Shelby County

Shelby County is an administrative county in western Iowa with Harlan as its administrative center. The area consists mainly of farmland dotted with small communities, with the Shelby County Courthouse serving as the primary public building in downtown Harlan.

The county was established in 1851 by the Iowa General Assembly and named after General Isaac Shelby, the first governor of Kentucky. This formation marked the official creation of the administrative area following years of pioneer settlement.

Agricultural traditions shape the county through local fairs and community events that bring residents together across the region. These gatherings form the social fabric of the smaller towns and reflect the values of rural life.

The county is easy to access by car, with Harlan serving as the hub for local services. Visitors should plan flexibly since rural areas have limited public transportation and shorter operating hours in smaller towns.

Galland's Grove was the first settlement established in 1848, years before the county was officially created. This early outpost laid the foundation for what would eventually become the larger administrative territory.

Location: Iowa

Inception: 1851

Capital city: Harlan

Shares border with: Crawford County, Audubon County, Cass County, Pottawattamie County, Harrison County, Carroll County

Website: http://shco.org

GPS coordinates: 41.68139,-95.31278

Latest update: December 10, 2025 16:01