- Shane – the protagonist, a mysterious gunslinger who enters into the life of Joe Starrett and his family and carves a place for himself in their hearts. Although he tries to leave his gunslinging past behind, refusing to even carry a gun, he decides to fight Fletcher in order to save Starrett's farm. "Shane was dangerous, but he was good."[4]
- Bob Starrett – Joe Starrett's son. He is eleven years old. He is the narrator. In the words of author Jack Schaeffer's son Jon, the character of Bob is, "a boy who thinks [mysterious stranger Shane] is a God."[4]
- Joe Starrett – Bob's father. A former cattle driver, now a homesteader and a farmer. He is the unofficial leader of the local homestead farmers.
- Marian Starrett – Joe's wife. She loves her husband, but also comes to love Shane.
- Luke Fletcher – the antagonist. He is an open range rancher, set on purchasing or stealing all the land rights from the homesteaders and farmers. When the homesteaders refuse to sell, Fletcher resorts to intimidation and deadly force.
- Chris – one of Fletcher's cowhands, a young man who intimidates the homesteaders and takes on Shane.
- Stark Wilson – gunslinger hired by Fletcher to intimidate the homesteaders and kill those who refuse to sell their land.
- Ernie Wright – fellow homesteader, aligned with the Starretts.
- Mr. Grafton – general store owner who witnesses the fight with Shane involved.
- Will Atkey – the bartender at Grafton's general store.[1][5]
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