The story of Shelby, Ohio, is similar to many Midwestern towns. With strong agricultural roots and ties to manufacturing industries, Shelby sits on the banks of the Black Fork River, a branch of the Mohican River. The city was once synonymous with bicycles and steel tubing thanks to the Shelby Cycle Company. However, the community began to decline after the bicycle manufacturer shuttered its doors in the 1950s, and other employers like Shelby Gum Company followed suit in the '60s. But major projects and improvements — including enhancements to the downtown area, an influx of local businesses and new facilities at Shelby City Schools — have reinvigorated residents. "There's a lot happening and we're very proud," says Carrie Kemerer, a lifelong resident and executive director of The Shelby Foundation. "We're not like other towns that are struggling, looking at other towns that have succeeded and saying, 'Why can't that be us?' I've seen [Shelby] shine and I've seen it in distress. I'm excited to see it shine again."
New restaurants and businesses have recently opened in downtown Shelby, Ohio.
Shelby, Ohio, is the birthplace of the seamless tubing industry.
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Residents gather at Black Fork Commons Plaza
Several public and private partnerships over the years have led to a revitalized downtown Shelby that continues to grow. A three-phase project improved the downtown streetscapes with enhanced pedestrian features and beautification efforts, added the $1.6 million Black Fork Commons Plaza development, and created the Black Fork Trail and stream restoration project. "As we looked at how to bring people into our community, [we asked ourselves] 'What do people want?' People want green space, they want to be outside, they're looking for more simple pleasures to do with their families," Kemerer says. "The plaza has really become a hub for gathering in Shelby."
Farmland surrounds Shelby, but manufacturing is still strong. Steel manufacturers, including ArcelorMittal, Phillips Tube Group and Lloyd Rebar, are the biggest employers.
Concerts and events are held at Black Fork Commons in Shelby, Ohio.
Beautification and pedestrian improvements have helped revitalize downtown Shelby, Ohio
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Shelby has trails, parks and reservoirs for recreation
Black Fork Commons Plaza is in the heart of downtown Shelby. It's quickly become a prime event location with an amphitheater, fireplaces, a splash pad and green space. The city has seven parks and recreational facilities. Seltzer Park offers the most amenities, including an aquatic center, sports courts, and a playscape. Reservoir No. 3 is 50 acres, making it a popular spot for non-gas-powered boating and fishing. It has more than 4 miles of natural and paved trails, some used for cross-country skiing.
Shelby has no shortage of events throughout the year. Black Fork Commons Plaza hosts the city's farmers market and a summer concert series. The city's most well-known event is Shelby Bicycle Days, a celebration of the former Shelby Cycle Company. "It's a three-day event and people come from all over the community, the county and even the state for the fireworks that end the festival," Kemerer says.
Kids enjoy playing in the water at Seltzer Park in Shelby, Ohio.
Shelby, Ohio, residents enjoy walking the trails at Shelby Black Fork Wetlands.
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A variety of home styles below the Mansfield median price
The median price for a home is about $165,000, lower than the national median and the Mansfield median. Cottages, split-levels, Cape Cods, Colonial Revivals and ranch-style homes are standard here. "Shelby is in the northern part of the county, so it's not contiguous like some of the other communities," says Kemerer, who is also a Realtor with The Holden Agency. "There is space and farmlands that prevent Shelby from being contiguous with the rest of the county. But our housing market has exploded to the point where houses are not on the market for very long. We're working on developing housing." Homes stay on the market for an average of 27 days, nearly half the national average.
A Cape Cod-style home in Shelby, Ohio.
Brick Ranch-style homes are found throughout Shelby, Ohio.
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New facilities at Shelby City Schools
Shelby City Schools serves the area and earns a B from Niche. The district has a preschool facility and a school-based health center offering kids the same care as a doctor's office. In 2022, the district unveiled a new sports complex and a combined pre-kindergarten through Grade 8 facility. Shelby High School was built in 2013. "We have a branch of North Central State College, with the main hub in Ontario just a stone's throw away," says Kemerer. "We also have Pioneer Career and Technology Center," which offers student and adult career and technical education classes.
Students excel at Shelby High School in Shelby, Ohio.
Students enjoy the many programs at Shelby PK-8 School in Shelby, Ohio.
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Paul's Drive-In and The Vault are Shelby staples
Downtown Shelby has grown to include a variety of bars, restaurants and boutiques. "Since the CIC, the Shelby Foundation and the city have started these revitalization efforts, we've gotten some great mom-and-pop shops," Kemerer says. "Everyone seems to have their own knack for what they're providing to the community." Some Shelby mainstays include Paul's Drive-In, a classic American diner, and The Vault, a fine dining restaurant and wine bar in a former bank. "Ivory Bean is a coffee shop during the day and On The Rocks Tapas by night. More people are sharing spaces to help with the overhead costs," she says. "You cook your steak on a hot rock. The experience is extremely creative and it's one of the best steaks you'll get in the area."
For more retail shopping and chain establishments, most folks head to nearby Ontario.
Residents of Shelby, Ohio, enjoy dining at the Vault Wine Bar.
Paul's Drive-In is a local favorite in Shelby, Ohio.
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Flooding and tornadoes are possible in Shelby
The Black Fork River has caused devastating floods, most recently in 2007. "It seems like every 50 years there's a major flood," Kemerer says. City officials, local organizations and volunteers have taken steps to mitigate the effects of flooding by clearing debris from the river, widening bridges as they need to be repaired or replaced to improve water flow, and transforming a 15-acre parcel into a trail system with a stream restoration project. The city participates in the National Flood Insurance Program and has a flood warning system. Tornadoes are also possible here — a tornado with 120 mph winds struck the city in 2019, causing damage to some homes and businesses.
Shelby experiences humid summers and snowy winters and receives about 40 inches of rain yearly. Farmland surrounds the city, so tractor and truck traffic pick up during planting and harvesting.
The rivers and creeks around Shelby are prone to occasional flooding.
Shelby, Ohio, is located in an area susceptible to tornadoes.
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OhioHealth Shelby Hospital offers emergency medical care
State Routes 96, 61 and 39 intersect in Shelby. The downtown area is walkable, but most people drive. Shelby partners with Richland County Transit and the Area Agency on Aging for taxi service within city limits. OhioHealth Shelby Hospital is in town. John Glenn Columbus International Airport is about 70 miles away. Shelby is about 70 miles from Columbus and Akron and 90 miles from Cleveland.
Crime statistics for Shelby are not readily available.
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