Living in Shelby, Montana
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Shelby · Census data 2020–2024
Shelby has 3,216 residents with a median age of 37.7. The median household income is $58,413 (19% lower than the Montana median), the median home value is $232,700, the median rent is $893/month.
Shelby at a glance
- Population
- 3,216
- Median age
- 37.7State: 40.4
- Median household income
- $58,413State: $72,509
- Median home value
- $232,700State: $375,800
- Median rent
- $893/moState: $1,081
- Homeowners
- 61%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 19.5%
- Average commute
- 14 min
Is Shelby a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 38% lower than the state median; an average commute of 14 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 19% lower than the Montana median; unemployment of 3.7%; a poverty rate of 13.8%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Shelby
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Shelby the median home value is $232,700, 30% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $893 per month, which is 25% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,358 a month in housing costs.
Shelby median household income
The median household income in Shelby is $58,413 and the income per person is $31,326. 13.8% of residents live below the poverty line (Montana: 11.5%).
Housing in Shelby: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 1,399
- Owner-occupied
- 61%
- Renter-occupied
- 39%
- Vacant
- 15.4%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1960
- Average household size
- 2.28
Shelby demographics
- Population
- 3,216
- Median age
- 37.7
- Under 18
- 18.2%
- 65 and older
- 15.5%
- Households
- 1,183
- Foreign-born
- 3%
- Veterans
- 11.6%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Shelby ›
Education in Shelby
19.5% of adults 25 and older in Shelby have a bachelor's degree or higher (Montana: 35.2%), and 9.7% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Shelby
- Unemployment rate
- 3.7%State: 3.6%
- Average commute
- 14 minState: 19 min
- Work from home
- 6.8%
- Drive alone
- 82.1%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 3.7%
- Homes with broadband
- 86.1%
Shelby vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shelby | 3,216 | $58,413 | $232,700 | $893 |
| Kevin | 108 | $38,333 | $65,000 | — |
| Valier | 573 | $53,021 | $138,400 | $780 |
| Conrad | 2,618 | $47,857 | $188,900 | $918 |
| Cut Bank | 3,028 | $49,432 | $164,100 | $988 |
| Little Browning | 102 | $26,563 | — | — |
| Sunburst | 301 | $65,938 | $139,600 | $1,094 |
| New Miami Colony | 330 | $2,499 | $211,400 | — |
More for people moving to Shelby
Shelby ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Shelby: FAQ
What is the median household income in Shelby, MT?
The median household income in Shelby is $58,413, 19% lower than the Montana median of $72,509 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Shelby?
The median home value in Shelby is $232,700, compared with $375,800 in Montana.
How much is rent in Shelby?
The median gross rent in Shelby is $893 per month, about 25% of household income.
Is Shelby, MT a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 38% lower than the state median; an average commute of 14 minutes. Minuses: median household income 19% lower than the Montana median; unemployment of 3.7%; a poverty rate of 13.8%.
What is the median age in Shelby?
The median age in Shelby is 37.7 years (Montana: 40.4).
How long is the commute in Shelby?
The average commute to work in Shelby is 14 minutes; 6.8% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Shelby?
The unemployment rate in Shelby is 3.7% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Shelby?
19.5% of adults in Shelby have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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