County · Iowa
Shelby County, Iowa
Shelby County, Iowa. Shelby County had 11,689 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 0.5% since 2020, while Iowa grew 1.5%. It holds 13 places (11 cities, villages and boroughs and 2 census-designated) and 4 census tracts. GEOID 19165.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
11,689
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 11,746 · ACS 2020-2024: 11,778
Median household income
$72,738
±$9,091 (90% margin)
Iowa: $75,059
Median home value
$164,000
±$7,530 (90% margin)
Iowa: $208,000
Median gross rent
$783
±$63 (90% margin)
Iowa: $972
How many people live in Shelby County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 11,746 residents in Shelby County. The Census Bureau estimates 11,689 for July 1, 2025, down 0.5% since 2020, while Iowa grew 1.5%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 11,778 over 591 square miles of land.
| Measure | Shelby County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 11,778 | 3,210,507 | +172 |
| Households | 4,882±155 | 1,315,707 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.37±0.07 | 2.36 | +0.10 |
| Housing units | 5,441±34 | 1,437,699 | −139 |
Shelby County's population since 2000
From 13,173 in 2000 to 11,689 in 2025: down 11.3%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. 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); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Shelby County?
Shelby County holds 13 places: 11 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 2 census-designated places. The largest is Harlan with 4,859 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Harlan | 4,893 | $57,488 |
|---|---|---|
| Shelby | 727 | $63,654 |
| Elk Horn | 601 | $64,250 |
| Earling | 397 | $43,750 |
| Irwin | 319 | $40,417 |
| Defiance | 245 | $53,542 |
| PanamaGEOID 1961275 | 235 | $63,125 |
| PortsmouthGEOID 1964200 | 182 | $80,781 |
| WestphaliaGEOID 1984540 | 126 | $77,083 |
| TennantGEOID 1977430 | 78 | $62,885 |
| KirkmanGEOID 1941520 | 56 | $77,917 |
| CorleyGEOID 1916320 | 31 | not published |
| JacksonvilleGEOID 1939180 | 29 | not published |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Shelby County?
The median resident of Shelby County is 44.3 years old; 22.9% are under 18 and 23.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 91.3%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 4.4%. 1.6% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Shelby County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 44.3±0.7 | 38.6 | −2.1 |
| Under 18 years | 22.9%±0.6 pts | 22.9% | – |
| 65 years and over | 23.1%±0.3 pts | 18.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 4.4% | 7.3% | +1.4 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 91.3%±0.8 pts | 82.3% | −3.3 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.4 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.7 pts | 2.5% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.2 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.0%±1.0 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.4 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.6%±0.7 pts | 5.9% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.7%±0.8 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 8.6%±1.4 pts | 6.5% | – |
| With a disability | 10.2%±1.5 pts | 12.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 2.3%±0.7 pts | 5.0% | −2.7 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 95.3%±1.1 pts | 93.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 24.1%±2.9 pts | 31.4% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 8.3%±1.9 pts | 10.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.7%±1.0 pts | 2.2% | – |
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 County earn?
Half of Shelby County's 4,882 households earn less than $72,738 a year (±$9,091), against $75,059 in Iowa. In 2015-2019 it was $71,380 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 7.6% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Shelby County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $72,738±$9,091 | $75,059 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $97,055±$7,356 | $98,187 | – |
| Per capita income | $40,510±$2,800 | $40,877 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 7.6%±1.7 pts | 11.1% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 2.1%±1.4 pts | 12.9% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 7.3%±2.4 pts | 8.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 88.3%±2.4 pts | 88.9% | – |
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 County?
Owners occupy 77.8% of Shelby County's occupied homes and renters 22.2%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $164,000 by its owner (±$7,530). The median renter pays $783 a month including utilities, and 39.4% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Shelby County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $164,000±$7,530 | $208,000 | +$14,840 |
| Median gross rent | $783±$63 | $972 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 39.4%±10.7 pts | 35.2% | +18.6 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,326±$40 | $1,533 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 77.8%±3.6 pts | 71.7% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 5,441±34 | 1,437,699 | −139 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0%±0.7 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 8.2%±6.7 pts | 5.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 87.1%±2.0 pts | 72.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 4.3%±1.7 pts | 3.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.7%±0.5 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 46.9%±3.8 pts | 23.5% | – |
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 many new homes is Shelby County building?
Builders took permits for 3 new housing units across Shelby County in 2025 (3 single-family), 0.3 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Shelby County get to work?
75.6% of Shelby County's workers drive alone and 12.8% work from home. The average trip to work takes 18.5 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.2%.
| Measure | Shelby County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 62.5%±2.7 pts | 66.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.2%±1.3 pts | 3.6% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 75.6%±3.7 pts | 76.0% | – |
| Carpooled | 4.4%±1.5 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.5%±0.4 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 5.7%±2.1 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 12.8%±3.0 pts | 11.3% | +4.8 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 18.5 min±1.6 | 19.8 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 are Shelby County's census tracts?
Shelby County is divided into 4 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $55,538 (Tract 9604) to $84,779 (Tract 9603).
| Tract 960119165960100 | 3,157±205 | $77,723 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 960219165960200 | 3,012±252 | $77,257 |
| Tract 960319165960300 | 3,356±279 | $84,779 |
| Tract 960419165960400 | 2,253±245 | $55,538 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Shelby County compare with Iowa's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 65th of 99 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 37th of 99 |
| Residents per square mile | 74th of 99 |
| Median household income | 40th of 99 |
| Median home value | 46th of 99 |
| Median gross rent | 66th of 99 |
| Poverty rate | 84th of 99 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32nd of 99 |
| Median age | 15th of 99 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 County 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' school search.