Shelby, IN

Indiana · Metropolitan Area

Shelby is a small town in Indiana with a population of 259. Residents earn $54,500 per year, which is 27% below the national average.

4.3 /5.0
A Great
259 Population 201/sq mi density
$54,500 Median Income $31,639 per capita
$128,100 Home Value
N/A Median Rent
50°F Avg Temperature
A
Overall
4.3 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.6 / 5.0
$54,500 median income, 0.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$128,100 home value
A
Education
4.4 / 5.0
0.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $54,500
27% lower than US avg
Home Value $128,100
55% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 35.8%
12% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 14.7%
18% higher than US avg

How Shelby Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population259
Median Age65.6 yrs
Density201/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 100%
Veterans12.4%

Economy

B+
Median Income$54,500
Per Capita$31,639
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty14.7%
County GDP$1,968M
Commute75 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$128,100
RentN/A
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity35.8%
UninsuredN/A
Depression23.2%
Heart Disease6.0%

Climate

Avg Temp50°F
AQI36 (Good)
Rain39.9 in/yr
Elevation642 ft

Education

A
Bachelor's+0.0%
High School+85.3%
School Score6.40

Community

2024 VoteR 76% / D 22%
Commute75 min
Broadband88.2%
Libraries4

Is Shelby a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Shelby receives an overall livability score of 4.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, long commute times. Shelby stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Shelby is $54,500, 27% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. 14.7% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 75 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Shelby is $128,100, 55% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. At just 2.4x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

0.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 85.3% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.4/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

Shelby experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 50°F. Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 39.9 inches, including 29.7 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Shelby has a population of 259 with a density of 201 people per square mile. The median age is 65.6 years, 69% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (100%).

Population

259
Total Population
201
People / sq mi
65.6yrs
Median Age
69% above US avg
1.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.2%
Female 49.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Shelby vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only100.0%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.0%
100% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Shelby vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Shelby is $54,500, which is 27% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 14.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 75 minutes.

Income: Shelby vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$54,500
27% below US avg
Per Capita Income$31,639
Avg Weekly Wage$948
IRS Avg AGI$70,170

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.0%
100% below US avg
Poverty Rate14.7%
18% above US avg
Establishments (County)875
County GDP$1,968M

Business (County)

Restaurants64
Healthcare52
Retail125
Manufacturing35

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,315
34% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.81%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time75.0 min
Drive Alone100.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Shelby is $128,100, 55% below the national average.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$128,100
55% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,118
1 Bedroom$1,267
2 Bedrooms$1,473
3 Bedrooms$1,907
4 Bedrooms$2,338

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied88.2%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,315
34% below US avg
Effective Rate1.81%
In Shelby, 35.8% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 23.2% report depression. 21.9% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Shelby vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity35.8%
12% above US avg
Diabetes10.2%
Heart Disease6.0%
High Blood Pressure32.1%
Asthma11.0%
COPD7.5%
Stroke3.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking22.4%
Physical Inactivity21.9%
Depression23.2%
Mental Distress18.3%
Physical Distress13.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate100.0%
Checkup Rate75.1%
Premature Death9,161/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.4/10
Exercise Access59.4%
Healthcare Facilities52

Crime Rates: Shelby vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)6

Safety Score

Shelby has an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 39.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Temperature

23°F Jan (-5°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average49.7°F
8% below US avg
January Average23°F (-5°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall39.9 inches
5% above US avg
Snowfall29.7 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median36.0
RatingGood
Good Days %90.7%
Unhealthy Days0

Geography

Elevation642 ft (196 m)
Area1.3 sq mi (3.3 km²)
Population Density201/sq mi
Coordinates41.1934°N, 87.3427°W
County FIPS18073
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 0.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (100% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 54.3-point margin. 88.2% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 76.4%
D 22.1%

Winner: Republican by 54.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+0.0%
100% below US avg
High School+85.3%
School Test Score6.40
A Education Grade (4.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density201/sq mi
Total Area1.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access88.2%
Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities52
Restaurants64
Retail Stores125

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)6

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute75.0 min
Drive Alone100.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Nearby Cities

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