Shelby, NE

Nebraska

Shelby is a small town in Nebraska with a population of 709. Residents earn $75,795 per year, which is 1% above the national average.

3.9 /5.0
B+ Good
709 Population 1,313/sq mi density
$75,795 Median Income $34,779 per capita
$112,200 Home Value $193,409 Zillow
$521 Median Rent
50°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.9 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.4 / 5.0
$75,795 median income, 2.4% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$112,200 home value, $521/mo rent
C
Education
2.3 / 5.0
16.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $75,795
1% higher than US avg
Home Value $112,200
60% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 16.2%
52% lower than US avg
Median Rent $521
55% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 41.1%
28% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.4%
33% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 6.9%
44% lower than US avg

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

People

Population709
Median Age43.6 yrs
Density1,313/mi²
Male / Female49% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 88%

Economy

A
Median Income$75,795
Per Capita$34,779
Unemployment2.4%
Poverty6.9%
County GDP$467M
Commute34 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$112,200
Rent$521
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$193,409

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity41.1%
UninsuredN/A
Depression17.1%
Heart Disease5.1%

Climate

Avg Temp50°F
AQI32 (Good)
Rain28.3 in/yr
Elevation1,646 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+16.2%
High School+95.9%
School Score5.81

Community

2024 VoteR 81% / D 18%
Commute34 min
Libraries4

Is Shelby a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Shelby receives an overall livability score of 3.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include high obesity rates. Shelby offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Shelby is $75,795, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.4%. Only 6.9% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 34 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Shelby is $112,200, 60% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $521 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.5x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

16.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 95.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Shelby experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 50°F. Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 28.3 inches, including 24.3 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32.

Shelby has a population of 709 with a density of 1,313 people per square mile. The median age is 43.6 years, 12% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (87.7%), with 5.4% Hispanic.

Population

709
Total Population
1,313
People / sq mi
43.6yrs
Median Age
12% above US avg
0.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.5%
Female 51.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Shelby vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only88.7%
13% above US avg
Spanish11.3%
16% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Shelby vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Shelby is $75,795, which is 1% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.4% (below the 3.6% US average). 6.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 34 minutes.

Income: Shelby vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$75,795
1% above US avg
Per Capita Income$34,779
Avg Weekly Wage$914
IRS Avg AGI$77,206

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.4%
33% below US avg
Poverty Rate6.9%
44% below US avg
Establishments (County)172
County GDP$467M

Business (County)

Restaurants6
Healthcare9
Retail17
Manufacturing7

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,950
16% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.63%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time33.9 min
Work from Home4.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Shelby is $112,200, 60% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $521 (55% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $193,409.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$112,200
60% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$193,409

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$521
55% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$706
1 Bedroom$791
2 Bedrooms$1,001
3 Bedrooms$1,274
4 Bedrooms$1,409

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied87.7%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,950
16% below US avg
Effective Rate2.63%
In Shelby, 41.1% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 17.1% report depression. 27.6% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity41.1%
28% above US avg
Diabetes9.4%
Heart Disease5.1%
High Blood Pressure29.3%
Asthma9.0%
COPD5.3%
Stroke2.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking22.2%
Physical Inactivity27.6%
Depression17.1%
Mental Distress14.7%
Physical Distress11.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate89.6%
Checkup Rate70.6%
Premature Death7,162/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.7/10
Exercise Access29.3%
Healthcare Facilities9

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Safety Score

Shelby has an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation is 28.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32.

Temperature

23°F Jan (-5°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average49.8°F
8% below US avg
January Average23°F (-5°C)
July Average75°F (24°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall28.3 inches
26% below US avg
Snowfall24.3 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median32.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,646 ft (502 m)
Area0.5 sq mi (1.4 km²)
Population Density1,313/sq mi
Coordinates41.1942°N, 97.4263°W
County FIPS31143
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 16.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (52% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 63.7-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 81.5%
D 17.8%

Winner: Republican by 63.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+16.2%
52% below US avg
High School+95.9%
School Test Score5.81
C Education Grade (2.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density1,313/sq mi
Total Area0.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities9
Restaurants6
Retail Stores17

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute33.9 min
Work from Home4.5%

Nearby Cities

Compare Shelby with another city: