Population910,226 (2025 est.)
A Civic Story Shared By Two Early Centers
Shelby County, TennesseeMemphis anchors Shelby County, but Raleigh held the county seat during an earlier period. The county’s own historical account follows those changing government locations, adding a specific institutional story to a place whose regional identity reaches beyond Tennessee’s boundaries. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated 910,226 residents in Shelby County, Tennessee, on July 1, 2025. The county has approximately 761 square miles of land, according to the 2020 Census Gazetteer.
Shelby County at a Glance
Population910,226 (2025 est.)
County SeatMemphis
Largest CityMemphis
Established1819 (organized; NACo County Explorer)
ZIP CodesSee postal resources
Total Area, Including Water780 sq mi (total)
Major RoutesSee transportation resources
Area CodesVaries by community
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Shelby County
Shelby County was established in 1819 and named for Isaac Shelby. County government moved to Raleigh in 1827 before returning to Memphis in 1868. Much later, the county adopted a home-rule charter in 1986. These changes describe successive forms and locations of public administration rather than one unchanging civic arrangement. The Raleigh interval gives the institutional timeline a second geographic center. It also provides a reminder that the regional prominence of Memphis does not make every period of county administration identical.
Explore Memphis with the earlier Raleigh connection in mind, using county history to distinguish municipal and county institutions. A focused research project can follow public buildings, records or a particular community. The changing seat is especially useful context for older documents. Use dates and office names when following the Raleigh-to-Memphis transition in records. A town-focused historical visit can then connect documentary references with the specific places discussed by county interpretation.
What Shapes Us
Local Character
The county's own historical account follows those changing government locations, adding a specific institutional story to a place whose regional identity reaches beyond Tennessee's boundaries.
Community History
Shelby County was established in 1819 and named for Isaac Shelby. County government moved to Raleigh in 1827 before returning to Memphis in 1868.
Explore Locally
Explore Memphis with the earlier Raleigh connection in mind, using county history to distinguish municipal and county institutions. A focused research project can follow public buildings, records or a particular community.
Discover the earlier civic chapters within a regional city's story.
A Closer Look
Shelby County
Places and perspectives from Shelby County
Shelby County headlines via Google News
What happens now? Tennessee gets green light to take over Memphis-Shelby County Schools - Action News 5
What happens now? Tennessee gets green light to take over Memphis-Shelby County Schools Action News 5
Read the Story Oct 17, 2026 • 2 min read
Around Shelby County
Stories from every corner of Shelby County.
What happens now? Tennessee gets green light to take over Memphis-Shelby County Schools - Action News 5
What happens now? Tennessee gets green light to take over Memphis-Shelby County Schools Action News 5
Oct 17, 2026 • 2 min read
Heidi Kuhn vs. David Kustoff: Who are the candidates for Tennessee's 8th congressional district? - localmemphis.com
Heidi Kuhn vs. David Kustoff: Who are the candidates for Tennessee's 8th congressional district? localmemphis.com
Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min read
Memphis voters to decide on 3 charter amendments. Here's what they mean - The Commercial Appeal
Memphis voters to decide on 3 charter amendments. Here's what they mean The Commercial Appeal
Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min read
Early voting starts Oct. 14 in Shelby County. Locations, info to know - The Commercial Appeal
Early voting starts Oct. 14 in Shelby County. Locations, info to know The Commercial Appeal
Oct 14, 2026 • 2 min read
ELECTION GUIDE, NOV. 3, 2026: TN, MS and AR - WREG.com
ELECTION GUIDE, NOV. 3, 2026: TN, MS and AR WREG.com
Oct 14, 2026 • 2 min read
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Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
County Resources
Find the Right Local Connection
Start with the organization responsible for the service you need. Follow its official link for current requirements, office locations and availability.
Government
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Schools
Public school contacts
Selected local schools from the NCES 2024-2025 directory. Contact the school or district to confirm enrollment, attendance boundaries and current services; this is not a complete school list.
Hillcrest High School – High; grades 09-12. 4184 Graceland DR, Memphis, TN 38116. 901-730-4098.
Arlington Elementary – Elementary; grades PK-05. 11825 Douglas, Arlington, TN 38002. 901-867-6000.
Altruria Elementary – Elementary; grades PK-05. 6641 Deermont DR, Bartlett, TN 38134. 901-373-2600.
Bailey Station Elementary School – Elementary; grades PK-05. 3435 Bailey Station RD, Collierville, TN 38017. 901-853-6380.
Dogwood Elementary School – Elementary; grades PK-05. 8945 Dogwood RD, Germantown, TN 38139. 901-756-2310.
Lakeland Elementary School – Elementary; grades PK-04. 10050 Oak Seed LN, Lakeland, TN 38002. 901-867-7071.
Barret's Chapel Elementary/Middle – Elementary; grades PK-08. 10280 Godwin Rd, Arlington, TN 38002. 901-416-0325.
Hospitals
Local hospital contacts
Facility contacts from the CMS Hospital General Information directory, updated July 22, 2026. Contact the facility directly to confirm current services and appointment arrangements.
Saint Francis Bartlett Medical Center – Acute Care Hospitals. 2986 Kate Bond Rd, Bartlett, TN 38133. 901-820-7050.
Baptist Memorial Hospital – Acute Care Hospitals. 6019 Walnut Grove Road, Memphis, TN 38120. 901-226-5000.
Delta Specialty Hospital – Acute Care Hospitals. 3000 Getwell Rd, Memphis, TN 38118. 901-369-8100.
