Shelby, Ohio Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Shelby, Ohio had a total population of 8,865, the 200th largest city in Ohio, with a median household income of $58,351, which is 18% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x.
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 | 8,706 | 8,865 | +1.8% |
| Median household income | $52,760 | $58,351 | +10.6% |
| Median home value | $117,300 | $122,200 | +4.2% |
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: 41 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Shelby Rankings in Ohio
Explore Ohio Rankings
Other Cities in Richland County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mansfield | 47,663 | $44,540 | 23.5% | $119,600 |
| Galion | 10,339 | $52,176 | 15.2% | $112,700 |
| Ontario | 6,667 | $68,539 | 7.4% | $174,500 |
| Lexington | 4,774 | $52,196 | 13.8% | $192,300 |
| Crestline | 4,470 | $51,766 | 14.4% | $104,600 |
| Bellville | 2,086 | $67,396 | 11.8% | $212,200 |
| Roseland | 1,827 | $48,618 | 19.8% | $92,500 |
| Plymouth | 1,804 | $73,750 | 13.8% | $116,300 |
| Butler | 1,146 | $75,250 | 5.0% | $180,700 |
| Lincoln Heights | 685 | $45,882 | 21.5% | $86,400 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perry Heights | 8,756 | $61,601 | $166,700 | 16.4% | 8.9% |
| Lincoln Village | 8,928 | $53,797 | $169,100 | 11.5% | 11.7% |
| Cheviot | 8,660 | $53,132 | $153,000 | 20.3% | 22.6% |
| Bryan | 8,631 | $52,865 | $144,400 | 14.1% | 19.0% |
| Sheffield Lake | 8,966 | $69,632 | $167,000 | 18.2% | 14.8% |
Population Overview
Shelby is a small city located in Ohio, within Richland County. The total population is 8,865. It ranks as the 200th most populous out of 1,264 Census-designated places in Ohio.
Age Demographics
The median age in Shelby is 39.1 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 39.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Shelby is $58,351. This is 18% lower than the state median of $71,389. It is also 28% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 13.2%. This is about the same as the state poverty rate of 13.3%. The unemployment rate is 4.2%. This is 12% lower than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $122,200. Housing costs are 43% lower than the state median of $214,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x, Shelby is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 61.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% lower than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Shelby has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.5% of all residents. Asian residents account for 1.6%. The Black or African American population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 12.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.4%) is well below the state average of 4.8%.
Education
15.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 50% lower than the state rate of 31.5%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 94.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Shelby, Ohio 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 Ohio state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,264 Census-designated places in Ohio. 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, Ohio?
Shelby, Ohio has a population of 8,865 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Shelby, OH?
The median household income in Shelby is $58,351, which is 28% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Shelby, OH?
The poverty rate in Shelby is 13.2%. This means approximately 1,112 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Shelby, Ohio?
Shelby's population is 94.5% White, 0.3% Black, 1.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Shelby, OH?
The median home value in Shelby is $122,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.1x.
How educated is Shelby, Ohio?
15.7% of adults (25+) in Shelby hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.