Shelby ZIP Code List — Oceana County, MI

There is one unique ZIP code in Shelby, Michigan and it is 49455. Area code: 231.
1
ZIP codes
84.83
sq mi land
5.72
sq mi water
231
area code
Shelby, MI ZIP code map

About Shelby, MI

Shelby is a charming city located in Oceana County, Michigan. Known for its friendly community and beautiful landscapes, Shelby offers a unique blend of rural charm and small-town allure. The city is a great place for both residents and visitors to enjoy the natural beauty and outdoor activities that the area has to offer.

Location & geography

Shelby is situated in the western part of Michigan, approximately 15 miles northwest of Hart and 30 miles south of Ludington. It covers a land area of 84.83 square miles, complemented by a water area of 5.72 square miles. The terrain features a mix of rolling hills and flatlands, making it ideal for various outdoor activities.

Community & economy

The community in Shelby is characterized by its close-knit relationships and a welcoming atmosphere. The city has a diverse economic base, with key industries including agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism. Daily life in Shelby often revolves around local events, outdoor recreation, and community gatherings.

Transportation

Shelby is accessible via Michigan State Highway 120, which connects the city to nearby communities. The closest named airport is the Mason County Airport, located approximately 30 miles to the north. Public transit options are limited, but local roads provide access for residents and visitors alike.

History

Shelby was founded in the mid-19th century and has historically been influenced by agriculture and the lumber industry. Notable events in the city's past include the establishment of various local businesses that have shaped the economy and the community's cultural landscape. Over time, Shelby has developed into a hub for outdoor enthusiasts, particularly due to its proximity to lakes and forests.

Did you know?

A surprising fact about Shelby is that it hosts the annual Shelby Area Pumpkin Festival, celebrating the community's agricultural heritage. This event features a variety of activities, including pumpkin carving contests and local vendor fairs, drawing visitors from all over the region.

ZIP codes for Shelby, MI (1)
ZIP code City County Map
49455 Shelby Oceana View map

Demographics & statistics

5,149
Population
38.9
Median age
$57,857
Median household income
$30,522
Per capita income
$127,500
Median home value
$646
Median monthly rent
80.3%
Home ownership
10.8%
Poverty rate
3.4%
Unemployment
2,315
Housing units
19.9%
Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female
140
Under 5
136
236
5–9
230
153
10–14
149
163
15–19
160
151
20–24
148
333
25–34
326
315
35–44
308
285
45–54
279
139
55–59
136
199
60–64
194
291
65–74
284
157
75–84
154
42
85+
41
← Male
Female →

Age summary

GroupCount%
Under 181,25524.4%
18 and over3,89475.6%
65 and over96918.8%
Median age38.9 years

Race & ethnicity

White 77.2%
Hispanic or Latino 9.6%
Two or more races 7.8%
Other race 3%
American Indian / Alaska Native 1.3%
Black or African American 1.1%
GroupCount%
White4,39477.2%
Hispanic or Latino5459.6%
Two or more races4437.8%
Other race1723%
American Indian / Alaska Native751.3%
Black or African American641.1%

Household income

Under $10k 3.6%
$10k–$15k 1.8%
$15k–$25k 10.9%
$25k–$35k 11.6%
$35k–$50k 15.8%
$50k–$75k 20.3%
$75k–$100k 9.6%
$100k–$150k 16.6%
$150k–$200k 5.3%
$200k+ 4.4%
Range% of households
Under $10k3.6%
$10k–$15k1.8%
$15k–$25k10.9%
$25k–$35k11.6%
$35k–$50k15.8%
$50k–$75k20.3%
$75k–$100k9.6%
$100k–$150k16.6%
$150k–$200k5.3%
$200k+4.4%
Median income$57,857

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 9.9%
$50k–$100k 17.5%
$100k–$150k 31.6%
$150k–$200k 9.7%
$200k–$300k 15.0%
$300k–$500k 7.2%
$500k–$1M 7.4%
$1M+ 1.8%

Housing overview

MetricValue
Median home value$127,500
Median rent / month$646
Owner occupied80.3%
Renter occupied19.7%
Vacant29.6%
Single-family detached79.5%
Large apartment buildings0.6%
Mobile homes12.0%
Median rooms5.5
Avg household size (owned)2.65

Year built

Era%
2020 or later0.0%
2010–20195.1%
2000–200913.2%
1990–199913.2%
1980–19899.3%
1970–197915.3%
1960–196911.7%
1950–19597.7%
1940–19494.1%
1939 or earlier20.4%

Bedrooms

Size% of units
No bedroom (studio)1.1%
1 bedroom4.9%
2 bedrooms31.5%
3 bedrooms40.8%
4 bedrooms17.5%
5+ bedrooms4.3%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles% of households
No vehicle3.3%
1 vehicle32.5%
2 vehicles40.4%
3 or more23.8%

