Shelby County, Alabama: commercial real estate data.
Shelby County, Alabama had an estimated 235,969 residents on July 1, 2024, up 5.8 percent since the 2020 census base of 223,024, across 785 square miles. County output reached $17.33 bn in 2024, 5,610 establishments operate here, and the SBA record carries 220 7(a) approvals worth $148.7 m since FY2020.
Underlined figures are computed by MMCG Analytics, not published by the agency.
Shelby County
How many people live in Shelby County
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-2024230,211
- Households86,866
- Average household size2.65
- Median household income$97,961
- Median age40.3
- Median gross rent$1,401 per month
- Median owner-occupied home value$326,100
- Home value to household income3.3 times
- Annual rent as a share of median income17.2 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a bachelor degree or higher46.8 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a graduate degree16.1 percent
- Adults 25 and over158,564
- Population under 1852,379
- Share under 1822.8 percent
- Population 65 and over38,766
- Share 65 and over16.8 percent
- Working age population, 18 to 64139,066
- Civilian labor force121,815
- Unemployment rate2.9 percent
- Labor force participation, adults 18 and over68.5 percent
- Rank by population among Alabama counties6th of 67
- Rank by population among US county-equivalents, Puerto Rico included308th of 3,222
Shelby County is the 6th largest of 67 Alabama counties by population. A median home costs 3.3 times median household income, which is moderately unaffordable by national standards. Residents under 18 outnumber those 65 and over, at 22.8 percent against 16.8 percent, a household formation profile rather than a retirement one.
US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Shelby County
Is Shelby County's population growing?
- Population, July 1, 2024235,969
- Census 2020 base population223,024
- Population change since the 2020 census base5.80 percent
- Population change, 2023 to 20242,376
- Births, 20242,469
- Deaths, 20241,766
- Natural change, 2024703
- Net domestic migration, 2024720
- Net international migration, 2024953
- Total net migration, 20241,673
- Cumulative net domestic migration, 2021 to 20247,834
- Rank by growth among US county-equivalents435th of 3,144
The county has grown 5.80 percent since the 2020 census base. The population grew in 2024 from both sources: births exceeded deaths and more people moved in than left.
US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
Shelby County
Where are people moving to Shelby County from?
- Tax returns filed by households arriving7,109
- People arriving, from those returns13,080
- Tax returns filed by households leaving6,448
- Net household movement661
- Adjusted gross income arriving$642.1 m
- Net adjusted gross income movement$96.3 m
- Average income of an arriving household$90,316
- Average income of a leaving household$84,645
- Largest single originJefferson County (3,163 households)
- Largest single destinationJefferson County (2,346 households)
| Origin | Households | People | Adjusted gross income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson County | 3,163 | 5,836 | $317.5 m |
| Tuscaloosa County | 214 | 345 | $13.5 m |
| Chilton County | 188 | 372 | $9.3 m |
| St. Clair County | 186 | 362 | $11.3 m |
| Talladega County | 153 | 276 | $8.6 m |
| Montgomery County | 101 | 170 | $7.4 m |
| Madison County | 97 | 168 | $8.0 m |
| Baldwin County | 79 | 146 | $7.4 m |
Households arriving report $5,671 more average income than households leaving, so the migration is raising local spending power rather than just moving it around. The largest single source of arrivals is Jefferson County, which is the catchment a retail or multifamily study should look at first.
US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Shelby County
What is the Shelby County economy?
- County GDP, 2024$17.33 bn
- County GDP, 2023$16.74 bn
- GDP change, 2023 to 20243.6 percent
- GDP change over five years32.4 percent
- Rank by GDP among the Alabama areas BEA publishes5th of 67
- Rank by GDP among the US county areas BEA publishes292nd of 3,127
- GDP per resident$75,291
Output grew 3.6 percent in the latest year and 32.4 percent over five, which is the trend line a lender will read behind any single year figure.
US Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional, table CAGDP2, CAGDP2, through 2024.
Shelby County
Employment by industry in Shelby County
- Covered employment, annual average85,169
- Establishments reporting7,251
- Average annual pay$66,772
- Average weekly wage$1,284
- Retail trade, employment10,760
- Retail trade, average annual pay$40,210
- Health care and social assistance, employment8,588
- Health care and social assistance, average annual pay$58,230
- Finance and insurance, employment8,330
- Finance and insurance, average annual pay$100,297
- Accommodation and food services, employment7,809
- Accommodation and food services, average annual pay$24,962
- Professional, scientific and technical services, employment6,310
- Construction, employment5,582
| Sector | Employment | Establishments | Average annual pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retail trade | 10,760 | 758 | $40,210 |
| Health care and social assistance | 8,588 | 817 | $58,230 |
| Finance and insurance | 8,330 | 502 | $100,297 |
| Accommodation and food services | 7,809 | 471 | $24,962 |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 6,310 | 1,017 | $89,434 |
| Construction | 5,582 | 688 | $74,973 |
| Administrative and support and waste management services | 5,496 | 461 | $52,307 |
| Manufacturing | 5,373 | 272 | $79,000 |
Retail trade is the largest private sector at 10,760 jobs, 12.6 percent of covered employment.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
Shelby County
How many businesses are in Shelby County?
- Establishments, all industries5,610
- Employment at those establishments87,718
- Annual payroll$5.49 bn
- Establishments per 1,000 residents24.4
These are counts of establishments physically operating in the county, not listings, so they are the supply side a feasibility study measures demand against. County Business Patterns counts private establishments with paid employees in March 2023, while the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages above counts every unemployment-insured employer, public ones included, as a 2024 annual average, so the two establishment and employment counts differ.
US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Shelby County
Building permits in Shelby County
- Housing units authorized by permit, 2024990
- Declared construction value permitted$267.8 m
- Single family units authorized990
- Multifamily units authorized0
- Multifamily share of units0.0 percent
- Average declared value per unit$270,519
- Units authorized per 1,000 households11.4
Single-family homes are 100.0 percent of units authorized, so the pipeline is predominantly single-family.
US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
Shelby County
SBA loans in Shelby County (7(a) and 504)
- 7(a) approvals recorded220
- 7(a) gross approval dollars$148.7 m
- Average 7(a) approval$675,793
- Median 7(a) approval$270,000
- 10th percentile approval$53,260
- 90th percentile approval$1,945,970
- Largest single approval$5,000,000
- Jobs reported supported, 7(a)2,326
- Jobs per approval10.6
- Distinct 7(a) lenders active61
- Distinct industries receiving approvals117
- Median 7(a) term120 months
- Share of loans on real estate terms, 240 months or longer12.7 percent
- Loans on real estate terms28
- Loans on working capital terms, 120 months or shorter167
- Franchise loans45
- Franchise share of approvals20.5 percent
- Leading industry by approval countLandscaping Services (10)
- Most active lenderThe Huntington National Bank (18)
- 504 approvals recorded80
- 504 gross approval dollars$53.4 m
- Average 504 approval$667,288
- Median 504 approval$475,000
- Distinct CDCs active5
- 504 jobs per approval9.9
- 504 jobs per million dollars approved14.8
- Most active CDCBirmingham Citywide Local Development Company (35)
- Combined SBA approval dollars, 7(a) FY2020 to FY2026 and 504 FY2010 to FY2026$202.1 m
The average approval of $675,793 sits well above the median of $270,000, pulled up by a few larger deals, so the median is the better guide to what a typical borrower here gets. Only 12.7 percent of approvals run on real estate terms, so SBA credit here is mostly working capital and equipment rather than property acquisition.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30. US Small Business Administration, 504 FOIA release, FY2010 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Shelby County
SBA loan default and charge-off rates in Shelby County
Do SBA loans in Shelby County get paid back?
