Shell Rock, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Shell Rock, Iowa had a total population of 1,625, the 202nd largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $78,657, which is 5% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 5.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x.
Shell Rock Quick Facts
How Shell Rock 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 | 1,634 | 1,625 | -0.6% |
| Median household income | $70,556 | $78,657 | +11.5% |
| Median home value | $159,100 | $163,100 | +2.5% |
How Shell Rock 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+)
Shell Rock Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Butler County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parkersburg | 1,766 | $75,885 | 4.9% | $196,700 |
| Clarksville | 1,237 | $62,917 | 9.1% | $125,900 |
| Aplington | 1,111 | $74,773 | 4.6% | $147,500 |
| Allison | 929 | $64,063 | 12.8% | $111,500 |
| Dumont | 783 | $58,214 | 9.1% | $74,800 |
| New Hartford | 675 | $84,375 | 14.1% | $114,700 |
| Bristow | 197 | $107,542 | 5.1% | $65,000 |
| Aredale | 48 | $27,500 | 31.3% | $63,100 |
Cities Similar to Shell Rock
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roland | 1,559 | $79,028 | $185,900 | 30.8% | 1.1% |
| Prairie City | 1,711 | $78,295 | $190,600 | 29.8% | 3.5% |
| Walcott | 1,725 | $78,580 | $190,300 | 19.6% | 6.6% |
| Lake City | 1,693 | $74,167 | $100,900 | 20.0% | 10.9% |
| Traer | 1,519 | $76,406 | $151,900 | 32.3% | 11.2% |
Population Overview
Shell Rock is a small community located in Iowa, within Butler County. The total population is 1,625. It ranks as the 202nd most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Shell Rock is 35.6 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 38.6 years. With 29.3% of the population under 18, Shell Rock has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Shell Rock is $78,657. This is 5% higher than the state median of $75,059. It is also 3% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 5.0%. This is 55% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 2.9%. This is 18% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $163,100. Housing costs are 22% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x, Shell Rock is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 84.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Shell Rock has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 93.3% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.3%. The Black or African American population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 3.8%.
Education
20.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 35% 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 92.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Shell Rock, 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 Shell Rock, Iowa?
Shell Rock, Iowa has a population of 1,625 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Shell Rock, IA?
The median household income in Shell Rock is $78,657, which is 3% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Shell Rock, IA?
The poverty rate in Shell Rock is 5.0%. This means approximately 79 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Shell Rock, Iowa?
Shell Rock's population is 93.3% White, 0.6% Black, 5.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Shell Rock, IA?
The median home value in Shell Rock is $163,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.1x.
How educated is Shell Rock, Iowa?
20.3% of adults (25+) in Shell Rock hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.