Living in Shellsburg, Iowa
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Shellsburg · Census data 2020–2024
Shellsburg has 868 residents with a median age of 40.4. The median household income is $70,179 (7% lower than the Iowa median), the median home value is $175,800, the median rent is $967/month.
Shellsburg is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Shellsburg at a glance
- Population
- 868
- Median age
- 40.4State: 38.6
- Median household income
- $70,179State: $75,059
- Median home value
- $175,800State: $208,000
- Median rent
- $967/moState: $972
- Homeowners
- 87.3%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 12.6%
- Average commute
- 26 min
Is Shellsburg a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 15% lower than the state median; unemployment of 1.4%; a poverty rate of 2.7%.
Cons: Median household income 7% lower than the Iowa median; an average commute of 26 minutes.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Shellsburg
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Shellsburg the median home value is $175,800, 47% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $967 per month, which is 27.5% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,388 a month in housing costs.
Shellsburg median household income
The median household income in Shellsburg is $70,179 and the income per person is $34,557. 2.7% of residents live below the poverty line (Iowa: 11.1%).
Housing in Shellsburg: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 419
- Owner-occupied
- 87.3%
- Renter-occupied
- 12.7%
- Vacant
- 22.7%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1977
- Average household size
- 2.61
Shellsburg demographics
- Population
- 868
- Median age
- 40.4
- Under 18
- 20.6%
- 65 and older
- 19.7%
- Households
- 324
- Foreign-born
- 1.8%
- Veterans
- 13.2%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Shellsburg ›
Education in Shellsburg
12.6% of adults 25 and older in Shellsburg have a bachelor's degree or higher (Iowa: 31.4%), and 4% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Shellsburg
- Unemployment rate
- 1.4%State: 3.6%
- Average commute
- 26 minState: 20 min
- Work from home
- 10.6%
- Drive alone
- 66%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 0.5%
- Homes with broadband
- 91.4%
Shellsburg vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shellsburg | 868 | $70,179 | $175,800 | $967 |
| Palo | 1,438 | $106,375 | $282,400 | $717 |
| Atkins | 2,225 | $112,138 | $314,900 | $604 |
| Center Point | 2,562 | $95,192 | $212,400 | $798 |
| Newhall | 996 | $67,443 | $186,300 | $642 |
| Vinton | 4,948 | $66,495 | $152,300 | $942 |
| Urbana | 1,639 | $115,655 | $228,900 | $860 |
| Hiawatha | 7,206 | $66,270 | $216,900 | $855 |
| Robins | 3,332 | $122,262 | $413,400 | $956 |
More for people moving to Shellsburg
Shellsburg ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Shellsburg: FAQ
What is the median household income in Shellsburg, IA?
The median household income in Shellsburg is $70,179, 7% 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 Shellsburg?
The median home value in Shellsburg is $175,800, compared with $208,000 in Iowa.
How much is rent in Shellsburg?
The median gross rent in Shellsburg is $967 per month, about 27.5% of household income.
Is Shellsburg, IA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 15% lower than the state median; unemployment of 1.4%; a poverty rate of 2.7%. Minuses: median household income 7% lower than the Iowa median; an average commute of 26 minutes.
What is the median age in Shellsburg?
The median age in Shellsburg is 40.4 years (Iowa: 38.6).
How long is the commute in Shellsburg?
The average commute to work in Shellsburg is 26 minutes; 10.6% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Shellsburg?
The unemployment rate in Shellsburg is 1.4% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Shellsburg?
12.6% of adults in Shellsburg 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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