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CITY

Shelby

Montana · 3,313 residents (2025 est.) · 5.782 sq mi
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The short version

Shelby has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $58,413. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than tripled since 2000, reaching $232,700.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 37.7
US median: 38.9
Less educated
20% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 105%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
3,216
Unchangedsince 2000
from 3,216 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
556 / sq mi
Unchangedsince 2000
from 556 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
37.7
−4%since 2000
from 39.1 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:3,313 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
3K3K3K3K3K1990201020202024Shelby
20243K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$58,413
+10%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $29,219 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$31,326
+108%since 2000
from $15,071 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
37.3%
+18.6 ptssince 2009
from 18.6% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
13.8%
+5.2 ptssince 2000
from 8.6% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.464
+4%since 2010
from 0.444 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Other services9.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration9.5%
US avg: 4.8%
Finance & insurance8.8%
US avg: 5.9%
Information7.7%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade6.7%
US avg: 6.9%
Professional, scientific, technical5.8%
US avg: 5.1%
Retail trade3.2%
US avg: 9.9%
Education & health services3.1%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2.6%
US avg: 1.6%
Manufacturing1.9%
US avg: 0.4%
Transportation & warehousing1.7%
US avg: 2.2%
Arts, entertainment, food1%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction0.7%
US avg: 1.2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$232,700
+105%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $62,400 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$893
+37%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $359 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
61.0%
−7.2 ptssince 2000
from 68.2% in 2000
39.0% rent
Vacancy rate
15.4%
+3.7 ptssince 2009
from 11.7% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
25.2%
+12.3 ptssince 2009
from 12.9% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
44.3%
+20.4 ptssince 2009
from 23.8% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
4.0
+87%since 2000
from 2.1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
54
RELATED:See current rent listings in Shelby on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic91.8%(2,952)
Black0.2%(8)
Hispanic / Latino1.2%(40)
Asian0.4%(12)
Other0%
Diversity Score4.9%(158)
2024
White, non-Hispanic81.6%(2,625)
Black2.6%(85)
Hispanic / Latino4.6%(148)
Asian0.6%(20)
Other10.5%(338)
Diversity Score40%(1,286)
Diversity Score
40
+715%since 2000
from 5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
19.5%
+5.1 ptssince 2000
from 14.4% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
87.2%
+4.9 ptssince 2000
from 82.3% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
9.7%
+6.0 ptssince 2000
from 3.7% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
14.0 min
+33%since 2000
from 10.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
82.1%
+12.7 ptssince 2009
from 69.5% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
7.4%
−5.3 ptssince 2009
from 12.7% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
6.8%
+4.9 ptssince 2009
from 1.9% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
3.7%
−8.2 ptssince 2009
from 11.9% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
10.1%
+4.3 ptssince 2009
from 5.7% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.7%
+0.8 ptssince 2011
from 2.9% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
52.0%
+1.0 ptssince 2011
from 50.9% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
26.6%
+2.8 ptssince 2009
from 23.8% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
37.3%
−23.3 ptssince 2009
from 60.7% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
61.4%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 60.3% in 2009
Female
38.6%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 39.7% in 2009
Foreign born
3.0%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 2.3% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
11.6%
−49.5 ptssince 2009
from 61.1% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
16.6%
−1.0 ptssince 2012
from 17.6% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
6.5%
−75.1 ptssince 2013
from 81.6% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
86.1%
+18.1 ptssince 2017
from 68.0% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
95.6%
−0.6 ptssince 2016
from 96.2% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
1.6%
+0.2 ptssince 2016
from 1.4% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Compare Shelby to nearby cities

SHELBY VS
Great Falls
Income$63,373+8%
Home value$257,000+10%
Population60,208+1717%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SHELBY VS
Helena Valley West Central
Income$90,082+54%
Home value$367,200+58%
Population8,056+143%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SHELBY VS
Helena Valley Southeast
Income$74,075+27%
Home value$331,500+42%
Population9,108+175%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SHELBY VS
Helena
Income$71,036+22%
Home value$387,300+66%
Population35,138+961%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Shelby, Montana?

Shelby, Montana has about 3,216 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Shelby, Montana?

The typical household in Shelby, Montana earns about $58,413 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Shelby, Montana expensive?

In Shelby, Montana, the median home is worth about $232,700, and the typical rent is about $893 a month.

How educated are people in Shelby, Montana?

About 19.5% of adults age 25 and over in Shelby, Montana hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Shelby, Montana?

About 13.8% of people in Shelby, Montana live below the federal poverty line.

Has Shelby, Montana grown since 1990?

Yes, Shelby, Montana has grown since 1990. The population has added about 453 residents, a change of about 16 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →