Described are systems and methods for prioritization of background media management operations in memory systems. An example system comprises a controller coupled to a memory array comprising a plurality of memory cells. The controller is configured to perform operations, comprising: identifying a plurality of address ranges referencing respective sets of memory cells of the memory array, wherein each address range is associated with a respective memory access operation counter reflecting a number of memory access operations that have been performed with respect to a corresponding set of memory cells; identifying, among the plurality of address ranges, an address range associated with a maximum value of a corresponding memory access operation counter; and causing a media management operation to be performed with respect to a set of memory cells referenced by the identified address range.