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CITY

Shelby

Nebraska · 739 residents (2025 est.) · 0.539 sq mi
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The short version

Shelby has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $72,955. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 17% 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 $120,500.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 41.5
US median: 38.9
Less educated
17% 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
684
−1%since 2000
from 690 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,269 / sq mi
−1%since 2000
from 1,280 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
41.5
+6%since 2000
from 39.1 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:739 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
6577107638168691990201020202024Shelby
2024684
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$72,955
+11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $36,071 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$35,866
+126%since 2000
from $15,900 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
46.4%
+37.7 ptssince 2009
from 8.6% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
6.5%
+1.7 ptssince 2000
from 4.8% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.414
+24%since 2010
from 0.333 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade19.6%
US avg: 9.9%
Information15.4%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade14.7%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services9.4%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration9.4%
US avg: 4.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing6.8%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction6.8%
US avg: 1.2%
Finance & insurance5%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical3.4%
US avg: 5.1%
Education & health services1.6%
US avg: 0.9%
Transportation & warehousing1%
US avg: 2.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$120,500
+23%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $53,900 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Owner-occupied
85.5%
+1.9 ptssince 2000
from 83.6% in 2000
14.5% rent
Vacancy rate
7.5%
−6.3 ptssince 2009
from 13.8% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
14.2%
−8.4 ptssince 2009
from 22.6% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
0.0%
−4.6 ptssince 2009
from 4.6% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
1.7
+11%since 2000
from 1.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
59
RELATED:See current rent listings in Shelby on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic97.2%(671)
Black0.1%(1)
Hispanic / Latino1.6%(11)
Asian0.3%(2)
Other0%
Diversity Score5%(35)
2024
White, non-Hispanic86.4%(591)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino9.8%(67)
Asian0%(0)
Other3.8%(26)
Diversity Score30.3%(207)
Diversity Score
30
+503%since 2000
from 5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
17.4%
+8.5 ptssince 2000
from 8.8% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
94.8%
+7.8 ptssince 2000
from 87.0% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
2.8%
+0.5 ptssince 2000
from 2.3% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
30.2 min
+107%since 2000
from 14.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
71.9%
−5.2 ptssince 2009
from 77.0% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
21.8%
+16.3 ptssince 2009
from 5.4% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
4.2%
−4.5 ptssince 2009
from 8.8% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.1%
−5.3 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
3.6%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 4.2% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
2.1%
−5.8 ptssince 2011
from 7.8% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
71.6%
−1.9 ptssince 2011
from 73.4% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
10.5%
+2.5 ptssince 2009
from 8.0% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
17.0%
−41.1 ptssince 2009
from 58.2% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
43.4%
+1.9 ptssince 2009
from 41.5% in 2009
Female
56.6%
−1.9 ptssince 2009
from 58.5% in 2009
Foreign born
1.8%
−2.0 ptssince 2009
from 3.7% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
12.1%
−32.8 ptssince 2009
from 44.9% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
12.7%
−3.3 ptssince 2012
from 16.0% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
4.1%
−86.5 ptssince 2013
from 90.6% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
85.9%
+18.0 ptssince 2017
from 67.9% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
96.3%
+13.6 ptssince 2016
from 82.7% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
3.7%
−12.8 ptssince 2016
from 16.5% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Compare Shelby to nearby cities

SHELBY VS
Columbus
Income$64,626−11%
Home value$213,600+77%
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SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SHELBY VS
York
Income$63,265−13%
Home value$180,900+50%
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SHELBY VS
Lincoln
Income$71,867−1%
Home value$264,000+119%
Population301,522+40701%
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SHELBY VS
Fremont
Income$71,152−2%
Home value$214,700+78%
Population28,350+3736%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Shelby, Nebraska?

Shelby, Nebraska has about 684 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Shelby, Nebraska?

The typical household in Shelby, Nebraska earns about $72,955 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Shelby, Nebraska expensive?

In Shelby, Nebraska, the median home is worth about $120,500.

How educated are people in Shelby, Nebraska?

About 17.4% of adults age 25 and over in Shelby, Nebraska hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Shelby, Nebraska?

About 6.5% of people in Shelby, Nebraska live below the federal poverty line.

Has Shelby, Nebraska grown since 1990?

Yes, Shelby, Nebraska has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 13 residents, a change of about -2 percent over that period.

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

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