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CITY · 2020 ACS

Shell Lake

Wisconsin · 1,371 residents · 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 $43,750. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value is $122,100. With a median age of 52.3, the population is older than the US median of 38.8. Households here earn about 31% less than the Wisconsin median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 52.3
US median: 38.8
Less educated
23% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,371
+5%since 2000
from 1,309 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
235 / sq mi
+5%since 2000
from 224 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
52.3
+11%since 2000
from 47.0 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
1K1K1K2K2K1990201020202024Shell Lake
20241K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$43,750
−12%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $33,073 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$24,852
+33%since 2000
from $18,675 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
29.4%
+11.1 ptssince 2009
from 18.2% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
14.9%
+6.3 ptssince 2000
from 8.6% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade13.3%
US avg: 10%
Information8.2%
US avg: 11.1%
Other services6.6%
US avg: 6.6%
Finance & insurance5.5%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical3.5%
US avg: 4.7%
Public administration3.5%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing3.3%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food2.5%
US avg: 2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction2%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services2%
US avg: 0.8%
Wholesale trade1.2%
US avg: 6.7%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$122,100
−1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $81,700 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$730
+30%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $373 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
66.2%
−3.0 ptssince 2000
from 69.2% in 2000
33.8% rent
Afford Score
2.8
+13%since 2000
from 2.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic89.6%(1,228)
Black0.1%(1)
Hispanic / Latino2.5%(34)
Asian0.4%(5)
Other4.1%(57)
Diversity Score17.3%(237)
Diversity Score
17
+502%since 2000
from 3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
23.0%
−1.3 ptssince 2000
from 24.3% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
91.5%
+10.3 ptssince 2000
from 81.2% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
6.5%
−0.9 ptssince 2000
from 7.3% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
20.1 min
+32%since 2000
from 15.3 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
82.5%
−3.3 ptssince 2009
from 85.9% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
10.8%
+3.0 ptssince 2009
from 7.8% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.5%
−4.0 ptssince 2011
from 9.5% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
51.1%
−0.2 ptssince 2011
from 51.2% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
29.9%
−26.9 ptssince 2009
from 56.7% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
41.5%
−10.0 ptssince 2009
from 51.5% in 2009
Female
58.5%
+10.0 ptssince 2009
from 48.5% in 2009
Foreign born
0.5%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.8% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
1.5%
−90.2 ptssince 2013
from 91.7% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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SHELL LAKE VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Shell Lake, Wisconsin?

Shell Lake, Wisconsin has about 1,371 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Shell Lake, Wisconsin earns about $43,750 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 $122,100, and the typical rent is about $730 a month.

How educated are people in Shell Lake, Wisconsin?

About 23.0% 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 14.9% 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 210 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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