City · Montana
Shelby, Montana
Shelby, city, in Toole County, Montana. Shelby had 3,313 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 4.6% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 3,169 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 3,216 (±208). GEOID 3067450.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
3,313
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 3,169 · ACS 2020-2024: 3,216 ±208
Median household income
$58,413
±$10,934 (90% margin)
Montana: $72,509
Median home value
$232,700
±$36,715 (90% margin)
Montana: $375,800
Median gross rent
$893
±$240 (90% margin)
Montana: $1,081
Where is Shelby and what county is it in?
Shelby is a city in Toole County, Montana. It covers 5.8 square miles of land, 548 residents per square mile in 2020.
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Shelby, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 3,313 people lived in Shelby on July 1, 2025, up 4.6% since 2020, slower than Montana (+5.6%). The 2020 Census counted 3,169 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 3,216 (±208).
| Measure | Shelby | Toole County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 3,216 ±208 | 5,061 | no clear change |
| Households | 1,183 ±123 | 1,852 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.28 ±0.21 | 2.40 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 1,399 ±114 | 2,322 | no clear change |
Shelby's population since 2000
From 3,216 in 2000 to 3,313 in 2025: up 3.0%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Shelby as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Shelby?
The median resident of Shelby is 37.7 years old; 18.2% are under 18 and 15.5% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 81.6%, then non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaska Native residents at 6.2%. 3.0% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Shelby | Toole County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 37.7 ±3.3 | 37.7 | −6.3 |
| Under 18 years | 18.2% ±2.6 pts | 21.1% | – |
| 65 years and over | 15.5% ±2.4 pts | 18.0% | – |
| Male | 61.4% ±3.0 pts | 59.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 4.6% ±1.8 pts | 4.4% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 81.6% ±3.4 pts | 82.2% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 2.6% ±0.9 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.6% ±0.7 pts | 1.2% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 6.2% ±1.8 pts | 5.3% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.9 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.4% ±1.7 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.9% ±1.7 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 3.0% ±1.4 pts | 4.2% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 4.4% ±2.3 pts | 5.2% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 11.6% ±3.6 pts | 11.8% | – |
| With a disability | 16.6% ±6.2 pts | 17.0% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.5% ±3.4 pts | 8.3% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 87.2% ±5.6 pts | 86.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 19.5% ±5.0 pts | 22.5% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 9.7% ±3.7 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 76.2% ±5.8 pts | 80.7% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 5.7% ±2.5 pts | 4.4% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Shelby earn?
Half of Shelby's 1,183 households earn less than $58,413 a year (±$10,934), against $57,731 in Toole County and $72,509 in Montana. In 2015-2019 it was $55,061 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 13.8% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Shelby | Toole County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $58,413 ±$10,934 | $57,731 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $81,316 ±$11,234 | $80,358 | – |
| Per capita income | $31,326 ±$4,351 | $36,252 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 13.8% ±6.2 pts | 12.6% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 10.8% ±11.6 pts | 12.6% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 10.7% ±5.1 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Households with a computer | 95.7% ±2.8 pts | 95.5% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 86.1% ±6.8 pts | 88.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Shelby?
Owners occupy 61.0% of Shelby's occupied homes and renters 39.0%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $232,700 by its owner (±$36,715). The median renter pays $893 a month including utilities, and 38.2% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Shelby | Toole County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $232,700 ±$36,715 | $218,400 | +$50,188 |
| Median gross rent | $893 ±$240 | $826 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 38.2% ±15.4 pts | 32.4% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,358 ±$162 | $1,378 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 61.0% ±8.6 pts | 63.1% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 39.0% ±8.6 pts | 36.9% | – |
| Housing units | 1,399 ±114 | 2,322 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0% ±4.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 7.4% ±8.6 pts | 5.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 71.3% ±7.1 pts | 75.0% | – |
| Mobile homes | 5.9% ±3.9 pts | 9.7% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.0% ±2.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 13.7% ±6.6 pts | 10.9% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 22.7% ±6.2 pts | 20.3% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 10.1% ±5.2 pts | 7.3% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Shelby building?
Builders took permits for 0 new housing units in Shelby in 2025 (0 in single-family houses), 0.0 per 1,000 residents against 4.6 across Montana.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Shelby work and get to work?
82.1% of Shelby's workers drive alone and 6.8% work from home. The average trip to work takes 14.0 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.7%.
| Measure | Shelby | Toole County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 52.0% ±5.0 pts | 56.5% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.7% ±2.3 pts | 4.9% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 82.1% ±6.2 pts | 70.2% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.4% ±3.8 pts | 7.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0% ±2.2 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Walked | 3.7% ±3.5 pts | 9.4% | – |
| Worked from home | 6.8% ±4.2 pts | 10.6% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 14.0 min ±2.6 | 15.5 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Shelby?
1 census tract lies mostly in Shelby, and 1 more reaches into it (2020 census blocks).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 2Toole County | 3,489 | $54,456 |
| Tract 9800Toole County | 474 | not published |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Shelby) · Census block assignment files
How does Shelby compare with other places in Montana?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Shelby is the 6,024th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 23rd-most populous of 127 in Montana.
Shelby ranks 61st of 90 places in Montana with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 23rd | 127 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 26th | 53 |
| Residents per square mile | 61st | 93 |
| Median household income | 61st | 90 |
| Per capita income | 68th | 93 |
| Median home value | 57th | 89 |
| Median gross rent | 51st | 82 |
| Poverty rate | 30th | 65 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 68th | 90 |
| Median age | 59th | 93 |
| Owner-occupied share | 65th | 92 |
| Work from home | 38th | 46 |
| Travel time to work | 69th | 93 |
Shelby's figures with every place in Montana (CSV)
Every place in Montana, sortable · Compare Shelby with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Shelby?
10 of the 57 figures for Shelby on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Shelby are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Shelby.