Montana
Columbia Falls is a small city in Montana with a population of 5,531. Residents earn $65,313 per year, which is 13% below the national average.
Based on current data, Columbia Falls receives an overall livability score of 3.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low crime rates, a low poverty rate. Columbia Falls offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.
The median household income in Columbia Falls is $65,313, 13% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.8%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 5.7% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.
The median home value in Columbia Falls is $346,700, 23% above the national median. Renters pay a median of $1,003 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. The price-to-income ratio of 5.3x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.
Columbia Falls is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 83 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 2,653 per 100,000, 35% above the national average.
31.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 90.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.
Columbia Falls has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F. Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 65°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 16.8 inches, including 54.4 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 26.
| English Only | 95.9% |
| 22% above US avg | |
| Spanish | 4.1% |
| 69% below US avg |
| Median HH Income | $65,313 |
| 13% below US avg | |
| Per Capita Income | $31,286 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $1,122 |
| IRS Avg AGI | $92,813 |
| Unemployment | 4.8% |
| 33% above US avg | |
| Poverty Rate | 5.7% |
| 54% below US avg | |
| Establishments (County) | 6,994 |
| County GDP | $7,210M |
| Restaurants | 450 |
| Healthcare | 459 |
| Retail | 491 |
| Manufacturing | 194 |
| Property Tax (IRS) | $5,362 |
| 53% above US avg | |
| Effective Tax Rate | 1.55% |
| Commute Time | 20.1 min |
| Work from Home | 17.5% |
| Census Median | $346,700 |
| 23% above US avg | |
| Zillow ZHVI | $584,580 |
| Median List Price | $465,000 |
| Median List Price | $465,000 |
| $/Sq Ft | $332 |
| Homes Sold | 2 |
| Sale-to-List Ratio | 0.0% |
| Price Drops | 6.3% |
| Inventory | 16 |
| Census Median Rent | $1,003 |
| 14% below US avg |
| Studio | $988 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,076 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,336 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,789 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $2,113 |
| Owner-Occupied | 64.4% |
| Avg Tax (IRS) | $5,362 |
| 53% above US avg | |
| Effective Rate | 1.55% |
| Obesity | 32.6% |
| 2% above US avg | |
| Diabetes | 8.4% |
| Heart Disease | 5.6% |
| High Blood Pressure | 27.7% |
| Asthma | 11.5% |
| COPD | 7.0% |
| Stroke | 3.2% |
| Binge Drinking | 22.0% |
| Physical Inactivity | 20.7% |
| Depression | 26.3% |
| Mental Distress | 18.7% |
| Physical Distress | 14.1% |
| Insurance Rate | 85.5% |
| Checkup Rate | 67.2% |
| Premature Death | 7,948/100K |
| Food Environment | 8.9/10 |
| Exercise Access | 81.2% |
| Healthcare Facilities | 459 |
| Total Violent | 82.9/100K |
| 78% below US avg | |
| Murder | 0.0/100K |
| 100% below US avg | |
| Rape | 0.0/100K |
| Robbery | 20.7/100K |
| Assault | 62.2/100K |
| Total Property | 2,653.4/100K |
| 35% above US avg | |
| Burglary | 103.7/100K |
| Theft | 2,425.4/100K |
| Vehicle Theft | 124.4/100K |
| Arson | 0.0/100K |
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 23 |
| Safety Grade | F |
| Safety Score | 1.0 / 5.0 |
| Annual Average | 43.1°F |
| 20% below US avg | |
| January Average | 24°F (-5°C) |
| July Average | 65°F (18°C) |
| Annual Rainfall | 16.8 inches |
| 56% below US avg | |
| Snowfall | 54.4 inches/yr |
| AQI Median | 26.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Elevation | 3,079 ft (938 m) |
| Area | 2.3 sq mi (5.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 2,426/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 48.3715°N, 114.1918°W |
| County FIPS | 30029 |
Winner: Republican by 33.8 points
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.6% |
| 6% below US avg | |
| High School+ | 90.3% |
| School Test Score | 5.68 |
| RUCC Code 5 | Nonmetro — Urban 20K+ |
| Population Density | 2,426/sq mi |
| Total Area | 2.3 sq mi |
| Alt Fuel Stations | 1 |
| Public Libraries | 5 |
| Healthcare Facilities | 459 |
| Restaurants | 450 |
| Retail Stores | 491 |
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 23 |
| Avg Commute | 20.1 min |
| Work from Home | 17.5% |