Shelby, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Shelby, Iowa had a total population of 752, the 368th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $63,654, which is 15% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 10.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
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 | 797 | 752 | -5.6% |
| Median household income | $60,333 | $63,654 | +5.5% |
| Median home value | $156,300 | $162,500 | +4.0% |
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: 31 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Shelby Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Shelby County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harlan | 4,891 | $57,488 | 9.0% | $152,500 |
| Elk Horn | 728 | $64,250 | 12.0% | $133,200 |
| Earling | 478 | $43,750 | 9.3% | $125,000 |
| Irwin | 352 | $40,417 | 15.5% | $72,900 |
| Defiance | 251 | $53,542 | 11.6% | $101,600 |
| Panama | 245 | $63,125 | 7.4% | $142,200 |
| Portsmouth | 204 | $80,781 | 4.9% | $125,000 |
| Westphalia | 117 | $77,083 | 3.4% | $97,400 |
| Tennant | 84 | $62,885 | 0.0% | $210,000 |
| Kirkman | 58 | $77,917 | 10.3% | $118,800 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edgewood | 752 | $61,625 | $173,700 | 13.8% | 8.6% |
| Dakota City | 752 | $60,417 | $119,800 | 7.5% | 6.3% |
| Montrose | 744 | $66,250 | $103,500 | 12.8% | 11.7% |
| Elk Horn | 728 | $64,250 | $133,200 | 31.1% | 12.0% |
| Kanawha | 756 | $68,250 | $77,600 | 26.6% | 8.7% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 752, 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 Iowa, within Shelby County. The total population is 752. It ranks as the 368th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Shelby is 36.1 years. This is 6% lower than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Shelby is $63,654. This is 15% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 21% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 10.2%. This is 8% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 6.2%. This is 72% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $162,500. Housing costs are 22% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Shelby is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 62.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% lower than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Shelby is White (non-Hispanic), making up 84.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 12.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (12.9% vs 7.3%).
Education
10.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 66% lower than the state rate of 31.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 89.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Shelby, Iowa 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 Iowa state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa. 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, Iowa?
Shelby, Iowa has a population of 752 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Shelby, IA?
The median household income in Shelby is $63,654, which is 21% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Shelby, IA?
The poverty rate in Shelby is 10.2%. This means approximately 77 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Shelby, Iowa?
Shelby's population is 84.3% White, 0.0% Black, 12.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Shelby, IA?
The median home value in Shelby is $162,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.6x.
How educated is Shelby, Iowa?
10.7% of adults (25+) in Shelby hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.