countyscore
68
County Score
Safety 97.5Water Quality 86Health 81.9

County Report Card

About Shelby County, Iowa

A Top National Performer

Shelby County secures an impressive composite score of 66.5, far outpacing the national median of 50.0. It ranks among the top tier of counties for overall stability and well-being.

Leading the Iowa Field

Outperforming the Iowa average of 55.6, Shelby County is a state leader in livability. Its balanced profile provides a higher quality of life than many neighboring rural areas.

Unmatched Safety and Clean Resources

Safety is a standout feature with a near-perfect score of 97.5. Residents also benefit from high-quality water and health services, scoring 86.0 and 81.9 respectively.

The Tax and Cost Hurdle

The tax score of 22.4 represents the county's biggest challenge, with an effective rate of 1.265%. Housing costs also present a moderate barrier with a cost score of 48.9.

A Haven for Family Safety

Shelby County is a premier choice for families who prioritize a secure environment and clean infrastructure. It offers a rare level of peace and stability for its residents.

204060801002056.297.581.976.268.377.38649.4Tax20Cost56.2Safety97.5Health81.9Schools76.2Income68.3Risk77.3Water86Weather49.468/100
This county
National avg
6 above average1 below average

Shelby County DNA

C-overall

How Shelby County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Shelby County scores above average across most dimensions. It's a well-balanced county with particular strength in Safety (97.5/100).

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
20-32
Cost
56.2+8.200000000000003
Safety
97.5+42.5
Health
81.9+31.900000000000006
Schools
76.2+22.200000000000003
Income
68.3+17.299999999999997
Risk
77.3+30.299999999999997
Water
86+28
Weather
49.4
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Shelby County?

Many homeowners in Shelby County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

Check My Assessment

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$164,000

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$783/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$164,000/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$31,320/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.3x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $72,738/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

25.5

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Counties with similar scores

Green County
Kentucky
Median income: $46,798
68
Antelope County
Nebraska
Median income: $66,105
68
Garfield County
Nebraska
Median income: $62,804
68
Perry County
Tennessee
Median income: $55,972
68
Grundy County
Iowa
Median income: $87,205
68.1
Leslie County
Kentucky
Median income: $35,934
67.9
West Carroll Parish
Louisiana
Median income: $49,134
67.9
Lincoln County
Minnesota
Median income: $69,694
68.1

Nearby counties

Audubon County
Iowa
57.6
Cass County
Iowa
42.6
Crawford County
Iowa
55.2
Harrison County
Iowa
59.1
Pottawattamie County
Iowa
36
Carroll County
Iowa
61.3
Guthrie County
Iowa
60.5
Montgomery County
Iowa
52.7

Deep Dives

Shelby County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Shelby County

via TaxByCounty

Shelby County taxes near national average

Shelby County's effective tax rate of 1.265% is competitive with the national median, placing it slightly above the 1.1% national average. The median property tax of $1,976 runs about 26% below the national median of $2,690, reflecting lower home values in the county.

Close to Iowa's average rate

Shelby County's 1.265% effective rate sits just slightly below Iowa's state average of 1.344%. The median tax bill of $1,976 is also near the state median of $2,160, making Shelby fairly representative of Iowa property tax dynamics.

Moderate rates in regional context

Shelby County's 1.265% rate falls in the middle of its regional peers—lower than Story County's 1.472% or Tama County's 1.390%, but higher than Sac County's 1.028%.

What homeowners actually pay here

A homeowner with a $156,200 median-valued home in Shelby County pays roughly $1,976 annually in property taxes. That's approximately $165 per month—moderate for the state.

Review your assessment for accuracy

Overassessment is common across Iowa counties, and Shelby is no exception. If your home's assessed value seems high compared to recent sales in your area, you have the right to challenge it and potentially reduce your tax liability.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Shelby County

via IncomeByCounty

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.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Shelby County

via CrimeByCounty

Near-Perfect Safety Score in Shelby

Shelby County reports a perfect 100.0 safety score, placing it far above the national average for security. Its recorded crime rate currently stands at 0.0 per 100,000, which is significantly lower than the national average of 2,385.5.

Interpreting Shelby’s High State Ranking

This score places Shelby County among the highest-ranked areas in Iowa for safety. However, because only a single agency provided data for 2022, residents should interpret these extremely low numbers with some caution.

A Historically Quiet Local Landscape

Shelby's current data suggests an exceptionally quiet local landscape compared to its neighbors. The county appears significantly safer than the Iowa average of 1,095.3 crimes per 100,000 residents.

