Living in Shelby, Nebraska
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Shelby · Census data 2020–2024
Shelby has 684 residents with a median age of 41.5. The median household income is $72,955 (5% lower than the Nebraska median), the median home value is $120,500.
Shelby is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Shelby at a glance
- Population
- 684
- Median age
- 41.5State: 37.2
- Median household income
- $72,955State: $76,475
- Median home value
- $120,500State: $238,600
- Homeowners
- 85.5%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 17.4%
- Average commute
- 30 min
Is Shelby a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 49% lower than the state median; unemployment of 2.1%; a poverty rate of 6.5%.
Cons: Median household income 5% lower than the Nebraska median; an average commute of 30 minutes.
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 $120,500, 64% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of — per month, which is 22.5% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,354 a month in housing costs.
Shelby median household income
The median household income in Shelby is $72,955 and the income per person is $35,866. 6.5% of residents live below the poverty line (Nebraska: 10.6%).
Housing in Shelby: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 268
- Owner-occupied
- 85.5%
- Renter-occupied
- 14.5%
- Vacant
- 7.5%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1957
- Average household size
- 2.76
Shelby demographics
- Population
- 684
- Median age
- 41.5
- Under 18
- 22.4%
- 65 and older
- 21.3%
- Households
- 248
- Foreign-born
- 1.8%
- Veterans
- 12.1%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Shelby ›
Education in Shelby
17.4% of adults 25 and older in Shelby have a bachelor's degree or higher (Nebraska: 34.6%), and 2.8% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Shelby
- Unemployment rate
- 2.1%State: 3%
- Average commute
- 30 minState: 19 min
- Work from home
- 4.2%
- Drive alone
- 71.9%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 1.1%
- Homes with broadband
- 85.9%
Shelby vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shelby | 684 | $72,955 | $120,500 | — |
| Osceola | 896 | $81,250 | $148,400 | $489 |
| Rising City | 256 | $90,139 | $135,900 | $580 |
| Stromsburg | 1,074 | $58,988 | $159,900 | $846 |
| Gresham | 249 | $45,938 | $71,100 | $725 |
| Duncan | 612 | $74,688 | $162,500 | $1,313 |
| Bellwood | 492 | $72,639 | $147,900 | $786 |
| Ulysses | 190 | $76,458 | $36,300 | $675 |
| Silver Creek | 341 | $51,563 | $98,600 | $908 |
More for people moving to Shelby
Shelby ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Shelby: FAQ
What is the median household income in Shelby, NE?
The median household income in Shelby is $72,955, 5% lower than the Nebraska median of $76,475 (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 $120,500, compared with $238,600 in Nebraska.
Is Shelby, NE a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 49% lower than the state median; unemployment of 2.1%; a poverty rate of 6.5%. Minuses: median household income 5% lower than the Nebraska median; an average commute of 30 minutes.
What is the median age in Shelby?
The median age in Shelby is 41.5 years (Nebraska: 37.2).
How long is the commute in Shelby?
The average commute to work in Shelby is 30 minutes; 4.2% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Shelby?
The unemployment rate in Shelby is 2.1% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Shelby?
17.4% 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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