- Loans with a final outcome recorded27
- Paid in full25
- Charged off2
- Status: Paid in full25
- Status: Exempt from disclosure153
- Status: Cancelled34
- Status: Charged off2
- Status: Committed, not yet disbursed6
Only 27 loans have reached a final outcome, fewer than the 30 a charge-off rate needs, so no rate is published.
Compare against the national and state SBA charge-off rates, computed the same way over resolved loans only.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Shelby County
SBA lending by place in Shelby County
- Borrower cities with recorded lending18
- Birmingham, approvals55
- Pelham, approvals53
- Alabaster, approvals27
- Helena, approvals25
- Hoover, approvals21
- Chelsea, approvals10
| Borrower city | Approvals | Gross approval dollars |
|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | 55 | $53,102,700 |
| Pelham | 53 | $29,687,800 |
| Alabaster | 27 | $18,660,900 |
| Helena | 25 | $14,330,300 |
| Hoover | 21 | $10,765,900 |
| Chelsea | 10 | $9,167,500 |
| Calera | 6 | $3,185,300 |
| Wilsonville | 5 | $782,600 |
| 10 other borrower cities | 18 | $8,991,400 |
Birmingham accounts for 55 approvals against 53 in Pelham. County level figures average over that gap, which is why a site decision is made at the submarket rather than the county.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Shelby County
How large is Shelby County?
- Land area785 sq mi
- Rank by land area among Alabama counties21st of 67
- Width, east to west38.7 mi
- Height, north to south36.3 mi
- Geographies sharing a boundary6
- Residents per square mile of land293
- Establishments per square mile7.15
US Census Bureau county boundary geometry, TIGER, adjacency computed from shared boundary vertices, TIGER county boundaries. US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year. US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Shelby County
Flood risk in Shelby County
- Participation of the county's own NFIP community Shelby County, unincorporated areasParticipating, community 010191
- Communities in the county in the NFIP Community Status Book18
- Of those, participating in the NFIP17
- NFIP participation rate94.4 percent
- Best Community Rating System class in the county A lower CRS class is a larger flood insurance premium discount.Class 5
- Communities carrying a CRS class2
- Radon levels in Shelby County, EPA zone predicted average indoor radon screening level from 2 to 4 pCi/LZone 2
The county's own community in the status book, unincorporated Shelby County (community 010191), participates in the National Flood Insurance Program and carries no Community Rating System class, so no CRS premium discount applies there. The EPA places Shelby County in radon zone 2, a predicted average indoor radon screening level from 2 to 4 pCi/L. The zone is a screening prediction for the county and does not substitute for a test at an address. The best Community Rating System class among the county's communities is 5, which carries a flood insurance premium discount for policies written in that community. 94.4 percent of the county's listed communities participate in the National Flood Insurance Program, per Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26.
Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26. US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Coverage
What this page does not hold.
Traffic counts, zoning and the flood zone at an address are not on this page; they resolve at the address in the platform. How this page was built →
Feasibility studies
When a Shelby County site needs a document a lender will accept.
The same data layer behind this page is the one the studies are written from. A study for a Shelby County site starts with the figures you are reading, carrying the same source and period into the credit file.
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-2024230,211
- Households86,866
- Average household size2.65
- Median household income$97,961
- Median age40.3
Common questions
Shelby County questions, answered from the record.
How many people live in Shelby County, Alabama?
The Census Bureau estimates 235,969 residents on July 1, 2024 (US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024). The American Community Survey 2020-2024 five-year estimate is 230,211, in 86,866 households, ranking 6th of 67 Alabama counties. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Is Shelby County's population growing?
The population has grown 5.80 percent since the 2020 census base of 223,024, to 235,969 on July 1, 2024. In 2024 there were 2,469 births against 1,766 deaths, with net migration of 1,673. Source: US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
What is the median household income in Shelby County?
