Shelby County, Iowa

For other uses, see Shelby County (disambiguation).

Shelby County, Iowa
County
The Shelby County Courthouse in Harlan
Location within the U.S. state of Iowa
Coordinates: 41°40′53″N 95°18′46″W / 41.681388888889°N 95.312777777778°W / 41.681388888889; -95.312777777778
Country United States
State Iowa
FoundedJanuary 15, 1851
Named afterIsaac Shelby
SeatHarlan
Largest cityHarlan
Area
 • Total
598 sq mi (1,550 km2)
 • Land598 sq mi (1,550 km2)
 • Water0.6 sq mi (1.6 km2)  0.1%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
11,746
 • Estimate 
(2024)
11,821
 • Density19.6/sq mi (7.58/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district4th
Websiteshelbycounty.iowa.gov
  • Iowa county number 83[1]

Shelby County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 11,746.[2] The county seat and the largest city is Harlan.[3] Its name is in honor of Isaac Shelby, the first Governor of Kentucky.

History

Shelby County was established on January 15, 1851. It was named after General Isaac Shelby, a hero in the American Revolutionary War and the first Governor of Kentucky.

Early settlement in Shelby County began in 1848 in Galand's Grove.[4] On February 4, 1855, Shelbyville was designated as the county seat. In April 1859, the county seat was moved to Harlan. One year later, the first courthouse was erected, and a second courthouse was constructed in 1875. In 1892, construction of the present courthouse began, this time using stone and building it three stories high. Construction was completed in 1893, with the dedication on September 14. The 1892 Shelby County Courthouse and the surrounding buildings were listed on the National Register of Historic Places on September 23, 1994.[5] In 1978, the building was extensively restored and continues to serve as the courthouse.

Starting in the 1870s, many Danish immigrants came to settle in Elk Horn in the southeastern portion of the county, and in Kimballton in adjoining Audubon County. More people with Danish ancestry live in this area today than any other rural community aside from Denmark itself.[6]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 591 square miles (1,530 km2), of which 591 square miles (1,530 km2) is land and 0.6 square miles (1.6 km2) (0.1%) is water.[7]

Major highways

Attractions

  • Shelby County Speedway

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1860818—
18702,540210.5%
188012,696399.8%
189017,61138.7%
190017,9321.8%
191016,552−7.7%
192016,065−2.9%
193017,1316.6%
194016,720−2.4%
195015,942−4.7%
196015,825−0.7%
197015,528−1.9%
198015,043−3.1%
199013,230−12.1%
200013,173−0.4%
201012,167−7.6%
202011,746−3.5%
2024 (est.)11,821[8] 0.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]
1790–1960[10] 1900–1990[11]
1990–2000[12] 2010–2020[13]

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 11,746 and a population density of 19.6/sq mi (7.6/km2).[14] 96.51% of the population reported being of one race. The racial makeup of the county was 93.6% White (including 90.06% non-Hispanic White), 0.5% Black or African American, 0.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, 1.6% some other race, and 3.5% from two or more races; Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 3.5% of the population. Combined, 5.07% were some other race or more than one race.[15]

The median age was 46.4 years. 22.5% of residents were under the age of 18 and 23.4% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 99.2 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 96.9 males age 18 and over.[14]

40.1% of residents lived in urban areas, while 59.9% lived in rural areas.[16]

There were 4,981 households in the county, of which 26.7% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 52.7% were married-couple households, 18.9% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 22.8% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 30.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. There were 5,421 housing units, of which 4,981 were occupied, yielding an 8.1% vacancy rate; 77.2% of occupied housing units were owner-occupied and 22.8% were renter-occupied, the homeowner vacancy rate was 1.7% and the rental vacancy rate was 9.1%.[14]

2010 census

The 2010 census recorded a population of 12,167 in the county, with a population density of 20.6/sq mi (8.0/km2). There were 5,542 housing units, of which 5,085 were occupied.[17]

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 13,173 people, 5,173 households, and 3,703 families residing in the county. The population density was 22 people per square mile (8.5 people/km2). There were 5,459 housing units at an average density of 9 per square mile (3.5/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.68% White, 0.10% Black or African American, 0.29% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 0.18% from other races, and 0.48% from two or more races. 0.67% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 5,173 households, out of which 32.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.30% were married couples living together, 6.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.40% were non-families. 25.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.40% under the age of 18, 5.70% from 18 to 24, 25.20% from 25 to 44, 22.40% from 45 to 64, and 20.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 95.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $37,442, and the median income for a family was $44,681. Males had a median income of $29,402 versus $20,296 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,969. About 4.30% of families and 6.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.00% of those under age 18 and 7.60% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

