Shelby, NE

Full City Profile · Nebraska · Polk County County

3.8 /5.0
B+ Good
709 Population 1,313/sq mi density
$75,795 Median Income $34,779 per capita
$112,200 Home Value $199,635 Zillow
$521 Median Rent 22.9% income on rent
50°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.8 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.2 / 5.0
$75,795 median income, 3.5% 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

Shelby, NE

At a Glance

Median Income
$75,795
1% above
$34,779 per capita
Home Value
$112,200
60% below
Zillow: $199,635
Median Rent
$521/mo
55% below
22.9% of income on rent
Bachelor's Degree+
16.2%
52% below
95.9% high school+
Unemployment
3.5%
3% below
6.9% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
41.1%
28% above
13.5% smoking rate
Avg Temperature
50°F

How Shelby Compares to the U.S. Average

Each bar shows Shelby's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)

Income
101%
Home Value
40%
Rent
45%
Poverty
56%
Bachelor's
48%
Unemployment
97%
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)

Is Shelby a Good Place to Live?

B+
3.8 / 5.0 - Good
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.

Economy & Jobs

Shelby residents earn a median household income of $75,795 , which is 1% above the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $34,779. The unemployment rate stands at 3.5% (3% below the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 6.9% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 172 business establishments, including 6 restaurants.

Housing & Cost of Living

The median home value in Shelby is $112,200 , 60% below the national median of $281,900. Zillow estimates the typical home at $199,635. Median rent is $521/month, with 22.9% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 90.1 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1965.

Education

16.2% of adults in Shelby hold a bachelor's degree or higher (52% below the national average). 95.9% have completed high school. Local schools score 5.9/10 in standardized testing.

Climate & Weather

Shelby has an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 27.9 inches.

Data Overview

People

Population709
Median Age43.6 yrs
Density1,313/mi²
Male / Female49% / 52%
Foreign Born3.4%
Veterans13.2%

Economy

A
Median Income$75,795
Per Capita$34,779
Unemployment3.5%
Poverty6.9%
County GDP$467M
Avg Weekly Wage$914

Housing

A+
Home Value$112,200
Rent$521
Ownership87.7%
Zillow$199,635
Housing Units263
Rent Burden22.9%

Health

Obesity41.1%
Diabetes9.4%
Smoking13.5%
Heart Disease5.1%
Premature Death7,162/100K

Climate

Avg Temp50°F
Rain27.9 in/yr
Elevation1,646 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+16.2%
High School+95.9%
Graduate+3.9%
School Score5.9/10

Community

2024 VoteR 81% / D 18%
Commute34 min
Broadband89.3%
Internet Speed31 Mbps
EV Stations1
Libraries4

Did You Know?

The median home in Shelby was built in 1965.
The nearest airport is Lincoln (38 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.382 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Very Low" by FEMA.
14.7% of the population has a disability.
The county recorded 2 fatal vehicle crashes.