Shelton, Connecticut Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Shelton, Connecticut had a total population of 41,889, the 16th largest city in Connecticut, with a median household income of $108,185, which is 13% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Shelton Quick Facts
How Shelton Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 41,402 | 41,889 | +1.2% |
| Median household income | $114,739 | $108,185 | -5.7% |
| Median home value | $435,700 | $452,600 | +3.9% |
How Shelton Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 57 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Shelton Rankings in Connecticut
Explore Connecticut Rankings
Cities Similar to Shelton
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milford | 51,023 | $111,201 | $415,200 | 50.3% | 5.2% |
| Middletown | 47,958 | $79,438 | $295,300 | 40.2% | 12.0% |
| Norwich | 39,973 | $65,024 | $242,300 | 23.1% | 16.7% |
| Manchester | 36,759 | $74,267 | $223,400 | 31.5% | 12.5% |
| Newington | 30,896 | $102,884 | $310,400 | 40.0% | 6.4% |
Population Overview
Shelton is a mid-sized community located in Connecticut. The total population is 41,889. It ranks as the 16th most populous out of 214 Census-designated places in Connecticut.
Age Demographics
The median age in Shelton is 44.5 years. This is 8% higher than the state median of 41.1 years. 11.7% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Shelton is $108,185. This is 13% higher than the state median of $95,781. It is also 34% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.6%. This is 34% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.0%. The unemployment rate is 4.9%. This is 13% lower than the state rate of 5.6%. The median home value is $452,600. Housing costs are 23% higher than the state median of $366,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x. 76.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 15% higher than the state average of 66.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Shelton is White (non-Hispanic), making up 66.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 12.6%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (8.7% vs 4.8%).
Education
41.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 2% lower than the state rate of 42.5%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 92.9%. Notably, 16.8% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Shelton, Connecticut is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Connecticut state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 214 Census-designated places in Connecticut. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Shelton, Connecticut?
Shelton, Connecticut has a population of 41,889 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Shelton, CT?
The median household income in Shelton is $108,185, which is 34% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Shelton, CT?
The poverty rate in Shelton is 6.6%. This means approximately 2,728 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Shelton, Connecticut?
Shelton's population is 66.6% White, 6.7% Black, 12.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 8.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Shelton, CT?
The median home value in Shelton is $452,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x.
How educated is Shelton, Connecticut?
41.8% of adults (25+) in Shelton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 16.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.