Shelby ZIP Codes — Shelby County, IA

There is one unique ZIP code in Shelby, Iowa and it is 51570. Area code: 712.

ZIP codes

63.42

sq mi land

0.06

sq mi water

712

area code

Shelby, IA ZIP code map

About Shelby, IA

Shelby, Iowa, is a small but vibrant city located in Shelby County, known for its friendly community and Midwestern charm. With a rich history and a strong connection to agriculture, Shelby offers a unique glimpse into rural life in Iowa. The city is characterized by its warm, welcoming atmosphere, making it an ideal place for both residents and visitors alike.

Location & geography

Shelby is situated in the west-central part of Iowa, nestled within Shelby County. Neighboring cities include Harlan, which is approximately 15 miles to the southwest, Avoca about 10 miles to the east, and Walnut roughly 6 miles to the north. The city covers a land area of 63.42 square miles, complemented by a small water area of 0.06 square miles, giving it a diverse landscape that includes open fields and gentle terrain.

Community & economy

The character of Shelby is defined by its tight-knit community, where residents often come together for local events and celebrations. The city's economy is primarily supported by agriculture, with many local businesses thriving in this sector. Daily life in Shelby reflects a strong sense of community spirit, with friendly neighbors and active participation in civic activities.

Transportation

Shelby is conveniently accessed via U.S. Route 59, which runs north to south, connecting it to nearby towns and cities. The closest major airport is Eppley Airfield in Omaha, located about 50 miles to the northwest, providing regional access for residents. Additionally, local transportation options and services help facilitate travel within the city and surrounding areas.

History

Shelby was established in the late 19th century and has evolved significantly over the years, primarily driven by the agricultural boom in the region. Key industries in the area have included farming and supporting businesses that cater to the local agricultural economy. Throughout its history, Shelby has hosted various notable events that highlight its rich cultural heritage and enhance community engagement.

Did you know?

A surprising fact about Shelby is that it has a vibrant annual festival that celebrates local agricultural heritage, drawing visitors from neighboring towns. Additionally, the city's close-knit population fosters a strong sense of community, where residents often engage in volunteering and local initiatives.

ZIP codes for Shelby, IA (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
51570	Shelby	Shelby	View map

Demographics & statistics

974

Population

35.5

Median age

$65,089

Median household income

$42,520

Per capita income

$165,300

Median home value

$860

Median monthly rent

69.9%

Home ownership

8.7%

Poverty rate

4.4%

Unemployment

363

Housing units

17.9%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

5–9

10–14

15–19

20–24

25–34

100

35–44

45–54

55–59

60–64

65–74

75–84

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	173	17.8%
18 and over	801	82.2%
65 and over	169	17.4%
Median age	35.5 years

Race & ethnicity

White 96.8%

Two or more races 2.2%

Hispanic or Latino 0.9%

Group	Count	%
White	952	96.8%
Two or more races	22	2.2%
Hispanic or Latino	9	0.9%

Household income

Under $10k 6.9%

$10k–$15k 5.2%

$15k–$25k 10.8%

$25k–$35k 6.2%

$35k–$50k 11.0%

$50k–$75k 17.2%

$75k–$100k 10.5%

$100k–$150k 19.6%

$150k–$200k 8.4%

$200k+ 4.3%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	6.9%
$10k–$15k	5.2%
$15k–$25k	10.8%
$25k–$35k	6.2%
$35k–$50k	11.0%
$50k–$75k	17.2%
$75k–$100k	10.5%
$100k–$150k	19.6%
$150k–$200k	8.4%
$200k+	4.3%
Median income	$65,089

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 8.0%

$50k–$100k 23.4%

$100k–$150k 11.1%

$150k–$200k 18.5%

$200k–$300k 23.1%

$300k–$500k 13.5%

$500k–$1M 1.8%

$1M+ 0.6%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$165,300
Median rent / month	$860
Owner occupied	69.9%
Renter occupied	30.1%
Vacant	7.6%
Single-family detached	76.7%
Large apartment buildings	8.3%
Mobile homes	0.4%
Median rooms	5.9
Avg household size (owned)	2.33

