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CITY

Shelton

Connecticut · 42,880 residents (2025 est.) · 30.631 sq mi
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The short version

Shelton is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $108,185. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $452,600. With a median age of 44.5, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. It sits in the top 10% of US cities for household income.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 44.5
US median: 38.9
More educated
42% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
41,889
+10%since 2000
from 38,101 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,368 / sq mi
+10%since 2000
from 1,244 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
44.5
+12%since 2000
from 39.8 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:42,880 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
35K37K39K41K43K1990201020202024Shelton
202442K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$108,185
−12%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $67,292 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$54,448
+82%since 2000
from $29,893 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
67.0%
+14.1 ptssince 2009
from 53.0% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
6.6%
+3.3 ptssince 2000
from 3.2% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.428
+3%since 2010
from 0.415 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade13.6%
US avg: 9.9%
Information9.9%
US avg: 10.8%
Other services8.4%
US avg: 6.7%
Wholesale trade6.8%
US avg: 6.9%
Public administration5.6%
US avg: 4.8%
Finance & insurance3.7%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical3.2%
US avg: 5.1%
Arts, entertainment, food1.4%
US avg: 1.9%
Transportation & warehousing1.1%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services0.5%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.5%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.5%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$452,600
+19%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $209,100 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,741
+21%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $790 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
76.5%
−5.3 ptssince 2000
from 81.8% in 2000
23.5% rent
Vacancy rate
4.9%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 4.1% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
23.0%
−10.2 ptssince 2009
from 33.2% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
50.7%
+9.1 ptssince 2009
from 41.5% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
4.2
+35%since 2000
from 3.1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
37
RELATED:See current rent listings in Shelton on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic92.1%(35,103)
Black1%(393)
Hispanic / Latino3.5%(1,326)
Asian2.1%(787)
Other0%
Diversity Score15.9%(6,050)
2024
White, non-Hispanic66.6%(27,919)
Black6.7%(2,804)
Hispanic / Latino12.6%(5,294)
Asian8.7%(3,642)
Other5.3%(2,230)
Diversity Score65.6%(27,486)
Diversity Score
66
+313%since 2000
from 16 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
41.7%
+11.8 ptssince 2000
from 29.9% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
92.9%
+5.6 ptssince 2000
from 87.3% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
16.8%
+5.4 ptssince 2000
from 11.4% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
30.3 min
+84%since 2000
from 16.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
75.4%
−13.9 ptssince 2009
from 89.4% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
8.6%
+3.5 ptssince 2009
from 5.1% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.8%
−1.3 ptssince 2009
from 2.2% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
13.9%
+11.2 ptssince 2009
from 2.7% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.5%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.5% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
5.7%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 4.6% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.9%
−1.9 ptssince 2011
from 6.8% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
65.3%
−1.8 ptssince 2011
from 67.2% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
13.4%
+1.8 ptssince 2009
from 11.6% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
51.9%
−16.7 ptssince 2009
from 68.6% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.0%
−1.3 ptssince 2009
from 49.3% in 2009
Female
52.0%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 50.7% in 2009
Foreign born
16.8%
+5.3 ptssince 2009
from 11.5% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
4.7%
−44.1 ptssince 2009
from 48.8% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
11.2%
+0.8 ptssince 2012
from 10.4% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
3.4%
−91.1 ptssince 2013
from 94.5% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
93.0%
+13.0 ptssince 2017
from 80.0% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
78.0%
−4.3 ptssince 2016
from 82.3% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
6.2%
+1.0 ptssince 2016
from 5.2% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Compare Shelton to nearby cities

SHELTON VS
Danbury
Income$83,393−23%
Home value$411,200−9%
Population89,033+108%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SHELTON VS
Port Jefferson
Income$144,912+34%
Home value$655,800+45%
Population8,306−81%
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SHELTON VS
Mount Sinai
Income$162,188+50%
Home value$661,200+46%
Population11,093−74%
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SHELTON VS
Miller Place
Income$146,492+35%
Home value$614,400+36%
Population11,736−73%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Shelton, Connecticut?

Shelton, Connecticut has about 41,889 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Shelton, Connecticut?

The typical household in Shelton, Connecticut earns about $108,185 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Shelton, Connecticut expensive?

In Shelton, Connecticut, the median home is worth about $452,600, and the typical rent is about $1,741 a month.

How educated are people in Shelton, Connecticut?

About 41.7% of adults age 25 and over in Shelton, Connecticut hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Shelton, Connecticut?

About 6.6% of people in Shelton, Connecticut live below the federal poverty line.

Has Shelton, Connecticut grown since 1990?

Yes, Shelton, Connecticut has grown since 1990. The population has added about 6,471 residents, a change of about 18 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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