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Carter, MT

Full City Profile · Montana · Chouteau County County

2.6 /5.0
C+ Fair
118 Population 41/sq mi density
$32,188 Median Income $13,572 per capita
$107,500 Home Value $360,360 Zillow
45°F Avg Temperature 273 sunny days/yr
135 Violent Crime/100K 1,556 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.6 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.4 / 5.0
$32,188 median income, 0.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.8 / 5.0
$107,500 home value, /mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
135 violent crimes/100K
F
Education
1.4 / 5.0
4.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Carter has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. The area gets 273 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 13.2 inches. The area receives 38.2 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 26.

Temperature

22°F Jan (-5°C) 70°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average45.4°F
16% below US avg
January Average22°F (-5°C)
July Average70°F (21°C)
Sunny Days273 days/yr

Geography

Elevation3,036 ft (925 m)
Area2.9 sq mi (7.5 km²)
Population Density41/sq mi
Coordinates47.7778°N, 110.9328°W
TimezoneAmerica/Denver
CountyChouteau County County
Nearest AirportGreat Falls International (GTF)
29 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 13.2"
65% below US avg
Snowfall 38.2"
Wettest Month (May) 2.76"
Driest Month (Feb) 0.51"

Air Quality

AQI Median26.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery Low
Risk Score39.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability65.4 / 100
Community Resilience24.9 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Very Low
Earthquake Very Low
Wildfire Relatively Low
Flood Relatively Low
Hail Very Low
Strong Wind Very Low
Heat Wave Very Low
Winter Weather Relatively Moderate
Lightning Relatively Low
Ice Storm Very Low
Drought Relatively Low
Cold Wave Relatively Moderate
Landslide Very Low
Avalanche Relatively Moderate
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

46 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M4.3. Most recent: M2.5 on Mar 20, 2025.

Jan 30, 2016 19 km E of Lincoln, Montana M4.3 145 km
Aug 16, 1994 27 km W of Chester, Montana M3.9 85 km
Apr 1, 1993 15 km E of Lincoln, Montana M3.9 148 km
Jan 16, 2011 10 km ENE of Marysville, Montana M3.7 145 km
Jun 5, 1991 18 km SW of Shelby, Montana M3.6 104 km
Jan 20, 2003 10 km S of Little Browning, Montana M3.5 134 km
Nov 6, 2002 3 km SSE of Little Browning, Montana M3.4 138 km
Aug 11, 1992 27 km W of Augusta, Montana M3.4 141 km
Mar 7, 2017 9 km ENE of Marysville, Montana M3.4 145 km
Mar 5, 1995 2 km NW of Cut Bank, Montana M3.3 143 km
May 29, 2009 11 km S of Little Browning, Montana M3.2 133 km
Jun 16, 1999 16 km SSE of Craig, Montana M3.2 120 km
Apr 2, 2014 13 km NNW of Conrad, Montana M3.1 98 km
Feb 3, 1993 14 km NNW of Marysville, Montana M3.1 149 km
Apr 4, 1990 4 km WNW of Santa Rita, Montana M3.1 149 km
Mar 25, 2021 13 km NNW of Marysville, Montana M3.1 149 km
Jan 6, 2014 28 km W of Augusta, Montana M3.0 142 km
Jan 20, 2025 26 km WSW of Augusta, Montana M3.0 141 km
Jun 18, 2015 9 km ENE of Marysville, Montana M3.0 144 km
Jul 25, 2017 13 km E of Lincoln, Montana M2.9 150 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990–2025)

Tornado History

50 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF3. Total: 7 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
Jul 5, 1988 EF3 76 km 0
Jul 5, 1988 EF3 74 km 0
Jul 5, 1988 EF3 83 km 0
Jun 25, 1996 EF2 95 km 0
Apr 24, 1994 EF2 88 km 0
Apr 24, 1994 EF2 88 km 0
Jun 8, 1976 EF2 80 km 0
Jun 30, 1975 EF2 86 km 0
Jun 16, 2007 EF1 95 km 0
Apr 22, 2003 EF1 88 km 0
Jul 3, 1998 EF1 52 km 0
Jun 19, 1998 EF1 31 km 0
Jul 5, 1988 EF1 61 km 0
Jun 1, 1980 EF1 1 km 0
May 25, 1980 EF1 86 km 0
May 25, 1980 EF1 92 km 0
Jul 3, 1978 EF1 66 km 0
Jul 3, 1978 EF1 66 km 0
Jul 3, 1978 EF1 66 km 0
Jun 1, 1977 EF1 73 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950–2024)

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: HARRIS MTN (31,792 ac, 2021).

Year Name Acres Distance
2021 HARRIS MTN 31,792 93 km
2009 MEISSNER 12,318 62 km
1993 FREEZEOUT LAKE 9,793 93 km
2021 BALSINGER 8,317 87 km
1988 LOSTCANYON 4,532 97 km
2008 CHOUTEAU CO COMPLEX 4,365 42 km
2019 STUCKEY RD MA 4,073 38 km
1991 POWER 3,822 51 km
2012 MISSION ROAD 3,372 98 km
2008 UNIT 3 MARSH HAZ FUEL REDUCTION 3,333 33 km
2020 EAGLE ROCK ROAD 3,129 59 km
2022 BENTON LAKE UNIT 3 AND 4B 2,996 32 km
2007 CHOUTEAU CO ASST 2,646 35 km
2022 MTBLR-FY22-RX 2,244 34 km
2007 2007 HAZ FUEL REDUCTION 2,159 37 km
2021 FOUR SISTERS 1,999 58 km
2001 LOST FORK-MONARCH COMPLEX (MONARCH) 1,818 80 km
2021 EAGLE BUTTE 1,817 69 km
2005 H RX F COMPLEX BROADCAST BURNS 1,747 33 km
2021 BENTON LAKE UNIT 5 1,716 31 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 22°F (-5°C) 0.8 in Coldest
February 27°F (-3°C) 0.5 in Driest
March 35°F (2°C) 1.0 in
April 45°F (7°C) 1.4 in
May 54°F (12°C) 2.8 in Wettest
June 63°F (17°C) 2.6 in
July 70°F (21°C) 1.4 in Warmest
August 68°F (20°C) 1.5 in
September 58°F (14°C) 1.4 in
October 47°F (8°C) 0.9 in
November 34°F (1°C) 0.6 in
December 26°F (-3°C) 0.7 in

Carter has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 22°F in January to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 15.6 inches, with May being the wettest month (2.8") and February the driest (0.5").

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