Shelby County Health Data
Shelby County, Tennessee
Health 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
Data Story
About Health in Shelby County, Tennessee
Shelby's health lags despite urban advantage
Shelby County's 71.8-year life expectancy sits slightly above the U.S. average of 71.4 years, but this margin is narrow for a county containing Memphis—typically a regional health and economic center. Over 1 in 5 residents (22.4%) report poor or fair health, above national averages and suggesting significant health disparities within the urban county. Urban density hasn't translated to health leadership.
Shelby ranks below Tennessee average
At 71.8 years, Shelby County's life expectancy trails Tennessee's 72.4-year state average by 0.6 years, making it the second-lowest among the eight profiled counties. However, Shelby's 11.4% uninsured rate nearly matches Tennessee's 11.9% state average, suggesting coverage is less of a barrier than health outcomes themselves. Shelby faces health challenges beyond insurance access.
Shelby's providers vastly exceed peers
Shelby County's 86 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and 203 mental health providers per 100,000—the highest of any county profiled—position it as the regional health infrastructure leader. Yet despite this abundance, Shelby's 71.8-year life expectancy ranks among the lowest regionally. Provider supply alone cannot overcome the social and economic determinants driving Shelby's health disparities.
Rich infrastructure, stark disparities remain
Shelby's 86 primary care and 203 mental health providers per 100,000 residents represent unmatched regional capacity, yet 22.4% of the county reports poor or fair health—among the highest rates profiled. With 11.4% uninsured, coverage is relatively stable, suggesting the barriers lie in economic hardship, social stress, and health behaviors rather than access alone. Shelby's paradox reveals that provider abundance without addressing root drivers of illness falls short.
Shelby: access your abundant resources
Shelby's 11.4% uninsured population should explore coverage at Healthcare.gov or contact local enrollment assistance—your county's exceptional provider network can only help if you're covered. Once insured, prioritize establishing relationships with primary care and mental health providers; Shelby's infrastructure supports continuous care if you initiate it. Coverage access unlocks Shelby's extraordinary health resources.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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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.