Shelby County residents, on average, live longer and earn more money than their counterparts around the state, according to new data released last week.

Shelby County&8217;s life expectancy is Alabama&8217;s longest at 77.6 years, almost three years longer than the state average (74.8 years), but still just below the national average (77.8).

The facts and figures were part of the 2007 Alabama Population Data Sheet, released by AUM&8217;s Center for Demographic Research.

A 24 percent increase in population from 2000-2006 put Shelby County ahead of Baldwin, St. Clair, Elmore and Autuaga counties as experiencing the most growth.

The county&8217;s population was estimated at 178,182 in 2006, more than double its 1980 population of 66,298.

Shelby County also posted the highest median household income for 2004 at $61,972. The state median income was $37,062 and the national median $44,334.

The 28.6 minutes the average Shelby Countian spent driving to work just cracked the state&8217;s top 20 list for longest commutes, that ranking was based on 2000 Census data.

The median age for Shelby County residents is 35, up from just 28 in 1980, according to the data sheet.

The AUM report includes statistics on a range of population categories, divorce and marriage figures and more.

It includes specific demographic information for all 67 Alabama counties and provides data for the state as a whole.

Free copies of the data sheet can be obtained by contacting the Auburn Montgomery Center for Demographic Research at 334-244-3463