Real Estate Investing in Shelby, Montana (59474)

Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.

Toole County • Population: 3,391 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 59474 (Shelby, MT)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (69/100)

Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (52/100)

Rare combination of both appreciation and cash flow. These markets don't last long — worth serious consideration.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • High vacancy: 20.9% of homes vacant — above national norms.

• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Shelby, MT (59474)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

4.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $184,174
Avg Monthly Rent $1,071
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $51,531
% Renters 34.0%

Market Analysis: 59474 Shelby

The 59474 ZIP covers a section of Shelby that demands careful diligence. Prices near $184K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $184K asset, 59474 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

ZIP 59474's metrics run below Toole County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.

The 59474 ZIP's population of 3,391 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that sits at the need for careful underwriting.

Strategically, 59474 can be a high-return sleeve of a diversified portfolio — but it should not be the whole portfolio, and it should not be someone's first deal.

Explore the Data — Click a Tab Below
🏦 Current 30-yr Fixed Mortgage Rate: 6.76% as of Sep 10 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS

Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Shelby:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 70/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.6× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+4.1%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,071/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
🏠

Property Strategy for 59474

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
6.3% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
3BR
+7.9% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$55,610/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
3BR $189,745 $1,650 6.3% +7.9% $63,248
4BR $222,442 $1,720 5.6% $55,610

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$190K$173K$156K$139K$122K$105KFeb 2016May 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 59474 Compare?

Metric 59474 Shelby Montana
Home Value $184,174 $184,174 $457,278
5-Year CAGR 8.1% 8.1% 9.2%
Avg Rent $1,071 $1,071 -
Cap Rate 4.5% 4.5% -
💡 Why Invest in 59474? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 59474 (Shelby, MT). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.5%
Fair
5yr Growth
+8.1%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $184,174
Monthly Rent $1,071
Price-to-Rent 14.3:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 7.0%
Cap Rate 4.5%
5-Year IRR 12.7%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +4.1% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.9% ▲
5-Year CAGR +8.1% ▲
10-Year CAGR +4.8% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.5%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.5%). Financing reduces your cash-on-cash return below the cap rate. Markets like this may still make sense as IRR plays — factoring in appreciation, depreciation, and a future refinance when rates drop.

Run an IRR Analysis →

⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
20.9%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+8.1%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 59474

Population: 3,391

💰 Median Household Income
$51,531
This area
$51,531
State
$64,023
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
34.0%
This area
34.0%
State
24.3%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
0.5%
This area
0.5%
State
-0.5%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
23.0%
This area
23.0%
State
20.1%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
44.0 years
This area
44.0 years
State
38.3 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
20.9%
This area
20.9%
State
26.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 83.2%
Other/Mixed 13.4%
Hispanic/Latino 2.4%
Black/African American 2.3%
Asian 1.0%
👶 Under 18
15.7%
This area
15.7%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
19.5%
This area
19.5%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
0.0%
This area
0.0%
USA
11.5%

Crime & Safety

🚧

Crime & Safety Data Coming Soon

We're integrating comprehensive crime statistics including violent crime rates, property crime, and safety scores to help you make informed investment decisions.

Expected: Q1 2025

🎓 Schools in 59474

B Avg School Grade
5 Schools
13.8:1 Avg Class Size
$14,813 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Shelby High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
129 Students
👨‍🏫
9.6:1 Class Size
💰
$27,518 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Shelby Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
👥
294 Students
👨‍🏫
13.9:1 Class Size
💰
$11,637 Per Student
B Good

Shelby 7-8

📚 07 – 08 Middle
👥
69 Students
👨‍🏫
11.5:1 Class Size
💰
$11,637 Per Student
C+ Average

Big Rose Colony School

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
👥
14 Students
👨‍🏫
14.0:1 Class Size
💰
$11,637 Per Student
C Below Average

Cam Rose School

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
👥
26 Students
👨‍🏫
20.0:1 Class Size
💰
$11,637 Per Student
About Repit School Scores

Traditional school ratings rely heavily on standardized test scores, which often reflect family income more than school quality. Repit takes a different approach.

We evaluate schools based on factors that research shows actually impact educational outcomes:

  • Class Size — Smaller classes mean more individual attention
  • School Funding — Resources available for programs, staff, and facilities
  • Community Factors — Neighborhood characteristics that influence student success
  • School Environment — Size, type, and structure

Scores are updated annually using federal education data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are vacancy rates like in Shelby, MT?

Shelby, MT sees elevated vacancy, which is reasonable relative to the broader MT rental market.

Is Shelby, MT a friendly market for rental owners?

Shelby, MT falls under MT landlord-tenant law, which is landlord-friendly. That backdrop makes day-to-day property management reasonable.

Where do rents currently stand in Shelby, MT?

Investors in Shelby, MT typically see rents near $1,071/mo per month against $184K home values - a solid setup for rental cash flow.

Does a duplex house hack pencil in Shelby, MT?

For house hackers, Shelby, MT is a challenging. The $1,071/mo rent on a unit helps defray the mortgage on a $184K property.

Does Shelby, MT make sense for an investment property?

With a 3.0/5 investability score, Shelby, MT ranks as a solid market for rental property investors. Median prices of $184K and rents of $1,071/mo drive the underlying numbers.

You know 59474 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 59474 compares to every other market. Investor ($19/mo) screens every U.S. ZIP by cap rate, the 1% rule, vacancy and landlord climate, and exports your shortlist.

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