County · Alabama
Shelby County, Alabama
Shelby County, Alabama. Shelby County had 238,552 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 7.0% since 2020, faster than Alabama (+3.3%). It holds 28 places (17 cities, villages and boroughs and 11 census-designated) and 55 census tracts. GEOID 01117.
Shelby County is one of the 7 counties of the Birmingham, AL metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
238,552
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 223,024 · ACS 2020-2024: 230,211
Median household income
$97,961
±$3,160 (90% margin)
Alabama: $63,999
Median home value
$326,100
±$5,771 (90% margin)
Alabama: $209,900
Median gross rent
$1,401
±$38 (90% margin)
Alabama: $1,007
How many people live in Shelby County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 223,024 residents in Shelby County. The Census Bureau estimates 238,552 for July 1, 2025, up 7.0% since 2020, faster than Alabama (+3.3%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 230,211 over 785 square miles of land.
| Measure | Shelby County | Alabama | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 230,211 | 5,086,768 | +16,779 |
| Households | 86,866±570 | 1,997,247 | +7,236 |
| Average household size | 2.61±0.02 | 2.48 | −0.03 |
| Housing units | 91,995±100 | 2,337,265 | +5,007 |
Shelby County's population since 2000
From 143,293 in 2000 to 238,552 in 2025: up 66.5%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Shelby County?
Shelby County holds 28 places: 17 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 11 census-designated places. The largest is Alabaster with 34,748 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Alabaster | 33,284 | $91,357 |
|---|---|---|
| Hoover | 92,606 | $109,253 |
| Pelham | 24,318 | $101,094 |
| Helena | 20,914 | $115,139 |
| Calera | 16,494 | $87,194 |
| Chelsea | 14,982 | $115,337 |
| Meadowbrook | 9,688 | $141,862 |
| Brook Highland | 7,406 | $79,904 |
| Montevallo | 7,229 | $56,626 |
| Highland Lakes | 5,239 | $169,361 |
| Columbiana | 4,462 | $80,546 |
| Eagle Point | 2,903 | $151,842 |
| Indian Springs Village | 2,481 | $136,836 |
| Vincent | 1,982 | $52,813 |
| Birmingham | 200,733 | $46,051 |
| Wilsonville | 1,857 | $72,115 |
| Westover | 1,766 | $96,932 |
| Shoal CreekGEOID 0169978 | 1,668 | $218,333 |
| Harpersville | 1,614 | $75,018 |
| VandiverGEOID 0178312 | 1,084 | $49,783 |
| ShelbyGEOID 0169672 | 940 | not published |
| DunnavantGEOID 0121890 | 936 | $75,323 |
| Brantleyville | 931 | $47,917 |
| Pea RidgeGEOID 0158680 | 841 | $63,889 |
| SterrettGEOID 0173056 | 706 | $65,756 |
| Wilton | 587 | $54,750 |
| Leeds | 12,324 | $69,737 |
| Vestavia Hills | 39,102 | $134,369 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Shelby County?
The median resident of Shelby County is 40.3 years old; 22.8% are under 18 and 16.8% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 73.2%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 13.4%. 5.5% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Shelby County | Alabama | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.3±0.4 | 39.3 | +1.0 |
| Under 18 years | 22.8% | 22.2% | – |
| 65 years and over | 16.8% | 17.8% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 7.6% | 5.6% | +1.9 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 73.2%±0.3 pts | 63.4% | −4.7 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 13.4%±0.3 pts | 25.6% | +1.4 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 2.2%±0.1 pts | 1.4% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.0%±0.4 pts | 3.3% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.6%±0.3 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 5.5%±0.3 pts | 4.0% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 8.4%±0.6 pts | 6.0% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.3%±0.4 pts | 7.7% | – |
| With a disability | 12.2%±0.7 pts | 16.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.4%±0.6 pts | 9.2% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 94.5%±0.5 pts | 88.6% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 46.8%±1.1 pts | 28.4% | +3.9 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 16.1%±0.8 pts | 11.1% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.9%±0.4 pts | 2.4% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Shelby County earn?
Half of Shelby County's 86,866 households earn less than $97,961 a year (±$3,160), against $63,999 in Alabama. In 2015-2019 it was $95,747 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 7.2% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Shelby County | Alabama | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $97,961±$3,160 | $63,999 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $128,135±$3,194 | $88,898 | – |
| Per capita income | $49,440±$1,229 | $36,087 | +$1,998 |
| People below the poverty line | 7.2%±0.7 pts | 15.6% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 8.7%±1.8 pts | 21.3% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 4.6%±0.6 pts | 13.7% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 94.7%±0.6 pts | 87.5% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Shelby County?
Owners occupy 81.4% of Shelby County's occupied homes and renters 18.6%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $326,100 by its owner (±$5,771). The median renter pays $1,401 a month including utilities, and 38.4% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Shelby County | Alabama | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $326,100±$5,771 | $209,900 | +$65,316 |
| Median gross rent | $1,401±$38 | $1,007 | +$112 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 38.4%±3.4 pts | 39.9% | +6.5 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,734±$28 | $1,433 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 81.4%±1.0 pts | 70.2% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 91,995±100 | 2,337,265 | +5,007 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.6%±0.3 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.2%±1.5 pts | 7.2% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 77.0%±1.0 pts | 69.1% | – |
| Mobile homes | 7.4%±0.6 pts | 12.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.9%±0.4 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 1.3%±0.3 pts | 4.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Shelby County building?
Builders took permits for 1,308 new housing units across Shelby County in 2025 (1,008 single-family), 5.5 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Shelby County get to work?
74.8% of Shelby County's workers drive alone and 16.9% work from home. The average trip to work takes 29.5 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 2.9%.
| Measure | Shelby County | Alabama | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 66.1%±0.8 pts | 58.3% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 2.9%±0.4 pts | 4.7% | −0.7 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 74.8%±1.2 pts | 80.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 6.7%±0.7 pts | 8.0% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Walked | 0.7%±0.2 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Worked from home | 16.9%±1.0 pts | 8.8% | +11.5 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 29.5 min±0.7 | 25.5 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Shelby County's census tracts?
Shelby County is divided into 55 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $29,375 (Tract 304.07) to $204,946 (Tract 303.51).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Shelby County compare with Alabama's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 6th of 67 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 8th of 67 |
| Residents per square mile | 6th of 67 |
| Median household income | 1st of 67 |
| Median home value | 1st of 67 |
| Median gross rent | 1st of 67 |
| Poverty rate | 67th of 67 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 1st of 67 |
| Median age | 46th of 67 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Shelby County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.