Shelley, Idaho

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Shelley, Idaho
settlement_type = City
nickname =
motto =

imagesize =
image_caption =


image_

image_

---

mapsize = 250px
map_caption = Location of Shelley, Idaho


mapsize1 =
map_caption1 =

subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = Idaho
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Bingham
government_footnotes =
government_type =
leader_title =
leader_name =
leader_title1 =
leader_name1 =
established_title =
established_date =

area_footnotes =
unit_pref = Imperial
area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 3.4
area_land_km2 = 3.4
area_water_km2 = 0.0
area_total_sq_mi = 1.3
area_land_sq_mi = 1.3
area_water_sq_mi = 0.0

population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 3813
population_density_km2 = 1113.7
population_density_sq_mi = 2884.5

timezone = Mountain (MST)
utc_offset = -7
timezone_DST = MDT
utc_offset_DST = -6
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 1412
elevation_ft = 4633
latd = 43 |latm = 22 |lats = 46 |latNS = N
longd = 112 |longm = 7 |longs = 26 |longEW = W

postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 83274
area_code = 208
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 16-73450
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0397154
website =
footnotes =

Shelley is a city in Bingham County, Idaho, United States. The population was 3,813 at the 2000 census. The mascot for the town's only high school is "King Russet", a russet-burbank potato that wears a crown, robe and scepter.

Since 1927 Shelley has been home to the "Idaho Annual Spud Day", which is celebrated on the 3rd Saturday of September. It typically features a parade, live bands, games (such as a tug of war into a pit of mashed potatoes) and free baked potatoes.

History

Shelley was established in 1904. It was named for John F. Shelley, who moved to the area in 1892. He'd moved to the area intending to open a small store, and needed lumber and other supplies to build it. Since the site was some distance from the nearest existing town he asked the railroad company to make a special stop to offload the supplies he'd ordered. They consented, provided he could offload the supplies in under 20 minutes. His daughter, Lottie, wrote the following in her personal history: Quotation|With the help of Chris Mickelson and others, the lumber was thrown off the train on both sides of the track. Later a spur was put in here by the railroad company.Now they needed a name for the town. Mother suggested 'Shelco'; Father said, 'Shelton,' so they drew cuts and Mother won."Shelco was submitted to the railroad company and they replied: 'Call your town what you wish, but we have already named the spur, Shelley '.That is how the town got its name.|Charlotte Shelley| ["Bingham County History, "Written and Compiled by the People of Bingham County". Taylor Publishing Company. 1985.Library of Congress number 85072293]

On September 4, 1902 a large fire destroyed seven buildings on State Street. Only two buildings, a general merchandise store and a furniture store, were saved. Soren Yorgensen, a local Justice of the Peace and proprieter of the first hotel in Shelley recounts the experience as follows: Quotation| ...One windy afternoon in the heat of the summer, a fire started in a small grocery store operated by James Jensen. It did not take long until the wind was fanning a flame that wiped out quite a long string of frame buildings - two saloons, restaurant, Odd Fellows Hall, Post Office and Confectionery, Grocery Store, and dwelling.|Soren Yorgensen| ["Bingham County History, "Written and Compiled by the People of Bingham County". Taylor Publishing Company. 1985.Library of Congress number 85072293]

Geography

Shelley is located at coor dms|43|22|46|N|112|7|26|W|city (43.379490, -112.123846)GR|1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.3 square miles (3.4 km²), all of it land.

Shelley is located on the eastern side of the Snake River, facing the Blackfoot Mountains.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 3,813 people, 1,201 households, and 989 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,884.5 people per square mile (1,115.3/km²). There were 1,253 housing units at an average density of 947.9/sq mi (366.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 89.93% White, 0.18% African American, 0.68% Native American, 0.26% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 6.74% from other races, and 2.18% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 11.78% of the population.

There were 1,201 households out of which 48.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.0% were married couples living together, 13.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 17.6% were non-families. 15.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.14 and the average family size was 3.50.

In the city the population was spread out with 35.6% under the age of 18, 11.5% from 18 to 24, 25.5% from 25 to 44, 16.8% from 45 to 64, and 10.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 27 years. For every 100 females there were 96.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $39,318, and the median income for a family was $41,223. Males had a median income of $32,154 versus $20,121 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,921. About 7.9% of families and 9.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.6% of those under age 18 and 2.0% of those age 65 or over.

References

External links