Shelby County Budget Simulator
The Budget Is a Moral Document
Every dollar Shelby County spends reflects a choice about what matters most. Before you see how elected officials made those choices, take a guess yourself.
What does the County budget fund? (tap to expand)
This budget covers: Shelby County Sheriff, Criminal Court, Health Department, County Clerk, Register of Deeds, General Sessions Court, County Commission, and other countywide services.
Note on schools: Shelby County Schools has a separate budget funded primarily by state and local property taxes — it is NOT the same as the County General Fund shown here.
City vs. County: Memphis city residents pay taxes to BOTH governments. The city handles police, fire, parks, and city streets; the county handles the courts, health, sheriff, and other regional services.
Guess How the County Spends Your Money
Adjust the sliders to show what percentage of the budget you think goes to each department. There are no wrong answers — this is about revealing assumptions before seeing the reality.
After completing your guess, you'll see the actual county budget and compare your priorities.
Total Budget Allocation: 0%
Your allocations must add up to 100% of the total budget.
County Budget Overview
Total Budget Size: $— million
Fiscal Year: —
Population Served: ~925,000 residents
Allocate the County Budget
Your Budget Breakdown
Budget Tips
- Most people overestimate spending on some services and underestimate others.
- The County collects revenue primarily through property taxes, unlike the city which has more diverse revenue sources.
- Education typically makes up a significant portion of county budgets.
- Corrections, courts, and the Sheriff's department also require significant county funding.
- After you make your guess, you'll see the actual budget for comparison.
Next Steps
After submitting your guess, you'll be able to:
- Compare with the actual budget
- Create your own budget with priorities
- Explore revenue options
- Share your budget with elected officials