Shelby County, Texas Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Shelby County is located in Texas with a total population of 24,108. It is the 104th most populous county out of 254 in Texas.

Age Demographics

The median age in Shelby County is 40.0 years. This is 13% higher than the state median of 35.5 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Shelby County is $50,436. This is 34% lower than the state median of $76,292. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 36% lower. The poverty rate stands at 23.5%. This is 71% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.8%. 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 4.1%. This is 20% lower than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $111,700. Housing costs are 57% lower than the state median of $260,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Shelby County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 75.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 20% higher than the state average of 62.6%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Shelby County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 60.0% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 19.6%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (60.0% vs 39.9%). The Hispanic or Latino population (19.6%) is well below the state average of 39.5%. The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 5.3%.

Education

13.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 58% lower than the state rate of 33.1%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 82.5%.