Census-designated places

Other unincorporated places

Townships

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2020 census of Shelby County.[2]

† county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Municipal type Population (2020 Census)
1 † Harlan City 4,893
2 Shelby (partially in Pottawattamie County) City 716 (727 total)
3 Elk Horn City 601
4 Earling City 397
5 Irwin City 319
6 Defiance City 245
7 Panama City 235
8 Portsmouth City 182
9 Westphalia City 126
10 Tennant City 78
11 Kirkman City 56
12 Corley CDP 31
13 Jacksonville CDP 29

Politics

United States presidential election results for Shelby County, Iowa[18]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
1896 2,019 47.85% 2,175 51.55% 25 0.59%
1900 2,182 51.47% 2,010 47.42% 47 1.11%
1904 2,310 57.69% 1,584 39.56% 110 2.75%
1908 1,973 49.34% 1,935 48.39% 91 2.28%
1912 872 22.63% 1,841 47.78% 1,140 29.59%
1916 1,898 47.50% 2,060 51.55% 38 0.95%
1920 4,621 70.55% 1,882 28.73% 47 0.72%
1924 3,252 47.96% 2,297 33.88% 1,231 18.16%
1928 3,459 48.85% 3,604 50.90% 18 0.25%
1932 2,478 32.86% 4,940 65.52% 122 1.62%
1936 3,490 42.40% 4,264 51.80% 477 5.80%
1940 4,613 54.53% 3,811 45.05% 36 0.43%
1944 3,873 55.86% 2,978 42.95% 82 1.18%
1948 3,301 47.60% 3,499 50.45% 135 1.95%
1952 5,135 64.68% 2,762 34.79% 42 0.53%
1956 4,425 56.78% 3,300 42.35% 68 0.87%
1960 4,210 55.08% 3,427 44.83% 7 0.09%
1964 2,928 41.03% 4,148 58.12% 61 0.85%
1968 3,886 58.65% 2,365 35.69% 375 5.66%
1972 4,052 62.93% 2,259 35.08% 128 1.99%
1976 3,301 52.72% 2,851 45.54% 109 1.74%
1980 4,147 64.03% 1,892 29.21% 438 6.76%
1984 4,200 64.25% 2,291 35.05% 46 0.70%
1988 3,019 51.52% 2,806 47.88% 35 0.60%
1992 2,809 42.92% 2,094 32.00% 1,641 25.08%
1996 3,056 51.44% 2,176 36.63% 709 11.93%
2000 3,655 60.83% 2,179 36.26% 175 2.91%
2004 4,256 63.81% 2,355 35.31% 59 0.88%
2008 3,488 54.04% 2,863 44.35% 104 1.61%
2012 3,911 60.33% 2,469 38.08% 103 1.59%
2016 4,362 68.48% 1,662 26.09% 346 5.43%
2020 4,697 69.12% 1,959 28.83% 139 2.05%
2024 4,600 70.71% 1,811 27.84% 94 1.45%

See also

References

  1. ^ "Iowa County Names and Numbers". Iowa Department of Administrative Services. Retrieved February 18, 2026.
  2. ^ a b "2020 Census State Redistricting Data". census.gov. United states Census Bureau. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved February 18, 2026.
  4. ^ A brief history, Shelby County Iowa website
  5. ^ Shelby County Attractions
  6. ^ Dane, IOWA Pathways, Retrieved 25 March 2025
  7. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  8. ^ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024". Retrieved July 24, 2025.
  9. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  10. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. 2007. Archived from the original on December 12, 2009. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  11. ^ Forstall, Richard L. (April 20, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 19, 1999. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  12. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  13. ^ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Shelby County, Iowa". www.census.gov. Retrieved February 18, 2026.
  14. ^ a b c "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 25, 2025.
  15. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 25, 2025.
  16. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved December 25, 2025.
  17. ^ "Population & Housing Occupancy Status 2010" (PDF). United States Census Bureau American FactFinder. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
  18. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 28, 2018.

Further reading

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41°40′53″N 95°18′46″W / 41.68139°N 95.31278°W / 41.68139; -95.31278

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