Shelby, Montana

Geography

Shelby is located at 48°30′26″N 111°51′37″W (48.507270, -111.860218).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.18 square miles (16.01 km²), of which, 6.03 square miles (15.62 km²) is land and 0.15 square miles (0.39 km²) is water.

Climate

Shelby has four distinct seasons, and is considered an arid climate. Long, severe winters give way to springlike weather anywhere from March to May. Summers can be extremely dry and hot, though it is not unusual to experience a snow flurry in July. The area is prone to heat lightning, hail, and severe thunderstorms during the summer months. Fall weather is often unpredictable, with snow falling during October some years, and temperatures well into the 80s stretching until the end of November on other years. Due to the city's location just off of the Rocky Mountain Front, wind is a constant.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 3,376 people, 1,245 households, and 717 families residing in the city. The population density was 559.9 inhabitants per square mile (216.2/km²). There were 1,371 housing units at an average density of 227.4 per square mile (87.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 89.5% White, 0.8% African American, 6.5% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.8% from other races, and 1.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.0% of the population.

There were 1,245 households of which 28.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.8% were married couples living together, 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 42.4% were non-families. 37.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 14% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.17 and the average family size was 2.84.

The median age in the city was 40.3 years. 18.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 29.3% were from 25 to 44; 29.9% were from 45 to 64; and 13.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 58.3% male and 41.7% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 3,216 people in the City of Shelby. The total number of households was 1,196, and the total number of families in the city was 735. The population density was 1,018.8 people per square mile (392.9/km²). There were 1,349 housing units at an average density of 427.3 per square mile (164.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 92.48% White, 0.25% African American, 4.17% Native American, 0.40% Asian, 0.25% from other races, and 2.46% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.24% of the population.

There were 1,196 households out of which 30.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.8% were married couples living together, 7.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.5% were non-families. 35.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 3.07.

In the city, the population was spread out with 24.0% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 29.5% from 25 to 44, 22.9% from 45 to 64, and 16.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 107.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 108.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $29,219, and the median income for a family was $41,046. Males had a median income of $27,634 versus $19,444 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,071. About 6.1% of families and 8.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.8% of those under age 18 and 7.5% of those age 65 or over.

History

Shelby was named in honor of Peter O. Shelby, General Manager of the Montana Central Railway.

Radio

KSEN AM 1150 and KZIN-FM 96.7 are two local radio outlets, owned by Townsquare Media.

Trivia

The most famous event in the town's history might be the Jack Dempsey vs. Tommy Gibbons boxing match. The event, and its relation to the town, is dealt with in the article about the fight. Recently the town hosted a dog camp named Camp Collie that made national news.

Shelby appears as the eastern terminus of the Marias Pass route available on Microsoft Train Simulator 1.

Transportation

Amtrak, the national passenger rail system, provides daily service to Shelby (both east and west), operating its Empire Builder from Chicago to Seattle and Portland, Oregon.

Notable residents