Memphis, Tennessee Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Memphis, Tennessee had a total population of 618,980, the 2nd largest city in Tennessee, with a median household income of $51,736, which is 26% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 23.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Memphis is the 2nd largest city in Tennessee with a population of 618,980.
- Unemployment rate of 8.3% is notably above the national average.
Memphis Quick Facts
How Memphis Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 618,980 | -1.6% |
| Median household income | $51,211 | $51,736 | +1.0% |
| Median home value | $157,100 | $169,000 | +7.6% |
How Memphis Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 46 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Memphis Rankings in Tennessee
Explore Tennessee Rankings
Other Cities in Shelby County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bartlett | 56,876 | $102,070 | 5.1% | $310,400 |
| Collierville | 51,515 | $138,598 | 3.2% | $485,900 |
| Germantown | 40,673 | $149,920 | 2.7% | $470,800 |
| Arlington | 15,205 | $135,105 | 4.9% | $424,400 |
| Lakeland | 14,192 | $116,250 | 3.2% | $388,900 |
| Millington | 11,289 | $49,979 | 16.5% | $207,300 |
Cities Similar to Memphis
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson | 690,130 | $77,371 | $413,600 | 48.0% | 14.1% |
| Knoxville | 195,185 | $54,039 | $239,700 | 34.6% | 20.2% |
| Chattanooga | 185,783 | $64,523 | $283,200 | 36.0% | 19.1% |
| Clarksville | 176,456 | $69,303 | $263,600 | 29.9% | 12.3% |
| Murfreesboro | 161,445 | $80,108 | $402,100 | 43.0% | 8.8% |
Population Overview
Memphis is a major urban center located in Tennessee, within Shelby County. The total population is 618,980. It ranks as the 2nd most populous out of 502 Census-designated places in Tennessee.
Age Demographics
The median age in Memphis is 34.2 years. This is 12% lower than the state median of 38.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Memphis is $51,736. This is 26% lower than the state median of $69,595. It is also 36% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 23.1%. This is 68% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.8%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 8.3%. This is 78% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $169,000. Housing costs are 41% lower than the state median of $286,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x. 44.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 33% lower than the state average of 66.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Memphis is Black or African American, making up 62.7% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 22.4%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (22.4%) is well below the state average of 71.0%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (62.7% vs 15.4%).
Education
28.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 10% lower than the state rate of 31.1%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 87.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Memphis, Tennessee is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Tennessee state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 502 Census-designated places in Tennessee. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Memphis, Tennessee?
Memphis, Tennessee has a population of 618,980 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Memphis, TN?
The median household income in Memphis is $51,736, which is 36% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Memphis, TN?
The poverty rate in Memphis is 23.1%. This means approximately 139,965 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Memphis, Tennessee?
Memphis's population is 22.4% White, 62.7% Black, 10.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Memphis, TN?
The median home value in Memphis is $169,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x.
How educated is Memphis, Tennessee?
28.0% of adults (25+) in Memphis hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.