Heating fuel

Fuel type%
Utility gas42.4%
Electricity10.9%
Propane / LP gas26.9%
Fuel oil3.0%
Wood11.5%
Solar1.8%
No fuel used0.5%

Households & families

Household typeCount%
Married-couple family94049.6%
Cohabiting couple1598.4%
Male householder, no spouse35318.6%
Female householder, no spouse44223.3%
Households with children under 1859731.5%
Households with seniors (65+)70637.3%
Average household size2.66

Marital status

StatusMaleFemale
Never married28.8%27.6%
Married52.4%49.9%
Separated0.0%0.4%
Widowed5.8%4.6%
Divorced13.0%17.4%

Education

Less than 9th grade 6.8%
Some HS, no diploma 6.1%
HS graduate 40.7%
Some college, no degree 17.8%
Associate's degree 8.7%
Bachelor's degree 12.4%
Graduate / professional 7.5%
Metric%
HS diploma or higher87.1%
Bachelor's or higher19.9%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

TypeCount%
Nursery / preschool948.0%
Kindergarten574.8%
Elementary school54145.9%
High school28223.9%
College / grad school20517.4%

Employment

Industry of employment

Manufacturing 26.3%
Agriculture & mining 19.0%
Education & healthcare 15.5%
Retail trade 8.0%
Construction 6.1%
Arts, food & hospitality 5.9%
Professional & management 4.5%
Transportation & utilities 3.8%
Finance & real estate 3.1%
Wholesale trade 3.0%
Other services 2.8%
Public administration 2.0%
Information 0.1%

Occupation

Category%
Management, business & arts23.0%
Service13.0%
Sales & office13.9%
Natural resources & construction18.5%
Production & transportation31.6%

Employment type

Type%
Private sector82.5%
Government10.3%
Self-employed7.1%
Unpaid family workers0.0%

Commute

Method%
Drive alone79.0%
Carpool14.7%
Public transit0.3%
Walk2.3%
Other means0.8%
Avg commute (minutes)20.5

Poverty

All people 10.8%
Under 18 years 14.2%
18 and over 9.7%
Married-couple families 4.4%
Female-led households 11.6%

Income support

Source% of households
Social Security40.1%
Retirement income28.4%
Supplemental Security5.4%
Cash public assistance1.8%
Food stamps / SNAP11.5%

Health indicators

Condition%
High blood pressure34.1%
High cholesterol37.4%
Heart disease7.7%
Stroke3.6%
Asthma11.1%
Arthritis31.0%
Kidney disease3.4%
Pulmonary disease8.9%
Cancer7.2%
Behavior / access%
Binge drinking17.7%
No physical activity24.2%
Less than 7 hrs sleep33.9%
Fair or poor health17.5%
Poor mental health16.4%
Poor physical health12.5%
No health insurance13.4%
Visited doctor (checkup)74.6%
Visited dentist65.3%
Cholesterol screening90.5%
Teeth loss14.8%

Veterans & disability

VeteransCount%
Civilian veterans2907.5%
Disability%
Any disability13.0%
Under 181.8%
18–64 years12.8%
65 and over28.1%

Health insurance coverage

Type%
Private insurance54.4%
Public insurance47.5%
Uninsured under 196.1%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

LanguageCount%
English only4,87394.6%
Spanish3326.8%
Other Indo-European3226.6%
Asian & Pacific Islander100.2%
Other languages00.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

OriginCount%
Native born (US)4,70391.3%
Born in same state4,68891.0%
Born in different state3,87875.3%
Foreign born150.3%
Naturalized citizen4468.7%
Not a US citizen10924.4%

Ancestry

AncestryCount%
French4148%
Italian3176.2%
Arab2835.5%
English2645.1%
Polish1122.2%
AncestryCount%
German480.9%
Irish370.7%
Dutch100.2%
Norwegian20%

Technology access

Metric% of households
Computer access36.8%
Internet access85.4%

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

Frequently asked questions
What is the ZIP code for Shelby, MI?
Shelby, MI has one ZIP code: 49455.
What is the main ZIP code for Shelby, MI?
The primary ZIP code for Shelby, MI is 49455. The city uses area code 231 for phone service.
What county is Shelby, MI in?
Shelby is located in Oceana County, Michigan.
How many ZIP codes are in Shelby, MI?
Shelby, MI has 1 ZIP code.
What ZIP code should I use when mailing a package to a business in downtown Shelby near the Oceana County area?
Downtown Shelby and the surrounding Oceana County area use ZIP code 49455 for all mail delivery.
If I'm sending correspondence to a residence in Shelby along M-31, what ZIP code should I use?
Shelby residences along M-31 and throughout the city use ZIP code 49455.
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