Sign In Register

Essex, MT

Full City Profile · Montana · Flathead County County

3.4 /5.0
B Good
57 Population 110/sq mi density
$73,393 Median Income $52,663 per capita
$329,200 Home Value $398,485 Zillow
44°F Avg Temperature 248 sunny days/yr
83 Violent Crime/100K 2,653 property/100K
B
Overall
3.4 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.7 / 5.0
$73,393 median income, 0.0% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.2 / 5.0
$329,200 home value, /mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
83 violent crimes/100K
A+
Education
4.6 / 5.0
45.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Essex has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. The area gets 248 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 34.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 26.

Temperature

25°F Jan (-4°C) 68°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average44.4°F
18% below US avg
January Average25°F (-4°C)
July Average68°F (20°C)
Sunny Days248 days/yr

Geography

Elevation3,866 ft (1,178 m)
Area0.5 sq mi (1.3 km²)
Population Density110/sq mi
Coordinates48.2849°N, 113.6107°W
TimezoneAmerica/Denver
CountyFlathead County County
Nearest AirportGlacier Park International (FCA)
30 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 34.6"
9% below US avg
Wettest Month (Jun) 3.11"
Driest Month (Jul) 1.61"

Air Quality

AQI Median26.0
RatingGood

Air Pollutants (EPA 2023)

Ozone (O₃)0.0419 ppm
PM2.5 (Fine Particles)9.5 μg/m³

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Moderate
Risk Score86.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability15.9 / 100
Community Resilience46.3 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

Earthquake History

191 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M4.7. Most recent: M2.5 on Apr 17, 2025.

Dec 22, 1998 Idaho-Montana border region M4.7 123 km
Mar 4, 2000 35 km S of Pincher Creek, Canada M4.6 103 km
Mar 22, 2006 8 km SSW of Rexford, Montana M4.3 132 km
Jun 29, 1995 2 km NNW of Kila, Montana M4.1 66 km
May 2, 1995 2 km NW of Kila, Montana M4.1 66 km
Apr 15, 1998 11 km NE of Swan Lake, Montana M4.1 32 km
Apr 1, 1992 10 km ESE of Swan Lake, Montana M4.0 45 km
Jan 20, 1998 15 km SSE of Happys Inn, Montana M4.0 113 km
Jul 19, 2002 43 km NE of Seeley Lake, Montana M4.0 104 km
Jun 2, 1996 37 km N of Ovando, Montana M3.9 112 km
May 1, 1997 35 km SSE of Magrath, Canada M3.8 118 km
Mar 21, 1992 20 km NE of Seeley Lake, Montana M3.8 113 km
Jun 1, 1996 23 km N of Ovando, Montana M3.8 122 km
May 2, 1995 3 km WNW of Kila, Montana M3.8 68 km
Jul 5, 2024 24 km ENE of Seeley Lake, Montana M3.8 115 km
Jul 2, 1992 4 km SSE of South Browning, Montana M3.8 51 km
May 7, 1992 14 km NE of Seeley Lake, Montana M3.8 115 km
Sep 26, 2004 14 km WSW of Pablo, Montana M3.8 95 km
Aug 19, 1999 12 km ENE of Happys Inn, Montana M3.7 103 km
Jan 13, 2010 36 km NE of Seeley Lake, Montana M3.7 100 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990–2025)

Tornado History

9 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF1.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
Jun 13, 2006 EF1 81 km 0
Nov 4, 2013 EF0 49 km 0
Sep 1, 2011 EF0 65 km 0
Apr 9, 2008 EF0 55 km 0
Jul 18, 2007 EF0 87 km 0
Jul 18, 2007 EF0 53 km 0
Sep 10, 2000 EF0 55 km 0
Aug 7, 1995 EF0 87 km 0
Jun 29, 1986 EF0 92 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950–2024)

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: MOOSE (73,210 ac, 2001).

Year Name Acres Distance
2001 MOOSE 73,210 55 km
2015 BEAR CREEK 60,710 54 km
2003 ROBERT 54,500 45 km
2007 FOOL CREEK 53,912 61 km
2003 WEDGE CANYON 51,987 89 km
2015 FAMILY PEAK COMPLEX 49,769 48 km
2007 AHORN 45,633 95 km
1988 GATES PARK 42,493 73 km
2007 SKYLAND 41,237 31 km
1988 RED BENCH 33,845 74 km
2003 LITTLE SALMON CREEK 33,044 79 km
2006 RED EAGLE 32,563 46 km
2007 BRUSH CREEK 30,166 90 km
2003 BARTLETT MOUNTAIN 27,614 97 km
2003 RAMPAGE COMPLEX (DOUBLE MOUNTAIN 2) 23,680 12 km
2015 TRAIL CREEK 22,338 39 km
2022 ELMO 22,148 76 km
2023 NIARADA 20,686 85 km
2017 SCALP 20,309 56 km
2003 BLACKFOOT LAKE COMPLEX (BLACKFOOT LAKE) 18,274 25 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 25°F (-4°C) 2.3 in
February 23°F (-5°C) 1.8 in
March 28°F (-2°C) 1.9 in
April 36°F (2°C) 2.1 in
May 44°F (7°C) 2.9 in
June 52°F (11°C) 3.1 in Wettest
July 68°F (20°C) 1.6 in Warmest, Driest
August 59°F (15°C) 1.9 in
September 50°F (10°C) 2.0 in
October 40°F (5°C) 1.9 in
November 27°F (-3°C) 2.3 in
December 19°F (-7°C) 2.2 in Coldest

Essex has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 19°F in December to 68°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 25.9 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.1") and July the driest (1.6").

View full weather details →