Living in Shelby, Alabama
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Shelby · Census data 2020–2024
Shelby has 809 residents with a median age of 58.2. The median home value is $158,200.
Shelby is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Shelby at a glance
- Population
- 809
- Median age
- 58.2State: 39.3
- Median home value
- $158,200State: $209,900
- Homeowners
- 90.7%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 20%
- Average commute
- 24 min
Is Shelby a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 25% lower than the state median; an average commute of 24 minutes.
Cons: A poverty rate of 21.4%.
The weather is best in April–May and September–October.
Cost of living in Shelby
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Shelby the median home value is $158,200, 52% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of — per month. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $2,034 a month in housing costs.
Housing in Shelby: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 439
- Owner-occupied
- 90.7%
- Renter-occupied
- 9.3%
- Vacant
- 14.4%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1990
- Average household size
- 2.15
Shelby demographics
- Population
- 809
- Median age
- 58.2
- Under 18
- 11.7%
- 65 and older
- 36.1%
- Households
- 376
- Foreign-born
- 0%
- Veterans
- 9.1%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Shelby ›
Education in Shelby
20% of adults 25 and older in Shelby have a bachelor's degree or higher (Alabama: 28.4%), and 8.3% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Shelby
- Unemployment rate
- 0%State: 4.7%
- Average commute
- 24 minState: 26 min
- Work from home
- 0%
- Drive alone
- 78.7%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 0%
- Homes with broadband
- 65.4%
Shelby vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shelby | 809 | — | $158,200 | — |
| Columbiana | 4,725 | $80,546 | $259,500 | $940 |
| Talladega Springs | 166 | $73,125 | $153,900 | — |
| Fayetteville | 1,154 | $100,255 | $298,500 | — |
| Calera | 17,714 | $87,194 | $235,300 | $1,601 |
| Wilsonville | 1,879 | $72,115 | $235,400 | $854 |
| Jemison | 2,796 | $65,800 | $170,000 | $1,106 |
| Chelsea | 16,260 | $115,337 | $360,000 | $1,414 |
| Montevallo | 7,556 | $56,626 | $220,700 | $956 |
More for people moving to Shelby
Shelby ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Shelby: FAQ
What is the average home price in Shelby?
The median home value in Shelby is $158,200, compared with $209,900 in Alabama.
Is Shelby, AL a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 25% lower than the state median; an average commute of 24 minutes. Minuses: a poverty rate of 21.4%.
What is the median age in Shelby?
The median age in Shelby is 58.2 years (Alabama: 39.3).
How long is the commute in Shelby?
The average commute to work in Shelby is 24 minutes; 0% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Shelby?
The unemployment rate in Shelby is 0% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Shelby?
20% of adults in Shelby have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
Last updated: