Page Contents for Shelley, Idaho

Statistics & Facts

Location

History & History-related items

City Attractions

Government

Historical Events

Libraries.

Schools.

Miscellany

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Statistics & Facts

The Idaho state capital is Boise.
The population of Shelley is approximately 4,366 (2009), 4409 (2010).
The approximate number of families is 1,253 (2000), 1445 (2010).
The amount of land area in Shelley is 3.4 sq. kilometers.
The amount of land area in Shelley is 1.3 sq. miles.
The amount of surface water is 0 sq kilometers.
The distance from Shelley to Washington DC is 1951 miles.
The distance to the Idaho state capital is 218 miles. (as the crow flies)
Shelley is positioned 43.38 degrees north of the equator and 112.12 degrees west of the prime meridian.
Shelley elevation is 4,630 feet above sea level.
Shelley per capita income is $ 13,876 (2009).
Shelley median income is $ 40,735 (2009).
The Shelley median home price is $ 129,058 (2009).

Location

about ten miles south of Idaho Falls in southeastern Idaho. Other nearby communities include Basalt, Firth, Ammon, Iona, Ucon, Blackfoot and Alridge.
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History & History Related Items

Shelley is named for John F. Shelley, one of the three founders of the town. He and George and James STeele left their homes in American Fork, Utah to try to better their opportunities in the spring of 1885. They found good land and weather in this area. They first came to Idaho Falls, which was then known as Eagle Rock and then moved on to Iona. Once they choose their land, they returned to Utah to bring their families. Shelley liked the area just south of Idaho Falls and finally decided to settle there. He planned out a town and opened a general store in the spring of 1892.. His wife had to open the homestead there in her name because he had already used up his homestead in Iona. He needed lumber to build his store so he asked the railroad to make a special stop to offload his supplies. They said okay if he could unload the supplies in 20 minutes. The lumber was thrown off the train in the necessary time. The railroad later built a spur here.

By 1892, the family had moved into a new home and Shelley began to sell town sites. Now the town needed a name and his wife suggested Shelco. He liked Shelton. They submitted the name of Shelco to the railroad and they said that he could use any name he wanted, but they had already named the spur, Shelley. So they decided to also use the same name.

this history page has information and many pictures. Here is a history page for Shelley.
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Attractions

Home of Spud Day
Held the third Saturday in September each year
Have you ever done a tug of war? probably! but you probably haven't ever done it over a field of mashed potatoes. At spud day, you can have that experience and many more - don't miss it!
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Shelley City Government

City of Shelley
101 S. Emerson Avenue
Shelley, Idaho 83274
Phone: 208-357-3390

Shelley has a Mayor-Council form of government with a five member city council with staggered, four year terms.

Shelley Historical Events

1902, September 4
A large fire ravaged the town in 1902, destroying seven buildings on Main Street. Only two businesses survived, a general store and Nalder's furniture store. The fire had started in a grocery store owned by James Jensen. The strong winds that day fanned the flames that wiped out the string of buildings along Main Street.

Shelley Libraries

North Bingham County District Library
197 West Locust STreet
Shelley, Idaho 83274
Phone: 208-357-7801

Shelley Schools

Shelly School District
545 Seminary Ave.
Shelley, Idaho 83274
Phone: 208-357-3411 Shelley

Miscellany

The population of Shelley was:
1990 - 3,536
2000 - 3,813
2009 - 4,366

Median age:
2000 - 27 years

Population Density:
2000 - 2,884.5

Number of Housing Units:
1990 - 1,070
2000 - 1,253

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Median Household Income:
2000 - $ 39,318
2009 - $ 40,735

Per Capita Income:
2000 - $ 13,921
2009 - $ 13,876

Median House Value:
2000 - $ 77,800
2009 - $ 129,058