Shelbina, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Shelbina, Missouri had a total population of 1,653, the 302nd largest city in Missouri, with a median household income of $47,500, which is 33% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 33% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 0.5%.
Shelbina Quick Facts
How Shelbina 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 | 2,108 | 1,653 | -21.6% |
| Median household income | $52,176 | $47,500 | -9.0% |
| Median home value | $79,500 | $86,200 | +8.4% |
How Shelbina 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: 40 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Shelbina Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Other Cities in Shelby County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clarence | 862 | $31,734 | 26.6% | $74,100 |
| Shelbyville | 621 | $52,250 | 16.5% | $85,200 |
| Hunnewell | 130 | $49,375 | 15.4% | $53,800 |
| Bethel | 126 | $65,938 | 10.3% | $63,800 |
| Leonard | 35 | $63,036 | 2.9% | $68,800 |
Cities Similar to Shelbina
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ironton | 1,692 | $46,750 | $120,000 | 28.4% | 14.5% |
| Wellston | 1,628 | $44,957 | N/A | 12.5% | 35.4% |
| Bernie | 1,725 | $48,438 | $98,100 | 15.1% | 24.1% |
| Gallatin | 1,740 | $47,198 | $137,500 | 19.4% | 19.8% |
| Huntsville | 1,672 | $52,727 | $111,400 | 11.8% | 17.9% |
Population Overview
Shelbina is a small community located in Missouri, within Shelby County. The total population is 1,653. It ranks as the 302nd most populous out of 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in Shelbina is 40.7 years. This is 4% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. 12.0% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Shelbina is $47,500. This is 33% lower than the state median of $70,702. It is also 41% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.6%. This is 64% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. 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 0.5%. This is 87% lower than the state rate of 4.0%. The median home value is $86,200. Housing costs are 63% lower than the state median of $230,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x, Shelbina is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 73.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% higher than the state average of 68.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Shelbina has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 90.9% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.3%. The Asian population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 2.1%.
Education
19.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 39% lower than the state rate of 32.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 91.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Shelbina, Missouri 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 Missouri state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri. 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 Shelbina, Missouri?
Shelbina, Missouri has a population of 1,653 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Shelbina, MO?
The median household income in Shelbina is $47,500, which is 41% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Shelbina, MO?
The poverty rate in Shelbina is 20.6%. This means approximately 325 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Shelbina, Missouri?
Shelbina's population is 90.9% White, 0.0% Black, 5.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Shelbina, MO?
The median home value in Shelbina is $86,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.8x.
How educated is Shelbina, Missouri?
19.8% of adults (25+) in Shelbina hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.