Shelby, MT Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 84% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Shelby Safe?
Yes — Shelby is safe overall
A safe city with below-average crime, though safety varies by neighborhood.
Shelby has a crime rate that is 45% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 458.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 458
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
43% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 83
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
35% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Shelby Crime Breakdown
Estimated crime rates based on FBI UCR data, calibrated to city-level crime score.
| Crime Type | Index | vs National | Risk Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | ||||
|
Murder
|
58 | -42% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
59 | -41% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
50 | -50% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
64 | -36% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
47 | -53% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
62 | -38% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
64 | -36% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Shelby Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Shelby Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Shelby zip codes.
Shelby Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Shelby, MT?
Shelby, MT has a crime safety grade of A- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 45% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 458 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 83 chance for property crime. Shelby has lower crime than 84% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Shelby, MT safe to live in?
Shelby is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of A-. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Shelby is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Shelby?
The estimated violent crime rate in Shelby is 218.3 per 100,000 residents, which is 43% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 458 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 2.9 per 100K (42% below average); aggravated assault at 156.9 per 100K (41% below average); robbery at 37.0 per 100K (50% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Shelby?
The estimated property crime rate in Shelby is 1,199.0 per 100,000 residents, which is 35% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 83 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 125.5 per 100K (53% below average); larceny/theft at 869.4 per 100K (38% below average); vehicle theft at 204.1 per 100K (36% below average).
How does Shelby crime compare to the national average?
Shelby's overall crime rate is 45% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is rape (36% below average), while burglary is 53% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Shelby has lower crime than 84% of them.
Is Shelby safe to visit?
Shelby is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 35% below average, which is typically the main concern for tourists. Avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, stay aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar areas, and stick to well-traveled neighborhoods.
How does Shelby crime compare to the rest of Montana?
Montana as a whole has crime that is 23% above the national average. Shelby's crime rate is 45% below the national average, making it safer the typical Montana city.
What type of crime is most common in Shelby?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Shelby, with an estimated rate of 869.4 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 38% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,199 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (218 per 100K) in Shelby, which is consistent with national trends.