Shelby County, AL

County

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2020 Population

216,350

1.37% 1-year growth

US Senator

Richard Shelby

Republican Party

US Senator

Tommy Tuberville

Republican Party

2020 Median Age

39.5

0.509% 1-year increase

2020 Poverty Rate

6.85%

8.41% 1-year decrease

2020 Median Household Income

$78,889

1.4% 1-year growth

2020 Median Property Value

$220,700

4.15% 1-year growth

2020 Employed Population

107,936

1.03% 1-year growth

About

In 2020, Shelby County, AL had a population of 216k people with a median age of 39.5 and a median household income of $78,889. Between 2019 and 2020 the population of Shelby County, AL grew from 213,432 to 216,350, a 1.37% increase and its median household income grew from $77,799 to $78,889, a 1.4% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Shelby County, AL are White (Non-Hispanic) (77.4%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (12%), Other (Hispanic) (2.4%), White (Hispanic) (2.39%), and Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (2.39%).

None of the households in Shelby County, AL reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

97.3% of the residents in Shelby County, AL are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Shelby County, AL are University of Montevallo (605 degrees awarded in 2020).

In 2020, the median property value in Shelby County, AL was $220,700, and the homeownership rate was 80.4%. Most people in Shelby County, AL drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 29.6 minutes. The average car ownership in Shelby County, AL was 2 cars per household.

Shelby County, AL borders Bibb County, AL, Chilton County, AL, Coosa County, AL, Jefferson County, AL, St. Clair County, AL, and Talladega County, AL.

United States Alabama Birmingham-Hoover, AL

Diversity

Shelby County, AL is home to a population of 216k people, from which 97.3% are citizens. As of 2020, 4.99% of Shelby County, AL residents were born outside of the country (10.8k people).

In 2020, there were 6.44 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (167k people) in Shelby County, AL than any other race or ethnicity. There were 26k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 5.2k Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Shelby County, AL

White (Non-Hispanic)
167k ± 337
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
26k ± 625
Other (Hispanic)
5.2k ± 813

5.71%

Hispanic Population

12.4k people

5.71% of the people in Shelby County, AL are hispanic (12.4k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Shelby County, AL as a share of the total population.

Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

4.99%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

10.8k people

5.61%

2019 Foreign-Born Population

12k people

As of 2020, 4.99% of Shelby County, AL residents (10.8k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.5%. In 2019, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Shelby County, AL was 5.61%, 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.

Age by Nativity

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.3

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 1.7

In 2020, the median age of all people in Shelby County, AL was 39.5. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 39, were generally younger than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 42. But people in Shelby County, AL are getting getting older. In 2019, the average age of all Shelby County, AL residents was 39.

Global Diversity

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

Most Common Origin

Mexico
47,080 ± 5,301 people
Guatemala
12,910 ± 2,786 people
India
10,249 ± 2,483 people

In 2020, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Alabama was Mexico, the natal country of 47,080 Alabama residents, followed by Guatemala with 12,910 and India with 10,249.

Citizenship

97.3%

2020 Citizenship

96.5%

2019 Citizenship

As of 2020, 97.3% of Shelby County, AL residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2019, the percentage of US citizens in Shelby County, AL was 96.5%, 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.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
3,707 ± 427
Gulf War (1990s)
2,443 ± 459
Gulf War (2001-)
2,365 ± 368

Shelby County, AL has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.52 times greater than any other conflict.

COVID-19

Daily New Cases by Date

Showing data at the state level for Alabama. Hospitalization data for some states may be delayed or not reported.

Y-Axis

This chart shows the number of COVID-19 daily new cases by date in Alabama, as a 7-day rolling average, compared with the four states with the most similar number of confirmed cases.

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Unemployment Insurance Claims

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

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Alabama (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Employment by Industry Sector

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

Y-Axis

8.45%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between May 2020 and May 2021

As of May 2021, there are 145M people employed in Alabama. This represents a 8.45% increase in employment when compared to May 2020.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Alabama.

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Community Mobility

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

This chart presents movement trends over time in the state of Alabama across different categories of places such as retail and recreation, groceries and pharmacies, parks, transit stations, workplaces, and residential.

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Economy

Median household income in Shelby County, AL is $78,889. In 2020, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Shelby County, AL was Census Tract 303.04 with a value of $137,375, followed by Census Tract 303.31 and Census Tract 302.16, with respective values of $133,319 and $128,388.

Males in Alabama have an average income that is 1.44 times higher than the average income of females, which is $44,111. The income inequality in Alabama (measured using the Gini index) is 0.458, which is lower than than the national average.

The economy of Shelby County, AL employs 108k people. The largest industries in Shelby County, AL are Health Care & Social Assistance (13,296 people), Retail Trade (11,577 people), and Educational Services (10,394 people), and the highest paying industries are Management of Companies & Enterprises ($98,688), Utilities ($97,672), and Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($78,518).

