Shelby County, Iowa

Shelby County, Iowa
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

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