Lake Shelbyville anchors tourism and local jobs
Shelbyville serves as the seat of Shelby County, a small community known for its lake, manufacturing industry and agriculture. “The community has slow development and no major commercial plans,” says Debbie Cruit, managing broker with Shelby Realty Bitzer & Associates. "The community’s lifeblood is the 22,000-acre lake. It draws most of our visitors. Farming and paper-product plants keep locals employed.” Lake Shelbyville—built for flood control in 1970—now welcomes thousands of anglers, campers, and boaters each year. Shelbyville balances lake-driven tourism with an economy rooted firmly in agriculture and light manufacturing.
Victorian homes on farmland
Most homes here are Victorian or traditional styles that have stayed in the same families for decades. Multi-story layouts dominate the Shelbyville Historic District, where wraparound porches and original woodwork remain common. The median sale price hovers near $132,500, keeping ownership within reach for many buyers. Many properties sit on larger lots or adjoin farmland, and acreage outside town is still available for new builds or small-scale farming. "The landscape here definitely reflects the strong agriculture industry," says Cruit. "Plenty of people here are growing their own food so there's no big reason for a lot of stores or commercial development. People live off the land."
Shelbyville schools earn B grades and dual-credit options
Local kids can start school at Main Street Elementary, which earns a B-plus from Niche, then continue to the B-plus rated Moulton Elementary School. Shelbyville High offers dual credit courses in Agriculture, Business, English, Math, and Science, and holds a B rating.
Lake Shelbyville's beach and shoreline
Lake Shelbyville sets the stage for most outdoor fun, with Dam West Recreation Area offering wooded picnic sites, boat launches and a sandy strip at Dam West Beach for swimming and sunbathing. Nearby, the Family Aquatic Center supplies a zero-depth entry pool, twisting slides, and shaded lounge spots for hot afternoons. Garden lovers wander the Sunken Garden’s brick paths lined with seasonal blooms and mature trees. In Forest Park, the historic Chautauqua Auditorium stands out as a rare round wooden performance hall built in 1903—one of only a handful left nationwide—and still hosts concerts and plays.
Main Street serves burgers, pizza and one-stop shopping
Dining in Shelbyville centers on Main Street, where Druby’s dishes out burgers and soft-serve ice cream, Monical’s Pizza Restaurant serves thin-crust pies in a casual setting, and Lakeview Family Restaurant offers homestyle breakfasts and fried catfish dinners. Everyday shopping is just up the road at the Walmart on Main, which stocks groceries, pharmacy items, and household basics under one roof.
Routes 16 and 128 link Shelbyville to interstates and airports
Illinois Route 16 runs east–west across the county and directly through town, connecting drivers to both Pana (about 12 miles west) and Mattoon (about 25 miles east). Illinois Route 128 cuts north–south through Shelbyville, linking to communities like Findlay (about 13 miles north) and Windsor (about 11 miles south). The nearest interstate, I-57, sits about 25 miles east, while I-70 is roughly 30 miles south, offering easy access to larger regional centers like Effingham and Champaign. Decatur is a 42-mile trip, while Springfield and Champaign are both around 50–60 miles away. For air travel, Chicago O’Hare International Airport is about 170 miles from Shelbyville, and St. Louis Lambert International Airport lies roughly 155 miles southwest.
