Shelby, Montana

Shelby, Montana
City
Downtown Shelby
Location of Shelby, Montana
Coordinates: 48°30′26″N111°51′37″W / 48.50722°N 111.86028°W / 48.50722; -111.86028
Country	United States
State	Montana
County	Toole
Area [1]
• Total	5.96 sq mi (15.43 km2)
• Land	5.78 sq mi (14.97 km2)
• Water	0.17 sq mi (0.45 km2)
Elevation	3,297 ft (1,005 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	3,169
• Density	548.08/sq mi (211.63/km2)
Time zone	UTC-7 (Mountain (MST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-6 (MDT)
ZIP code	59474
Area code	406
FIPS code	30-67450
GNIS feature ID	0776465
Website	shelbymt.com

Shelby is a city in and the county seat of Toole County, Montana, United States. ^[2] The population was 3,169 at the 2020 census. ^[3]

History

Toole County Courthouse

Shelby was named in honor of Peter O. Shelby, General Manager of the Montana Central Railway. ^[4] A railroad station was established here about 1892, at the junction of the Great Northern Railway and the Great Falls & Canada Railway.

On July 4, 1923, the town hosted a heavyweight boxing match between Jack Dempsey and Tommy Gibbons for the undisputed world Heavyweight boxing championship title. ^[5] This event almost bankrupted the town of Shelby. ^[6]

In the early 2000s the town hosted a dog camp that made national news. ^{[7] [8]} It was named Camp Collie and helped mistreated dogs.

Welker Farms, an agricultural operation known for its popular social media channels, is located near Shelby. ^[9]

The Well Done Foundation, which plugs orphaned and abandoned oil wells, opened a visitors' center in Shelby in 2020. ^[10]

Geography

Shelby is near the Marias River and also Aloe Lake.

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. ^[11]

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 dry and hot, and the area is prone to lightning, hail, and severe thunderstorms during the summer months. ^[12] Fall weather is often unpredictable, with snow falling during October some years, and temperatures well into the 60s °F (10s °C) 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.

Climate data is sparse. A weather station operated in the town from the late 1990s shows slightly higher temperatures than nearby towns such as Cut Bank.

Climate data for Shelby, Montana, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1950–present
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °F (°C)	69 (21)	69 (21)	78 (26)	86 (30)	91 (33)	97 (36)	102 (39)	103 (39)	96 (36)	89 (32)	74 (23)	65 (18)	103 (39)
Mean maximum °F (°C)	55.3 (12.9)	55.9 (13.3)	64.4 (18.0)	74.3 (23.5)	83.8 (28.8)	88.9 (31.6)	96.2 (35.7)	95.7 (35.4)	89.9 (32.2)	78.2 (25.7)	64.6 (18.1)	54.1 (12.3)	96.4 (35.8)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)	31.4 (−0.3)	35.5 (1.9)	43.9 (6.6)	54.2 (12.3)	64.4 (18.0)	72.6 (22.6)	82.2 (27.9)	82.2 (27.9)	70.9 (21.6)	56.2 (13.4)	42.0 (5.6)	33.1 (0.6)	55.7 (13.2)
Daily mean °F (°C)	18.8 (−7.3)	22.6 (−5.2)	31.2 (−0.4)	41.3 (5.2)	51.2 (10.7)	59.3 (15.2)	66.8 (19.3)	65.8 (18.8)	55.7 (13.2)	42.6 (5.9)	29.8 (−1.2)	21.1 (−6.1)	42.2 (5.7)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)	6.1 (−14.4)	9.9 (−12.3)	18.4 (−7.6)	28.4 (−2.0)	38.0 (3.3)	46.0 (7.8)	51.5 (10.8)	49.3 (9.6)	40.5 (4.7)	29.0 (−1.7)	17.6 (−8.0)	9.1 (−12.7)	28.7 (−1.9)
Mean minimum °F (°C)	−21.6 (−29.8)	−13.8 (−25.4)	−5.7 (−20.9)	13.0 (−10.6)	23.4 (−4.8)	35.1 (1.7)	42.0 (5.6)	38.5 (3.6)	26.9 (−2.8)	10.0 (−12.2)	−5.7 (−20.9)	−16.8 (−27.1)	−28.4 (−33.6)
Record low °F (°C)	−44 (−42)	−37 (−38)	−37 (−38)	−9 (−23)	12 (−11)	30 (−1)	36 (2)	30 (−1)	16 (−9)	−12 (−24)	−31 (−35)	−36 (−38)	−44 (−42)
Average precipitation inches (mm)	0.46 (12)	0.36 (9.1)	0.63 (16)	1.34 (34)	1.77 (45)	2.85 (72)	1.14 (29)	0.85 (22)	1.01 (26)	0.74 (19)	0.52 (13)	0.46 (12)	12.13 (309.1)
Average snowfall inches (cm)	7.3 (19)	5.8 (15)	6.9 (18)	4.1 (10)	1.9 (4.8)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.5 (1.3)	1.4 (3.6)	5.5 (14)	5.5 (14)	38.9 (99.7)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in)	5.1	5.4	6.0	7.3	9.3	11.1	5.8	5.7	6.1	5.4	4.6	5.2	77.0
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in)	4.2	4.1	3.1	1.8	0.5	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.1	0.7	2.6	3.7	20.8
Source 1: NOAA [13]
Source 2: National Weather Service [14]

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1920	537		—
1930	2,004		273.2%
1940	2,538		26.6%
1950	3,058		20.5%
1960	4,017		31.4%
1970	3,111		−22.6%
1980	3,142		1.0%
1990	2,763		−12.1%
2000	3,216		16.4%
2010	3,376		5.0%
2020	3,169		−6.1%
U.S. Decennial Census [15] [3]

2010 census

At the 2010 census there were 3,376 people in 1,245 households, including 717 families, 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%. ^[16]

Of the 1,245 households 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 households were one person and 14% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.17 and the average family size was 2.84.

The median age 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 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 58.3% male and 41.7% female.

2000 census

At the 2000 census there were 3,216 people in 1,196 households, including 735 families, in the City of Shelby. The population density was 1,018.8 inhabitants per square mile (393.4/km²). There were 1,349 housing units at an average density of 427.3 per square mile (165.0/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%. ^[17]

Of the 1,196 households 30.9% had children under 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 households were one person and 16.1% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 3.07.

The age distribution was 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% 65 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 household income was $29,219 and the median family income 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.

Education

Shelby Public Schools educates students from kindergarten through 12th grade. ^[18] In the 2021-2022 school year, Shelby High School had 112 students enrolled. ^[19] The school's team name is the Coyotes. ^[20]

Toole County Library is a public library in Shelby. ^[21]

Media

The Shelby Promoter is the newspaper for Shelby. It is printed weekly and also offers an e-edition. ^[22]

Two radio stations are licensed in Shelby. KSEN AM 1150 and KZIN-FM 96.7 are both owned by Townsquare Media. ^{[23] [24]}

Infrastructure

Shelby's Amtrak station

At Shelby station, 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. The freight rail yard is known as the Port of Northern Montana. ^[25]

Shelby is at the intersection of Interstate 15 and U.S. Route 2.

Northern Transit Interlocal, local bus transportation system. Provides transportation to Great Falls & Kalispell.

NTI Transit Facility - Shelby, Montana

Shelby Airport is a county-owned airport two miles north of town. ^[26] The nearest commercial airport is Great Falls International Airport, 86 miles (138 km) south.

Notable people

• James Grady (author), was born and grew up here. He was on the staff of Senator Lee Metcalf, a research columnist for Jack Anderson, author of Six Days of the Condor (filmed as Three Days...) and numerous other spy and crime novels, and writer for Politics Daily. Resident of Washington DC area.
• Jack Horner, paleontologist, was born here.
• Larry Krystkowiak, former NBA player (1986–1996), grew up here. He is the former head men's basketball coach at his alma mater, the University of Montana and former head coach of the NBA's Milwaukee Bucks. He was named the head coach at the University of Utah in March 2011.
• Leroy Hood, scientist associated with the Human Genome Project grew up here and graduated from Shelby High School in 1956. ^[27]

References

1. "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
3. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved November 2, 2021.
4. "Shelby". Montana Place Names Companion. Montana Historical Society. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
5. "BoxRec: Event".
6. "Dempsey versus Gibbons on July 4, 1923".
7. "Collie-ing all dog lovers! Help still needed at Camp Collie in Shelby".
8. "Camp Collie survivor receives Purple Paw".
9. Flamnini, Diego. "9 American Farming Channels to Follow on YouTube". Farms.com.
10. Patterson, Jeremy (November 4, 2020). "Well-Done Foundation uses latest technology to cap abandoned wells". Shelby Promoter. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
11. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 25, 2012. Retrieved December 18, 2012.
12. "SHELBY, MONTANA - Climate Summary".
13. "U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Shelby, MT". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
14. "NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS Great Falls". National Weather Service. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
15. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
16. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved December 18, 2012.
17. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
18. "Shelby Public Schools". Shelby Public Schools. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
19. "Shelby High School". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
20. "Member Schools". Montana High School Association. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
21. "Toole County Library". Toole County Library. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
22. "Our Latest e-Edition". Cut Bank Pioneer Press. Retrieved August 31, 2023.
23. "KSEN". FCC. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
24. "KZIN-FM". FCC. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
25. Skornik-Hayes, Owen (June 6, 2024). "Port of Northern Montana is getting an upgrade". KRTV NEWS Great Falls. Retrieved June 7, 2024.
26. "SBX (KSBX) Shelby". FAA. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
27. Any knowledge that might be useful: Leroy Hood - Scientific American Retrieved 2017-07-28.

External links

• Official website
• Shelby Area Chamber of Commerce
• Shelby Promoter (weekly newspaper)