Population & Household section gives reader an outlook. of general population profile, structure, and outlook.
Population Trend
Shelby County, AL, exhibits a population growth rate of 1.4% over the past year, slightly above the state average of 0.6%. With a median age of 40.0 years, it aligns closely with Alabama's median age of 39.3. The county's age dependency ratio of 63.9 indicates a balanced demographic, with 22.8% of the population under 18 and 16.2% above 65. Compared to neighboring counties like Jefferson and Mobile, which have lower growth rates and higher median ages, Shelby County demonstrates a more favorable demographic trend, positioning it as a growing and relatively youthful area within Alabama.
Total Population
223916
Sex Ratio
95.2 %
Population Growth (2021-2022)
1.4 %
Population CAGR (2010-2022)
1.47 %
Population Growth Rate (%)
Source: Census.gov
Age Structure
Dependency Rate
63.9 %
Median Age
40.0 y.o.
% of Population > 65 y.o.
16.2 %
Active Aging Index
87.4 %
Old Dependency Rate
26.6 %
Young Dependency Rate
37.4 %
Age Structure (%)
Source: Census.gov
Population Structure
Source: Census.gov
Household Status
Shelby County, AL, with a total of 83,776 households, exhibits a robust demographic profile characterized by a high percentage of married couples (59.3%) and a notable proportion of households with children (33.4%), which is above the state average of 29.3%. The county's average household size of 2.63 and family size of 3.15 are slightly higher than the state averages of 2.53 and 3.17, respectively. Shelby County's household growth rate of 2.16% over the past year and a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.3% indicate a healthy growth trend, positioning it favorably compared to nearby counties like Jefferson and Mobile, which have lower growth rates. This growth, alongside a relatively stable elder population percentage (29.3%), suggests a balanced demographic that could support community services and economic development in the region.
Total Households
83776
Married-couple Household
49691
Household CAGR (2010-2022)
1.3 %
Household Growth (2021-2022)
2.16 %
Average Household Size
2.63 p
Average Family Size
3.15 p
Household with Children (%)
33.4 %
Household with Elder 65+ (%)
29.3 %
Household Size
Source: Census.gov
Household Structure
Source: Census.gov
Marriage
Never Married
25.9 %
Now Married
58.7 %
Widowed
5.2 %
Divorced
10.2 %
Marriage Status
Source: Census.gov
Marriage Status Breakdown
Source: Census.gov | S1201
Cultures
*Culture section contains several components: races, education, marriage and other factors.
Racial Profiiles
Shelby County, AL exhibits a predominantly White demographic, with 78% identifying as White, which is slightly higher than the state average of 66.2% and significantly above the national average of 65.9%. The county's Hispanic population stands at 5.9%, surpassing both the state (4.6%) and national (18.7%) figures, indicating a unique cultural presence. Notably, the Black population in Shelby County is 13%, lower than Alabama's average of 26.4%, suggesting a less diverse racial composition compared to other counties like Jefferson and Montgomery, which have higher percentages of Black residents.
One Race
96.1 %
Two or More Races
3.9 %
Non-White
22 %
Hispanic (Overlapping)
5.9 %
White
174752
Black
29118
Asian
4491
Native American
533
Race Structure (%)
Source: Census.gov
Racial Profile Breakdown
Source: Census.gov
Place of Birth
In Shelby County, AL, 95% of the population is born in the U.S., slightly below the state average of 96.5%. Notably, 29.3% of residents were born outside the state, which is higher than the state average of 26.9%. The county has a foreign-born population of 11,171, with 5% of its residents originating from different countries, indicating a more diverse demographic compared to some neighboring counties like Jefferson (3.9%) and Mobile (3.2%). This suggests that Shelby County is becoming increasingly multicultural, reflecting broader trends seen across Alabama.
Native US Citizen
174752
Native US Citizen (%)
22 %
Born in Alabama (%)
64.7 %
Born in Other State (%)
29.3 %
Foreign Born (%)
5 %
Naturalized (% of Foreign Born)
47.8 %
Place of Birth Changes (2010-2022)
Source: Census.gov
Birthplace Breakdown (Outside of US)
Source: Census.gov
Migration
-
Migration Inflow (% of Population)
12.6 %
From Different County (% of Inflow)
71.3 %
From Different State (% of Inflow)
25.5 %
From Different Country (% of Inflow)
3.2 %
%
Source: Census.gov
Religion
Number of Congregations
236
Number of Adherents
98262
Adherents (% of Total Population)
43.9 %
Christian (% of Total Population)
41.9 %
Religion Breakdown
Source: Census.gov
Education Attainment
Shelby County, AL, exhibits a strong educational profile, with 45.6% of residents aged 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree, significantly above the Alabama state average of 27.2% and close to the national average of 34.3%. Over the past decade, this percentage has increased from 40.3%, indicating a positive trend in educational attainment. The median earnings for those with a bachelor's degree in Shelby County stand at $67,667, higher than the state median of $57,347, reflecting a robust local economy. Additionally, 39.6% of degree holders are enrolled in STEM fields, aligning with state and national trends.