The township was named for the Shell River, which flows through it; the river was named for abundant clam and mussel shells found along its banks.

As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 276 people, 102 households, and 73 families residing in the township.

There were 102 households, out of which 41.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.8% were married couples living together, 5.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.4% were non-families.

20.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 2.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

About 5.0% of families and 8.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.6% of those under the age of eighteen and 15.4% of those 65 or over.