Wages

Median Household Income

$78,889

2020 value

± $2,171

1.4%

1 Year Growth

± 3.94%

Households in Shelby County, AL have a median annual income of $78,889, which is more than the median annual income of $64,994 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $77,799 in 2019, which represents a 1.4% annual growth.

The following chart shows how the median household income in Shelby County, AL compares to that of its neighboring and parent geographies.

Wage by Sex in Common Jobs

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

$63,401

Average Male Salary in Alabama

± $1,583

$44,111

Average Female Salary in Alabama

± $1,091

In 2020, full-time male employees in Alabama made 1.44 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the sex-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in Alabama by number of full-time employees.

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 in Alabama

Asian
$63,120 ± $11,157
White
$52,572 ± $1,171
American Indian
$40,602 ± $8,445

In 2020 the highest paid race/ethnicity of Alabama workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.2 times more than White workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity in Alabama.

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

Wage Distribution

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

0.458

2020 Wage GINI in Alabama

0.459

2019 Wage GINI in Alabama

In 2020, the income inequality in Alabama was 0.458 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.32% decline from 2019 to 2020, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Alabama was lower than than the national average of 0.478. 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.

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 303.04
Census Tract 303.31
Census Tract 302.16

In 2020, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Shelby County, AL was Census Tract 303.04 with a value of $137,375, followed by Census Tract 303.31 and Census Tract 302.16, with respective values of $133,319 and $128,388.

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

Poverty by Age and Sex

Females 35 - 44

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

6.85% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Shelby County, AL (14.6k out of 213k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.8%. 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.

Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

White
10,219 ± 791
Black
2,096 ± 374
Hispanic
1,851 ± 375

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

Occupations

Employment by Occupations

108k

2020 Value

± 2,626

1.03%

1 Year growth

± 3.19%

From 2019 to 2020, employment in Shelby County, AL grew at a rate of 1.03%, from 107k employees to 108k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Shelby County, AL, are Management Occupations (14,353 people), Sales & Related Occupations (13,823 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (11,519 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Shelby County, AL.

Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Shelby County, AL, by number of employees, are Management Occupations (14,353 people), Sales & Related Occupations (13,823 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (11,519 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Shelby County, AL has an unusually high number of residents working as Business & Financial Operations Occupations (1.37 times higher than expected), Computer & Mathematical Occupations (1.31 times), and Sales & Related Occupations (1.28 times).

Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Shelby County, AL, by median earnings, are Architecture & Engineering Occupations ($86,053), Computer & Mathematical Occupations ($81,032), and Management Occupations ($79,315).

Industries

Employment by Industries

108k

2020 Value

± 2,626

1.03%

1 Year growth

± 3.19%

From 2019 to 2020, employment in Shelby County, AL grew at a rate of 1.03%, from 107k employees to 108k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Shelby County, AL, are Health Care & Social Assistance (13,296 people), Retail Trade (11,577 people), and Educational Services (10,394 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.

Most Common

The most common industries in Shelby County, AL, by number of employees, are Health Care & Social Assistance (13,296 people), Retail Trade (11,577 people), and Educational Services (10,394 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Shelby County, AL has an unusually high number of Utilities (3.38 times higher than expected), Finance & Insurance (1.8 times), and Wholesale Trade (1.58 times) industries.

Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Shelby County, AL, by median earnings, are Management of Companies & Enterprises ($98,688), Utilities ($97,672), and Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($78,518).

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

In 2020, the top outbound Alabama product (by dollars) was Motorized vehicles with $52.4B, followed by Pharmaceuticals ($22.9B) and Base metals ($20.4B).

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

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Alabama.

$282B

2020 Value in Alabama

$539B

Projected 2050 Value in Alabama

91.3% growth

In 2020, total outbound Alabama trade was $282B. This is expected to increase 91.3% to $539B by 2050.

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

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

Georgia
$31.7B
Florida
$21.3B
Tennessee
$14.3B

In 2020, the top outbound Alabama domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Georgia with $31.7B, followed by Florida with $21.3B and Tennessee and $14.3B.

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

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Shelby County, AL went to Donald J. Trump with 69.3% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (28.9%), followed by Other (1.72%). The most partisan county was Winston County, AL with 90.3% of the vote going to Donald J. Trump running for the Republican Party.

Richard Shelby and Tommy Tuberville are the senators currently representing the state of Alabama. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Alabama is currently represented by 7 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

2020 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (69.3%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (28.9%)
Democratic Party
Other (1.72%)
Other Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Shelby County, AL went to Donald J. Trump with 69.3% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (28.9%), followed by Other (1.72%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Shelby County, AL for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Presidential Popular Vote by County

Presidential voting results are only available at the county level. Showing data for the counties inside of Alabama.

Donald J. Trump

Popular Vote for Shelby County, AL

69.3% for the Republican Party

Most Partisan Counties in Alabama

Winston County, AL
90.3% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Cleburne County, AL
89.7% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Blount County, AL
89.6% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)

In the 2020 presidential election, the most partisan county in Alabama was Winston County, AL with 90.3% of the vote going to Donald J. Trump running for the Republican Party.

The following map shows the counties in Alabama colored by their party leaning.

US Senators from Alabama

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Alabama.

Richard Shelby

Senator from Alabama

Assumed office on January 3, 1987
Until 1994, Richard Shelby won election to the Senate as a member of the Democratic Party.

Tommy Tuberville

Senator from Alabama

Assumed office on January 3, 2021

Richard Shelby and Tommy Tuberville are the senators currently representing Alabama.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Alabama over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representatives from Alabama

Alabama is currently represented by 7 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Alabama have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2020, universities in Shelby County, AL awarded 605 degrees. The student population of Shelby County, AL is skewed towards women, with 873 male students and 1,727 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Shelby County, AL are White (440 and 74.1%), followed by Black or African American (85 and 14.3%), Hispanic or Latino (29 and 4.88%), and Unknown (17 and 2.86%).

The largest universities in Shelby County, AL by number of degrees awarded are University of Montevallo (605 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Shelby County, AL are Elementary Education & Teaching (62 and 10.2%), General Art Studies (45 and 7.44%), and Speech-Language Pathology (37 and 6.12%).

The median tuition cost in Shelby County, AL for a public four year colleges is $12,090 for in-state students and $25,110 for out-of-state students.

Concentrations

Most Common

Elementary Education & Teaching
50 degree-majorss awarded
General Art Studies
45 degree-majorss awarded
Radio & Television
26 degree-majorss awarded

In 2020, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Shelby County, AL was Elementary Education & Teaching with 50 degrees awarded.

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

Universities

University of Montevallo

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

605 degrees awarded

$12,090

Median In-State Public

In 2020, the Shelby County, AL institution with the largest number of graduating students was University of Montevallo with 605 degrees awarded.

Student Sex for Common Institutions

190

Degrees Awarded to Men

415

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2020, 190 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Shelby County, AL, which is 0.458 times less than the 415 female students who received degrees in the same year.

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

Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

White
440 degrees awarded
Black or African American
85 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
29 degrees awarded

In 2020 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions in Shelby County, AL was White students. These 440 degrees mean that there were 5.18 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 85 degrees awarded.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Shelby County, AL was $220,700 in 2020, which is 0.96 times smaller than the national average of $229,800. Between 2019 and 2020 the median property value increased from $211,900 to $220,700, a 4.15% increase. The homeownership rate in Shelby County, AL is 80.4%, which is higher than the national average of 64.4%. People in Shelby County, AL have an average commute time of 29.6 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Shelby County, AL is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property Value

$220,700

2020 Median

± $3,894

$211,900

2019 Median

± $3,379

In 2020, the median property value in Shelby County, AL grew to to $220,700 from the previous year's value of $211,900.

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.

Household Income

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

$78,889

Median Household Income

± $2,171

80.8k

Number of Households

± 2,217

In 2020, the median household income of the 80.8k households in Shelby County, AL grew to $78,889 from the previous year's value of $77,799.

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.

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.

Rent vs Own

80.4%

2020 Homeownership

80.5%

2019 Homeownership

In 2020, 80.4% of the housing units in Shelby County, AL were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 80.5%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is higher than the national average of 64.4%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Shelby County, AL compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Commute Time

29.6 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Shelby County, AL have a longer commute time (29.6 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.9 minutes). Additionally, 2.02% 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.

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2020

Drove Alone (83.9%)
Worked At Home (8.24%)
Carpooled (6.67%)

In 2020, 83.9% of workers in Shelby County, AL drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (8.24%) and those who carpooled to work (6.67%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

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 false.

Health

93.9% of the population of Shelby County, AL has health coverage, with 58.6% on employee plans, 7.3% on Medicaid, 12.5% on Medicare, 14.1% on non-group plans, and 1.38% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in Alabama 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 1219 patients per year on average, which represents a 1.85% decrease from the previous year (1242 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1845 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 1196 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Bullock County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (29.5%). Additionally, Macon County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (50.9%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,219 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Shelby County, AL

Primary care physicians in Shelby County, AL see an average of 1,219 patients per year. This represents a 1.85% decrease from the previous year (1,242 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 its neighboring geographies.

Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

West Virginia
8.26% of the population affected
Arkansas
8.13% of the population affected
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.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

Mississippi
19.2% of adults
Texas
17.9% of adults
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.

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 in Alabama

$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.

Health Care Coverage

6.12%

Uninsured

58.6%

Employer Coverage

7.3%

Medicaid

12.5%

Medicare

14.1%

Non-Group

1.38%

Military or VA

Between 2019 and 2020, the percent of uninsured citizens in Shelby County, AL declined by 1.14% from 6.19% to 6.12%.

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.