Living in Shelby, Iowa
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Shelby · Census data 2020–2024
Shelby has 752 residents with a median age of 36.1. The median household income is $63,654 (15% lower than the Iowa median), the median home value is $162,500, the median rent is $840/month.
Shelby is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Shelby at a glance
- Population
- 752
- Median age
- 36.1State: 38.6
- Median household income
- $63,654State: $75,059
- Median home value
- $162,500State: $208,000
- Median rent
- $840/moState: $972
- Homeowners
- 62.8%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 10.7%
- Average commute
- 30 min
Is Shelby a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 22% lower than the state median; a poverty rate of 10.2%.
Cons: Median household income 15% lower than the Iowa median; an average commute of 30 minutes; unemployment of 6.2%.
The weather is best in May–June and August–September.
Cost of living in Shelby
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Shelby the median home value is $162,500, 51% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $840 per month, which is 33.7% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,247 a month in housing costs.
Shelby median household income
The median household income in Shelby is $63,654 and the income per person is $36,393. 10.2% of residents live below the poverty line (Iowa: 11.1%).
Housing in Shelby: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 408
- Owner-occupied
- 62.8%
- Renter-occupied
- 37.2%
- Vacant
- 13.7%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1938
- Average household size
- 2.13
Shelby demographics
- Population
- 752
- Median age
- 36.1
- Under 18
- 19.9%
- 65 and older
- 16.5%
- Households
- 352
- Foreign-born
- 1.6%
- Veterans
- 6.8%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Shelby ›
Education in Shelby
10.7% of adults 25 and older in Shelby have a bachelor's degree or higher (Iowa: 31.4%), and 4.6% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Shelby
- Unemployment rate
- 6.2%State: 3.6%
- Average commute
- 30 minState: 20 min
- Work from home
- 7.3%
- Drive alone
- 79.5%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 7.6%
- Homes with broadband
- 84.4%
Shelby vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shelby | 752 | $63,654 | $162,500 | $840 |
| Minden | 630 | $109,167 | $170,500 | $700 |
| Avoca | 1,444 | $73,056 | $173,800 | $850 |
| Persia | 294 | $72,000 | $121,900 | $918 |
| Hancock | 216 | $82,083 | $98,600 | $922 |
| Neola | 1,116 | $73,306 | $205,100 | $968 |
| Portsmouth | 204 | $80,781 | $125,000 | $769 |
| Harlan | 4,891 | $57,488 | $152,500 | $783 |
| Walnut | 1,342 | $62,500 | $115,900 | $874 |
More for people moving to Shelby
Shelby ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Shelby: FAQ
What is the median household income in Shelby, IA?
The median household income in Shelby is $63,654, 15% lower than the Iowa median of $75,059 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Shelby?
The median home value in Shelby is $162,500, compared with $208,000 in Iowa.
How much is rent in Shelby?
The median gross rent in Shelby is $840 per month, about 33.7% of household income.
Is Shelby, IA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 22% lower than the state median; a poverty rate of 10.2%. Minuses: median household income 15% lower than the Iowa median; an average commute of 30 minutes; unemployment of 6.2%.
What is the median age in Shelby?
The median age in Shelby is 36.1 years (Iowa: 38.6).
How long is the commute in Shelby?
The average commute to work in Shelby is 30 minutes; 7.3% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Shelby?
The unemployment rate in Shelby is 6.2% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Shelby?
10.7% 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.
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