What are the schools like in Shelby, NE?

Shelby is served primarily by SHELBY - RISING CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS. The district operates 1 elementary schools, 1 middle schools, and 1 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 10.4:1.

What is the median household income in Shelby?

The median household income in Shelby, NE is $71,458 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 3.1%.

What is the weather like in Shelby, NE?

Shelby has an average high temperature of 34.3°F in January and 86.0°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 27.9 inches and annual snowfall averages 30.3 inches.

Shelby, NE Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is Shelby, NE affordable or expensive?

Shelby's cost of living index is 88, where 100 represents the national average. This means Shelby is 12% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $107,300 and the median rent is $725 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in Shelby, NE?

Crime rate data for Shelby is not currently available from the FBI's reported data.

Is Shelby, NE a Good Place to Live?

Shelby is a small town of 675 in Nebraska, with a median household income of $71,458 and a 3.1% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 88 (US average = 100), which is 12% below the national average.

Strengths: Shelby stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B).

Trade-offs: Potential downsides include longer commutes. Whether Shelby is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Shelby city data on this page comes from official government sources — the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.

Cost of Living

Index: 88.0

Shelby's overall cost of living index is 88.0, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Shelby costs roughly 12% less than the average American city.

Metric	Shelby, NE	National Avg
Median Home Value	$107,300	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$725	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	83.9%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$71,458	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Crime data for Shelby is not currently available from the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program. Not all local agencies report to the UCR each year.

Schools & Education

Shelby is served primarily by SHELBY - RISING CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS. The student-to-teacher ratio is 10.4:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Shelby, NE	National Avg
School District	SHELBY - RISING CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS	—
Elementary Schools	1	—
Middle Schools	1	—
High Schools	1	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	10.4:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	16.7%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	93.8%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Shelby sees average highs of 34.3°F in January and 86.0°F in July, with 27.9 inches of annual precipitation and 30.3 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Shelby, NE
Average High — January	34.3°F
Average High — July	86.0°F
Annual Precipitation	27.9"
Annual Snowfall	30.3"

Demographics

Metric	Shelby, NE	National Avg
Population	675	—
Median Age	41.5	38.9
Unemployment Rate	3.1%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	39.1 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	88.0%	59.3%
Black or African American	0.0%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	7.7%	18.9%
Asian	0.0%	6.3%
Under 18	25.9%	22.2%
65 and over	21.9%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Osceola, NE 7 mi Rising City, NE 7 mi Surprise, NE 9 mi Stromsburg, NE 10 mi Gresham, NE 12 mi

ZIP Codes in Shelby

Shelby, NE is covered by 1 ZIP code:

68662

Shelby vs Other Cities

Shelby, NE vs Osceola, NE Shelby, NE vs Rising City, NE Shelby, NE vs Surprise, NE Shelby, NE vs Stromsburg, NE Shelby, NE vs Gresham, NE

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Shelby, NE affordable or expensive?

Shelby's cost of living index is 88, where 100 is the national average. That makes Shelby roughly 12% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $107,300 and median rent is $725/month.

What is the crime rate in Shelby, NE?

Crime data for Shelby is not available in the current FBI UCR reporting year. Not all jurisdictions submit data annually.

What are the schools like in Shelby?

Public schools in Shelby are operated by SHELBY - RISING CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS. The district has 1 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 10.4:1. 16.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Shelby, NE a good place to live?

Shelby, NE has a population of 675, a median household income of $71,458, and an unemployment rate of 3.1%. It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.

What is the weather like in Shelby?

Shelby averages 34.3°F in January and 86.0°F in July. Annual rainfall is 27.9 inches with about 30.3 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Shelby?

Shelby, NE is covered by 1 ZIP code: 68662.

What is the population of Shelby?

The population of Shelby, Nebraska is 675 with a median age of 41.5. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Shelby?

Key numbers for living in Shelby: cost of living index 88 (100 = US average), median home $107,300, median household income $71,458, schools rated B. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Shelby side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.