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City Report · KY

Shelbyville

Pop. 17,668·18th most expensive in Kentucky·Rental market data updated monthly for Shelbyville, KY
Median rent (all units)
$1,448/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+1.8%
vs US Median
-$517
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Shelbyville · $1,448
More affordable than 79% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
23% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,448/mo, rent takes about 23% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$58,000/yr
Local median income
$75,610/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Shelbyville's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$940
1 BR
$1,040
2 BR
$1,180
3 BR
$1,540
4 BR+
$1,760
Research median
$1,180/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$17,376/yr
At $1,448/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (0.0% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +1.8% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Shelbyville, KY is majority owner-occupied, 26.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
17,668
Median income
$75,610
Median age
34.8
Renters
43.9%
Age distribution
24.3%
26.4%
24.3%
13.2%
Under 1824.3%
18–3426.4%
35–5424.3%
55–6411.8%
65+13.2%
Gender
49.3%
50.7%
Male49.3%
Female50.7%
Race & ethnicity
71.5%
19.3%
White71.5%
Black5.8%
Hispanic19.3%
Asian0.8%
Other2.6%
Education (25+)
15%
33.4%
24.9%
26.7%
No HS diploma15%
HS diploma33.4%
Some college24.9%
Bachelor's+26.7%
Housing tenure
56.1%
43.9%
Owner56.1%
Renter43.9%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Shelbyville, KY has changed in 5 years

Income
$70,751 → $75,610
up 6.9%
Population
16,932 → 17,668
up 4.3%
Renter share
45.4% → 43.9%
-1.5 pts
Bachelor's+
28.1% → 26.7%
-1.4 pts
Median age
36.8 → 34.8
-2.0 yrs

Census figures show median household income at $75,610 today, compared with $70,751 five years earlier. Census counts show Shelbyville, KY adding about 736 residents over the five-year window, up 4.3% on net. The renter share has eased from 45.4% to 43.9%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder.

Community

Discussions about Shelbyville

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View Shelbyville rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Shelbyville on your salary?

At $1,448/mo, how Shelbyville rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Shelbyville rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Shelbyville. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Shelbyville

About renting in Shelbyville, KY

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Shelbyville is $1,448/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $940/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,180/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,040/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,540/mo.

At 23% of local median household income ($75,610/yr), Shelbyville ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Shelbyville an affordable city for renters?

Shelbyville is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,448/mo, rent takes approximately 23% of the local median household income ($75,610/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Shelbyville falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Shelbyville?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $58,000/year (~$28/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,448/mo in Shelbyville. The local median household income is $75,610/yr, meaning the typical Shelbyville household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Shelbyville?

Rent in Shelbyville has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of July 2026.

How does Shelbyville rent compare to other cities in Kentucky?

Shelbyville is middle-of-the-pack for Kentucky for rent, ranking #18 out of 39 tracked cities at $1,448/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Shelbyville?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Shelbyville ($1,448/mo): Lawrenceburg ($1,138/mo), Frankfort ($1,151/mo), Franklin ($1,350/mo).

What percentage of Shelbyville residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 43.9% of Shelbyville households are renters, while 56.1% are owner-occupied. Shelbyville leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Shelbyville rent compare to the national average?

Shelbyville's median rent of $1,448/mo is $517 (26%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Kentucky, it ranks #18 out of 39 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
23%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,448/mo, rent takes ~23% of Shelbyville's median household income ($75,610/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Shelbyville 23%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4%
Run the Shelbyville affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Shelbyville, KY

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