Honesty. Excellence. Responsiveness. Safety.
These Memphis values are at the core of every Memphis city council decision made, every initiative launched, every action taken.
The values exist so that our city, residents, employees and partners can thrive. We make sure government in Memphis lives up to our well-earned reputation as a community of choice for those who won’t settle for less than a high quality of life, exemplary education, bountiful employment opportunities and world-class recreation.
And they’re not just words—they’re part of our city’s DNA.
Memphis is home to an array of government agencies that provide critical services to those who live in, work in and visit our city. The City of Memphis is proudly part of Shelby County.
Here’s a look at the major government services available to you in the City of Memphis:
Mayor’s Office
Paul Young was sworn in as mayor of Memphis on January 1, 2024, with a commitment to creating a stronger, safer, and thriving community for all Memphians. He is a Memphian, father of two, husband to Dr. Jamila Smith-Young, and son of Pastor Dianne Young and the late Bishop William Young.
Memphis City Council
Thirteen men and women are working together to make our city great. The Memphis City Council works alongside Mayor Young to set budgets, pass ordinances, approve mayoral appointees, and make city laws. Their meetings on the first and third Tuesdays of each month are televised and open to the public, so you can always keep abreast of what’s going on around town.
Get to know our Memphis City Council
Memphis Fire Department
The Memphis Fire Department is focused on three things: teamwork with an unwavering commitment to excellence, compassion, and immediate community protection. Fire stations are located throughout the city, so help is never far away.
Learn more about the Memphis Fire Department.
Memphis Police Department
Our Memphis Police Department is made up of more than 2,000 officers and 400 civilian employees dedicated to keeping our city safe. Their goal is to create and maintain an overall environment for public safety and the Memphis PD continues to make great progress in this area while developing strong partnerships within the community.
Learn more about the Memphis Police Department.
Housing & Community Development
Cities thrive when neighborhoods thrive, and neighborhoods thrive when everyone does their part to keep them looking good and functioning well. The Housing & Community Development department makes sure that neighborhoods throughout our city are full of energy and vitality by providing down payment assistance to people who want to make Memphis their home.
Learn more about Housing & Community Development.
Memphis Area Transit Authority
Access to safe, reliable transportation is a hallmark of a great city. Memphis Area Transit Authority and its employees offer an array of public transit options, including our famous trolleys, buses, and paratransit services for people living with disabilities.
Learn more about the Memphis Area Transit Authority.
City of Memphis Division of Parks and Neighborhoods
Our numbers are impressive: 162 parks, 83 playgrounds, 25 summer day camps, 24 community centers, five senior centers, 17 aquatic facilities, eight golf courses, 34 soccer/football fields, 113 ball diamonds and 182 indoor and outdoor basketball hoops.
And that’s only the beginning.
The Memphis Division of Parks and Neighborhoods works hard to make sure people in Memphis always have access to free or low-cost activities.
Learn more about the Division of Parks and Neighborhoods.
Office of Sustainability
The Office of Sustainability focuses on energy efficiency, waste reduction, recycling, sustainable economic development, food systems and green building practices. It coordinates farmer’s markets, secures grants for green initiatives and helps local residents and businesses operate in more sustainable ways.
Learn more about the Office of Sustainability.
Memphis Public Libraries
Knowledge is power, and there is plenty to be had in the racks of Memphis Public Libraries. Located throughout the city, each library features a myriad of books, multimedia resources, events and activities.
And the best part: All that knowledge is free when you have a library card.
Learn more about Memphis Public Libraries.
Memphis Public Works
When it comes to day-to-day living, no division of the Memphis city government is more important than Public Works.
The 1,300 Public Works employees are responsible for sewers, street maintenance, trash collection, recycling, street lights and beyond. If you live in Memphis, work in Memphis or visit Memphis, you have no doubt benefited from the good people at Public Works.
Learn more about Memphis Public Works.
Planning & Development
The Division of Planning & Development plays an important role in ensuring that Memphis continues to thrive. It’s focused on growth—in business districts, neighborhoods and economic opportunities.
If you’re a business owner or simply someone who cares about smart growth and expansion, you’ll want to pay attention to what this arm of the Memphis city government is up to. After all, it’s instrumental in shaping our city’s future.
Learn more about the Division of Planning & Development.
Memphis Online Services
In today’s world, all the information you need to successfully make the most of Memphis government services is available online. Through Memphis Online Services, you can pay property taxes, get information about traffic ordinances and citations, access an online support center and check the status of a service request.
Memphis Online truly is your one-stop-shop for all things local government in the city of Memphis.
Learn more about Memphis Online.
Of course, this is only a very small sample of what the local Memphis government does. You can learn more about services for residents, businesses and visitors on the City of Memphis official website.
Our unstoppable city has everything you need to build the life you want. Come and see for yourself.
Shelby County
Shelby County was established in 1819 and was named for Governor Isaac Shelby (1750 – 1826) of Kentucky. It is located in the State of Tennessee within the continental United States. It is the state’s largest county both in terms of population and geographic area. Its county seat is the City of Memphis. Shelby County is also part of the Memphis Metropolitan Statistical Area, which comprises eight counties in three states: Tennessee, Mississippi, and Arkansas.
Shelby County is home to seven municipalities including Arlington, Bartlett, Collierville, Germantown, Lakeland, Memphis and Millington. Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris took office in 2018 as the County’s 6th Mayor in history and now leads this culturally rich and diverse community that we proudly call home.
You may also be interested in: Moving to Memphis Tennessee
