The west side of the Shelby County Courthouse in Harlan, Iowa

Photo: TheCatalyst31CC0via Wikimedia Commons

Friday, November 13, 2026

Shelby County

Population
11,7782024
Similar to communities in Iowa
Household income
$72,7382024
Similar to communities in Iowa
Home value
$164,0002024
Similar to communities in Iowa
Unemployment
2.9%2026
Similar to communities in Iowa
Violent crime
1112023
Similar to communities in Iowa
Work from home
12.8%2024
Higher than communities in Iowa
Source: Polco GPAL, using data from the original source shown for each indicator.Data from Polco

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What stands out in Shelby County

Data from Polco GPAL
Standouts compare Shelby County with communities in Iowa or of similar population size. Surprises are where the measured figure was unusually far from what Polco's model expected. Each fact gives its year; public data runs one to two years behind.
In 2024, Shelby County was more favorable than communities of similar population size on children in poverty.
100th percentile · 2024 · Census ACS, via Polco GPAL
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