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Shelton, Nebraska Demographics & Population 2026

Very AffordableHome value to income ratio of 1.7x is exceptionally low

During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Shelton, Nebraska had a total population of 1,389, the 92nd largest village in Nebraska, with a median household income of $81,278, which is 6% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.8%.

Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes

Key Takeaways

Shelton Quick Facts

Population 1,389
Median Household Income $81,278
Median Home Value $142,100
Poverty Rate 6.8%
Unemployment Rate 5.9%
Median Age 34.4 years
Homeownership Rate 78.9%
Affordability Ratio 1.7x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 17.8%
High School Graduation Rate 84.0%
Diversity Index 40/100
Population 1,389 92nd of 583
Median Income $81,278 top 20%
Poverty Rate 6.8% 45% lower than national
Median Home Value $142,100 above average

How Shelton Changed

Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.

Metric2019–20232020–2024Change
Population1,3541,389+2.6%
Median household income$75,781$81,278+7.3%
Median home value$137,100$142,100+3.6%

How Shelton Compares

Economy & Housing

Household Income Distribution

Under $25K 9.2%
$25K-$50K 20.9%
$50K-$100K 34.3%
$100K+ 35.5%
Detailed income brackets
Under $10K
2.2%
$10K-$15K
1.6%
$15K-$20K
2.6%
$20K-$25K
2.8%
$25K-$30K
1.2%
$30K-$35K
0.0%
$35K-$40K
8.2%
$40K-$45K
6.8%
$45K-$50K
4.6%
$50K-$60K
7.0%
$60K-$75K
5.6%
$75K-$100K
21.7%
$100K-$125K
12.4%
$125K-$150K
10.6%
$150K-$200K
5.8%
$200K+
6.6%

Employment

5.9% Unemployment Rate State: 3.0%|National: 5.2%
77.6% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 78.9%
Renter 21.1%
Affordability Index Very Affordable
1.7x home value to income ratio
Median gross rent $1,114/mo 16.4% of median household income annually

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

40out of 100
Moderate Diversity

Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.

State average: 41 | National average: 61

Education

Shelton Rankings in Nebraska

#92 Population of 583
#101 Median Income of 519
#337 Education of 583
#195 Home Value of 510

Other Cities in Hall County

CityPopulationMedian IncomePovertyHome Value
Grand Island 52,884 $63,795 15.2% $218,600
Wood River 1,494 $75,417 15.6% $151,200
Cairo 1,035 $54,511 10.0% $193,000
Doniphan 983 $87,212 7.0% $211,100
Alda 651 $57,500 28.0% $106,500

Cities Similar to Shelton

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Atkinson1,377$79,375$174,20034.7%7.8%
Weeping Water1,407$83,750$185,80020.9%6.0%
Sutton1,323$81,313$155,60026.5%5.8%
Pender1,379$73,125$175,00031.5%9.4%
Grant1,413$71,389$154,60028.8%8.4%

Population Overview

Shelton is a small community located in Nebraska, within Hall County. The total population is 1,389. It ranks as the 92nd most populous out of 583 Census-designated places in Nebraska.

Age Demographics

The median age in Shelton is 34.4 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 37.2 years. With 28.2% of the population under 18, Shelton has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Shelton is $81,278. This is 6% higher than the state median of $76,475. It is also about the same as the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.8%. This is 36% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.6%. The unemployment rate is 5.9%. This is 96% higher than the state rate of 3.0%. The median home value is $142,100. Housing costs are 40% lower than the state median of $238,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x, Shelton is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 78.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 19% higher than the state average of 66.5%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Shelton is White (non-Hispanic), making up 73.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 24.5%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (24.5% vs 12.7%).

Education

17.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 48% lower than the state rate of 34.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 84.0%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Shelton, Nebraska 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 Nebraska state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 583 Census-designated places in Nebraska. 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 Shelton, Nebraska?

Shelton, Nebraska has a population of 1,389 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Shelton, NE?

The median household income in Shelton is $81,278, which is about the same as the national median of $80,734.

What is the poverty rate in Shelton, NE?

The poverty rate in Shelton is 6.8%. This means approximately 94 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Shelton, Nebraska?

Shelton's population is 73.4% White, 0.0% Black, 24.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.

What is the median home value in Shelton, NE?

The median home value in Shelton is $142,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.7x.

How educated is Shelton, Nebraska?

17.8% of adults (25+) in Shelton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.