Shelby, Montana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Shelby, Montana had a total population of 3,216, the 34th largest city in Montana, with a median household income of $58,413, which is 19% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Shelby Quick Facts
How Shelby Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,129 | 3,216 | +2.8% |
| Median household income | $53,357 | $58,413 | +9.5% |
| Median home value | $206,000 | $232,700 | +13.0% |
How Shelby Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 29 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Shelby Rankings in Montana
Explore Montana Rankings
Other Cities in Toole County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunburst | 301 | $65,938 | 14.6% | $139,600 |
| Hillside Colony | 245 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
| Camrose Colony | 126 | N/A | 71.4% | N/A |
| Kevin | 108 | $38,333 | 32.4% | $65,000 |
| Sweet Grass | 70 | $82,000 | 0.0% | N/A |
| Rimrock Colony | 39 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Shelby
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer Lodge | 3,021 | $60,302 | $247,600 | 23.8% | 7.2% |
| Cut Bank | 3,028 | $49,432 | $164,100 | 16.6% | 18.9% |
| Hardin | 3,742 | $60,423 | $147,100 | 20.5% | 7.2% |
| Glasgow | 3,190 | $90,310 | $195,700 | 25.7% | 8.0% |
| North Browning | 3,144 | $37,155 | $187,500 | 12.3% | 43.3% |
Population Overview
Shelby is a small community located in Montana, within Toole County. The total population is 3,216. It ranks as the 34th most populous out of 475 Census-designated places in Montana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Shelby is 37.7 years. This is 7% lower than the state median of 40.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Shelby is $58,413. This is 19% lower than the state median of $72,509. It is also 28% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 13.8%. This is 20% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.5%. The unemployment rate is 3.7%. This is 2% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $232,700. Housing costs are 38% lower than the state median of $375,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x. 61.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% lower than the state average of 69.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Shelby is White (non-Hispanic), making up 81.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.6%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (2.6% vs 0.4%).
Education
19.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 44% lower than the state rate of 35.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 87.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Shelby, Montana is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Montana state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 475 Census-designated places in Montana. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Shelby, Montana?
Shelby, Montana has a population of 3,216 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Shelby, MT?
The median household income in Shelby is $58,413, which is 28% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Shelby, MT?
The poverty rate in Shelby is 13.8%. This means approximately 372 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Shelby, Montana?
Shelby's population is 81.6% White, 2.6% Black, 4.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Shelby, MT?
The median home value in Shelby is $232,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x.
How educated is Shelby, Montana?
19.5% of adults (25+) in Shelby hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.