Village · Michigan
Shelby, Michigan
Shelby, village, in Oceana County, Michigan. Shelby had 2,185 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 0.8% from the Bureau's April 2020 estimates base of 2,168; the 2020 Census counted 1,964 on the place as it was defined then and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 2,577 (±238). GEOID 2672840.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
2,185
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 1,964 · ACS 2020-2024: 2,577 ±238
Median household income
$49,855
±$8,627 (90% margin)
Michigan: $72,875
Median home value
$155,600
±$17,333 (90% margin)
Michigan: $231,600
Median gross rent
$680
±$103 (90% margin)
Michigan: $1,129
Where is Shelby and what county is it in?
Shelby is a village in Oceana County, Michigan. It covers 1.6 square miles of land, 1,196 residents per square mile in 2020.
Shelby lies entirely within Shelby Township, a township with its own local government (2020 census blocks).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Shelby, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 2,185 people lived in Shelby on July 1, 2025, up 0.8% since 2020, in line with Michigan (+0.5%). The Census Bureau's yearly estimates start from its own April 2020 base for Shelby, 2,168, which differs from the 2020 Census count of 1,964: the estimates follow the place as the estimates program defines it today (its present boundaries, and for a consolidated city-county the area the program assigns it), so the change since 2020 is measured from that base. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 2,577 (±238).
| Measure | Shelby | Oceana County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 2,577 ±238 | 26,915 | no clear change |
| Households | 849 ±95 | 10,419 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 3.02 ±0.28 | 2.52 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 890 ±96 | 15,723 | no clear change |
Shelby's population since 2000
From 1,914 in 2000 to 2,185 in 2025: up 14.2%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Shelby as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Shelby?
The median resident of Shelby is 29.3 years old; 30.5% are under 18 and 12.4% are 65 or older. The largest group is Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 59.1%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 39.3%. 13.9% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Shelby | Oceana County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 29.3 ±3.5 | 44.2 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 30.5% ±3.4 pts | 21.3% | – |
| 65 years and over | 12.4% ±3.4 pts | 22.5% | – |
| Male | 51.0% ±3.2 pts | 51.2% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 59.1% ±5.3 pts | 15.5% | +13.2 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 39.3% ±5.1 pts | 79.5% | −11.5 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.3% ±0.6 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2% ±0.2 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±1.2 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 0.9% ±0.7 pts | 3.2% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.2 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 13.9% ±4.6 pts | 4.1% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 37.6% ±8.3 pts | 11.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 3.6% ±2.0 pts | 7.3% | – |
| With a disability | 17.8% ±4.7 pts | 17.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 17.4% ±6.3 pts | 7.5% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 84.2% ±5.5 pts | 90.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 14.5% ±4.3 pts | 21.5% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.5% ±3.4 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 89.5% ±3.5 pts | 91.8% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.4% ±1.7 pts | 1.3% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Shelby earn?
Half of Shelby's 849 households earn less than $49,855 a year (±$8,627), against $62,417 in Oceana County and $72,875 in Michigan. In 2015-2019 it was $53,549 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 20.0% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Shelby | Oceana County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $49,855 ±$8,627 | $62,417 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $68,274 ±$9,216 | $82,476 | – |
| Per capita income | $24,372 ±$2,863 | $33,025 | +$4,292 |
| People below the poverty line | 20.0% ±6.3 pts | 13.6% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 20.9% ±12.1 pts | 18.5% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 23.7% ±5.2 pts | 15.9% | – |
| Households with a computer | 89.8% ±3.8 pts | 92.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 86.1% ±4.4 pts | 83.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Shelby?
Owners occupy 64.8% of Shelby's occupied homes and renters 35.2%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $155,600 by its owner (±$17,333). The median renter pays $680 a month including utilities, and 24.4% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Shelby | Oceana County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $155,600 ±$17,333 | $190,100 | +$47,668 |
| Median gross rent | $680 ±$103 | $759 | −$216 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 24.4% ±11.0 pts | 29.7% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $993 ±$73 | $1,280 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 64.8% ±6.1 pts | 84.5% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 35.2% ±6.1 pts | 15.5% | – |
| Housing units | 890 ±96 | 15,723 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0% ±5.3 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.0% ±6.4 pts | 2.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 75.1% ±5.7 pts | 78.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 1.2% ±1.2 pts | 15.9% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.0% ±3.3 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 1.6% ±1.1 pts | 5.9% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 24.5% ±6.8 pts | 16.9% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 6.1% ±2.9 pts | 4.3% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How do people in Shelby work and get to work?
79.4% of Shelby's workers drive alone. The average trip to work takes 15.0 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 6.6%.
| Measure | Shelby | Oceana County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 63.8% ±7.0 pts | 55.9% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 6.6% ±3.3 pts | 6.5% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 79.4% ±5.1 pts | 77.1% | – |
| Carpooled | 15.9% ±4.7 pts | 12.0% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0% ±2.6 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Walked | 1.8% ±1.3 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Worked from home | 1.2% ±1.8 pts | 7.4% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 15.0 min ±2.1 | 23.7 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Shelby?
No census tract lies mostly in Shelby; 1 tract reaches into it (2020 census blocks).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 103Oceana County | 7,171 | $65,608 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Shelby) · Census block assignment files
How does Shelby compare with other places in Michigan?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Shelby is the 7,381st-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 240th-most populous of 533 in Michigan.
Shelby ranks 1,235th of 1,354 places in Michigan with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 240th | 533 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 587th | 1,281 |
| Residents per square mile | 291st | 1,356 |
| Median household income | 1,235th | 1,354 |
| Per capita income | 1,288th | 1,355 |
| Median home value | 1,069th | 1,354 |
| Median gross rent | 1,129th | 1,212 |
| Poverty rate | 150th | 1,213 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 1,102nd | 1,350 |
| Median age | 1,337th | 1,356 |
| Owner-occupied share | 1,198th | 1,356 |
| Travel time to work | 1,319th | 1,356 |
Shelby's figures with every place in Michigan (CSV)
Every place in Michigan, sortable · Compare Shelby with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Shelby?
15 of the 57 figures for Shelby on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Shelby are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Shelby.