Understanding the Zero-Crime Report

Both violent and property crime rates currently show as zero in official 2022 reports. While this indicates a very low-risk environment, it likely signifies limited reporting rather than a total absence of all criminal activity.

Maintain Your Peace of Mind

Low reported crime offers peace of mind but shouldn't lead to total complacency. Engaging with local community watch programs ensures that the county stays as safe as the official data suggests.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Shelby County

via WeatherByCounty

Shelby County Sees Frequent Thermal Swings

The annual average temperature of 49.5°F reflects a classic continental climate with distinct, often harsh, seasonal changes. This average sits below the national median but remains typical for the American heartland.

Warmer Than the Iowa State Average

Shelby County's average temperature of 49.5°F is 1.5 degrees warmer than the statewide average of 48.0°F. This makes it one of the more temperate options within the state's borders.

Lighter Rainfall Than Eastern Iowa

The county records 34.3 inches of annual precipitation, trailing the state average of 36.1 inches. This slightly drier profile is common for counties situated in the western third of the state.

Snowy Winters and Significant Summer Heat

Residents experience 19 days of extreme heat over 90°F during summers that average 72.9°F. Winters bring an average of 30.5 inches of snow and January lows that hover around 20.5°F.

Dual Focus on Heat and Snow

Homeowners must prepare for nearly three weeks of 90°F heat while maintaining snow blowers for over 30 inches of winter accumulation. The 54-degree swing between January and July averages requires robust home insulation.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Shelby County

via SoilByCounty

Acidic Profiles in Shelby County

The soil here has an average pH of 6.28, making it notably more acidic than the national median of 6.5. This chemical profile is common in Western Iowa but may require lime applications for certain sensitive crops.

Dominant Silt and Minimal Sand

With a massive 63.6% silt content and only 8.4% sand, this soil feels velvety and holds its shape well. The high silt levels provide a vast surface area for nutrient storage, though the lack of sand can lead to crusting after heavy rains.

Top-Tier Water Holding Potential

Shelby County boasts a water capacity of 0.220 inches per inch, far exceeding the state average of 0.195. While organic matter is below the state average at 2.86%, the superior water retention helps crops survive dry spells.

Water Storage Over Rapid Drainage

The high silt and clay mix suggests a soil that prioritizes storage over drainage, even if formal classes aren't recorded. Gardeners should ensure raised beds are used if they encounter persistent wet spots in low-lying areas.

Lush Gardens in Zone 5b

Zone 5b provides a reliable window for corn and root vegetables that thrive in silty earth. The high water capacity makes this an excellent spot for moisture-loving garden favorites.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Shelby County

via LawnByCounty

Above Average Lawn Success in Shelby

Shelby County boasts a lawn difficulty score of 79.5, making it significantly easier to maintain than the national average. Situated in hardiness zone 5b, it enjoys a more temperate climate than its northern neighbors. This high score reflects a favorable environment for consistent, healthy turf growth.

Warm Summers and Plentiful Rain

Annual precipitation of 34.3 inches keeps the grass hydrated, while 3,280 growing degree days fuel rapid development. The county experiences 19 extreme heat days, which is higher than the Iowa average of 16 days. This extra heat requires vigilant summer watering to prevent the lawn from entering early dormancy.

Healthy Soil with High Clay Content

The soil pH is an excellent 6.28, promoting strong nutrient uptake for most grass varieties. With 28.0% clay and only 8.4% sand, this soil holds moisture well but can be prone to compaction. Aeration is a critical maintenance step here to ensure that water and air reach the root zone through the heavy clay.

Excellent Current Drought Resilience

Shelby County currently reports 0.0% drought coverage, a major advantage for local gardeners. The county only experienced 7 weeks of drought over the past year, far fewer than many other Iowa regions. This lack of water stress allows homeowners to focus on growth and aesthetics rather than emergency hydration.

A Late April Start for Success

Zone 5b is ideal for cool-season grasses, with the last spring frost typically occurring on April 27. The first fall frost lands around October 9, providing a standard Iowa growing window. Seed your lawn in early September to take advantage of the warm soil and cooling air temperatures.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Shelby County's county score?
Shelby County, Iowa has a composite county score of 68 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Shelby County rank among counties in Iowa?
Shelby County ranks #7 among all counties in Iowa on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Shelby County, Iowa?
The median annual property tax in Shelby County is $2,094, with an effective tax rate of 1.28%. This earns Shelby County a tax score of 20/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Shelby County?
The median household income in Shelby County, Iowa is $72,738 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Shelby County earns an income score of 68.3/100 on CountyScore.
Is Shelby County, Iowa a good place to live?
Shelby County scores 68/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #7 in Iowa. The best way to evaluate Shelby County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Shelby County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.