First called Camp Reynolds, Fort Shaw is named for Col. Robert G. Shaw of Boston, the first white officer to lead a unit of the United States Colored Troops in the American Civil War. The U.S. government established this fort on the Mullan Road in 1867.[3] A community developed around it.
As of the census[6] of 2000, there were 274 people, 101 households, and 73 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 48.6 inhabitants per square mile (18.8/km2). There were 115 housing units at an average density of 20.4 per square mile (7.9/km2). The racial makeup of the CDP was 97.81% White, 0.73% Native American, and 1.46% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.46% of the population.
There were 101 households, out of which 34.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.4% were married couples living together, 7.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.7% were non-families. 25.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.32.
In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 29.6% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 25.9% from 25 to 44, 25.5% from 45 to 64, and 12.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.3 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $36,250, and the median income for a family was $45,357. Males had a median income of $34,688 versus $16,250 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $17,381. About 7.4% of families and 9.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.5% of those under the age of eighteen and 6.3% of those 65 or over.
Education
Fort Shaw is part of the Sun River Valley School District. Fort Shaw Elementary School is located in town. Sun River Middle School and Simms High School are located in Simms.[7]
