Shelby, Michigan Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Shelby, Michigan had a total population of 2,577, the 263rd largest village in Michigan, with a median household income of $49,855, which is 32% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.0%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 32% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Shelby Quick Facts
How Shelby Changed
Change from the non-overlapping 2015–2019 ACS period to 2020–2024. Earlier dollar figures are adjusted to 2024 dollars; changes marked “no clear change” are within the combined 90% margins of error.
| Metric | 2015–2019 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,427 | 2,577 | No clear change (+6.2%) |
| Median household income | $53,549 | $49,855 | No clear change (-6.9%) |
| Median home value¹ | $107,933 | $155,600 | +44.2% |
| Median gross rent | $896 | $680 | -24.1% |
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
- White: 39.3%
- Black: 0.4%
- Hispanic: 59.1%
- Asian: 0.1%
- Other: 0.1%
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
- < High School: 15.8%
- HS Diploma: 40.3%
- Some College: 22.1%
- Associate's: 7.3%
- Bachelor's: 9.0%
- Graduate+: 5.5%
Shelby Rankings in Michigan
Explore Michigan Rankings
Other Cities in Oceana County
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reed City | 2,517 | $52,304 | $115,000 | 14.0% | 19.9% |
| West Monroe | 2,711 | $48,317 | $109,200 | 6.0% | 31.8% |
| Trowbridge Park | 2,396 | $50,125 | $239,600 | 29.4% | 11.7% |
| Kalkaska | 2,539 | $57,143 | $155,600 | 18.6% | 13.3% |
| Croswell | 2,488 | $55,081 | $149,600 | 8.0% | 17.1% |
Population Overview
Shelby is a small community located in Michigan, within Oceana County. The total population is 2,577. It ranks as the 263rd most populous out of 745 Census-designated places in Michigan.
Age Demographics
The median age in Shelby is 29.3 years. This is 27% lower than the state median of 40.2 years. With 30.5% of the population under 18, Shelby has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Shelby is $49,855. This is 32% lower than the state median of $72,875. It is also 38% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.0%. This is 52% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 6.6%. This is 15% higher than the state rate of 5.7%. The median home value is $155,600. Housing costs are 33% lower than the state median of $231,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x. 64.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% lower than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Shelby is Hispanic or Latino, making up 59.1% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 39.3%. The Black or African American population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 13.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (59.1% vs 5.9%). The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 3.4%.
Education
14.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 55% lower than the state rate of 32.5%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 84.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Shelby, Michigan 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 Michigan state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 745 Census-designated places in Michigan. 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, Michigan?
Shelby, Michigan has a population of 2,577 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Shelby, MI?
The median household income in Shelby is $49,855, which is 38% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Shelby, MI?
The poverty rate in Shelby is 20.0%. This means approximately 516 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Shelby, Michigan?
Shelby's population is 39.3% White, 0.4% Black, 59.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Shelby, MI?
The median home value in Shelby is $155,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x.
How educated is Shelby, Michigan?
14.5% of adults (25+) in Shelby hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.