The story
History
This area along the Mississippi River valley was long occupied by varying cultures of indigenous peoples. In historic times, the Chickasaw controlled much of this area. They are believed to be descendants of the important Mississippian culture, which established fortified and complex cities. The largest of these was Cahokia, which was active from about 950CE into the 15th century. It was developed on the east side of the Mississippi in present-day southern Illinois, roughly on the same latitude as present-day St. Louis, Missouri.
The Shelby County area was part of the lands acquired by the United States government from the Chickasaw as part of the Jackson Purchase of 1818. Shelby County was established by European-American migrants in 1819 and named for Isaac Shelby, the former governor of Kentucky who had helped negotiate the land acquisition. From 1827 to 1868, the county seat was located in then called Raleigh, Tennessee (now part of Memphis), on the Wolf River. After the American Civil War, in recognition of the growth of Memphis and its importance to the state economy, the seat was moved there (Raleigh has now been absorbed within the city limits of Memphis).
The lowlands in the Mississippi Delta, closest to the Mississippi River, were developed before the war for large cotton plantations; their laborers were overwhelmingly enslaved African Americans, whom planters transported from the east or purchased in the domestic slave trade. Well before the American Civil War, the population of the county was majority black, most of whom were slaves. Memphis developed as a major cotton market, with many brokers. After the war and emancipation, many freedmen stayed on these lands by working as sharecroppers.
Tennessee continued to have competitive politics after the freedmen were enfranchised. The eastern part of the state retained its Unionist leanings and supported the Republican Party. Blacks in the west also supported the Republican Party. Most conservative whites supported the Democrats. From 1877 to 1950, there were 20 lynchings of blacks by whites in Shelby County, the highest number of any county in the state.
Most blacks were disenfranchised around the turn of the century when the state passed laws raising barriers to voter registration; the legislature also imposed Jim Crow laws, including racial segregation of public facilities. Blacks were mostly closed out of the political system for more than six decades. In the 20th century, mechanization of agriculture reduced the need for farm workers at a time when industries and railroads in the North were recruiting workers. The Great Migration resulted in many African Americans moving from rural areas into Memphis or out of state to northern cities for work and social and political opportunities.
After World War II, highways were constructed that led to development of much new housing on the outskirts of Memphis where land was cheap. Suburbanization, with retail businesses following new residents, took place in the county, drawing population out of the city. With continued residential and suburban development, the population of the metropolitan area became majority white. Six towns in the county have become incorporated; other communities are unincorporated. Residents enjoy many parks in the area as well as attractions in the city of Memphis.
2024 estimate
As of the 2024 estimate, there were 910,530 people, 359,692 households, and _ families residing in the county. The population density was 1,209.56 inhabitants per square mile (467.0/km2). There were 406,999 housing units at an average density of 540.66 per square mile (208.7/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 40.4% White (32.5% NH White), 53.8% African American, 0.5% Native American, 3.3% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, _% from some other races and 1.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 9.5% of the population.
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, there were 929,744 people, 364,625 households, and 231,173 families residing in the county. The population density was 1,222.46 inhabitants per square mile (472.0/km2). There were 400,189 housing units at an average density of 526.18 per square mile (203.2/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 35.07% White, 51.34% African American, 0.36% Native American, 3.03% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 5.25% from some other races and 4.92% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 8.36% of the population.
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There were 364,625 households, out of which 75.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.0% were married couples living together, 37.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and _% were non-families. _% of all households were made up of individuals, and 27.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2. and the average family size was 3. _.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.1% under the age of 18, _% from 18 to 24, _% from 25 to 44, _% from 45 to 64, and 14.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36.5 years. For every 100 females there were 90.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.4 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $_, and the median income for a family was $_. Males had a median income of $_ versus $_ for females. The per capita income for the county was $_. About _% of families and _% of the population were below the poverty line, including _% of those under age 18 and _% of those age 65 or over.
2010 census
As of the 2010 census, there were 927,644 people, 350,971 households, and _ families residing in the county. The population density was 1,215.51 inhabitants per square mile (469.3/km2). There were 398,275 housing units at an average density of 521.87 per square mile (201.5/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 40.56% White, 52.11% African American, 0.25% Native American, 2.31% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 3.30% from some other races and 1.43% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 5.62% of the population.
2000 census
As of the 2000 census, there were 897,472 people, 338,366 households, and 228,735 families residing in the county. The population density was 1,189.44 inhabitants per square mile (459.2/km2). There were 362,954 housing units at an average density of 481.03 per square mile (185.7/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 47.34% White, 48.56% African American, 0.20% Native American, 1.64% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.20% from some other races and 1.02% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 2.60% of the population.
There were 338,366 households, out of which 34.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.80% were married couples living together, 20.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.40% were non-families. 27.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.18.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 28.20% under the age of 18, 9.70% from 18 to 24, 31.10% from 25 to 44, 21.00% from 45 to 64, and 10.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 91.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.80 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $39,593, and the median income for a family was $47,386. Males had a median income of $36,932 versus $26,776 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,856. About 12.90% of families and 16.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.90% of those under age 18 and 13.30% of those age 65 or over.
From Wikipedia’s article on Shelby County, Tennessee, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.4