County · Missouri
Shelby County, Missouri
Shelby County, Missouri. Shelby County had 5,870 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 3.8% since 2020, while Missouri grew 1.9%. It holds 6 places (6 cities, villages and boroughs) and 3 census tracts. GEOID 29205.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
5,870
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 6,103 · ACS 2020-2024: 5,986
Median household income
$51,594
±$5,271 (90% margin)
Missouri: $70,702
Median home value
$99,900
±$13,404 (90% margin)
Missouri: $230,300
Median gross rent
$625
±$64 (90% margin)
Missouri: $1,033
How many people live in Shelby County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 6,103 residents in Shelby County. The Census Bureau estimates 5,870 for July 1, 2025, down 3.8% since 2020, while Missouri grew 1.9%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 5,986 over 501 square miles of land.
| Measure | Shelby County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 5,986 | 6,191,814 | −27 |
| Households | 2,391±111 | 2,508,227 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.41±0.11 | 2.40 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 2,950±23 | 2,825,287 | −256 |
Shelby County's population since 2000
From 6,799 in 2000 to 5,870 in 2025: down 13.7%. 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 6 places: 6 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is Shelbina with 1,550 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Shelbina | 1,613 | $47,500 |
|---|---|---|
| Clarence | 738 | $31,734 |
| Shelbyville | 518 | $52,250 |
| HunnewellGEOID 2933760 | 139 | $49,375 |
| BethelGEOID 2905104 | 135 | $65,938 |
| LeonardGEOID 2941546 | 57 | $63,036 |
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 42.7 years old; 24.0% are under 18 and 22.3% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 93.6%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 2.5%. 1.3% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Shelby County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.7±1.2 | 39.0 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 24.0%±0.5 pts | 22.3% | – |
| 65 years and over | 22.3%±0.5 pts | 17.9% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.3% | 5.2% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 93.6%±0.5 pts | 76.3% | −1.6 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.1%±0.5 pts | 10.9% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.1 pts | 2.1% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.6 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.5%±0.8 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.3%±0.8 pts | 4.5% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.1%±0.8 pts | 6.7% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 9.7%±2.1 pts | 7.3% | – |
| With a disability | 15.4%±2.3 pts | 14.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 10.6%±3.0 pts | 8.8% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 90.4%±2.2 pts | 91.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 18.5%±3.4 pts | 32.4% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 4.9%±1.7 pts | 12.6% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.2%±0.7 pts | 2.5% | – |
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 2,391 households earn less than $51,594 a year (±$5,271), against $70,702 in Missouri. In 2015-2019 it was $54,253 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 15.9% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Shelby County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $51,594±$5,271 | $70,702 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $71,488±$6,905 | $96,247 | – |
| Per capita income | $29,637±$2,939 | $39,695 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 15.9%±3.6 pts | 12.6% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 18.3%±6.7 pts | 15.8% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 8.4%±2.0 pts | 9.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 84.2%±3.2 pts | 89.3% | – |
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 77.5% of Shelby County's occupied homes and renters 22.5%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $99,900 by its owner (±$13,404). The median renter pays $625 a month including utilities, and 17.2% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Shelby County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $99,900±$13,404 | $230,300 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $625±$64 | $1,033 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 17.2%±7.4 pts | 36.6% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,045±$77 | $1,524 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 77.5%±3.3 pts | 68.1% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 2,950±23 | 2,825,287 | −256 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.7%±1.4 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 8.7%±4.3 pts | 5.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 77.1%±3.6 pts | 70.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 12.1%±2.9 pts | 5.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.3%±0.9 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 22.8%±3.4 pts | 13.3% | – |
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 many new homes is Shelby County building?
Builders took permits for 3 new housing units across Shelby County in 2025 (3 single-family), 0.5 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?
79.2% of Shelby County's workers drive alone and 6.6% work from home. The average trip to work takes 21.1 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 1.8%.
| Measure | Shelby County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 54.5%±3.3 pts | 63.1% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 1.8%±0.9 pts | 4.0% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 79.2%±4.7 pts | 74.8% | – |
| Carpooled | 6.5%±2.3 pts | 8.1% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±1.4 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Walked | 7.3%±3.4 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Worked from home | 6.6%±2.8 pts | 13.0% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 21.1 min±2.2 | 23.5 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 3 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $49,336 (Tract 4501) to $53,984 (Tract 4503).
| Tract 450129205450100 | 1,726±181 | $49,336 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 450229205450200 | 2,445±226 | $52,917 |
| Tract 450329205450300 | 1,815±246 | $53,984 |
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 Missouri's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 105th of 115 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 107th of 115 |
| Residents per square mile | 100th of 115 |
| Median household income | 97th of 115 |
| Median home value | 112th of 115 |
| Median gross rent | 103rd of 115 |
| Poverty rate | 43rd of 115 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 53rd of 115 |
| Median age | 38th of 115 |
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.