Methodist Hospitals Of Memphis – Acute Care Hospitals. 1265 Union Ave Suite 700, Memphis, TN 38104. 901-516-8274.
Regional One Health – Acute Care Hospitals. 877 Jefferson Avenue, Memphis, TN 38103. 901-545-7928.
St Francis Hospital – Acute Care Hospitals. 5959 Park Ave, Memphis, TN 38119. 901-765-1000.
Crestwyn Behavioral Health – Psychiatric. 9485 Crestwyn Hills Cove, Memphis, TN 38125. 901-457-5667.
Public Safety
Emergency Services
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Parks & Public Lands
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Trails
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Utilities
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Libraries
Local library contacts
Locations and public phone numbers are from the IMLS FY2024 Public Libraries Survey. Call the branch to confirm current hours and services before visiting.
Sam T. Wilson Public Library – 11968 Walker, Arlington, TN 38002. 901-867-1954.
Lucius E. And Elsie C. Burch Jr. Library – 501 Poplar View Pkwy, Collierville, TN 38017. 901-457-2600.
Germantown Community Library – 1925 Exeter Road, Germantown, TN 38138. 901-757-7323.
Memphis Public Library And Information Center – 3030 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN 38111. 901-415-2700.
Millington Public Library – 4858 Navy Road, Millington, TN 38053. 901-872-1585.
Bartlett Branch Library – 6382 Stage Road, Bartlett, TN 38134. 901-415-2761.
Germantown Regional History And Genealogy Center – 7779 Poplar Pike, Germantown, TN 38138. 901-757-8480.
Courts
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
DMV
Tennessee — Title and Registration
Tennessee — Renewing Your License or Identification
Transportation
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Postal Services
USPS location finder — Search by street address, city or ZIP Code for nearby post offices, collection boxes and available services.
USPS ZIP Code lookup — Find the mailing ZIP Code for a specific street address.
USPS Hold Mail — Arrange a temporary mail hold and review identity-verification requirements.
USPS change of address and forwarding — Review forwarding options and submit an address-change request through USPS.
USPS package pickup — Check pickup availability for your address and schedule eligible shipments.
Veterans
National services available to local residents
VA accredited representatives — Find help with VA claims and benefit applications.
VA health care applications — Review application options and supporting information.
VA disability claims — Find the official steps for submitting a disability claim.
GI Bill and education benefits — Review how to apply for VA education benefits.
Veteran career and employment support — Explore VA employment, training and career assistance.
Employment
National services available to local residents
USAJOBS federal employment — Search federal openings by location and occupation.
Apprenticeship Finder — Search apprenticeship opportunities by location and occupation.
My Next Move career exploration — Explore occupations, industries and career interests.
Government job-training resources — Find routes to state training programs and support for different job seekers.
Unemployment benefit guidance — Find your state program and its application and eligibility information.
Get to Know Shelby County
Useful answers for residents, visitors and anyone planning their next step.
Local Questions
Shelby County Questions, Answered
Explore practical details about the county and the organizations that serve it.
910,226 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate). This is a dated Census Bureau estimate, rather than a live resident count.
780.364 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography). The total combines land and water area.
Start with Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
Start with these official Tennessee resources: Address Change; Title and Registration; Renewing Your License or Identification. Choose the page for the service you need, then check its office or online instructions before making a trip. These links cover state services; they do not establish that every transaction is available at a county office.
Use USPS ZIP Code Lookup for the mailing ZIP Code of a specific street address. Use the USPS location finder to search for nearby postal facilities and available services. An address lookup is more useful for mailing than assuming the entire county shares one ZIP Code.
The VA explains how to find and appoint an accredited representative for benefit claims. Contact a representative to confirm availability before appointing them. For education benefits, use the GI Bill application guidance. These are national VA services available to eligible local residents, rather than a listing of county offices.
Search USAJOBS for federal positions and the Apprenticeship Finder for apprenticeship opportunities, using location filters to narrow the results. USAGov job-training guidance points to training programs and state resources. Check each listing for current availability, eligibility and application instructions; a search result does not guarantee an opening in the county.
Shelby County was established in 1819 and named for Isaac Shelby. County government moved to Raleigh in 1827 before returning to Memphis in 1868. Much later, the county adopted a home-rule charter in 1986. These changes describe successive forms and locations of public administration rather than one unchanging civic arrangement. The Raleigh interval gives the institutional timeline a second geographic center. It also provides a reminder that the regional prominence of Memphis does not make every period of county administration identical.
Explore Memphis with the earlier Raleigh connection in mind, using county history to distinguish municipal and county institutions. A focused research project can follow public buildings, records or a particular community. The changing seat is especially useful context for older documents. Use dates and office names when following the Raleigh-to-Memphis transition in records. A town-focused historical visit can then connect documentary references with the specific places discussed by county interpretation.
The 2020 Census geography figures record 760.554 square miles of land and 19.810 square miles of water in Shelby County. The county’s total area includes both. These are geographic measurements for that Census vintage, not a measurement of current water levels or public recreation access.
In the Census Bureau’s 2025 estimate series, Shelby County had an estimated 929,720 residents on July 1, 2020, and 910,226 on July 1, 2025. Over that interval, the estimated population decreased by 19,494 residents, or about 2.1%. Both figures come from the same estimate vintage, which revises earlier years for a consistent comparison.
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
My Local Guide
Local Businesses
Businesses Serving Shelby CountyExplore the businesses listed for this county.
Businesses serving Shelby County
Additional county facts: county overview and references.
Connect with local businesses.Shelby County