Shelby, Indiana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Shelby, Indiana had a total population of 164, the 764th largest community in Indiana, with a median household income of $32,180, which is 55% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 32.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 55% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (32.9%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 0.0% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
Shelby Quick Facts
How Shelby 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 | 259 | 164 | -36.7% |
| Median household income | $54,500 | $32,180 | -41.0% |
How Shelby 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: 41 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Shelby Rankings in Indiana
Explore Indiana Rankings
Other Cities in Lake County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hammond | 76,768 | $55,504 | 19.1% | $159,900 |
| Gary | 68,113 | $38,731 | 33.1% | $94,700 |
| Merrillville | 36,476 | $67,587 | 12.6% | $211,400 |
| Crown Point | 34,393 | $101,686 | 6.9% | $294,800 |
| Schererville | 29,701 | $89,466 | 7.7% | $314,900 |
| Hobart | 29,558 | $75,160 | 10.0% | $215,200 |
| East Chicago | 26,022 | $42,125 | 26.3% | $105,400 |
| Munster | 23,733 | $110,187 | 6.0% | $334,300 |
| Highland | 23,680 | $78,062 | 11.6% | $233,300 |
| St. John | 22,567 | $131,467 | 2.1% | $406,300 |
Cities Similar to Shelby
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vicksburg | 164 | N/A | $204,500 | 4.1% | 4.9% |
| Peppertown | 162 | N/A | N/A | 19.5% | 0.0% |
| Lake Bruce | 163 | $31,750 | N/A | 19.5% | 23.3% |
| Roll | 169 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Judah | 157 | N/A | $244,600 | 22.2% | 0.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 164, Shelby's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Shelby is a small community located in Indiana, within Lake County. The total population is 164. It ranks as the 764th most populous out of 967 Census-designated places in Indiana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Shelby is 63.4 years. This is 66% higher than the state median of 38.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Shelby is $32,180. This is 55% lower than the state median of $71,957. It is also 60% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 32.9%. This is 167% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.3%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The survey records no unemployed residents in Shelby, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. 81.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% higher than the state average of 70.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
Every resident counted in Shelby was recorded as White (non-Hispanic). A figure of exactly 100.0% reflects a survey sample too small to capture the community's full composition rather than a precise measurement.
Education
0.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 74.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Shelby, Indiana 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 Indiana state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 967 Census-designated places in Indiana. 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 Shelby, Indiana?
Shelby, Indiana has a population of 164 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Shelby, IN?
The median household income in Shelby is $32,180, which is 60% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Shelby, IN?
The poverty rate in Shelby is 32.9%. This means approximately 54 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Shelby, Indiana?
Shelby's population is 100.0% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Shelby, IN?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Shelby — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Shelby, Indiana?
0.0% of adults (25+) in Shelby hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.