Shelby ZIP Code List — Toole County, MT

There is one unique ZIP code in Shelby, Montana and it is 59474. Area code: 406.

ZIP codes

553.08

sq mi land

3.29

sq mi water

406

area code

Shelby, MT ZIP code map

About Shelby, MT

Shelby, Montana, is a charming city located in Toole County, known for its rich history and warm community spirit. Nestled in the northwestern part of the state, Shelby serves as a gateway to Montana's scenic landscapes and is often referred to as the 'Gateway to the Canadian Rockies.' Its unique blend of natural beauty and small-town atmosphere makes it a wonderful place to visit or reside.

Location & geography

Geographically, Shelby is situated in the northwestern region of Montana, offering stunning views of the surrounding plains and mountains. The city is located approximately 32 miles from the Canadian border and is surrounded by other notable cities including Cut Bank to the south, which is around 30 miles away, and Malta, located about 60 miles to the east. The total land area of Shelby is 553.08 square miles, with an additional 3.29 square miles designated as water, contributing to its picturesque landscape.

Community & economy

The character of Shelby is defined by its friendly residents and a wide range of community events that foster a welcoming atmosphere. The city's economy is supported by agriculture, and it serves as a commercial hub for the surrounding rural areas, providing essential services and employment opportunities. Daily life in Shelby is marked by an appreciation for the outdoors, with many residents enjoying activities such as hiking, fishing, and participating in local festivals.

Transportation

Shelby is conveniently located along US Highway 2, providing excellent access for travelers and local commuters. The nearest commercial airport is the Cut Bank Airport, approximately 30 miles away, which offers services for regional flights. The city's layout also allows for easy navigation for those relying on vehicles.

History

Shelby was founded in the late 19th century, primarily as a railroad town that played a crucial role in the expansion of the Great Northern Railroad. The city's economy originally flourished due to its strategic location for transportation and agriculture, with significant development in the early 1900s. Notable events in Shelby's history include its involvement in the oil boom of the 1950s, which spurred further growth and infrastructure development.

Did you know?

A surprising fact about Shelby is that it hosts the annual Marias Fair, a celebration of local culture featuring rodeos, concerts, and agricultural exhibits that attracts visitors from throughout the region. Additionally, Shelby is known for its historic downtown area, which showcases several buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

ZIP codes for Shelby, MT (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
59474	Shelby	Toole	View map

Demographics & statistics

3,331

Population

44.0

Median age

$51,531

Median household income

$30,602

Per capita income

$176,100

Median home value

$723

Median monthly rent

66.0%

Home ownership

8.7%

Poverty rate

1.1%

Unemployment

1,172

Housing units

23.0%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

5–9

10–14

111

15–19

117

20–24

307

25–34

199

309

35–44

199

231

45–54

149

188

55–59

121

138

60–64

236

65–74

153

106

75–84

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	523	15.7%
18 and over	2,808	84.3%
65 and over	651	19.5%
Median age	44.0 years

Race & ethnicity

White 81.3%

American Indian / Alaska Native 7.8%

Two or more races 4.2%

Hispanic or Latino 2.3%

Black or African American 2.3%

Other race 1.1%

Asian 1%

Group	Count	%
White	2,771	81.3%
American Indian / Alaska Native	267	7.8%
Two or more races	144	4.2%
Hispanic or Latino	79	2.3%
Black or African American	78	2.3%
Other race	37	1.1%
Asian	34	1%

Household income

Under $10k 2.0%

$10k–$15k 5.1%

$15k–$25k 16.4%

$25k–$35k 5.9%

$35k–$50k 16.3%

$50k–$75k 24.2%

$75k–$100k 10.3%

$100k–$150k 7.7%

$150k–$200k 5.4%

$200k+ 6.7%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	2.0%
$10k–$15k	5.1%
$15k–$25k	16.4%
$25k–$35k	5.9%
$35k–$50k	16.3%
$50k–$75k	24.2%
$75k–$100k	10.3%
$100k–$150k	7.7%
$150k–$200k	5.4%
$200k+	6.7%
Median income	$51,531

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 7.9%

$50k–$100k 9.8%

$100k–$150k 22.2%

$150k–$200k 24.1%

$200k–$300k 18.8%

$300k–$500k 11.8%

$500k–$1M 4.7%

$1M+ 0.7%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$176,100
Median rent / month	$723
Owner occupied	66.0%
Renter occupied	34.0%
Vacant	20.9%
Single-family detached	71.9%
Large apartment buildings	2.5%
Mobile homes	9.5%
Median rooms	5.7
Avg household size (owned)	2.11

