Busby, MT

Montana

Busby is a small town in Montana with a population of 483. Residents earn $62,222 per year, which is 17% below the national average.

3.6 /5.0
B+ Good
483 Population 34/sq mi density
$62,222 Median Income $20,418 per capita
$96,200 Home Value
$340 Median Rent
45°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.6 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.6 / 5.0
$62,222 median income, 12.8% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$96,200 home value, $340/mo rent
B
Education
3.3 / 5.0
28.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $62,222
17% lower than US avg
Home Value $96,200
66% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 28.4%
16% lower than US avg
Median Rent $340
71% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 37.6%
17% higher than US avg
Unemployment 12.8%
256% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 14.3%
15% higher than US avg

How Busby Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population483
Median Age35.4 yrs
Density34/mi²
Male / Female40% / 61%
Largest GroupWhite 6%

Economy

C+
Median Income$62,222
Per Capita$20,418
Unemployment12.8%
Poverty14.3%
County GDP$1,286M
Commute19 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$96,200
Rent$340
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity37.6%
UninsuredN/A
Depression25.0%
Heart Disease8.2%

Climate

Avg Temp45°F
AQI26 (Good)
Rain15.7 in/yr
Elevation3,451 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+28.4%
High School+98.6%
School Score5.68

Community

2024 VoteR 49% / D 47%
Commute19 min
Libraries1

Is Busby a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Busby receives an overall livability score of 3.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment. Busby offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Busby is $62,222, 17% below the national average of $75,149. At 12.8%, unemployment is notably high. 14.3% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Busby is $96,200, 66% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $340 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.5x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

28.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 98.6% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Busby has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F. Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 15.7 inches, including 52.3 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 26.

Busby has a population of 483 with a density of 34 people per square mile. The median age is 35.4 years, 9% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly Hispanic (94.2%), with 5.8% White.

Population

483
Total Population
34
People / sq mi
35.4yrs
Median Age
9% below US avg
14.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 39.5%
Female 60.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Busby vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only90.6%
15% above US avg
Spanish9.4%
30% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Busby vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Busby is $62,222, which is 17% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 12.8% (above the 3.6% US average). 14.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes.

Income: Busby vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$62,222
17% below US avg
Per Capita Income$20,418
Avg Weekly Wage$1,077
IRS Avg AGI$47,700

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment12.8%
256% above US avg
Poverty Rate14.3%
15% above US avg
Establishments (County)270
County GDP$1,286M

Business (County)

Restaurants21
Healthcare19
Retail33

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,243
7% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.37%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time18.5 min
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Busby is $96,200, 66% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $340 (71% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$96,200
66% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$340
71% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$988
1 Bedroom$1,076
2 Bedrooms$1,336
3 Bedrooms$1,789
4 Bedrooms$2,113

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied63.2%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,243
7% below US avg
Effective Rate3.37%
In Busby, 37.6% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 25.0% report depression. 29.0% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Busby vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity37.6%
17% above US avg
Diabetes16.2%
Heart Disease8.2%
High Blood Pressure35.2%
Asthma14.9%
COPD9.2%
Stroke5.2%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking18.0%
Physical Inactivity29.0%
Depression25.0%
Mental Distress23.6%
Physical Distress19.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate63.0%
Checkup Rate69.3%
Premature Death25,709/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment5.4/10
Exercise Access43.9%
Healthcare Facilities19

Crime Rates: Busby vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)16
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Busby has an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation is 15.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 26.

Temperature

21°F Jan (-6°C) 71°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average45.0°F
17% below US avg
January Average21°F (-6°C)
July Average71°F (21°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall15.7 inches
59% below US avg
Snowfall52.3 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median26.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation3,451 ft (1,052 m)
Area14.3 sq mi (37.1 km²)
Population Density34/sq mi
Coordinates45.5256°N, 106.9775°W
County FIPS30003
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 28.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (16% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 1.7-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 49%
D 47.3%

Winner: Republican by 1.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+28.4%
16% below US avg
High School+98.6%
School Test Score5.68
B Education Grade (3.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density34/sq mi
Total Area14.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities19
Restaurants21
Retail Stores33

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)16
FEMA Disaster Declarations91

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute18.5 min
Work from Home0.0%

Nearby Cities

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