Shelby County, Iowa
13 public bodies govern here, 2 school districts are based here, and USDA lists 1 farmers market. Everything below says where it came from.
In four numbers
- People
- 11,778
- Median household income
- $72,738
- ±9,091
- Unemployed
- 3.2%
- 188 of 5,899 in the labour force
- Homes with broadband
- 88.3%
- 4,310 of 4,882 households
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020-2024; read 2026-09-26. Percentages worked out here from the two counts shown.
Who governs here
County government 1
| Name | People | Office | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| County of Shelby | 11,770 (2021) | 612 Court St, Harlan | Website |
Cities, towns and villages 11
| Name | People | Office | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| City of Defiance | 248 (2021) | Po Box 297, Defiance | — |
| City of Earling | 394 (2021) | Po Box 147, Earling | — |
| City of Elk Horn | 596 (2021) | Po Box 216, Elk Horn | — |
| City of Harlan | 4,912 (2021) | Po Box 650, Harlan | Website |
| City of Irwin | 318 (2021) | Po Box 7, Irwin | — |
| City of Kirkman | 56 (2021) | 204 Washington, Kirkman | — |
| City of Panama | 233 (2021) | Po Box 10, Panama | — |
| City of Portsmouth | 186 (2021) | Po Box 188, Portsmouth | — |
| City of Shelby | 729 (2021) | Po Box 186, Shelby | Website |
| City of Tennant | 79 (2021) | 806 Main Street, Tennant | — |
| City of Westphalia | 129 (2021) | 305 Duran St, Westphalia | — |
Special districts 1
| Name | What it does | Office | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shelby County Soil Conservation District | Soil and water conservation | 2519 Southwest Ave, Harlan | — |
U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 Census of Governments, Government Units List (published August 2023); the file read 2026-09-26. Offices are placed by county; a special district’s territory can cross county lines. Each body posts its own meetings on its website where the Census records one.
School districts based here
Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton Comm School District
School district2 schools
4114 Madison St, Elk Horn, IA, 51531
Its website — where its board posts meetings. Federal record.
Harlan Comm School District
School district4 schools
2102 Durant, Harlan, IA, 51537
Its website — where its board posts meetings. Federal record.
National Center for Education Statistics, Common Core of Data 2024-25; read 2026-09-26.
Farmers markets
Shelby County Farmers Market
Hwys 44 and 59, Harlan, IA, 51537
SNAP / EBTWICSenior coupons
Submitted by the market; USDA record last changed 2021-01-25. USDA listing
USDA National Farmers Market Directory; read 2026-09-26.