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	7.6%
2000–2009	10.3%
1990–1999	10.1%
1980–1989	2.6%
1970–1979	9.5%
1960–1969	5.8%
1950–1959	4.0%
1940–1949	1.0%
1939 or earlier	49.1%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.0%
1 bedroom	11.7%
2 bedrooms	23.7%
3 bedrooms	39.2%
4 bedrooms	21.9%
5+ bedrooms	3.6%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	8.0%
1 vehicle	26.2%
2 vehicles	30.1%
3 or more	35.7%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	55.7%
Electricity	27.1%
Propane / LP gas	15.5%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	205	44.1%
Cohabiting couple	39	8.4%
Male householder, no spouse	89	19.1%
Female householder, no spouse	132	28.4%
Households with children under 18	90	19.4%
Households with seniors (65+)	111	23.9%
Average household size	2.07

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	41.1%	28.7%
Married	50.5%	48.1%
Separated	0.5%	0.0%
Widowed	0.5%	8.7%
Divorced	7.3%	14.5%

Education

Less than 9th grade 3.6%

Some HS, no diploma 7.0%

HS graduate 32.0%

Some college, no degree 27.1%

Associate's degree 12.4%

Bachelor's degree 13.4%

Graduate / professional 4.5%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	89.4%
Bachelor's or higher	17.9%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	16	8.3%
Kindergarten	9	4.7%
Elementary school	64	33.2%
High school	58	30.1%
College / grad school	46	23.8%

Employment

Industry of employment

Retail trade 19.5%

Education & healthcare 13.4%

Agriculture & mining 12.4%

Arts, food & hospitality 11.1%

Construction 10.9%

Manufacturing 10.3%

Transportation & utilities 5.7%

Public administration 4.2%

Professional & management 4.0%

Finance & real estate 3.4%

Wholesale trade 3.3%

Other services 1.7%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	31.5%
Service	12.6%
Sales & office	15.3%
Natural resources & construction	16.8%
Production & transportation	23.7%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	81.8%
Government	7.8%
Self-employed	10.3%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	80.2%
Carpool	3.1%
Public transit	0.4%
Walk	7.1%
Other means	1.6%
Avg commute (minutes)	29.0

Poverty

All people 8.7%

Under 18 years 7.0%

18 and over 9.1%

Married-couple families 2.9%

Female-led households 17.3%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	28.6%
Retirement income	13.5%
Supplemental Security	4.7%
Cash public assistance	0.6%
Food stamps / SNAP	11.8%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	34.9%
High cholesterol	33.3%
Heart disease	6.8%
Stroke	3.1%
Asthma	9.3%
Arthritis	26.1%
Kidney disease	2.9%
Pulmonary disease	7.1%
Cancer	7.3%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	21.9%
No physical activity	24.7%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	30.7%
Fair or poor health	12.6%
Poor mental health	13.3%
Poor physical health	9.8%
No health insurance	9.0%
Visited doctor (checkup)	74.7%
Visited dentist	69.3%
Cholesterol screening	88.8%
Teeth loss	12.8%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	34	4.2%

Disability	%
Any disability	15.6%
Under 18	6.4%
18–64 years	15.3%
65 and over	26.0%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	73.4%
Public insurance	32.5%
Uninsured under 19	1.2%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	945	97.0%
Spanish	7	0.7%
Other Indo-European	7	0.7%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	971	99.7%
Born in same state	957	98.3%
Born in different state	556	57.1%
Foreign born	14	1.4%
Naturalized citizen	3	0.3%
Not a US citizen	1	33.3%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	113	11.6%
Italian	107	11%
Dutch	82	8.4%

Ancestry	Count	%
French	42	4.3%
Polish	18	1.8%
English	9	0.9%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	47.7%
Internet access	93.5%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Shelby, IA have?

Shelby, IA has one ZIP code: 51570. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.