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CITY

Shell Lake

Wisconsin · 1,414 residents (2025 est.) · 5.846 sq mi
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The short version

Shell Lake has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $57,500. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $229,400. With a median age of 49.8, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. Households here earn about 26% less than the Wisconsin median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 49.8
US median: 38.9
Average education
32% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 54%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,459
+11%since 2000
from 1,309 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
250 / sq mi
+11%since 2000
from 224 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
49.8
+6%since 2000
from 47.0 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:1,414 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
1K1K1K2K2K1990201020202024Shell Lake
20241K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$57,500
−5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $33,073 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$42,316
+127%since 2000
from $18,675 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
43.3%
+25.1 ptssince 2009
from 18.2% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
8.9%
+0.3 ptssince 2000
from 8.6% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.530
+12%since 2010
from 0.474 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade12%
US avg: 9.9%
Information12%
US avg: 10.8%
Other services7.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration6.6%
US avg: 4.8%
Finance & insurance5.2%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical5.2%
US avg: 5.1%
Transportation & warehousing3%
US avg: 2.2%
Wholesale trade2.9%
US avg: 6.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction2%
US avg: 1.2%
Arts, entertainment, food0.7%
US avg: 1.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$229,400
+54%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $81,700 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$450
−34%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $373 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
77.6%
+8.4 ptssince 2000
from 69.2% in 2000
22.4% rent
Vacancy rate
34.8%
+4.5 ptssince 2009
from 30.3% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
15.9%
−17.8 ptssince 2009
from 33.7% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
31.9%
−27.5 ptssince 2009
from 59.4% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
4.0
+62%since 2000
from 2.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
66
RELATED:See current rent listings in Shell Lake on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic97.8%(1,280)
Black0.1%(1)
Hispanic / Latino1%(13)
Asian0.1%(1)
Other0%
Diversity Score2.9%(38)
2024
White, non-Hispanic89.9%(1,312)
Black0.5%(8)
Hispanic / Latino0.4%(6)
Asian0.1%(1)
Other9%(132)
Diversity Score22.9%(334)
Diversity Score
23
+699%since 2000
from 3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
32.0%
+7.7 ptssince 2000
from 24.3% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
92.0%
+10.8 ptssince 2000
from 81.2% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
9.3%
+1.9 ptssince 2000
from 7.3% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
19.0 min
+24%since 2000
from 15.3 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
69.5%
−16.3 ptssince 2009
from 85.9% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
13.6%
+7.1 ptssince 2009
from 6.4% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
12.3%
+9.8 ptssince 2009
from 2.5% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.8%
−2.9 ptssince 2009
from 4.8% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
1.7%
+1.7 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
8.3%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 7.8% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
0.5%
−9.0 ptssince 2011
from 9.5% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
48.2%
−3.0 ptssince 2011
from 51.2% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
15.9%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 15.6% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
37.1%
−19.6 ptssince 2009
from 56.7% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
43.0%
−8.6 ptssince 2009
from 51.5% in 2009
Female
57.0%
+8.6 ptssince 2009
from 48.5% in 2009
Foreign born
4.5%
+3.6 ptssince 2009
from 0.8% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
9.9%
−41.8 ptssince 2009
from 51.8% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
20.3%
+2.2 ptssince 2012
from 18.1% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
2.4%
−89.3 ptssince 2013
from 91.7% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
83.8%
+13.6 ptssince 2017
from 70.2% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
98.4%
+3.0 ptssince 2016
from 95.4% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.9%
−0.6 ptssince 2016
from 1.5% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Shell Lake, Wisconsin?

Shell Lake, Wisconsin has about 1,459 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Shell Lake, Wisconsin?

The typical household in Shell Lake, Wisconsin earns about $57,500 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Shell Lake, Wisconsin expensive?

In Shell Lake, Wisconsin, the median home is worth about $229,400, and the typical rent is about $450 a month.

How educated are people in Shell Lake, Wisconsin?

About 32.0% of adults age 25 and over in Shell Lake, Wisconsin hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Shell Lake, Wisconsin?

About 8.9% of people in Shell Lake, Wisconsin live below the federal poverty line.

Has Shell Lake, Wisconsin grown since 1990?

Yes, Shell Lake, Wisconsin has grown since 1990. The population has added about 298 residents, a change of about 26 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 →