Shelbyville, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Shelbyville, Illinois had a total population of 4,351, the 357th largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $52,470, which is 37% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 37% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x.
Shelbyville Quick Facts
How Shelbyville 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 | 4,248 | 4,351 | +2.4% |
| Median household income | $54,400 | $52,470 | -3.5% |
| Median home value | $111,200 | $116,400 | +4.7% |
How Shelbyville 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
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Shelbyville Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Shelby County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windsor | 877 | $63,359 | 15.3% | $105,400 |
| Stewardson | 756 | $61,875 | 9.4% | $109,500 |
| Findlay | 674 | $55,417 | 20.9% | $88,000 |
| Cowden | 534 | $62,031 | 20.4% | $77,000 |
| Strasburg | 507 | $64,219 | 4.5% | $97,600 |
| Sigel | 439 | $85,625 | 8.3% | $165,800 |
| Tower Hill | 422 | $53,352 | 13.0% | $68,300 |
| Herrick | 333 | $53,750 | 9.3% | $73,800 |
| Oconee | 193 | $74,750 | 5.7% | $91,300 |
| Westervelt | 134 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Shelbyville
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsfield | 4,420 | $54,643 | $111,400 | 22.3% | 17.9% |
| Staunton | 4,298 | $57,904 | $143,500 | 23.2% | 14.5% |
| Marseilles | 4,279 | $58,217 | $142,500 | 23.9% | 21.5% |
| Sparta | 4,068 | $52,188 | $111,200 | 18.6% | 24.4% |
| Flora | 4,475 | $47,148 | $77,300 | 12.3% | 18.9% |
Population Overview
Shelbyville is a small community located in Illinois, within Shelby County. The total population is 4,351. It ranks as the 357th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Shelbyville is 39.9 years. This is 2% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. 13.1% 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 Shelbyville is $52,470. This is 37% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 35% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 13.2%. This is 12% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 3.2%. This is 45% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $116,400. Housing costs are 56% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Shelbyville is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 59.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% lower than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Shelbyville has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 96.0% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.2%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (96.0% vs 58.1%). The Black or African American population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 13.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.2%) is well below the state average of 18.8%.
Education
13.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 65% lower than the state rate of 37.9%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 93.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Shelbyville, Illinois 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 Illinois state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois. 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 Shelbyville, Illinois?
Shelbyville, Illinois has a population of 4,351 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Shelbyville, IL?
The median household income in Shelbyville is $52,470, which is 35% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Shelbyville, IL?
The poverty rate in Shelbyville is 13.2%. This means approximately 558 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Shelbyville, Illinois?
Shelbyville's population is 96.0% White, 0.8% Black, 2.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Shelbyville, IL?
The median home value in Shelbyville is $116,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.2x.
How educated is Shelbyville, Illinois?
13.3% of adults (25+) in Shelbyville hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.