Shelton, CT

Connecticut · Metropolitan Area

Shelton is a mid-size city in Connecticut with a population of 41,402. Residents earn $114,739 per year, which is 53% above the national average.

3.7 /5.0
B+ Good
41,402 Population 1,352/sq mi density
$114,739 Median Income $55,824 per capita
$435,700 Home Value $537,305 Zillow
$1,661 Median Rent
50°F Avg Temperature
56 Violent Crime/100K 938 property/100K
B+
Overall
3.7 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.8 / 5.0
$114,739 median income, 3.5% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.5 / 5.0
$435,700 home value, $1,661/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
56 violent crimes/100K (85% below avg)
A
Education
4.5 / 5.0
43.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $114,739
53% higher than US avg
Home Value $435,700
55% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 56/100K
85% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 43.5%
29% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,661
43% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 24.5%
24% lower than US avg
Unemployment 3.5%
3% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 3.7%
70% lower than US avg

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

People

Population41,402
Median Age43.9 yrs
Density1,352/mi²
Male / Female48% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 72%

Economy

A+
Median Income$114,739
Per Capita$55,824
Unemployment3.5%
Poverty3.7%
County GDP$33,930M
Commute29 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$435,700
Rent$1,661
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$537,305

Crime

F
Violent56/100K
Property938/100K
Murder2.4/100K
Assault10/100K
Burglary235/100K

Health

Obesity24.5%
UninsuredN/A
Depression19.4%
Heart Disease4.3%

Climate

Avg Temp50°F
AQI39 (Good)
Rain52.0 in/yr
Elevation427 ft

Education

A
Bachelor's+43.5%
High School+94.0%
School Score6.10

Community

2024 VoteR 38% / D 61%
Commute29 min
EV Stations8
Libraries13

Is Shelton a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Shelton receives an overall livability score of 3.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, low crime rates, a highly educated population. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. Shelton offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Shelton is $114,739, which is significantly higher than the national average — 53% above $75,149. This places Shelton among higher-income communities. Unemployment stands at 3.5%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 3.7% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 29 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Shelton is $435,700, making it a premium housing market at 55% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,661 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. A price-to-income ratio of 3.8x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Shelton is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 56 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 938 per 100,000, 52% below the national average.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 43.5% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 94.0% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.1/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

Shelton experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 50°F. Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 52.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Shelton has a population of 41,402 with a density of 1,352 people per square mile. The median age is 43.9 years, 13% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (72.2%), with 6.3% Black.

Population

41,402
Total Population
1,352
People / sq mi
43.9yrs
Median Age
13% above US avg
30.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.5%
Female 52.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Shelton vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only78.3%
0% below US avg
Spanish21.7%
62% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Shelton vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Shelton is $114,739, which is 53% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.5% (below the 3.6% US average). 3.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 29 minutes.

Income: Shelton vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$114,739
53% above US avg
Per Capita Income$55,824
Avg Weekly Wage$1,441
IRS Avg AGI$105,630

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.5%
3% below US avg
Poverty Rate3.7%
70% below US avg
Establishments (County)10,884
County GDP$33,930M

Business (County)

Restaurants701
Healthcare1,096
Retail831
Manufacturing249

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$11,486
228% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.64%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time28.8 min
Work from Home13.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Shelton is $435,700, 55% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,661 (43% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $537,305.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$435,700
55% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$537,305
Median List Price$589,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$589,000
$/Sq Ft$290
Homes Sold29
Sale-to-List Ratio100.7%
Price Drops6.3%
Inventory64

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,661
43% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$2,354

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,351
1 Bedroom$1,590
2 Bedrooms$1,955
3 Bedrooms$2,415
4 Bedrooms$2,824

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied75.9%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$11,486
228% above US avg
Effective Rate2.64%
In Shelton, 24.5% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 19.4% report depression. 20.9% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity24.5%
24% below US avg
Diabetes6.9%
Heart Disease4.3%
High Blood Pressure25.2%
Asthma10.1%
COPD4.4%
Stroke2.4%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking18.6%
Physical Inactivity20.9%
Depression19.4%
Mental Distress15.5%
Physical Distress10.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate96.5%
Checkup Rate76.0%

Food & Exercise

Exercise Access98.6%
Healthcare Facilities1,096
Shelton has a violent crime rate of 56 per 100,000 residents, 85% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 938 per 100,000 (52% below US avg). The murder rate is 2.4 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent55.6/100K
85% below US avg
Murder2.4/100K
62% below US avg
Rape7.3/100K
Robbery36.3/100K
Assault9.7/100K

Property Crime

Total Property938.3/100K
52% below US avg
Burglary234.6/100K
Theft643.2/100K
Vehicle Theft60.5/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Shelton has an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 52.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Temperature

27°F Jan (-3°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average50.2°F
7% below US avg
January Average27°F (-3°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall52.0 inches
37% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median39.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation427 ft (130 m)
Area30.6 sq mi (79.3 km²)
Population Density1,352/sq mi
Coordinates41.3046°N, 73.1392°W
County FIPS09120
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 43.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (29% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 23.3-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 37.6%
D 60.9%

Winner: Democrat by 23.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+43.5%
29% above US avg
High School+94.0%
School Test Score6.10
A Education Grade (4.5/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density1,352/sq mi
Total Area30.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations8
Alt Fuel Stations8
Public Libraries13
Healthcare Facilities1,096
Restaurants701
Retail Stores831

Safety & Disasters

F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute28.8 min
Work from Home13.8%

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