Shelly ZIP Codes — Norman County, MN

There is one unique ZIP code in Shelly, Minnesota and it is 56581. Area code: 218.
1
ZIP codes
39.75
sq mi land
0.11
sq mi water
218
area code
Shelly, MN ZIP code map

About Shelly, MN

Shelly, Minnesota, is a quaint city nestled in the heart of Norman County. Known for its tight-knit community and welcoming atmosphere, Shelly provides a peaceful environment for its residents. With its rich agricultural backdrop, it is a perfect representation of rural Minnesota life.

Location & geography

Shelly is located approximately 20 miles northwest of the larger city of Fosston and about 30 miles southeast of the town of Crookston. The total land area of Shelly spans 39.75 square miles, while its water area covers a modest 0.11 square miles. The city is characterized by its flat terrain, typical of the northwestern Minnesota landscape, making it ideal for farming and outdoor activities.

Community & economy

The community of Shelly is known for its friendly residents and strong community spirit, often gathering for local events and celebrations. Agriculture plays a significant role in the local economy, with many residents engaged in farming and related industries. Daily life in Shelly includes a blend of local businesses, outdoor activities, and a commitment to maintaining a peaceful, rural lifestyle.

Transportation

Shelly is accessible via several regional roads, with State Highway 1 serving as a primary route for travelers. The nearest airport for larger travel needs is the Crookston Municipal Airport, located approximately 30 miles from the city. Public transportation options are limited, reflecting the rural nature of the area.

History

Founded in the early 1900s, Shelly has a history rooted in agriculture and community development. The city's economy was primarily driven by farming and related industries, which continue to this day. Over the years, Shelly has maintained its small-town charm while adapting to the needs of its residents and businesses.

Did you know?

One interesting fact about Shelly is its status as one of the smallest cities in the state of Minnesota, contributing to its tight-knit community feel. Despite its size, Shelly hosts various local events that draw residents together and celebrate its agricultural heritage.

ZIP codes for Shelly, MN (1)
ZIP code City County Map
56581 Shelly Norman View map

Demographics & statistics

262
Population
47.2
Median age
$55,313
Median household income
$32,383
Per capita income
$108,700
Median home value
$0
Median monthly rent
100.0%
Home ownership
10.8%
Poverty rate
9.0%
Unemployment
188
Housing units
16.5%
Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female
4
Under 5
4
8
5–9
6
5
10–14
5
7
15–19
6
9
20–24
8
17
25–34
15
16
35–44
14
23
45–54
20
8
55–59
7
9
60–64
7
18
65–74
15
12
75–84
11
4
85+
4
← Male
Female →

Age summary

GroupCount%
Under 184216.0%
18 and over22084.0%
65 and over6424.4%
Median age47.2 years

Race & ethnicity

White 79.9%
Two or more races 8.6%
Black or African American 5.6%
Hispanic or Latino 2.2%
American Indian / Alaska Native 2.2%
Other race 1.5%
GroupCount%
White21479.9%
Two or more races238.6%
Black or African American155.6%
Hispanic or Latino62.2%
American Indian / Alaska Native62.2%
Other race41.5%

Household income

Under $10k 5.5%
$10k–$15k 3.9%
$15k–$25k 16.4%
$25k–$35k 10.2%
$35k–$50k 5.5%
$50k–$75k 25.0%
$75k–$100k 3.9%
$100k–$150k 25.0%
$150k–$200k 4.7%
Range% of households
Under $10k5.5%
$10k–$15k3.9%
$15k–$25k16.4%
$25k–$35k10.2%
$35k–$50k5.5%
$50k–$75k25.0%
$75k–$100k3.9%
$100k–$150k25.0%
$150k–$200k4.7%
Median income$55,313

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 18.8%
$50k–$100k 24.2%
$100k–$150k 25.8%
$150k–$200k 20.3%
$200k–$300k 3.9%
$300k–$500k 4.7%
$500k–$1M 0.8%
$1M+ 1.6%

Housing overview

MetricValue
Median home value$108,700
Median rent / month$0
Owner occupied100.0%
Renter occupied0.0%
Vacant31.9%
Single-family detached92.6%
Large apartment buildings0.0%
Mobile homes1.6%
Median rooms5.9
Avg household size (owned)2.05

Year built

Era%
2020 or later0.0%
2010–20191.6%
2000–20093.7%
1990–19996.4%
1980–19894.8%
1970–197912.2%
1960–19696.9%
1950–195911.2%
1940–19495.9%
1939 or earlier47.3%

