At a Glance
Median Income
$69,750
$33,674 per capita
Home Value
$184,100
Zillow: $344,785
Median Rent
$928/mo
22.5% of income on rent
Bachelor's Degree+
14.1%
94.5% high school+
Unemployment
2.0%
1.6% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
40.8%
15.4% smoking rate
How Shellsburg Compares to the U.S. Average
Each bar shows Shellsburg's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)
Is Shellsburg 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
Shellsburg residents earn a median household income of $69,750 , which is 7% below the national average of $75,149.
Per capita income is $33,674. The unemployment rate stands at 2.0% (44% below the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 1.6% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 7,760 business establishments, including 543 restaurants.
Housing & Cost of Living
The median home value in Shellsburg is $184,100 , 35% below the national median of $281,900.
Zillow estimates the typical home at $344,785. Median rent is $928/month, with 22.5% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 87.8 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1976.
Education
14.1% of adults in Shellsburg hold a bachelor's degree or higher
(58% below the national average).
94.5% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.0/10 in standardized testing.
Climate & Weather
Shellsburg has an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C).
Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 37.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 44.
Data Overview
People
Population752
Median Age43.7 yrs
Density940/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Foreign Born1.5%
Veterans10.2%
Economy
A
Median Income$69,750
Per Capita$33,674
Unemployment2.0%
Poverty1.6%
County GDP$21,899M
Avg Weekly Wage$1,300
Housing
A+
Home Value$184,100
Rent$928
Ownership86.4%
Zillow$344,785
Housing Units385
Rent Burden22.5%
Health
Obesity40.8%
Diabetes8.8%
Smoking15.4%
Heart Disease5.2%
Premature Death7,001/100K
Climate
Avg Temp46°F
Rain37.9 in/yr
AQI44 (Good)
Elevation775 ft
Education
C
Bachelor's+14.1%
High School+94.5%
Graduate+3.0%
School Score6.0/10
Community
2024 VoteR 44% / D 54%
Commute26 min
Broadband88.6%
Internet Speed127 Mbps
EV Stations1
Libraries12
Did You Know?
Shellsburg was founded in 1854.
The median home in Shellsburg was built in 1976.
The nearest airport is The Eastern Iowa (16 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.446 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively Moderate" by FEMA.
14.5% of the population has a disability.
Average internet download speed is 127 Mbps.
There are 543 restaurants in the area.
The county recorded 14 fatal vehicle crashes.