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Shelby, IA
City in Pottawattamie County, Iowa.
Population
752
Land area
2.1sq mi
People per sq mi
364
ZIP codes
0
Shelby and its ZIP codes
Shelby at a glance
- Shelby is about 6.3 times as dense as Iowa as a whole.
- The median household income is $63,654, 15% below the Iowa median of $75,059.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $162,500 (22% below Iowa) and median rent is $840 a month.
Local data for Shelby, IA
Counts from official public data
Housing and community stats
Shelby, IA, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$63,654
Poverty rate
10.2%
Median home value
$162,500
Median rent
$840/mo
Homeownership
62.8%
Bachelor's or higher
10.7%
Median age
36.1
Average commute
29.5 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: German Americans (254), Irish Americans (94), Mexican Americans (61).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Pottawattamie County. PPP loans are for Shelby.
Unemployment rate
3.4%
Sep 2026, -0.1 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$57,962
41,804 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$62,836
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$635M
FY 2026, $6,775 per person
How people get to work
Shelby, IA, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone79.5%
- Carpooled5.6%
- Public transit0.0%
- Walked7.6%
- Bicycle0.0%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other0.0%
- Worked from home7.3%
Average one-way commute: 29.5 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Shelby, IA, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Low
Top: hail
Storm events since 1996
648
Countywide, mostly hail
Flood insurance policies
557
1.3% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
86° / 10°F
34.3 inches of rain a year
Hazards, floods and storm historyCheck a flood zone1 historic places
Health statistics
Share of adults in Shelby, IA, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
38.7%
U.S. 33.3% +5.4 pts
Diabetes
10.9%
U.S. 12.1% -1.2 pts
Smoking
16.0%
U.S. 12.8% +3.2 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
7.1%
U.S. 11.1% -4.0 pts
Cities near Shelby
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| MindenCity | 5.3 mi | 0.6 |
| AvocaCity | 6.1 mi | 2.4 |
| TennantCity | 6.1 mi | 0.7 |
| PersiaCity | 8.1 mi | 0.5 |
| CorleyCensus-designated place | 8.1 mi | 0.1 |
| HancockCity | 8.7 mi | 0.7 |
| NeolaCity | 9.3 mi | 0.8 |
| PortsmouthCity | 11 mi | 0.3 |
| WalnutCity | 12 mi | 2.2 |
| HarlanCity | 12 mi | 4.4 |
| BentleyCensus-designated place | 13 mi | 1 |
| OaklandCity | 13 mi | 1.8 |
| UnderwoodCity | 14 mi | 1.1 |
| WestphaliaCity | 15 mi | 0.1 |
| PanamaCity | 16 mi | 0.3 |
| McClellandCity | 17 mi | 0.3 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Shelby, IA in?
- Shelby is in Pottawattamie County, Iowa.
- What is the population of Shelby, IA?
- About 752 people live in Shelby, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Shelby?
- Nearby places include Minden (5.3 mi), Avoca (6.1 mi), Tennant (6.1 mi), Persia (8.1 mi), Corley (8.1 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023