Shellsburg, IA

Iowa · Metropolitan Area

Shellsburg is a small town in Iowa with a population of 752. Residents earn $69,750 per year, which is 7% below the national average.

3.8 /5.0
B+ Good
752 Population 940/sq mi density
$69,750 Median Income $33,674 per capita
$184,100 Home Value $310,783 Zillow
$928 Median Rent 22.5% 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
4.4 / 5.0
$69,750 median income, 1.2% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$184,100 home value, $928/mo rent
C
Education
2.1 / 5.0
14.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $69,750
7% lower than US avg
Home Value $184,100
35% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 14.1%
58% lower than US avg
Median Rent $928
20% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 40.8%
27% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.2%
67% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 1.6%
87% lower than US avg

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

People

Population752
Median Age43.7 yrs
Density940/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 97%
Veterans10.2%

Economy

A
Median Income$69,750
Per Capita$33,674
Unemployment1.2%
Poverty1.6%
County GDP$21,899M
Commute26 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$184,100
Rent$928
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$310,783
Rent Burden22.5%

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity40.8%
UninsuredN/A
Depression21.6%
Heart Disease5.2%

Climate

Avg Temp50°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain38.8 in/yr
Elevation775 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+14.1%
High School+94.5%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 44% / D 54%
Commute26 min
Broadband88.6%
Libraries12

Is Shellsburg a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Shellsburg receives an overall livability score of 3.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include high obesity rates. Shellsburg offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Shellsburg is $69,750, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.2%. Only 1.6% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Shellsburg is $184,100, 35% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $928 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.6x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

14.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 94.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Shellsburg experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 50°F. Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 38.8 inches, including 34.3 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Shellsburg has a population of 752 with a density of 940 people per square mile. The median age is 43.7 years, 12% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (97.1%).

Population

752
Total Population
940
People / sq mi
43.7yrs
Median Age
12% above US avg
0.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.9%
Female 52.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Shellsburg vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only97.8%
25% above US avg
Spanish2.2%
84% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Shellsburg vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Shellsburg is $69,750, which is 7% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.2% (below the 3.6% US average). 1.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Income: Shellsburg vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$69,750
7% below US avg
Per Capita Income$33,674
Avg Weekly Wage$1,300
IRS Avg AGI$84,771

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.2%
67% below US avg
Poverty Rate1.6%
87% below US avg
Establishments (County)7,760
County GDP$21,899M

Business (County)

Restaurants543
Healthcare760
Retail691
Manufacturing202

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,996
71% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.26%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time26.2 min
Drive Alone81.1%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home10.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Shellsburg is $184,100, 35% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $928 (20% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $310,783.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$184,100
35% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$310,783
Median List Price$232,500

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$232,500
$/Sq Ft$98
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio100.0%
Price Drops0.0%
Inventory2

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$928
20% below US avg
Rent Burden22.5%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$738
1 Bedroom$788
2 Bedrooms$989
3 Bedrooms$1,282
4 Bedrooms$1,420

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied86.4%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,996
71% above US avg
Effective Rate3.26%
In Shellsburg, 40.8% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 21.6% report depression. 22.5% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity40.8%
27% above US avg
Diabetes8.8%
Heart Disease5.2%
High Blood Pressure30.3%
Asthma10.1%
COPD5.8%
Stroke2.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking23.0%
Physical Inactivity22.5%
Depression21.6%
Mental Distress17.5%
Physical Distress11.7%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.2%
Checkup Rate75.7%
Premature Death7,001/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.7/10
Exercise Access92.2%
Healthcare Facilities760

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)14

Safety Score

Shellsburg has an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 38.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

21°F Jan (-6°C) 74°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average49.9°F
8% below US avg
January Average21°F (-6°C)
July Average74°F (24°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall38.8 inches
2% above US avg
Snowfall34.3 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation775 ft (236 m)
Area0.8 sq mi (2.1 km²)
Population Density940/sq mi
Coordinates42.0929°N, 91.8713°W
County FIPS19113
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 14.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (58% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 9.9-point margin. 88.6% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 44.3%
D 54.2%

Winner: Democrat by 9.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+14.1%
58% below US avg
High School+94.5%
School Test Score5.73
C Education Grade (2.1/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density940/sq mi
Total Area0.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access88.6%
Public Libraries12
Healthcare Facilities760
Restaurants543
Retail Stores691

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)14

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute26.2 min
Drive Alone81.1%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home10.0%

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