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CITY · 2020 ACS

Shelby

Iowa · 727 residents · 2.065 sq mi
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The short version

Shelby has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $48,229. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value is $101,600.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 35.4
US median: 38.8
Less educated
14% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
More affordable
home values down 6%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
727
+4%since 2000
from 696 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
352 / sq mi
+4%since 2000
from 337 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
35.4
−5%since 2000
from 37.4 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
5566226887538191990201020202024Shelby
2024752
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$48,229
+3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $31,250 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$32,048
+118%since 2000
from $14,720 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
30.4%
+5.9 ptssince 2009
from 24.6% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
8.4%
−4.6 ptssince 2000
from 13.0% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information22.8%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade11.7%
US avg: 10%
Finance & insurance6.8%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical6.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Other services5.3%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration4.9%
US avg: 4.7%
Wholesale trade4.4%
US avg: 6.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.7%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction1.7%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing1.7%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food0.2%
US avg: 2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$101,600
−6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $71,900 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$829
+72%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $321 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
65.5%
−13.6 ptssince 2000
from 79.1% in 2000
34.5% rent
Afford Score
2.1
−8%since 2000
from 2.3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Shelby on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic98%(682)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino1%(7)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score2.5%(17)
2020
White, non-Hispanic92%(669)
Black0.6%(4)
Hispanic / Latino4.3%(31)
Asian0.1%(1)
Other1%(7)
Diversity Score14.4%(105)
Diversity Score
14
+475%since 2000
from 3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
13.7%
+1.6 ptssince 2000
from 12.1% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
94.3%
+3.6 ptssince 2000
from 90.6% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
4.8%
+1.6 ptssince 2000
from 3.2% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
21.9 min
+2%since 2000
from 21.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
94.4%
+13.5 ptssince 2009
from 80.9% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
2.1%
−1.8 ptssince 2009
from 3.9% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
1.4%
−2.2 ptssince 2011
from 3.6% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
69.7%
+7.5 ptssince 2011
from 62.2% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
29.1%
−27.1 ptssince 2009
from 56.2% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
51.3%
+4.8 ptssince 2009
from 46.5% in 2009
Female
48.7%
−4.8 ptssince 2009
from 53.5% in 2009
Foreign born
0.0%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 1.2% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
3.1%
−81.8 ptssince 2013
from 84.9% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Shelby

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Pop 744
Paxton
Pop 695
Bethlehem
Pop 822
Southport
Pop 873
Places similar to Shelby
Head to head

Compare Shelby to nearby cities

SHELBY VS
Council Bluffs
Income$64,578+34%
Home value$171,800+69%
Population62,680+8522%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SHELBY VS
Bellevue
Income$85,462+77%
Home value$247,000+143%
Population64,863+8822%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SHELBY VS
Omaha
Income$73,201+52%
Home value$245,500+142%
Population488,797+67135%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SHELBY VS
Denison
Income$65,684+36%
Home value$150,200+48%
Population8,214+1030%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Shelby, Iowa?

Shelby, Iowa has about 727 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Shelby, Iowa?

The typical household in Shelby, Iowa earns about $48,229 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Shelby, Iowa expensive?

In Shelby, Iowa, the median home is worth about $101,600, and the typical rent is about $829 a month.

How educated are people in Shelby, Iowa?

About 13.7% of adults age 25 and over in Shelby, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Shelby, Iowa?

About 8.4% of people in Shelby, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Has Shelby, Iowa grown since 1990?

Yes, Shelby, Iowa has grown since 1990. The population has added about 67 residents, a change of about 10 percent over that period.

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

How we source and harmonize this data →