Shelby County, Alabama Population 2026

Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 7th-largest in Alabama

The population of Shelby County, Alabama is 226,955 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 7th-largest county in Alabama. The median household income is $93,543, the median home value is $298,700, and the median age is 40.0.

The population of Shelby County has grown 20.4% since 2010 (196,036 → 235,969), a +1.33% annualized rate.

Shelby County within Alabama · Source: US Census TIGER/Line via us-atlas

226,955

Population

+1.33%

Annual growth

289

People / sq mi

$93,543

Median Income

$298,700

Median Home Value

Shelby County covers 785 sq mi of land at 288.9 people per square mile.

About Shelby County, AL

Shelby County is a county in Alabama with a population of 226,955. It ranks #7 among counties in Alabama by population. The median age is 40.0, in line with the national median. The population is 48.7% male and 51.3% female.

The median household income in Shelby County is $93,543, above the US median of $74,580. 4.5% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $298,700, with monthly rent averaging $1,348. The homeownership rate of 81.3% is higher than the national rate of 64.8%.

Educational attainment in Shelby County reflects 46.2% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, above the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 15.2% of workers primarily work from home, similar to the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 29.7 minutes each way.

Shelby County Population History (2010-2024)

The county of Shelby County had a population of 196,036 in 2010 and 235,969 in 2024, a 20.4% growth over 14 years. The peak was 235,969 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 1.33%.

235,969

Population (2024)

196,036

Population (2010)

235,969

Peak (2024)

1.33%

Avg Annual Growth

Year	Population	Change	Annual %	Source
2010	196,036	-	-	estimate
2011	197,968	+1,932	+0.99%	estimate
2012	200,949	+2,981	+1.51%	estimate
2013	204,088	+3,139	+1.56%	estimate
2014	206,346	+2,258	+1.11%	estimate
2015	209,047	+2,701	+1.31%	estimate
2016	211,538	+2,491	+1.19%	estimate
2017	213,854	+2,316	+1.09%	estimate
2018	215,877	+2,023	+0.95%	estimate
2019	218,176	+2,299	+1.06%	estimate
2020	223,915	+5,739	+2.63%	estimate
2021	227,436	+3,521	+1.57%	estimate
2022	230,140	+2,704	+1.19%	estimate
2023	233,593	+3,453	+1.50%	estimate
2024	235,969	+2,376	+1.02%	estimate

Race & Ethnicity

White	76.5%
Black or African American	13.2%
Asian	0.0%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	1.0%
Two or More Races	0.0%

Age & Sex

40.0

Median Age

51.3%

Female

48.7%

Male

16.3%

Age 65+

Age Distribution

Under 5

5.4%

5–9

6.2%

10–14

7.1%

15–19

6.9%

20–24

5.9%

25–34

12.1%

35–44

13.6%

45–54

13.8%

55–59

6.7%

60–64

6.0%

65–74

10.0%

75–84

4.9%

85+

1.4%

Children (under 15): 18.7% · Seniors (65+): 16.3%

Income & Poverty

Median household income	$93,543+$31,516 vs state
Mean household income	$123,911
Per-capita income	$47,914
Poverty rate	4.5%-6.8% vs state
Unemployment rate	1.9%
Employment-to-population	63.6%

Top Industries by Employment

Professional & business services

23.0%

Information

11.0%

Finance & real estate

10.9%

Manufacturing

7.9%

Education & health care

7.3%

Construction

7.3%

Retail trade

5.7%

Arts, entertainment & food

5.7%

The largest employment sector in Shelby County is professional & business services, accounting for 23.0% of workers.

How residents commute

0.1%

Drive alone

0.6%

Carpool

76.7%

Public transit

15.2%

Work from home

29.7 min

Avg commute

Housing

$298,700+$103,600 vs state

Median home value

$1,348

Median rent

81.3%

Homeownership rate

90,805

Total housing units

94.1%

Occupied

5.9%

Vacant

18.7%

Renter-occupied

Social & access

93.3%

With health insurance

96.8%

With broadband internet

30.2%

Foreign-born

6.3%

Veterans (18+)

11.7%

With a disability

91.7%

Speak language other than English at home

Education

94.0%

High School+

46.2%

Bachelor's+

Largest cities in Alabama

Huntsville (218,814)Birmingham (199,322)Montgomery (198,440)Mobile (185,097)Tuscaloosa (107,699)Hoover (92,401)Auburn (78,738)Dothan (71,118)Madison (58,335)Decatur (57,760)All Alabama cities →

Other counties in Alabama

Jefferson County (669,744)Mobile County (413,162)Madison County (397,135)Baldwin County (239,945)Tuscaloosa County (234,036)Montgomery County (227,197)Lee County (177,663)Morgan County (123,742)Calhoun County (116,141)Houston County (107,628)All Alabama counties →

Part of Alabama

Alabama demographic profile All Alabama data →

Metro areas in Alabama

Birmingham (1,181,432)Huntsville (504,712)Mobile (413,162)Montgomery (385,159)Columbus (326,136)Tuscaloosa (275,217)Daphne (239,945)Auburn (196,614)All US metros →

County rankings

US Counties by Population Richest US Counties by Median Household Income Expensive US Counties by Home Value Educated US Counties Counties With Highest Poverty Rates Youngest US Counties by Median Age Oldest US Counties by Median Age Cheapest US Counties by Median Home Value Racially Diverse US Counties Counties With Largest Hispanic Population All rankings →

Frequently Asked Questions

Shelby County, Alabama has a population of 226,955 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 7th-largest county in Alabama. Population density is 289 people per square mile.

The population of Shelby County has grown 20.4% since 2010 (196,036 → 235,969), a +1.33% annualized rate.

The median household income in Shelby County, Alabama is $93,543, with mean (average) household income of $123,911 and per-capita income of $47,914. 4.5% of residents live below the federal poverty level.

In Shelby County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (76.5%), Black or African American (13.2%), Hispanic or Latino (1.0%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.

The median age in Shelby County, Alabama is 40.0 years. Residents are 51.3% female and 48.7% male.

The median home value in Shelby County is $298,700 and median monthly rent is $1,348. 81.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 90,805 total housing units, 5.9% of which are vacant.

The largest employment sector in Shelby County, Alabama is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 23.0% of workers. The unemployment rate is 1.9%.

Huntsville is among the largest cities associated with Shelby County, Alabama, with a population of 218,814.