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CITY

Shell Rock

Iowa · 1,252 residents (2025 est.) · 1.602 sq mi
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The short version

Shell Rock has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $78,657. Population has grown 25% since 2000. 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $163,100. Poverty is rare here, at 5.0% of residents.

At a glance
Average income
near the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 35.6
US median: 38.9
Less educated
20% 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
1,625
+25%since 2000
from 1,298 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,014 / sq mi
+25%since 2000
from 810 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
35.6
−15%since 2000
from 42.1 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:1,252 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
1K1K1K2K2K1990201020202024Shell Rock
20242K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$78,657
+17%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $36,823 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$35,483
+108%since 2000
from $17,064 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
52.9%
+31.0 ptssince 2009
from 21.9% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
5.0%
−2.2 ptssince 2000
from 7.2% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.390
+14%since 2010
from 0.341 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade22.3%
US avg: 9.9%
Other services8.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration8.8%
US avg: 4.8%
Wholesale trade7.2%
US avg: 6.9%
Information6.4%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance6.3%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical4.5%
US avg: 5.1%
Transportation & warehousing3.3%
US avg: 2.2%
Arts, entertainment, food2.4%
US avg: 1.9%
Education & health services1.8%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction1%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$163,100
+21%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $74,100 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$931
+23%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $416 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
84.9%
+6.2 ptssince 2000
from 78.7% in 2000
15.1% rent
Vacancy rate
10.4%
+7.4 ptssince 2009
from 3.1% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
18.0%
+8.0 ptssince 2009
from 10.0% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
33.0%
+5.8 ptssince 2009
from 27.2% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.1
+3%since 2000
from 2.0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
61
RELATED:See current rent listings in Shell Rock on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic98.3%(1,276)
Black0.2%(2)
Hispanic / Latino0.2%(3)
Asian0.4%(5)
Other0%
Diversity Score1.9%(25)
2024
White, non-Hispanic93.3%(1,516)
Black0.6%(10)
Hispanic / Latino5.4%(87)
Asian0%(0)
Other0.7%(12)
Diversity Score15.8%(257)
Diversity Score
16
+719%since 2000
from 2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
20.3%
+6.4 ptssince 2000
from 13.9% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
92.2%
+6.6 ptssince 2000
from 85.5% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
5.1%
+1.0 ptssince 2000
from 4.1% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
25.5 min
+104%since 2000
from 12.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
84.7%
+4.4 ptssince 2009
from 80.3% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
8.8%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 8.9% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 0.6% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
5.5%
+3.0 ptssince 2009
from 2.4% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.9%
−5.4 ptssince 2009
from 6.3% 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
3.3%
−3.2 ptssince 2009
from 6.5% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
2.9%
−2.4 ptssince 2011
from 5.4% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
68.5%
+1.8 ptssince 2011
from 66.7% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
21.1%
+13.5 ptssince 2009
from 7.5% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
28.6%
−29.3 ptssince 2009
from 57.9% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.8%
−3.2 ptssince 2009
from 50.9% in 2009
Female
52.2%
+3.2 ptssince 2009
from 49.1% in 2009
Foreign born
3.0%
+3.0 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
6.4%
−44.7 ptssince 2009
from 51.1% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
10.9%
−1.2 ptssince 2012
from 12.1% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
2.1%
−87.0 ptssince 2013
from 89.1% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
86.7%
+12.2 ptssince 2017
from 74.5% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
94.5%
−4.0 ptssince 2016
from 98.5% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
5.3%
+5.3 ptssince 2016
from 0.0% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Shell Rock, Iowa?

Shell Rock, Iowa has about 1,625 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Shell Rock, Iowa?

The typical household in Shell Rock, Iowa earns about $78,657 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Shell Rock, Iowa expensive?

In Shell Rock, Iowa, the median home is worth about $163,100, and the typical rent is about $931 a month.

How educated are people in Shell Rock, Iowa?

About 20.3% of adults age 25 and over in Shell Rock, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Shell Rock, Iowa?

About 5.0% of people in Shell Rock, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Has Shell Rock, Iowa grown since 1990?

Yes, Shell Rock, Iowa has grown since 1990. The population has added about 255 residents, a change of about 19 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 →

Shell Rock, Iowa: demographics, income & housing data · CensusEasy