Bedrooms

Size% of units
No bedroom (studio)0.0%
1 bedroom6.9%
2 bedrooms24.5%
3 bedrooms44.7%
4 bedrooms20.2%
5+ bedrooms3.7%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles% of households
No vehicle4.7%
1 vehicle23.4%
2 vehicles29.7%
3 or more42.2%

Heating fuel

Fuel type%
Electricity31.3%
Propane / LP gas53.9%
Fuel oil12.5%
Wood2.3%

Households & families

Household typeCount%
Married-couple family4635.9%
Cohabiting couple129.4%
Male householder, no spouse3930.5%
Female householder, no spouse3124.2%
Households with children under 183225.0%
Households with seniors (65+)6147.7%
Average household size2.05

Marital status

StatusMaleFemale
Never married39.0%24.3%
Married39.0%43.0%
Separated0.0%0.9%
Widowed6.5%12.1%
Divorced15.4%19.6%

Education

Less than 9th grade 0.5%
Some HS, no diploma 10.0%
HS graduate 36.0%
Some college, no degree 26.5%
Associate's degree 10.5%
Bachelor's degree 15.0%
Graduate / professional 1.5%
Metric%
HS diploma or higher89.5%
Bachelor's or higher16.5%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

TypeCount%
Nursery / preschool48.9%
Kindergarten24.4%
Elementary school1942.2%
High school1022.2%
College / grad school1022.2%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 17.6%
Manufacturing 16.0%
Other services 12.2%
Agriculture & mining 11.5%
Wholesale trade 9.9%
Arts, food & hospitality 9.9%
Transportation & utilities 6.9%
Professional & management 6.1%
Public administration 5.3%
Construction 2.3%
Finance & real estate 1.5%
Retail trade 0.8%

Occupation

Category%
Management, business & arts25.2%
Service16.0%
Sales & office14.5%
Natural resources & construction11.5%
Production & transportation32.8%

Employment type

Type%
Private sector65.6%
Government16.0%
Self-employed18.3%
Unpaid family workers0.0%

Commute

Method%
Drive alone72.9%
Carpool19.4%
Public transit0.0%
Walk1.6%
Other means1.6%
Avg commute (minutes)32.2

Poverty

All people 10.8%
Under 18 years 9.7%
18 and over 10.9%
Married-couple families 8.7%
Female-led households 0.0%

Income support

Source% of households
Social Security46.9%
Retirement income17.2%
Supplemental Security7.8%
Cash public assistance7.0%
Food stamps / SNAP16.4%

Health indicators

Condition%
High blood pressure37.8%
High cholesterol34.2%
Heart disease9.4%
Stroke4.3%
Asthma9.0%
Arthritis30.7%
Kidney disease3.9%
Pulmonary disease7.7%
Cancer9.2%
Behavior / access%
Binge drinking16.4%
No physical activity26.0%
Less than 7 hrs sleep28.4%
Fair or poor health15.7%
Poor mental health12.8%
Poor physical health11.6%
No health insurance12.6%
Visited doctor (checkup)74.8%
Visited dentist63.7%
Cholesterol screening91.5%
Teeth loss13.5%

Veterans & disability

VeteransCount%
Civilian veterans3415.5%
Disability%
Any disability13.7%
Under 1814.3%
18–64 years11.5%
65 and over18.8%

Health insurance coverage

Type%
Private insurance64.9%
Public insurance58.4%
Uninsured under 190.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

LanguageCount%
English only25496.9%
Spanish00.0%
Other Indo-European00.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander00.0%
Other languages00.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

OriginCount%
Native born (US)262100.0%
Born in same state262100.0%
Born in different state9636.6%
Foreign born00.0%
Naturalized citizen00.0%
Not a US citizen00.0%

Ancestry

AncestryCount%
Polish10640.5%
Italian3413%
Dutch124.6%
Arab51.9%
AncestryCount%
German41.5%
French41.5%
English10.4%

Technology access

Metric% of households
Computer access48.9%
Internet access94.5%

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

Frequently asked questions
What ZIP codes does Shelly, MN have?
Shelly, MN has one ZIP code: 56581. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.
Need the complete Minnesota ZIP code database? Download all MN ZIP codes — Excel, CSV, or Access. Includes lat/lng, county FIPS & timezone.
Download database →