Living in Shelby, Michigan
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Shelby · Census data 2020–2024
Shelby has 2,577 residents with a median age of 29.3. The median household income is $49,855 (32% lower than the Michigan median), the median home value is $155,600, the median rent is $680/month.
Shelby at a glance
- Population
- 2,577
- Median age
- 29.3State: 40.2
- Median household income
- $49,855State: $72,875
- Median home value
- $155,600State: $231,600
- Median rent
- $680/moState: $1,129
- Homeowners
- 64.8%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 14.5%
- Average commute
- 15 min
Is Shelby a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 33% lower than the state median; an average commute of 15 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 32% lower than the Michigan median; unemployment of 6.6%; a poverty rate of 20%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Shelby
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Shelby the median home value is $155,600, 53% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $680 per month, which is 24.4% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $993 a month in housing costs.
Shelby median household income
The median household income in Shelby is $49,855 and the income per person is $24,372. 20% of residents live below the poverty line (Michigan: 13.2%).
Housing in Shelby: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 890
- Owner-occupied
- 64.8%
- Renter-occupied
- 35.2%
- Vacant
- 4.6%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1961
- Average household size
- 3.02
Shelby demographics
- Population
- 2,577
- Median age
- 29.3
- Under 18
- 30.5%
- 65 and older
- 12.4%
- Households
- 849
- Foreign-born
- 13.9%
- Veterans
- 3.6%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Shelby ›
Education in Shelby
14.5% of adults 25 and older in Shelby have a bachelor's degree or higher (Michigan: 32.4%), and 5.5% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Shelby
- Unemployment rate
- 6.6%State: 5.7%
- Average commute
- 15 minState: 24 min
- Work from home
- 1.2%
- Drive alone
- 79.4%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 1.8%
- Homes with broadband
- 86.1%
Shelby vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shelby | 2,577 | $49,855 | $155,600 | $680 |
| New Era | 433 | $77,125 | $180,800 | $900 |
| Hart | 1,924 | $50,956 | $140,900 | $757 |
| Mears | 204 | $44,583 | $131,300 | $1,031 |
| Rothbury | 356 | $49,063 | $131,500 | $1,089 |
| Pentwater | 872 | $80,750 | $344,300 | $556 |
| Montague | 2,531 | $66,750 | $202,200 | $810 |
| Walkerville | 202 | $33,750 | $53,100 | $1,125 |
| Whitehall | 3,024 | $61,169 | $212,600 | $877 |
More for people moving to Shelby
Shelby ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Shelby: FAQ
What is the median household income in Shelby, MI?
The median household income in Shelby is $49,855, 32% lower than the Michigan median of $72,875 (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 $155,600, compared with $231,600 in Michigan.
How much is rent in Shelby?
The median gross rent in Shelby is $680 per month, about 24.4% of household income.
Is Shelby, MI a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 33% lower than the state median; an average commute of 15 minutes. Minuses: median household income 32% lower than the Michigan median; unemployment of 6.6%; a poverty rate of 20%.
What is the median age in Shelby?
The median age in Shelby is 29.3 years (Michigan: 40.2).
How long is the commute in Shelby?
The average commute to work in Shelby is 15 minutes; 1.2% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Shelby?
The unemployment rate in Shelby is 6.6% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Shelby?
14.5% 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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