Shelby, Mississippi Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Shelby, Mississippi had a total population of 1,700, the 147th largest city in Mississippi, with a median household income of $25,948, which is 54% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 55.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 54% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (55.6%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 13.4% is notably above the national average.
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 | 1,709 | 1,700 | -0.5% |
| Median household income | $27,728 | $25,948 | -6.4% |
| Median home value | $82,400 | $90,400 | +9.7% |
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: 56 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Shelby Rankings in Mississippi
Explore Mississippi Rankings
Other Cities in Bolivar County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland | 10,623 | $44,074 | 29.3% | $159,300 |
| Rosedale | 1,703 | $18,696 | 57.5% | $103,600 |
| Shaw | 1,508 | $30,469 | 37.5% | $102,100 |
| Mound Bayou | 1,449 | $23,732 | 46.4% | $65,700 |
| Renova | 978 | $25,625 | 57.1% | $105,700 |
| Benoit | 509 | N/A | 38.3% | $83,100 |
| Merigold | 484 | $51,250 | 4.8% | $138,300 |
| Duncan | 477 | $49,041 | 20.3% | N/A |
| Boyle | 414 | $42,143 | 16.4% | N/A |
| Gunnison | 392 | N/A | 33.4% | $57,000 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fayette | 1,691 | $28,567 | $95,000 | 8.3% | 38.0% |
| Bruce | 1,483 | $26,923 | $71,700 | 13.7% | 31.1% |
| Rosedale | 1,703 | $18,696 | $103,600 | 10.0% | 57.5% |
| Shaw | 1,508 | $30,469 | $102,100 | 16.3% | 37.5% |
| Mound Bayou | 1,449 | $23,732 | $65,700 | 15.7% | 46.4% |
Population Overview
Shelby is a small community located in Mississippi, within Bolivar County. The total population is 1,700. It ranks as the 147th most populous out of 420 Census-designated places in Mississippi.
Age Demographics
The median age in Shelby is 38.6 years. This is about the same as the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Shelby is $25,948. This is 54% lower than the state median of $56,447. It is also 68% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 55.6%. This is 194% higher than the state poverty rate of 18.9%. 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 13.4%. This is 132% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $90,400. Housing costs are 47% lower than the state median of $169,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x. 67.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% lower than the state average of 70.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
Shelby has a predominantly Black or African American population, comprising 98.7% of all residents. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 1.3%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 55.2%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (98.7% vs 36.3%).
Education
22.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 12% lower than the state rate of 25.1%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 81.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Shelby, Mississippi 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 Mississippi state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 420 Census-designated places in Mississippi. 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, Mississippi?
Shelby, Mississippi has a population of 1,700 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Shelby, MS?
The median household income in Shelby is $25,948, which is 68% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Shelby, MS?
The poverty rate in Shelby is 55.6%. This means approximately 912 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Shelby, Mississippi?
Shelby's population is 1.3% White, 98.7% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Shelby, MS?
The median home value in Shelby is $90,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x.
How educated is Shelby, Mississippi?
22.0% of adults (25+) in Shelby hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.