Demographics
For historical population data, see: History of Memphis, Tennessee.
According to the 2006–2008 American Community Survey, the racial composition of Memphis was:
- Black or African American: 62.6%
- White: 31.7% (Non-Hispanic Whites: 29.5%)
- Hispanic or Latino (of any race): 5.0%
- Asian: 1.7%
- Native American: 0.2%
- Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander: 0.1%
- Some other race: 2.7%
- Two or more races: 1.2%
As of the census of 2000, there were 650,100 people, 250,721 households, and 158,455 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,327.4 people per sq mi (898.6/km²). There were 271,552 housing units at an average density of 972.2 per sq mi (375.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 61.41% African American, 34.41% White, down from 62.8% in 1950, 1.46% Asian, 0.19% Native American, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.45% from other races, and 1.04% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.97% of the population.
The median income for a household in the city was $32,285, and the median income for a family was $37,767. Males had a median income of $31,236 versus $25,183 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,838. About 17.2% of families and 20.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.1% of those under age 18 and 15.4% of those age 65 or over.
The Memphis Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), the 42nd largest in the United States, has a 2010 population of 1,316,100 and includes the Tennessee counties of Shelby, Tipton, and Fayette, as well as the Mississippi counties of DeSoto, Marshall, Tate, and Tunica, and Crittenden County, Arkansas.
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