Shirley, Indiana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Shirley, Indiana had a total population of 1,022, the 352nd largest town in Indiana, with a median household income of $67,083, which is 7% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 9.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Only 7.1% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x.
Shirley Quick Facts
How Shirley 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 | 1,026 | 1,022 | -0.4% |
| Median household income | $66,429 | $67,083 | +1.0% |
| Median home value | $103,700 | $113,100 | +9.1% |
How Shirley 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+)
Shirley Rankings in Indiana
Explore Indiana Rankings
Other Cities in Hancock County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenfield | 24,940 | $76,127 | 5.3% | $216,400 |
| McCordsville | 10,329 | $110,692 | 0.9% | $345,400 |
| Fortville | 4,976 | $84,000 | 5.1% | $254,900 |
| New Palestine | 3,227 | $96,923 | 5.7% | $357,500 |
| Wilkinson | 385 | $81,250 | 4.7% | $133,700 |
| Spring Lake | 224 | $50,938 | 0.9% | $169,400 |
Cities Similar to Shirley
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wolcott | 1,033 | $66,875 | $113,900 | 10.7% | 11.5% |
| Enchanted Hills | 1,039 | $64,625 | $197,000 | 25.4% | 24.6% |
| Roachdale | 971 | $66,216 | $143,400 | 12.9% | 18.7% |
| Morocco | 1,040 | $61,767 | $113,900 | 7.3% | 7.0% |
| Millersburg | 1,077 | $65,833 | $186,400 | 13.5% | 23.1% |
Population Overview
Shirley is a small community located in Indiana, within Hancock County. The total population is 1,022. It ranks as the 352nd most populous out of 967 Census-designated places in Indiana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Shirley is 35.3 years. This is 7% lower than the state median of 38.1 years. With 30.1% of the population under 18, Shirley has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Shirley is $67,083. This is 7% lower than the state median of $71,957. It is also 17% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 9.4%. This is 23% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.3%. The unemployment rate is 5.1%. This is 20% higher than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $113,100. Housing costs are 48% lower than the state median of $218,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x, Shirley is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 83.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% higher than the state average of 70.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
Shirley has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 96.3% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.6%) is well below the state average of 8.6%.
Education
7.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 76% lower than the state rate of 29.5%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 92.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Shirley, 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 Shirley, Indiana?
Shirley, Indiana has a population of 1,022 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Shirley, IN?
The median household income in Shirley is $67,083, which is 17% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Shirley, IN?
The poverty rate in Shirley is 9.4%. This means approximately 96 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Shirley, Indiana?
Shirley's population is 96.3% White, 0.0% Black, 2.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Shirley, IN?
The median home value in Shirley is $113,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.7x.
How educated is Shirley, Indiana?
7.1% of adults (25+) in Shirley hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.