Shelby city, Mississippi Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Shelby city, Mississippi has a total population of 1,709, the 150th largest city in Mississippi, with a median household income of $27,728, which is 50% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 58.5%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 50% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (58.5%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 27.4% is notably above the national average.
Shelby city Quick Facts
How Shelby city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 55 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Shelby city Rankings in Mississippi
Explore Mississippi Rankings
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Itta Bena city | 1,735 | $32,898 | $100,200 | 12.8% | 29.4% |
| Fayette city | 1,602 | $25,383 | $73,800 | 14.5% | 37.5% |
| Durant city | 1,904 | $28,050 | $58,100 | 10.2% | 32.3% |
| Purvis city | 1,691 | $34,688 | $122,500 | 18.1% | 29.0% |
| Shaw city | 1,586 | $23,913 | $84,200 | 15.7% | 40.6% |
Population Overview
Shelby city is a small community located in Mississippi. The total population is 1,709. It ranks as the 150th most populous out of 419 cities and towns in Mississippi.
Age Demographics
The median age in Shelby city is 42.1 years. This is 10% higher than the state median of 38.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Shelby city is $27,728. This is 50% lower than the state median of $54,915. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 65% lower. The poverty rate stands at 58.5%. This is 207% higher than the state poverty rate of 19.1%. 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 27.4%. This is 356% higher than the state rate of 6.0%. The median home value is $82,400. Housing costs are 49% lower than the state median of $161,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 66.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% lower than the state average of 69.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
Shelby city has a predominantly Black or African American population, comprising 98.5% of all residents. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 1.5%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (1.5%) is well below the state average of 55.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (98.5% vs 36.9%).
Education
16.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 34% lower than the state rate of 24.2%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 75.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Shelby city, Mississippi 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 Mississippi state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 419 Census-designated places in Mississippi. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Shelby city, Mississippi?
Shelby city, Mississippi has a population of 1,709 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Shelby city, MS?
The median household income in Shelby city is $27,728, which is 65% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Shelby city, MS?
The poverty rate in Shelby city is 58.5%. This means approximately 963 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Shelby city, Mississippi?
Shelby city's population is 1.5% White, 98.5% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Shelby city, MS?
The median home value in Shelby city is $82,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x.
How educated is Shelby city, Mississippi?
16.0% of adults (25+) in Shelby city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.