Shelbyville, Tennessee Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Shelbyville, Tennessee had a total population of 24,661, the 29th largest city in Tennessee, with a median household income of $55,073, which is 21% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Shelbyville Quick Facts
How Shelbyville 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 | 24,125 | 24,661 | +2.2% |
| Median household income | $52,290 | $55,073 | +5.3% |
| Median home value | $224,700 | $244,000 | +8.6% |
How Shelbyville 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+)
Shelbyville Rankings in Tennessee
Explore Tennessee Rankings
Other Cities in Bedford County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unionville | 1,275 | $70,541 | 1.4% | $280,500 |
| Wartrace | 630 | $50,417 | 23.2% | $206,800 |
| Bell Buckle | 529 | $86,250 | 11.8% | $306,600 |
| Normandy | 106 | $59,792 | 19.8% | $202,800 |
Cities Similar to Shelbyville
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bristol | 27,636 | $58,162 | $194,500 | 30.6% | 13.6% |
| East Ridge | 22,070 | $62,247 | $211,100 | 24.2% | 13.1% |
| Tullahoma | 21,103 | $60,979 | $251,900 | 26.7% | 18.0% |
| Springfield | 19,255 | $59,465 | $253,600 | 16.6% | 22.4% |
| Morristown | 31,527 | $47,917 | $181,100 | 15.0% | 26.0% |
Population Overview
Shelbyville is a small city located in Tennessee, within Bedford County. The total population is 24,661. It ranks as the 29th most populous out of 502 Census-designated places in Tennessee.
Age Demographics
The median age in Shelbyville is 31.8 years. This is 18% lower than the state median of 38.9 years. With 28.4% of the population under 18, Shelbyville has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Shelbyville is $55,073. This is 21% lower than the state median of $69,595. It is also 32% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.7%. This is 50% 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 3.8%. This is 19% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $244,000. Housing costs are 15% lower than the state median of $286,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.4x. 50.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 24% lower than the state average of 66.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Shelbyville is White (non-Hispanic), making up 54.1% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 29.5%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (29.5% vs 7.4%). The Asian population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 1.9%.
Education
13.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 58% 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 78.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Shelbyville, 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 Shelbyville, Tennessee?
Shelbyville, Tennessee has a population of 24,661 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Shelbyville, TN?
The median household income in Shelbyville is $55,073, which is 32% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Shelbyville, TN?
The poverty rate in Shelbyville is 20.7%. This means approximately 4,967 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Shelbyville, Tennessee?
Shelbyville's population is 54.1% White, 9.6% Black, 29.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Shelbyville, TN?
The median home value in Shelbyville is $244,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.4x.
How educated is Shelbyville, Tennessee?
13.1% of adults (25+) in Shelbyville hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.