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	11.7%
2000–2009	1.0%
1990–1999	5.0%
1980–1989	11.3%
1970–1979	16.8%
1960–1969	7.7%
1950–1959	14.1%
1940–1949	10.1%
1939 or earlier	22.3%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	2.2%
1 bedroom	12.3%
2 bedrooms	30.8%
3 bedrooms	35.7%
4 bedrooms	11.3%
5+ bedrooms	7.8%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	6.3%
1 vehicle	32.9%
2 vehicles	38.8%
3 or more	22.0%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	58.7%
Electricity	30.3%
Propane / LP gas	4.6%
Wood	6.1%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	654	51.5%
Cohabiting couple	32	2.5%
Male householder, no spouse	277	21.8%
Female householder, no spouse	306	24.1%
Households with children under 18	252	19.9%
Households with seniors (65+)	473	37.3%
Average household size	2.15

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	38.0%	19.1%
Married	45.3%	50.4%
Separated	0.8%	0.4%
Widowed	1.5%	13.9%
Divorced	14.4%	16.2%

Education

Less than 9th grade 3.7%

Some HS, no diploma 7.6%

HS graduate 43.9%

Some college, no degree 18.2%

Associate's degree 3.6%

Bachelor's degree 12.0%

Graduate / professional 11.0%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	88.6%
Bachelor's or higher	23.0%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	32	6.3%
Kindergarten	64	12.7%
Elementary school	157	31.2%
High school	151	30.0%
College / grad school	100	19.8%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 26.4%

Arts, food & hospitality 17.2%

Transportation & utilities 9.2%

Public administration 9.1%

Professional & management 8.7%

Finance & real estate 6.8%

Agriculture & mining 6.2%

Retail trade 6.0%

Construction 5.1%

Other services 4.0%

Manufacturing 0.9%

Information 0.4%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	40.5%
Service	22.7%
Sales & office	15.0%
Natural resources & construction	10.6%
Production & transportation	11.3%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	60.3%
Government	25.1%
Self-employed	14.1%
Unpaid family workers	0.5%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	84.4%
Carpool	5.1%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	2.6%
Other means	0.0%
Avg commute (minutes)	12.9

Poverty

All people 8.7%

Under 18 years 3.8%

18 and over 9.8%

Married-couple families 0.0%

Female-led households 0.0%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	38.9%
Retirement income	37.4%
Supplemental Security	7.4%
Cash public assistance	2.8%
Food stamps / SNAP	8.4%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	28.9%
High cholesterol	30.1%
Heart disease	6.7%
Stroke	3.2%
Asthma	9.8%
Arthritis	26.0%
Kidney disease	2.9%
Pulmonary disease	7.3%
Cancer	6.5%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	22.7%
No physical activity	22.9%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	33.3%
Fair or poor health	14.5%
Poor mental health	13.9%
Poor physical health	11.6%
No health insurance	14.8%
Visited doctor (checkup)	66.7%
Visited dentist	59.5%
Cholesterol screening	85.7%
Teeth loss	15.8%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	375	13.4%

Disability	%
Any disability	21.7%
Under 18	0.4%
18–64 years	18.9%
65 and over	48.6%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	68.0%
Public insurance	49.3%
Uninsured under 19	0.9%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	3,197	96.0%
Spanish	20	0.6%
Other Indo-European	7	0.2%
Asian & Pacific Islander	13	0.4%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	3,160	94.9%
Born in same state	3,142	94.3%
Born in different state	1,885	56.6%
Foreign born	18	0.5%
Naturalized citizen	171	5.1%
Not a US citizen	104	60.8%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
French	472	14.2%
Polish	388	11.6%
Italian	316	9.5%
Arab	191	5.7%

Ancestry	Count	%
English	45	1.4%
German	24	0.7%
Dutch	19	0.6%
Irish	2	0.1%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	38.1%
Internet access	94.5%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What is the ZIP code for Shelby, MT?

Shelby, MT has one ZIP code: 59474.

What is the main ZIP code for Shelby, MT?

The primary ZIP code for Shelby, MT is 59474. The city uses area code 406 for phone service.

What county is Shelby, MT in?

Shelby is located in Toole County, Montana.

How many ZIP codes are in Shelby, MT?

Shelby, MT has 1 ZIP code.

What is the ZIP code for downtown Shelby, Montana?

Downtown Shelby, located in the heart of this Toole County community, uses the ZIP code 59474.

What ZIP code should I use for mailing to businesses near the Shelby High School area?

Shelby High School and the surrounding local businesses in Shelby, Montana are located in ZIP code 59474.