Memphis Metro Area, TN-MS-AR Local Data & Statistics

State: TN-MS-AR

Total population: 1,341,924 Household income: $66,401 Rent: $1,220

Overview

Total population

1,341,924

Rent

$1,220

Year built

1983

Household income

$66,401

Per capita income

$37,885

Poverty rate

16.5%

Unemployment rate

4.1%

Household size

2.5 persons

Rent over 30% of income

49.2%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available, with the exception of the unemployment rate, which is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ACS 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Demographics

State

TN-MS-AR

Total population

1,341,924

Adults over 25

891,153

Total households

522,879

Household size

2.5 persons

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Income & Poverty

Household income

$66,401

Per capita income

$37,885

Poverty rate

16.5%

Unemployment rate

4.1%

Rent over 30% of income

49.2%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Housing

Rent

$1,220

Year built

1983

Households that rent

39.5%

Households that own

60.5%

Rooms per home (all homes)

5.9

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Race

White

41.4%

Black

46.5%

Asian

2.3%

Two or more races

5.6%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Ethnicity

Hispanic or Latino

7.5%

Not Hispanic or Latino

92.5%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Commute

Commute rate

90.1%

Commute time to work

24 mins

Work from home

9.9%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Education

Less than high school

30.4%

High school graduate or GED

29.1%

Some college or associate degree

9.6%

Bachelor’s degree or higher

31%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Comparison of Memphis Metro Area, TN-MS-AR with: Tennessee Mississippi Arkansas United States

Memphis Metro Area

Total population1,341,924

Rent$1,220

Year built1983

Household income$66,401

Per capita income$37,885

Poverty rate16.5%

Unemployment rate4.1%

Tennessee State

Total population7,066,383

Rent$1,189

Year built1987

Household income$69,595

Per capita income$39,437

Poverty rate13.8%

Unemployment rate3.4%

Mississippi State

Total population2,946,779

Rent$954

Year built1986

Household income$56,447

Per capita income$31,549

Poverty rate18.9%

Unemployment rate3.1%

Arkansas State

Total population3,049,391

Rent$947

Year built1987

Household income$60,773

Per capita income$34,225

Poverty rate16%

Unemployment rate3.5%

United States

Total population334,922,499

Rent$1,413

Year built1980

Household income$80,734

Per capita income$44,673

Poverty rate12.5%

Unemployment rate4%

Metric	Metro AreaMemphis Metro Area	StateTennessee	State Mississippi	State Arkansas	CountryUnited States
Total population	1,341,924	7,066,383	2,946,779	3,049,391	334,922,499
Rent	$1,220	$1,189	$954	$947	$1,413
Year built	1983	1987	1986	1987	1980
Household income	$66,401	$69,595	$56,447	$60,773	$80,734
Per capita income	$37,885	$39,437	$31,549	$34,225	$44,673
Poverty rate	16.5%	13.8%	18.9%	16%	12.5%
Unemployment rate	4.1%	3.4%	3.1%	3.5%	4%

View the full multi-level comparison →

Summary for Memphis Metro Area, TN-MS-AR

Memphis metro area spans parts of TN, MS and AR.

Rent & Income

The typical monthly rent in this metro area is $1,220, while the typical household income is $66,401. Rent in this metro area is similar to Tennessee and lower than the U.S., and household income is similar to Tennessee and lower than the U.S.

Housing & Affordability

This metro area is primarily owner-occupied, with renters accounting for about 39.5% of households. About 49.2% of renters spend more than 30% of their income on housing, indicating a high cost burden. The poverty rate is about 16.5%, which is higher than in both Tennessee and the national rate.

Education & Employment

The local unemployment rate is about 4.1%, which is higher than the Tennessee rate and similar to the national rate.

Memphis Metro Area, TN-MS-AR — Rent vs Household Income

Memphis Metro Area, TN-MS-AR — Poverty vs Unemployment

💰 Rent in Memphis Metro Area, TN-MS-AR (with Utilities)

Estimated Monthly Rent: $1,220 ℹ️ What’s Included:
✅ Base rent, electricity, gas, water/sewer, and heating fuels
❌ Not included: internet, cable TV, renter's insurance, parking

💡 What does this rent estimate mean?

