Shelby city, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026

Name: Shelby city, Iowa Demographics
Creator: U.S. Census Bureau
License: https://www.census.gov/data/developers/about/terms-of-service.html

As of 2026, Shelby city, Iowa has a total population of 797, the 358th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $60,333, which is 18% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 9.8%.

Shelby city Quick Facts

Population 797

Median Household Income $60,333

Median Home Value $156,300

Poverty Rate 9.8%

Unemployment Rate 4.4%

Median Age 34.4 years

Homeownership Rate 64.6%

Affordability Ratio 2.6x

Bachelor's Degree or Higher 12.4%

High School Graduation Rate 90.3%

Diversity Index 24/100

Population 797 358th of 1,018

Median Income $60,333 below average

Poverty Rate 9.8% 21% lower national

Median Home Value $156,300 top 30%

How Shelby city Compares

Median Household Income

Shelby city

$60,333

$73,147

National

$78,538

Median Home Value

Shelby city

$156,300

$195,900

National

$303,400

Economy & Housing

Household Income Distribution

Under $25K 17.4%

$25K-$50K 23.6%

$50K-$100K 28.5%

$100K+ 30.5%

Employment

4.4% Unemployment Rate State: 3.6% | National: 5.2%

70.4% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 64.6%

Renter 35.4%

Affordability Index Very Affordable

2.6x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Age Distribution

Under 18

17.8%

18-34

33.4%

35-54

23.1%

55-74

22.5%

75+

3.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Diversity Index

Very Low Diversity

A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.

State average: 30 | National average: 60

Education

Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)

Shelby city Rankings in Iowa

#358 Population of 1,018

#575 Median Income of 1,018

#698 Education of 1,018

#265 Home Value of 1,018

Explore Iowa Rankings

Cities by Population All cities ranked by size Richest Cities Ranked by median income Most Educated By bachelor's degree rate Most Affordable By housing affordability

Cities Similar to Shelby city

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

City	Population	Median Income	Home Value	Bachelor's+	Poverty
Okoboji city	806	$59,167	$320,000	41.8%	14.6%
Battle Creek city	822	$59,519	$72,300	9.1%	8.3%
Edgewood city	787	$56,875	$167,000	14.6%	7.4%
Alden city	792	$55,625	$102,500	9.9%	18.1%
Ruthven city	766	$58,750	$103,400	15.4%	13.7%

Population Overview

Shelby city is a small community located in Iowa. The total population is 797. It ranks as the 358th most populous out of 1,018 cities and towns in Iowa.

Age Demographics

The median age in Shelby city is 34.4 years. This is 11% lower than the state median of 38.6 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Shelby city is $60,333. This is 18% lower than the state median of $73,147. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 23% lower. The poverty rate stands at 9.8%. This is 10% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.0%. The unemployment rate is 4.4%. This is 20% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $156,300. Housing costs are 20% lower than the state median of $195,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Shelby city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 64.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% lower than the state average of 71.5%.

Race & Ethnicity

Shelby city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 86.2% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 11.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (11.3% vs 7.0%).

Education

12.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 60% lower than the state rate of 30.9%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 90.3%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Shelby city, Iowa is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Iowa state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,018 Census-designated places in Iowa. For official data, visit data.census.gov.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Shelby city, Iowa?

Shelby city, Iowa has a population of 797 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Shelby city, IA?

The median household income in Shelby city is $60,333, which is 23% lower the national median of $78,538.

What is the poverty rate in Shelby city, IA?

The poverty rate in Shelby city is 9.8%. This means approximately 78 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Shelby city, Iowa?

Shelby city's population is 86.2% White, 0.0% Black, 11.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.

What is the median home value in Shelby city, IA?

The median home value in Shelby city is $156,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.6x.

How educated is Shelby city, Iowa?

12.4% of adults (25+) in Shelby city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.