Shelby County Health Data
Shelby County, Tennessee
CDC County Health RankingsHealth Score
26/100
Below Avg
Life Expectancy
71.8 yr
Uninsured Rate
11.4%
Health Statistics
Life Expectancy
71.8 yr
State avg 72.4 yr
National avg 77.5 yr
Uninsured Rate
11.4%
State avg 11.9%
National avg 9%
Primary Care Providers
86
per 100K population
National avg 82
Mental Health Providers
203
per 100K population
National avg 350
Poor / Fair Health
22.4%
State avg 22.4%
National avg 19.6%
Healthcare Access
Primary Care Physicians
24.7
per 100K residentsCDC: 85.7 per 100K
Dentists
3.4
per 100K residents
Nurse Practitioners & PAs
11.2
per 100K residents
Provider counts from CMS NPPES (National Provider Identifier Registry). Data current as of 2026.
Chronic Disease & Behavioral Health
These prevalence estimates come from the CDC PLACES program (Population-Level Analysis and Community Estimates), which combines BRFSS survey data with statistical modeling to produce county-level rates. Estimates are age-adjusted to enable fair comparisons across counties with different age distributions. Use them to spot where Shelby County differs most from state and national norms.
Most prevalent chronic conditions
| Measure | Shelby | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity | 39.6% | 39.9% | 37.6% | near state average |
| Diabetes | 14.6% | 12.3% | 11.2% | 2.3 pts worse than state |
| High Blood Pressure | 41.0% | 37.1% | 33.5% | 3.9 pts worse than state |
| Depression | 25.2% | 30.8% | 24.1% | 5.6 pts better than state |
Health-risk behaviors
| Measure | Shelby | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Cigarette Smoking | 17.3% | 20.7% | 16.3% | 3.4 pts better than state |
| Binge Drinking | 14.3% | 15.6% | 17.8% | 1.3 pts better than state |
| Physical Inactivity | 27.1% | 28.4% | 27.0% | 1.3 pts better than state |
Preventive-care uptake
| Measure | Shelby | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Routine Checkup | 80.5% | 75.4% | 74.9% | 5.1 pts better than state |
| Dental Visit (past year) | 54.8% | 54.4% | 57.3% | near state average |
| Mammography (women 50–74) | 78.3% | 71.9% | 73.3% | 6.4 pts better than state |
Daily-life impact
| Measure | Shelby | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frequent Mental Distress | 19.7% | 21.7% | 18.6% | 2.0 pts better than state |
| Short Sleep Duration | 42.0% | 40.0% | 37.3% | 2.0 pts worse than state |
These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Shelby County nationally on mammography (women 50–74).
Source: CDC PLACES, 2023 release · age-adjusted prevalence (%). Confidence intervals are available on individual rankings pages.
Data Story
Shelby County Primary Care Provider Ratio Surpasses National Median
Health data brief for Shelby County, Tennessee.
Shelby County reports 86 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, a figure that exceeds the national median of 70 and is more than double the rates seen in many neighboring counties. The mental health provider ratio is 203 per 100,000 residents, which is closer to the national median of 250 than the state average. Life expectancy in the county is 71.8 years, slightly lower than the state average of 72.4 years and 5.2 years lower than the national average of 77. The uninsured rate stands at 11.4%, which is lower than the Tennessee average of 11.9%. Poor or fair health is reported by 22.4% of residents. See the CDC County Health Rankings methodology.
Sources
- CDC County Health Rankings v2
- HHS NPPES
Get Care in Shelby County, Tennessee
Direct contact information for hospitals and community health resources serving this county. Hospital quality ratings come from CMS Care Compare — the federal program that measures hospital performance on safety, patient experience, and outcomes.
Hospitals near you
Compare all on Medicare.gov →Baptist Memorial Hospital
ERMethodist Hospitals of Memphis
ERMemphis Va Medical Center
EReHealth Insurance
Compare health insurance plans from top carriers for Shelby County residents.
Compare Plans →HealthMarkets
Licensed agents for health, Medicare, and supplemental insurance in Tennessee.
Get a Quote →Sponsored
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the health ranking of Shelby County, TN?
What is the life expectancy in Shelby County?
How does Shelby County health compare to the Tennessee average?
What health factors affect Shelby County?
Is Shelby County a healthy place to live?
What are the biggest health challenges in Shelby County?
Counties with Similar Health Profile
Data Sources
Health data sourced from the County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, a collaboration between the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute.
Data is informational only. Not medical or health advice. Coverage varies by county and reporting year.