Explanation: This estimate shows what renters typically pay each month for housing, including the apartment or home and essential utilities such as heat, water, and electricity. Even when utilities are billed separately, an estimated average cost for utilities is included, in line with the U.S. Census Bureau’s (ACS) definition of gross rent.

Included in this number: Rent plus electricity, gas, water/sewer, and heating fuel.

Not included: Internet, cable, parking, renter’s insurance, or furniture rental.

Note: This cost does not depend on the number of people living in the home.

👨‍👧‍👦 Household Income in Memphis Metro Area, TN-MS-AR

Annual Household Income: $66,401

💡 What does Household Income mean?

Definition: This represents the middle value of all household incomes in this area — half of households earn less, and half earn more.

Includes: wages, salaries, self-employment income, Social Security, pensions, investments, unemployment, public assistance, and rental income.

Does NOT include: capital gains, non-cash benefits (like food stamps), or tax refunds.

Household = any group of people (or a single person) living in the same housing unit.

Example: A couple earning $40,000 and $30,000 together have a household income of $70,000. If that's in the middle of all local incomes, it's the value shown here.

📉 Poverty Rate in Memphis Metro Area, TN-MS-AR

Estimated Rate: 16.5%

💡 What does the Poverty Rate represent?

Definition: The percentage of people in this area living below the federal poverty threshold.

How it works: The threshold is a dollar amount set by the U.S. Census Bureau that varies by family size and age. If a household's income is below that level, everyone in it is included in this rate.

Example: In a town of 10,000 people, if 1,500 have incomes below the poverty line, the poverty rate is 15%.

Note: This statistic only includes people living in households; it does not count those in student housing, military barracks, or nursing homes.

🏘️ Renter vs. Owner Households in Memphis Metro Area, TN-MS-AR

In Memphis Metro Area, TN-MS-AR, households that rent: 206,526 (39.5%)

📊 What does the renter household percentage reveal about this area?

Household Type	Count	Share
Renter-Occupied	206,526	39.5%
Owner-Occupied	316,353	60.5%

Definition: This is the percentage of households that rent their home rather than own it. It includes only occupied housing units.

Why it matters: Areas with a high share of renter households often have younger populations, higher mobility, and different housing needs compared to mostly owner-occupied areas.

Example: If 65% of homes in an area are renter-occupied, it means 65 out of every 100 households rent their home.

📉 Renters Spending Over 30% of Income on Rent in Memphis Metro Area, TN-MS-AR

In Memphis Metro Area, TN-MS-AR, cost-burdened renters (households spending over 30% of income on housing): 101,691 (49.2%)

🏚️ What Does It Mean When Renters Spend Over 30% of Their Income on Housing?

Household Group	Households	Share
Cost-burdened renters (over 30%)	101,691	49.2%
Other renter households	104,835	50.8%
Total renter households	206,526	100%

Shares are calculated as a percentage of renter households.

This shows how many renters in this area are considered cost-burdened — meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on housing (rent and basic utilities).

It’s a sign that housing might be unaffordable in the area or that lower-income residents may be struggling with rent.

Data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.

📊 Education Levels in Memphis Metro Area, TN-MS-AR

Less than High School: 270,499 people (30.4%)

Includes adults who did not complete high school.

High School Graduate or GED: 259,063 people (29.1%)

Includes adults whose highest education is a high school diploma or GED.

Some College or Associate Degree: 85,175 people (9.6%)

Includes adults who attended college without completing a bachelor’s degree (some college or associate degree).

Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 276,416 people (31%)

Includes adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher (bachelor’s, master’s, professional, or doctoral degree).

👥 Total Adults (25+): 891,153

📊 Unemployment Rate in Memphis Metro Area, TN-MS-AR

Estimated Rate: 4.1%

💡 What does Unemployment Rate mean?

Definition: The unemployment rate is the percentage of people in the labor force who do not have a job but are actively looking for one.

Labor Force = Employed + Unemployed (aged 16+ and actively participating in the workforce).

Formula: (Unemployed ÷ Labor Force) × 100

Does NOT include: People who are retired, students not looking for work, homemakers, or otherwise not seeking employment.

Example: If there are 1000 people in the labor force and 80 are unemployed, then the unemployment rate is 8%.

ℹ️ Have questions about how these statistics are calculated? See our data methodology & FAQs

Source: ACS 5-Year Estimates (U.S. Census Bureau) — unemployment rate from BLS. Some values are derived metrics.