Shelton ZIP Codes — Buffalo County, NE

There is one unique ZIP code in Shelton, Nebraska and it is 68876. Area code: 308.

ZIP codes

90.73

sq mi land

1.14

sq mi water

308

area code

Shelton, NE ZIP code map

About Shelton, NE

Shelton is a small city located in Buffalo County, Nebraska. Known for its charming Midwestern character, Shelton serves as a welcoming community for both residents and visitors alike. The city combines rural tranquility with a sense of local pride, making it a unique place in the heart of Nebraska.

Location & geography

Shelton is situated in the central part of Nebraska, approximately 15 miles southwest of Kearney and about 25 miles northeast of the city of Gothenburg. The city encompasses a land area of 90.73 square miles, with a small water area of 1.14 square miles, contributing to its picturesque landscapes. The region features a mix of farmland and gentle rolling hills typical of Nebraska's local terrain.

Community & economy

The community in Shelton is known for its close-knit atmosphere, where residents enjoy a slower pace of life while engaging in local events and activities. Agriculture plays a significant role in Shelton's economy, along with small businesses that cater to the needs of the community. Daily life often revolves around community gatherings, school events, and exploring the scenic surroundings.

Transportation

Shelton is easily accessible by major highways, particularly U.S. Route 30, which runs through the area and connects to nearby cities. The nearest commercial airport is Kearney Regional Airport, located approximately 15 miles to the southeast. Public transportation options may be limited, but residents rely on personal vehicles for most travel needs.

History

Shelton was founded in the late 1800s and has a rich history tied to the development of the Great Plains. The city’s early economy was largely based on agriculture, and it continues to pride itself on its agricultural roots. Notable events in Shelton's history include the establishment of community organizations that foster local culture and support.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Shelton is that it has only one ZIP code, which is 68876. This simplicity in its postal system reflects the town's small size and close community bonds.

ZIP codes for Shelton, NE (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
68876	Shelton	Buffalo	View map

Demographics & statistics

1,914

Population

34.3

Median age

$75,050

Median household income

$36,267

Per capita income

$145,800

Median home value

$827

Median monthly rent

78.4%

Home ownership

4.9%

Poverty rate

6.3%

Unemployment

575

Housing units

17.9%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

5–9

10–14

15–19

20–24

171

25–34

160

114

35–44

106

111

45–54

104

55–59

60–64

102

65–74

75–84

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	579	30.3%
18 and over	1,335	69.7%
65 and over	261	13.6%
Median age	34.3 years

Race & ethnicity

White 71.1%

Hispanic or Latino 14.1%

Two or more races 10%

Other race 4.5%

Black or African American 0.2%

Group	Count	%
White	1,584	71.1%
Hispanic or Latino	315	14.1%
Two or more races	224	10%
Other race	101	4.5%
Black or African American	4	0.2%

Household income

Under $10k 2.8%

$10k–$15k 2.5%

$15k–$25k 5.2%

$25k–$35k 3.6%

$35k–$50k 17.8%

$50k–$75k 18.1%

$75k–$100k 14.8%

$100k–$150k 17.2%

$150k–$200k 10.8%

$200k+ 7.3%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	2.8%
$10k–$15k	2.5%
$15k–$25k	5.2%
$25k–$35k	3.6%
$35k–$50k	17.8%
$50k–$75k	18.1%
$75k–$100k	14.8%
$100k–$150k	17.2%
$150k–$200k	10.8%
$200k+	7.3%
Median income	$75,050

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 3.4%

$50k–$100k 20.6%

$100k–$150k 28.7%

$150k–$200k 18.3%

$200k–$300k 17.2%

$300k–$500k 8.3%

$500k–$1M 0.8%

$1M+ 2.6%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$145,800
Median rent / month	$827
Owner occupied	78.4%
Renter occupied	21.6%
Vacant	6.4%
Single-family detached	87.8%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	5.4%
Median rooms	6.2
Avg household size (owned)	3.02