$97,961. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $326,100, which is 3.3 times income, and median gross rent is $1,401 per month. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
How many businesses are in Shelby County?
5,610 establishments, employing 87,718 people with an annual payroll of $5.49 bn. These are establishments physically operating in the county, not listings. Source: US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
What is employment by industry in Shelby County?
Retail trade is the largest private sector at 10,760 jobs, 12.6 percent of covered employment. Covered employment averages 85,169 jobs at an average annual pay of $66,772, or $1,284 a week. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
How much SBA lending happens in Shelby County?
220 7(a) approvals totaling $148.7 m since FY2020, across 61 lenders, with a median approval of $270,000, plus 80 504 approvals worth $53.4 m since FY2010. These are approvals recorded in the release, not loans disbursed.
How many building permits were issued in Shelby County?
990 housing units were authorized by permit in 2024, with a declared construction value of $267.8 m. Multifamily was 0.0 percent of units. Source: US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
What is the radon zone for Shelby County?
Zone 2, a predicted average indoor radon screening level from 2 to 4 pCi/L. Source: US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Where do people moving to Shelby County come from?
The largest single origin is Jefferson County, with 3,163 households. Arriving households report an average income of $90,316 against $84,645 for those leaving. Source: US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Are traffic counts available for Shelby County on this page?
No. Annual average daily traffic resolves in the platform rather than in this dataset, so no AADT figure is printed here. It is a gap we know about rather than a figure we estimated.
Is zoning published for Shelby County?
No. Nothing on this page presents parcel level zoning, and where a statutory framework applies it is marked as the statewide frame, to be confirmed locally.
Shelby County
Cities and places in Shelby.
27 Census places lie wholly or partly in Shelby County. All 27 carry enough published place level data for a page of their own and are linked.
| Place | Type | Population | SBA 7(a) approvals, projects in this county | Lies in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | city | 198,173 | 55 | 3.4 percent here, 96.6 percent Jefferson County |
| Hoover | city | 92,642 | 21 | 43.6 percent here, 56.4 percent Jefferson County |
| Alabaster | city | 33,917 | 27 | Wholly in this county |
| Pelham | city | 24,827 | 53 | Wholly in this county |
| Helena | city | 21,769 | 25 | 88.3 percent here, 11.7 percent Jefferson County |
| Calera | city | 17,714 | 6 | Wholly in this county |
| Chelsea | city | 16,260 | 10 | Wholly in this county |
| Leeds | city | 12,028 | 1 | 2.5 percent here, 86.8 percent Jefferson County, 10.7 percent St. Clair County |
| Meadowbrook | CDP | 9,117 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Brook Highland | CDP | 8,146 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Montevallo | city | 7,556 | 2 | Wholly in this county |
| Highland Lakes | CDP | 5,866 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Columbiana | city | 4,725 | 4 | Wholly in this county |
| Eagle Point | CDP | 3,110 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Indian Springs Village | city | 2,537 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Westover | town | 2,298 | 1 | Wholly in this county |
| Vincent | town | 2,050 | None recorded | 96.8 percent here, 2.1 percent Talladega County |
| Wilsonville | town | 1,879 | 5 | Wholly in this county |
| Harpersville | town | 1,788 | 1 | Wholly in this county |
| Shoal Creek | CDP | 1,328 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Vandiver | CDP | 990 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Dunnavant | CDP | 966 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Brantleyville | CDP | 845 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Shelby | CDP | 809 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Sterrett | CDP | 805 | 4 | Wholly in this county |
| Wilton | town | 804 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Pea Ridge | CDP | 718 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
A further 5 of the county's 220 SBA 7(a) approvals are to borrowers in cities that match no Census place in Shelby County, the largest being Indian Springs Viillage (2), Vestavia (1), Pelmah (1). Those are postal cities, unincorporated areas and cities outside the county, so no place row claims them; they are counted in the county total above.
Nearby