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COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Shelby County

Iowa · 11,746 residents · 590.776 sq mi
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The short version

Shelby County has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $60,139. Population has declined 11% since 2000. 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $120,700. With a median age of 46.4, the population is older than the US median of 38.8.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 46.4
US median: 38.8
Less educated
21% 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
11,746
−11%since 2000
from 13,173 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
20 / sq mi
−11%since 2000
from 22 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
46.4
+15%since 2000
from 40.5 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
11K12K12K13K13K1990201020202024Shelby County
202412K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$60,139
+7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $37,442 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$34,617
+104%since 2000
from $16,969 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
41.0%
+19.6 ptssince 2009
from 21.4% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
8.9%
+2.9 ptssince 2000
from 6.0% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information12.4%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade11.7%
US avg: 10%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing9.5%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction9.5%
US avg: 1.2%
Finance & insurance7.7%
US avg: 5.5%
Wholesale trade7.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Professional, scientific, technical6.7%
US avg: 4.7%
Other services6%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration5.7%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing2.3%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food1.6%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services1%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$120,700
+4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $77,000 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$701
+17%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $399 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
77.2%
+0.2 ptssince 2000
from 77.0% in 2000
22.8% rent
Afford Score
2.0
−2%since 2000
from 2.1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Shelby County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic98.2%(12,938)
Black0.1%(13)
Hispanic / Latino0.7%(88)
Asian0.3%(36)
Other0%
Diversity Score2.6%(342)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic92.7%(10,890)
Black0.5%(53)
Hispanic / Latino3.5%(412)
Asian0.4%(49)
Other1.4%(167)
Diversity Score14.1%(1,655)
Segregation Score19.4%(2,280)
Diversity Score
14
+442%since 2000
from 3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
19
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
21.1%
+5.7 ptssince 2000
from 15.3% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
91.7%
+5.1 ptssince 2000
from 86.6% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
5.5%
+1.4 ptssince 2000
from 4.1% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
17.6 min
+18%since 2000
from 14.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
78.5%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 78.6% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
4.5%
−2.0 ptssince 2009
from 6.5% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.5%
−0.3 ptssince 2011
from 3.8% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
65.7%
+0.7 ptssince 2011
from 65.0% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
40.7%
−22.1 ptssince 2009
from 62.8% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.9%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 49.1% in 2009
Female
51.1%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 50.9% in 2009
Foreign born
2.3%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 0.8% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
4.8%
−87.5 ptssince 2013
from 92.3% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Shelby County

Marshall County
Pop 11,473
Moffat County
Pop 13,122
Cumberland County
Pop 10,208
Valley County
Pop 12,831
Places similar to Shelby County
Head to head

Compare Shelby County to nearby counties

SHELBY COUNTY VS
Audubon County
Income$58,229−3%
Home value$121,900+1%
Population5,509−53%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SHELBY COUNTY VS
Crawford County
Income$67,027+11%
Home value$153,700+27%
Population16,237+39%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SHELBY COUNTY VS
Pottawattamie County
Income$73,602+22%
Home value$195,700+62%
Population92,996+696%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SHELBY COUNTY VS
Harrison County
Income$79,535+32%
Home value$176,000+46%
Population14,623+25%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Shelby County, Iowa?

Shelby County, Iowa has about 11,746 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Shelby County, Iowa?

The typical household in Shelby County, Iowa earns about $60,139 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Shelby County, Iowa expensive?

In Shelby County, Iowa, the median home is worth about $120,700, and the typical rent is about $701 a month.

How educated are people in Shelby County, Iowa?

About 21.1% of adults age 25 and over in Shelby County, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Shelby County, Iowa?

About 8.9% of people in Shelby County, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Has Shelby County, Iowa grown since 1990?

Yes, Shelby County, Iowa has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 1,484 residents, a change of about -11 percent over that period.

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Explore from here

4 census tracts
Census Tract 9603Census Tract 9601Census Tract 9602Census Tract 9604
10 ZIP codes
ZIP 51537ZIP 51570ZIP 51531ZIP 51530ZIP 51565ZIP 51562ZIP 51446ZIP 51527ZIP 51578ZIP 51447
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →