Shelby
Indiana

What stands out

Against every county in America, Shelby County is unusual in two ways: the school test score is in the top 5% of American counties (3.49 where 3.0 is grade level) and winter sunshine is in the bottom 14% of American counties (-0.8 on the USDA scale). Within Indiana it ranks 17th of 92 counties for the school test score.

Where you are

You live in Shelby County, Indiana. 44,940 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.1% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -14).

Indiana has a flat income tax just under 3% and most counties add their own income tax on top, typically 1% to 2.5%. Property taxes are capped by the state constitution at 1% of assessed value for homesteads. Indianapolis, Fort Wayne and the Chicago suburbs in Lake County account for most of the growth; the rest of the state is affordable and slow-changing.

Money

The typical household here brings in $66,449 a year, higher than 66% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $56,974. Unemployment runs 2.5%, lower than 84% of American counties. 8% of workers work from home.

Indiana takes 3.0% of that median income in state income tax, about $1,960 a year.

Home

The median home costs $245K, pricier than 54% of American counties, about 2.1 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $899 a month. Property tax is 0.71% of home value, roughly $1,203 a year on that median home, lower than 64% of American counties. 73% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.7 per 1,000 residents, lower than 59% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 29 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 75.6 years, shorter than 53% of American counties. There are 43 active physicians in the county, about 9.6 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 4.0 of 5 stars. 8.1% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.32 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 95% of American counties. 89% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 48 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 59% of eligible voters turned out. Under Indiana law you can carry a concealed handgun without a permit, abortion is banned with narrow exceptions, and marijuana is illegal.

Weather and risk

The year averages 54°F, highs near 64 and lows near 44, colder than 58% of American counties. About 44 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 53 out of 100, riskier than 53% of American counties; the county has had 15 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 207 Mbps down, faster than 54% of American counties. There are 7 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.7 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.