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Shelby, AL
Census-designated place in Shelby County, Alabama. ZIP codes: 35143.
Population
809
Land area
18.8sq mi
People per sq mi
43
ZIP codes
1
Shelby and its ZIP codes
Shelby at a glance
- Shelby is 57% less dense than Alabama as a whole.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $158,200 (25% below Alabama).
Local data for Shelby, AL
Counts from official public data
Housing and community stats
Shelby, AL, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Poverty rate
21.4%
Median home value
$158,200
Homeownership
90.7%
Bachelor's or higher
20.0%
Median age
58.2
Average commute
23.6 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: German Americans (42), Mexican Americans (17), Irish Americans (15).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Shelby County. PPP loans are for Shelby.
Unemployment rate
3.0%
Sep 2026, +0.6 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$69,505
84,778 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$74,513
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$1.5B
FY 2026, $6,866 per person
How people get to work
Shelby, AL, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone78.7%
- Carpooled21.3%
- Public transit0.0%
- Walked0.0%
- Bicycle0.0%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other0.0%
- Worked from home0.0%
Average one-way commute: 23.6 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Shelby, AL, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
Top: tornado
Storm events since 1996
733
Countywide, mostly thunderstorm wind
Flood insurance policies
491
0.7% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
91° / 36°F
56.2 inches of rain a year
Health statistics
Share of adults in Shelby, AL, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
33.6%
U.S. 33.3% about the same
Diabetes
13.3%
U.S. 12.1% +1.2 pts
Smoking
14.3%
U.S. 12.8% +1.5 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
8.3%
U.S. 11.1% -2.8 pts
ZIP codes in Shelby
1 in or overlapping Shelby. Population shown
Cities near Shelby
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| ColumbianaCity | 6 mi | 18 |
| Talladega SpringsTown | 8.7 mi | 1.2 |
| FayettevilleCensus-designated place | 9.2 mi | 17.4 |
| CaleraCity | 9.5 mi | 24.3 |
| WilsonvilleTown | 11 mi | 10.6 |
| JemisonCity | 12 mi | 11.3 |
| MontevalloCity | 14 mi | 12.9 |
| ThorsbyCity | 15 mi | 5.8 |
| ChelseaCity | 15 mi | 32.6 |
| AlabasterCity | 17 mi | 26.3 |
| WiltonTown | 17 mi | 1 |
| WeogufkaCensus-designated place | 17 mi | 5.1 |
| ClantonCity | 18 mi | 23.2 |
| Oak GroveTown | 18 mi | 1.8 |
| PelhamCity | 18 mi | 38.8 |
| HarpersvilleTown | 18 mi | 22 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Shelby, AL in?
- Shelby is in Shelby County, Alabama.
- What ZIP codes are in Shelby, AL?
- ZIP codes in or overlapping Shelby include 35143.
- What is the population of Shelby, AL?
- About 809 people live in Shelby, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Shelby?
- Nearby places include Columbiana (6 mi), Talladega Springs (8.7 mi), Fayetteville (9.2 mi), Calera (9.5 mi), Wilsonville (11 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023