If you’re walking down Beale Street or grabbing a sandwich at South Point Grocery, there's a good chance you’ve heard the name Paul Young. He’s the man currently occupying the mayor’s office at City Hall, and honestly, his rise to the position is one of the more interesting shifts in Memphis politics we’ve seen in a generation.
He isn't just a face on a campaign poster.
As of early 2026, Paul Young is the Mayor of Memphis, serving as the 65th person to hold the office. He was sworn in on January 1, 2024, after winning a crowded and frankly chaotic 17-candidate race. You might remember the tension of that election—it was a real "changing of the guard" moment for the Bluff City.
The Preacher’s Kid from Oakhaven
Paul Young isn't some outsider brought in to "fix" things from a boardroom. He’s a 100% Memphis product. Born in 1979, he grew up in the Oakhaven neighborhood. His parents are local legends in their own right: the late Bishop William Young and Pastor Dianne Young.
Growing up in the church gave him a front-row seat to the city's struggles and its heart. He’s often said that he saw "two Memphises"—one that was thriving and another that felt left behind. That realization basically dictated his entire career path.
He didn't start in politics. He started in engineering and urban planning.
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- Education: B.S. in Electrical Engineering (UT Knoxville)
- Graduate Work: Master of Science in Urban and Regional Planning + MBA (University of Memphis)
- Professional Path: Director of Housing and Community Development; CEO of the Downtown Memphis Commission
When he ran for mayor, he leaned hard into that "planner" background. He didn't just want to talk about crime or potholes; he wanted to talk about the structure of why the city was hurting. It was a nerdy approach that somehow managed to resonate with a city tired of the usual political rhetoric.
What He's Actually Doing in 2026
So, it’s 2026. The honeymoon period is long over. How is he doing?
The biggest hurdle has always been public safety. You can’t talk about Memphis without talking about the crime rates. Young famously promised a "pandemic-like response" to the violence. Fast forward to now, and the numbers are actually starting to move in the right direction.
According to city data from the "Safer Communities" dashboard, homicides dropped significantly between 2024 and 2025. In fact, by the start of 2026, serious crime in Memphis hit a 25-year low. That's a huge win for his administration, though if you ask anyone in Midtown or Hickory Hill, they’ll tell you there is still a massive amount of work to do.
He’s been aggressive with technology. He pushed for a $10–15 million investment in AI-powered cameras across the city. Some people hate the "Big Brother" vibe, but for a city desperate to stop the "drive-by" culture, it’s been a cornerstone of his strategy.
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The MATA Mess and Infrastructure
It hasn't all been smooth sailing.
Young had to take the "nuclear option" with the Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA). The system was bleeding money, and the buses were literally breaking down in the streets. He fired the entire board in late 2024 and ordered a forensic audit. It was a bold move that some saw as necessary and others saw as a power grab.
Then there are the taxes. To pay for all this—the police, the new youth programs, the infrastructure—he had to raise the property tax by 49 cents. He also bumped up vehicle registration fees. For the average Memphian, that's a tough pill to swallow, even if it means fewer potholes on Poplar Avenue.
Why People are Still Talking About Him
Mayor Young is kind of a bridge-builder. He’s a Democrat, but he’s shown he can work with just about anyone if it gets resources into the city.
Case in point: in late 2025, when there was talk of federal troops being deployed to Memphis for public safety, Young didn't just go on a political tirade. He stood his ground but remained pragmatic, saying he would "make the most out of the deployment" to ensure the city got the help it needed without compromising the rights of the citizens.
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He’s also doubled down on youth employment. This summer, his administration is aiming to get 3,000 young people into jobs, with the city footing the bill for their salaries. It’s an "upstream" approach—trying to stop the cycle of crime before it starts by giving kids a paycheck and a purpose.
Actionable Insights for Memphians
If you're looking to keep tabs on what the Mayor is doing or how it affects your neighborhood, you don't have to wait for the evening news.
1. Check the Dashboards: The City of Memphis now runs several public data dashboards. You can literally see the crime stats for your specific zip code in real-time. It's the best way to see if the "Code Zero" initiatives are actually working near your house.
2. Watch the MATA Rebuild: Since the board was replaced, there are new routes and funding structures being proposed. If you rely on public transit, pay attention to the town hall meetings happening this quarter.
3. Youth Opportunities: If you know a teenager looking for work, the city’s summer youth employment program is currently taking applications. The goal for 2026 is the largest in the city's history.
4. Small Business Support: There is a $3 million fund specifically for businesses recovering from crime or looking to improve their security. If you own a shop in Memphis, you should be looking into these grants.
Paul Young is currently in the middle of a four-year term that ends on January 1, 2028. Whether he becomes a two-term mayor or a one-term experiment depends entirely on whether these 2025-2026 crime drops hold steady. For now, he’s the man with the plan, trying to prove that a preacher’s kid with an engineering degree can finally bridge the gap between the "two Memphises."