City profile · Montana · Census ACS 2023

Shelby, MT

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Shelby - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

3,129
Residents
$53,357
Median income
$206,000
Median home
$1,230
Median rent (state)

Shelby - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Shelby lands in the 25th percentile for household income. Source: Census ACS.

25th
percentile, household income
44th
percentile, home value
39th
percentile, median rent
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Shelby, MT

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 3,129 residents in Shelby, a small town within Montana. The typical household in Shelby brings in $53,357 a year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 2.0%. Shelby's housing stock carries a median value of $206,000, and the median resident age is 42.0 years. 19.4% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 47.7% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 0 residential units authorized here in 2024 (No Permits), down 100% from five years earlier. NOAA puts Shelby's yearly average temperature at 42.2°F with 12.1 inches of precipitation per year and 38.9 inches of snowfall.

Living costs in Montana run below the national norm: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Montana at 94.6 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Below Average). A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,230 per month statewide. Monthly utility costs average around $175 across Montana, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 13.0 out of 100 (Very Low).

Population

3,129 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Montana

Median Household Income

$53,357 /yr

Poverty 2.0%

Cost of Living Index (state)

94.6 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Montana average

How does Shelby compare to other US cities?

Where Shelby sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 25% higher than other cities
Home value 44% pricier than other cities
Median rent 39% pricier than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Shelby against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Montana only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Montana-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent places Shelby toward the bottom of Montana's cities

Among the 317 Montana cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Shelby ranks #239 - the 23rd percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Shelby only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#179 of 282
37th percentile in Montana
Median Gross Rent
#239 of 317
23rd percentile in Montana
Median Home Value
#159 of 279
43rd percentile in Montana
Poverty Rate
#218 of 315
30th percentile in Montana
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#190 of 317
40th percentile in Montana

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Montana only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

25thIncome percentile

25th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Shelby's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$206,000 Among the most affordable more affordable than 56% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). This entry sits in this band. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Shelby $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Shelby, MT Shelby, MT's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Shelby, MT-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Shelby, MT median $53,357/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Shelby, MT's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Shelby, MT. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 19.4%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 2.0%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 47.7%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
3,129
Median Income
$53,357
Median Home Value
$206,000
Median Age
42.0
Poverty Rate
2.0%
Labor force participation
47.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
19.4%

Climate

Avg Temperature
42.2°F
Annual Precipitation
12.1"
Annual Snowfall
38.9"

Schools

Total Schools
5
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
3,100 residents3,150 residents3,200 residents3,250 residents3,300 residents3,350 residents 202020212022202320242025 3,164 residents 3,313 residents ▲ +4.7%
Shelby's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

Total Permits (2024)
0
housing units authorized
Single-Family
0
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 1
2020 3
2021 1
2022 0
2023 0
2024 0

Permit volume decreased 100% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
84.2%
Carpool
7.3%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
3.4%
Work from Home
5.1%

Based on 1,273 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Montana - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$80
avg/month
Natural Gas
$55
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$40
avg/month
Total Utilities
$175
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Montana state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Montana state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Shelby sits in

Cost of Living Index
94.6
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,230/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
13.0 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Montana

Glasgow
3,194 people
Cut Bank
3,040 people
Deer Lodge
3,035 people
Libby
2,948 people
Montana
2,899 people
North Browning
2,894 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Shelby's 3,129 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Mount Morris, MI
3,130 people
Louisburg, NC
3,128 people
Summit Hill, PA
3,128 people
Gleed, WA
3,130 people
West Fork, AR
3,131 people
Goffstown, NH
3,127 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Shelby's $53,357 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Vinita Park, MO
$53,355 median income
Watsontown, PA
$53,355 median income
Au Sable Forks, NY
$53,352 median income
Sunnyside, WA
$53,350 median income
Stonefort, IL
$53,365 median income
Dewart, PA
$53,365 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Shelby, MT Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Shelby, MT - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 81.5% 7.5% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 5.1% White 81.5% Black or African American 3.0% Asian 1.1% American Indian 7.5% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 2.5% Two or more races 4.4% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Shelby compares to nearby Montana cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Shelby (this city) 3,129 $53,357
Glasgow 3,194 $76,985
Cut Bank 3,040 $55,848
Deer Lodge 3,035 $53,676
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MT NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Shelby, MT?

What is the population of Shelby, MT? +

3,129 people live in Shelby, MT according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Shelby, MT? +

The median household income in Shelby is $53,357 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Shelby? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Shelby; the closest available measure is the Montana state average, a cost of living index of 94.6 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Montana vary by metro area.

What is the median home value in Shelby, MT? +

Homes in Shelby carry a median value of $206,000, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Shelby? +

Climate normals put Shelby's yearly average temperature at 42.2°F, 12.1 inches of precipitation, and 38.9 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

Verify with HUD →

Verify with FBI →

Verify with NOAA →

Verify with U.S. Census Bureau →

Verify with EPA →

Verify with FEMA →

Verify with BEA →

Verify with EIA →

Verify with NCES →

Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.