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City Report · KY

Shelbyville

Pop. 17,668·11th most expensive in Kentucky·Rental market data updated monthly for Shelbyville, KY
Median rent (all units)
$1,608/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+11.1%
vs US Median
-$354
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Shelbyville · $1,608
More affordable than 68% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
26% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,608/mo, rent takes about 26% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$64,000/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
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,180/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,608 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$19,296/yr
At $1,608/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 0.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +11.1% 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 $1,608/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: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Shelbyville is $1,608/mo as of August 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 26% 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 affordable for renters. At $1,608/mo, rent takes approximately 26% 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 $64,000/year (~$31/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,608/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 August 2026.

How does Shelbyville rent compare to other cities in Kentucky?

Shelbyville is one of the pricier cities in Kentucky for rent, ranking #11 out of 36 tracked cities at $1,608/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Shelbyville?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Shelbyville ($1,608/mo): Frankfort ($1,035/mo), Lawrenceburg ($1,132/mo), Franklin ($1,538/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 $1,608/mo is $354 (18%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Kentucky, it ranks #11 out of 36 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
26%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,608/mo, rent takes ~26% of Shelbyville's median household income ($75,610/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Shelbyville 26%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4%
Run the Shelbyville affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Shelbyville
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Shelbyville, KY

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