Living in Shell Valley, North Dakota
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Shell Valley · Census data 2020–2024
Shell Valley has 1,243 residents with a median age of 27. The median household income is $46,786 (39% lower than the North Dakota median), the median home value is $90,800, the median rent is $428/month.
Shell Valley is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Shell Valley at a glance
- Population
- 1,243
- Median age
- 27State: 35.9
- Median household income
- $46,786State: $76,657
- Median home value
- $90,800State: $249,900
- Median rent
- $428/moState: $954
- Homeowners
- 59.9%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 18.7%
- Average commute
- 18 min
Is Shell Valley a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 64% lower than the state median; an average commute of 18 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 39% lower than the North Dakota median; unemployment of 9.8%; a poverty rate of 21.5%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Shell Valley
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Shell Valley the median home value is $90,800, 73% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $428 per month, which is 31% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $945 a month in housing costs.
Shell Valley median household income
The median household income in Shell Valley is $46,786 and the income per person is $18,190. 21.5% of residents live below the poverty line (North Dakota: 10.8%).
Housing in Shell Valley: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 393
- Owner-occupied
- 59.9%
- Renter-occupied
- 40.1%
- Vacant
- 10.4%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1982
- Average household size
- 3.53
Shell Valley demographics
- Population
- 1,243
- Median age
- 27
- Under 18
- 34.9%
- 65 and older
- 6.3%
- Households
- 352
- Foreign-born
- 0.8%
- Veterans
- 5.3%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Shell Valley ›
Education in Shell Valley
18.7% of adults 25 and older in Shell Valley have a bachelor's degree or higher (North Dakota: 32.7%), and 8.1% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Shell Valley
- Unemployment rate
- 9.8%State: 2.8%
- Average commute
- 18 minState: 18 min
- Work from home
- 6.4%
- Drive alone
- 70.1%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 0%
- Homes with broadband
- 95.7%
Shell Valley vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shell Valley | 1,243 | $46,786 | $90,800 | $428 |
| Belcourt | 1,547 | $90,568 | — | $846 |
| Green Acres | 994 | $47,679 | — | $407 |
| Rolla | 1,039 | $49,219 | $151,500 | $620 |
| Rolette | 363 | $90,536 | $128,400 | $188 |
| St. John | 286 | $62,750 | — | $770 |
| Dunseith | 818 | $51,449 | — | $364 |
| Willow City | 238 | $74,375 | $64,500 | $689 |
More for people moving to Shell Valley
Shell Valley ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Shell Valley: FAQ
What is the median household income in Shell Valley, ND?
The median household income in Shell Valley is $46,786, 39% lower than the North Dakota median of $76,657 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Shell Valley?
The median home value in Shell Valley is $90,800, compared with $249,900 in North Dakota.
How much is rent in Shell Valley?
The median gross rent in Shell Valley is $428 per month, about 31% of household income.
Is Shell Valley, ND a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 64% lower than the state median; an average commute of 18 minutes. Minuses: median household income 39% lower than the North Dakota median; unemployment of 9.8%; a poverty rate of 21.5%.
What is the median age in Shell Valley?
The median age in Shell Valley is 27 years (North Dakota: 35.9).
How long is the commute in Shell Valley?
The average commute to work in Shell Valley is 18 minutes; 6.4% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Shell Valley?
The unemployment rate in Shell Valley is 9.8% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Shell Valley?
18.7% of adults in Shell Valley 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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