k Black or African American Alone and 12k Hispanic or Latino residents, the second and third most common racial or ethnic groups.

The following bar chart shows the 8 races and ethnicities represented in Shelby County, AL as a share of the total population.

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Non-English Speakers

Most Common Languages

  1. Spanish or Spanish Creole

    10,208 speakers (5.34%)

  2. Vietnamese

    677 speakers (0.354%)

  3. Chinese

    474 speakers (0.248%)

8.19% of Shelby County, AL citizens are speakers of a non-English language, which is lower than the national average of 21.5%. In 2015, the most common non-English language spoken in Shelby County, AL was Spanish or Spanish Creole. 5.34% of the overall population of Shelby County, AL are native Spanish or Spanish Creole speakers. 0.354% speak Vietnamese and 0.248% speak Spanish or Spanish Creole, the next two most common languages.

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Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

  1. Vietnam

    4,390 ± 398

  2. Gulf War (1990s)

    2,421 ± 398

  3. Gulf War (2001-)

    2,063 ± 297

Shelby County, AL has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.81 times greater than any other conflict.

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Education

In 2016, universities in Shelby County, AL awarded 777 degrees. The student population of Shelby County, AL is skewed towards women, with 964 male students and 2,021 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Shelby County, AL are White (421 and 55%), followed by Unknown (219 and 28.6%), Black or African American (100 and 13.1%), and Hispanic or Latino (17 and 2.22%).

The largest universities in Shelby County, AL by number of degrees awarded are University of Montevallo (713 and 91.8%), University of Phoenix-Alabama (35 and 4.5%), and Southeastern Bible College (29 and 3.73%).

The most popular majors in Shelby County, AL are Elementary Education & Teaching (72 and 9.27%), Speech-Language Pathology (60 and 7.72%), and General Art Studies (55 and 7.08%).

The median tuition costs in Shelby County, AL are $11,340 for private four year colleges, and $11,370 and $23,640 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Concentrations

Most Common

  1. General Art Studies

    55 degrees awarded

  2. Elementary Education & Teaching

    51 degrees awarded

  3. General Health & Physical Education

    42 degrees awarded

In 2015, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Shelby County, AL was General Art Studies with 55 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Shelby County, AL according to their major.

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Universities

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

  1. University of Montevallo

    713 degrees awarded

  2. University of Phoenix-Alabama

    35 degrees awarded

  3. Southeastern Bible College

    29 degrees awarded

$11,370

Median In-State Public

$11,340

Median Private

In 2016, the Shelby County, AL institution with the largest number of graduating students was University of Montevallo with 713 degrees awarded.

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Student Gender for Common Institutions

228

Degrees Awarded to Men

549

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2016, 228 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Shelby County, AL, which is 0.415 times less than the 549 female students who received degrees in the same year.

This chart displays the gender disparity between the institutions in Shelby County, AL by degrees awarded.

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Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

  1. White

    421 degrees awarded

  2. Unknown

    219 degrees awarded

  3. Black or African American

    100 degrees awarded

In 2016 the majority of degrees awarded at institutions in Shelby County, AL were to White students. These 421 degrees mean that there were 1.92 times more White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Unknown, with 219 degrees awarded.

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Housing & Living

The median property value in Shelby County, AL was $199,500 in 2017, which is 0.917 times smaller than the national average of $217,600. Between 2016 and 2017 the median property value increased from $195,400 to $199,500, a 2.1% increase. The homeownership rate in Shelby County, AL is 79.6%, which is higher than the national average of 63.9%. People in Shelby County, AL have an average commute time of 26.6 minutes, and they commute by Drove Alone. Car ownership in Shelby County, AL is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Income

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$74,063

Median Household Income

± $1,255

76.9k

Number of Households

± 1,740

In 2017, the median household income of the 76.9k households in Shelby County, AL grew to $74,063 from the previous year's value of $72,310.

The following chart displays the households in Shelby County, AL distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

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Housing

Property Value

$199,500

2017 Median

± $2,821

$195,400

2016 Median

± $3,566

In 2017, the median property value in Shelby County, AL grew to to $199,500 from the previous year's value of $195,400.

The following charts display, first, the property values in Shelby County, AL compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies and, second, owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property value buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Shelby County, AL the largest share of households have a property value in the $200k - $250k range.

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Property Taxes

$800 - $1,499

Average Range

This chart shows the households in Shelby County, AL distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Shelby County, AL the largest share of households pay taxes in the $800 - $1,499 range.

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Rent vs Own

79.6%

2017 Homeownership

79.3%

2016 Homeownership

In 2017, 79.6% of the housing units in Shelby County, AL were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 79.3%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is higher than the national average of 63.9%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Shelby County, AL compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

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Transportation

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Shelby County, AL distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Shelby County, AL have 2 cars, followed by 3 cars.

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Commute Time

26.6 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Shelby County, AL have a longer commute time (26.6 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.1 minutes). Additionally, 1.44% of the workforce in Shelby County, AL have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Shelby County, AL compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Commuter Transportation

Most Common Method of Travel

  1. Drove Alone

    86.2%

  2. Carpooled

    7.27%

  3. Worked At Home

    4.95%

In 2017, the most common method of travel for workers in Shelby County, AL was Drove Alone, followed by those who Carpooled and those who Worked At Home.

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