Shelly, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Shelly, Minnesota had a total population of 229, the 670th largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $43,750, which is 51% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 51% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x.
- Unemployment rate of 12.9% is notably above the national average.
Shelly Quick Facts
How Shelly 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 | 195 | 229 | +17.4% |
| Median household income | $51,250 | $43,750 | -14.6% |
| Median home value | $88,300 | $89,200 | +1.0% |
How Shelly 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 41 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Shelly Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Norman County
Cities Similar to Shelly
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Williams | 237 | N/A | N/A | 4.7% | 9.7% |
| Maynard | 234 | $41,563 | $80,000 | 5.2% | 12.4% |
| Kensington | 240 | $46,000 | $110,700 | 8.2% | 16.3% |
| Iona | 214 | $44,583 | $65,600 | 8.2% | 20.1% |
| Currie | 220 | $47,250 | $82,800 | 11.2% | 14.1% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 229, Shelly'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
Shelly is a small community located in Minnesota, within Norman County. The total population is 229. It ranks as the 670th most populous out of 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Shelly is 36.1 years. This is 7% lower than the state median of 38.8 years. With 28.4% of the population under 18, Shelly has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Shelly is $43,750. This is 51% lower than the state median of $89,062. It is also 46% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 19.6%. This is 110% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.3%. The unemployment rate is 12.9%. This is 217% higher than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $89,200. Housing costs are 73% lower than the state median of $329,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x, Shelly is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 84.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% higher than the state average of 72.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Shelly is White (non-Hispanic), making up 76.9% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 7.0%.
Education
19.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 50% lower than the state rate of 39.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 86.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Shelly, Minnesota 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 Minnesota state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota. 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 Shelly, Minnesota?
Shelly, Minnesota has a population of 229 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Shelly, MN?
The median household income in Shelly is $43,750, which is 46% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Shelly, MN?
The poverty rate in Shelly is 19.6%. This means approximately 44 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Shelly, Minnesota?
Shelly's population is 76.9% White, 5.2% Black, 7.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Shelly, MN?
The median home value in Shelly is $89,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.0x.
How educated is Shelly, Minnesota?
19.6% of adults (25+) in Shelly hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.