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	3.9%
2000–2009	9.0%
1990–1999	10.5%
1980–1989	9.8%
1970–1979	16.9%
1960–1969	6.9%
1950–1959	6.7%
1940–1949	2.2%
1939 or earlier	34.0%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.0%
1 bedroom	3.6%
2 bedrooms	19.3%
3 bedrooms	50.8%
4 bedrooms	19.4%
5+ bedrooms	6.9%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	2.4%
1 vehicle	15.7%
2 vehicles	43.1%
3 or more	38.8%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	65.2%
Electricity	25.9%
Propane / LP gas	6.2%
Wood	1.8%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	475	70.4%
Cohabiting couple	23	3.4%
Male householder, no spouse	88	13.0%
Female householder, no spouse	89	13.2%
Households with children under 18	268	39.7%
Households with seniors (65+)	164	24.3%
Average household size	2.84

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	22.2%	12.4%
Married	64.8%	75.9%
Separated	1.8%	0.0%
Widowed	1.1%	4.6%
Divorced	10.1%	7.1%

Education

Less than 9th grade 3.0%

Some HS, no diploma 5.8%

HS graduate 28.4%

Some college, no degree 34.1%

Associate's degree 10.8%

Bachelor's degree 13.1%

Graduate / professional 4.9%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	91.2%
Bachelor's or higher	17.9%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	57	11.2%
Kindergarten	17	3.3%
Elementary school	316	61.8%
High school	85	16.6%
College / grad school	36	7.0%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 23.2%

Manufacturing 14.7%

Agriculture & mining 13.2%

Retail trade 12.6%

Construction 6.6%

Other services 5.6%

Arts, food & hospitality 5.4%

Professional & management 5.0%

Transportation & utilities 4.3%

Finance & real estate 3.0%

Public administration 2.8%

Wholesale trade 2.5%

Information 1.1%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	30.6%
Service	17.4%
Sales & office	17.0%
Natural resources & construction	13.7%
Production & transportation	21.3%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	81.4%
Government	10.2%
Self-employed	8.4%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	81.5%
Carpool	13.8%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	2.0%
Other means	0.3%
Avg commute (minutes)	23.0

Poverty

All people 4.9%

Under 18 years 5.6%

18 and over 4.6%

Married-couple families 2.1%

Female-led households 28.6%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	19.9%
Retirement income	23.6%
Supplemental Security	2.5%
Cash public assistance	1.2%
Food stamps / SNAP	10.7%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	31.7%
High cholesterol	33.5%
Heart disease	6.5%
Stroke	3.0%
Asthma	8.6%
Arthritis	25.4%
Kidney disease	2.8%
Pulmonary disease	6.2%
Cancer	6.8%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	21.2%
No physical activity	22.5%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	27.7%
Fair or poor health	12.6%
Poor mental health	11.5%
Poor physical health	9.3%
No health insurance	15.9%
Visited doctor (checkup)	71.4%
Visited dentist	65.9%
Cholesterol screening	87.5%
Teeth loss	13.5%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	137	10.3%

Disability	%
Any disability	14.5%
Under 18	7.6%
18–64 years	15.6%
65 and over	25.3%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	77.1%
Public insurance	25.7%
Uninsured under 19	1.9%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	1,751	91.5%
Spanish	77	4.4%
Other Indo-European	72	4.1%
Asian & Pacific Islander	5	0.3%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	1,845	96.4%
Born in same state	1,843	96.3%
Born in different state	1,437	75.1%
Foreign born	2	0.1%
Naturalized citizen	69	3.6%
Not a US citizen	24	34.8%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	233	12.2%
French	150	7.8%
Arab	87	4.5%

Ancestry	Count	%
Dutch	41	2.1%
Polish	29	1.5%
English	19	1%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	35.3%
Internet access	92.9%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Shelton, NE have?

Shelton, NE has one ZIP code: 68876. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.