Population 5,986 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Shelby County
Household size in Shelby County
| Period | Shelby County | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.31 | 2.49 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.35 | 2.52 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.38 | 2.50 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.43 | 2.49 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.12 | −0.00 | −0.03 |
The average household in Shelby County has 2.43 people, under the U.S. average of 2.65. Since 2006–10, household size has climbed from 2.31, even as the national average fell. Households are largest in the east and smallest in the west.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Shelby County
| Period | Shelby County | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 42.3 | 38.4 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 42.3 | 39.2 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 43.2 | 40.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 43.0 | 40.1 | 40.1 |
| Change | +0.7 | +1.7 | +2.3 |
The median resident of Shelby County is 43.0 years old, older than the national median of 40.1. The median age has crept up from 42.3 in 2006–10, a smaller shift than nationally. The youngest areas are in the northeast, the oldest in the southeast.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Shelby County
| Period | Shelby County | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.5% | 11.3% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 9.2% | 11.4% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 9.7% | 10.9% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 13.8% | 11.0% | 11.6% |
| Change | +5.3 pts | −0.3 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are more common in Shelby County than nationally: 13.8%, against 11.6%. The single-parent share has risen 5.3 points since 2006–10, even as the national share fell. Few Missouri counties have a higher share of single-parent households: only ten of 115.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Shelby County
Renters in Shelby County
| Period | Shelby County | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 29.8% | 30.0% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 26.9% | 32.1% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 26.2% | 33.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 22.5% | 31.9% | 34.8% |
| Change | −7.3 pts | +1.9 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 22.5% of households in Shelby County rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. Just over six in ten owners (63.3%) have paid off their mortgages, well above the national share of 39.8%. Renting is most common in the northeast and least common in the northwest. The renter share has fallen 7.3 points since 2006–10, even as the national share rose.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Shelby County
| Period | Shelby County | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 16.8% | 11.6% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 20.4% | 12.0% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 24.0% | 12.2% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 18.8% | 10.5% | 9.6% |
| Change | +2.1 pts | −1.1 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 18.8% of the housing in Shelby County, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Since 2006–10, vacancy has risen 2.1 points, even as the national rate fell.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Shelby County
| Period | Shelby County | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1967 | 1974 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1969 | 1975 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1970 | 1976 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1970 | 1978 | 1980 |
| Change | +3 | +4 | +6 |
The housing in Shelby County is old by national standards: the median home dates to 1970, against 1980 for the U.S., so buyers will find more older houses, some of them due for updates. The median year built has moved up from 1967 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Shelby County has older homes than at least four in five Missouri counties.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Shelby County
| Period | Shelby County | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $420 | $740 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $472 | $816 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $587 | $899 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $595 | $1,122 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$175 | +$383 | +$606 |
Rent in Shelby County runs $595 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rents are up $175 a month from 2006–10, a 42% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 23.8% of the typical renter's income, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Rents run highest in the south and lowest in the east.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Shelby County
Bachelor's degrees in Shelby County
| Period | Shelby County | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.3% | 26.0% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 13.7% | 27.3% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 18.1% | 29.6% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 18.4% | 32.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +5.1 pts | +6.6 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Shelby County: 18.4% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 5.1 points, in line with the national trend.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Shelby County
| Period | Shelby County | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 88.9% | 86.8% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 89.8% | 88.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 90.7% | 90.0% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 90.3% | 91.8% | 89.3% |
| Change | +1.4 pts | +5.1 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Shelby County is close to the national rate: 90.3% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. The rate is lower than in Missouri overall (91.8%). Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has edged up 1.4 points, a smaller shift than nationally.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Shelby County
| Period | Shelby County | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 4.0% | 7.4% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 7.0% | 8.4% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 2.2% | 4.6% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 1.6% | 4.1% | 5.4% |
| Change | −2.4 pts | −3.3 pts | −2.7 pts |
The job market in Shelby County has been strong: just 1.6% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Of Missouri's 115 counties, only four have lower unemployment. Unemployment has fallen 2.4 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Shelby County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shelby County | 2.43 | 43.0 | 13.8% | 22.5% | 18.8% | 1970 | $595 | 18.4% | 90.3% | 1.6% |
| Macon County | 2.51 | 43.8 | 7.1% | 23.2% | 16.9% | 1976 | $779 | 19.0% | 92.0% | 2.1% |
| Marion County | 2.48 | 39.4 | 14.7% | 30.7% | 12.4% | 1969 | $809 | 24.7% | 90.6% | 4.1% |
| Linn County | 2.55 | 41.8 | 10.5% | 21.5% | 20.9% | 1965 | $600 | 18.2% | 90.3% | 3.4% |
| Pike County | 2.44 | 42.6 | 12.9% | 22.3% | 17.5% | 1959 | $685 | 18.5% | 91.3% | 4.1% |
| Livingston County | 2.33 | 39.8 | 11.3% | 27.7% | 12.5% | 1967 | $791 | 16.8% | 86.7% | 2.8% |
| Scott County | 2.41 | 45.5 | 9.3% | 21.0% | 14.1% | 1963 | $915 | 21.6% | 92.4% | 2.8% |
| Morgan County | 2.39 | 43.1 | 10.5% | 27.2% | 13.8% | 1964 | $800 | 22.9% | 89.0% | 5.5% |
| Caldwell County | 2.33 | 42.7 | 10.6% | 21.8% | 11.1% | 1975 | $741 | 20.1% | 92.0% | 2.8% |
| DeKalb County | 2.41 | 42.1 | 5.8% | 28.9% | 12.4% | 1983 | $905 | 17.8% | 90.8% | 2.3% |
| Clinton County | 2.54 | 43.5 | 8.8% | 24.3% | 9.0% | 1978 | $996 | 22.0% | 92.5% | 2.6% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Schley County, GA · Granite County, MT · Grant County, NE · Greeley County, KS · Greeley County, NE · Greenlee County, AZ · Greensville County, VA · Saline County, NE · San Juan County, UT · Schleicher County, TX
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Shelby County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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