Shelley
Home of Idaho Spud Day, since 1927
Why People Move Here
Shelley is a small Bingham County city about 15 minutes south of Idaho Falls along I-15, deep in the Upper Snake River Plain's potato country. The town has hosted the annual Idaho Spud Day celebration since 1927 - parade, free baked potato lunch, and the signature Spud Tug tug-of-war across a potato-mud pit on the third Saturday of September. Housing runs noticeably more affordable than Idaho Falls proper, with active new-construction subdivisions (Cedar Estates, Sunset Vista, Fox Crossing) drawing commuter buyers.
Key Statistics
Data sourced from census records, school district reports, and local transit authorities.
Commute Times
School Districts
Shelley Joint School District 60
B-- Shelley Senior High School: 785 students, 22:1 student-teacher ratio, Niche #36/159 Best High Schools for Athletes in Idaho
- Shelley Junior High, Sunrise Elementary, Hobbs Middle, Stuart Elementary, Goodsell Elementary
- State test proficiency: 22% math, 52% reading (Shelley Senior High)
- US News ranks Shelley Senior High 104-157 within Idaho
FAQ — Shelley
What is the median home price in Shelley?
Reconciling 2025 data sources, Shelley's typical home trades in a ~$350K-$500K range, with a communicated median near $425K. Older in-town homes trend lower ($250K-$350K) while new-construction subdivisions like Cedar Estates and Sunset Vista push $450K-$550K. Redfin reported a $580K July 2025 sale median on a small sample; Zillow's ZHVI for the ZIP was lower. Verify with current listings.
How long is the commute from Shelley to downtown Idaho Falls?
The drive is ~9 miles, running about 12-14 minutes off-peak and 18-20 minutes during rush hour via I-15 Business and US-26. Shelley has direct I-15 access at its own interchange.
What schools are in Shelley?
Shelley is served by Shelley Joint School District 60, which operates Shelley Senior High (785 students, 22:1 student-teacher ratio), Shelley Junior High, Hobbs Middle, and three elementary schools (Sunrise, Stuart, Goodsell). Niche ranks Shelley Senior High #36 of 159 for Best High Schools for Athletes in Idaho. Verify enrollment eligibility by address.
What is Idaho Spud Day?
Idaho Spud Day has been held in Shelley every year since 1927, making it the oldest potato festival in the United States. The event runs on the third Saturday of September and includes a parade at 10am, free baked potato lunch, Spud Picking Contest, the signature Spud Tug tug-of-war across a potato-mud pit, and the Miss Russet Pageant. The 2025 parade was held September 20. Attendance runs 10,000-15,000 annually; proceeds benefit the Kiwanis Club of Shelley.
What grocery stores are in Shelley?
Broulim's Supermarket at 570 S State St (opened 2004, includes attached Ace Hardware) is the primary in-town grocery. El Chuy Market serves specialty needs. Residents also drive to Walmart Supercenter in Ammon (~12 min) or Albertsons in Idaho Falls (~15 min).
What are the crime statistics in Shelley?
Per Niche-aggregated FBI UCR data, Shelley reports an assault rate of 57.1 per 100,000 (national average 282.7) and 0 murders or robberies in recent reporting periods. Niche assigns the city a Crime & Safety grade of B. These figures are presented for informational purposes only.
What are the property and sales tax rates in Shelley?
Idaho has a 5.8% flat state income tax and 6% state sales tax (Bingham County adds no local sales tax). Bingham County's average property tax rate runs ~0.525% urban / ~0.660% rural per the 2025 Idaho State Tax Commission EPB00129 report - below the national median of ~1.02%.
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