IncomeBy County

Shelby County, Iowa

Income Data

U.S. Census Bureau ACS
-3% vs. Iowa average
$67,690
Median Household Income
$38,805
Per Capita Income

At a Glance

Median Household Income
$67,690
-3% vs. state avg
Per Capita Income
$38,805
-2% vs. national
Income-to-Housing Ratio
43.3%
income as % of home value
Rank in Iowa
#56 / 99
by median household income

Economic Indicators

Unemployment Rate
N/A
Labor Force Participation
N/A

How Shelby County Compares

Shelby County$67,690
Iowa Average$69,830
National Median$74,755

Detailed Income Statistics

$67,690
Median Household Income
$38,805
Per Capita Income
$156,200
Median Home Value
43.3%
Income-to-Housing Ratio

Income Advisory: Shelby County

Income Verdict

Shelby County has a median household income of $67,690 and per capita income of $38,805 — a gap of $28,885, suggesting a higher share of single-earner or non-family households.

Housing Affordability

With median gross rent at $810/month and a median household income of $67,690, rent consumes approximately 14.4% of monthly income — well within affordable thresholds.

Economic Context

A median household income of $67,690 suggests moderate-to-strong purchasing power, generally sufficient to cover essentials with room for discretionary spending in most markets. Per capita income of $38,805 is in line with national norms for individual earners.

Neighbor Context

Shelby County earns approximately 3.1% below the Iowa state median household income of $69,830.

Data Story

About Household Income in Shelby County, Iowa

Shelby lags national income benchmark

Shelby County's median household income of $67,690 falls about 9% below the national median of $74,755. This income gap is typical for rural, agriculture-dependent counties across the Midwest.

Below Iowa's average

Shelby County's $67,690 median household income falls short of Iowa's state average of $69,830 by about $2,140. Among these eight counties, Shelby ranks in the lower-middle tier for household earnings.

Mid-range earnings locally

Shelby County earns more than Taylor ($67,279), Tama ($67,955), and Union ($56,813) counties but trails Sac ($70,991), Scott ($76,363), and Sioux ($84,736). Story County ($69,006) offers comparable income levels.

Affordable housing supports families

Shelby County's rent-to-income ratio of 14.4% is reasonable, and median home values of $156,200 remain accessible on local incomes. Housing affordability helps stretch household budgets further in this rural community.

Small steps build lasting wealth

Shelby County families can strengthen finances by prioritizing emergency savings and low-cost index funds—even small, consistent contributions grow substantially over time. The region's affordable housing also offers a real estate investment pathway many other counties cannot match.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the median household income in Shelby County, Iowa?
The median household income in Shelby County, Iowa is $67,690, according to U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates. This represents the midpoint of all household incomes in the county.
How much do people earn in Shelby County?
The per capita income in Shelby County is $38,805, which represents the average income per person across the entire county population. The median household income — which accounts for all earners in a household — is $67,690.
How does Shelby County compare to the Iowa average?
Shelby County's median household income of $67,690 is lower than the Iowa state average of $69,830. The per capita income is $38,805, compared to the state average of $37,136.
What is the per capita income in Shelby County, Iowa?
The per capita income in Shelby County, Iowa is $38,805, according to U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates. Per capita income is calculated by dividing total personal income by total population, providing an average income figure per resident.
Is Shelby County a low-income area in Iowa?
Shelby County's median household income of $67,690 is below the Iowa average of $69,830. The per capita income of $38,805 is also comparable to the state average of $37,136. Lower incomes can reflect the local economic base, rural vs. urban location, and employment opportunities available in the area.
How does Shelby County rank for income in Iowa?
Shelby County ranks #56 out of 99 counties in Iowa by median household income (1 = highest). With a median household income of $67,690 and per capita income of $38,805, it falls in the middle third of counties statewide.

Income Comparison Calculator

See how your household income compares in Shelby County

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Your income is above the Shelby County median

County median: $67,690 per year

vs. County Median

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vs. State Average

-3%

vs. National Median

-9%

vs. Shelby County MedianAbout equal
vs. Iowa Average▼ 3% below
vs. National Median▼ 9% below

Income Adequacy

Monthly income covers median rent7.0x

Your monthly income ($5,641) vs. median rent ($810/mo). A ratio of 3.3x or higher means rent is under 30% of income.

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Counties with Similar Income Levels

Pecos County
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Butte County
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$67,692
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Wayne County
Nebraska
$67,687
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Clay County
Indiana
$67,676
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Sedgwick County
Kansas
$67,675
+0%
Lincoln County
Minnesota
$67,715
+0%
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By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

Data: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023) — Informational only. Not financial or legal advice.

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