Heron, MT

Montana

Heron is a small town in Montana with a population of 312. Residents earn $29,357 per year, which is 61% below the national average.

2.4 /5.0
C Fair
312 Population 61/sq mi density
$29,357 Median Income $17,490 per capita
$415,400 Home Value $523,063 Zillow
N/A Median Rent
47°F Avg Temperature
C
Overall
2.4 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.4 / 5.0
$29,357 median income, 0.0% unemployment
F
Affordability
1.0 / 5.0
$415,400 home value
B+
Education
3.9 / 5.0
36.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $29,357
61% lower than US avg
Home Value $415,400
47% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 36.1%
7% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 35.4%
10% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 49.4%
298% higher than US avg

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

People

Population312
Median Age31.7 yrs
Density61/mi²
Male / Female45% / 55%
Largest GroupWhite 99%

Economy

C
Median Income$29,357
Per Capita$17,490
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty49.4%
County GDP$880M
Commute22 min

Housing

F
Home Value$415,400
RentN/A
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$523,063

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity35.4%
UninsuredN/A
Depression25.1%
Heart Disease6.8%

Climate

Avg Temp47°F
AQI26 (Good)
Rain24.4 in/yr
Elevation2,232 ft

Education

B+
Bachelor's+36.1%
High School+97.6%
School Score5.68

Community

2024 VoteR 76% / D 22%
Commute22 min
Broadband99.0%
Libraries3

Is Heron a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Heron receives an overall livability score of 2.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C. Key strengths include low unemployment, strong internet connectivity. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs, an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Heron has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Heron is $29,357, 61% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. The poverty rate of 49.4% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Heron is $415,400, 47% above the national median. With a home price-to-income ratio of 14.1x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 36.1% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 97.6% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Heron experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 47°F. Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 24.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 26.

Heron has a population of 312 with a density of 61 people per square mile. The median age is 31.7 years, 19% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (98.7%), with 1.3% Hispanic.

Population

312
Total Population
61
People / sq mi
31.7yrs
Median Age
19% below US avg
5.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 44.9%
Female 55.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Heron vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only96.7%
23% above US avg
Spanish3.3%
75% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Heron vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Heron is $29,357, which is 61% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 49.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Income: Heron vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$29,357
61% below US avg
Per Capita Income$17,490
Avg Weekly Wage$915
IRS Avg AGI$61,336

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.0%
100% below US avg
Poverty Rate49.4%
298% above US avg
Establishments (County)960
County GDP$880M

Business (County)

Restaurants70
Healthcare63
Retail89
Manufacturing27

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,052
13% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate0.73%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time21.6 min
Work from Home21.3%

Walkability

The median home value in Heron is $415,400, 47% above the national average. Zillow estimates the typical home value at $523,063.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$415,400
47% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$523,063

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

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-Occupied63.0%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,052
13% below US avg
Effective Rate0.73%
In Heron, 35.4% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 25.1% report depression. 24.0% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity35.4%
10% above US avg
Diabetes9.3%
Heart Disease6.8%
High Blood Pressure29.9%
Asthma11.1%
COPD7.7%
Stroke3.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking21.6%
Physical Inactivity24.0%
Depression25.1%
Mental Distress19.6%
Physical Distress15.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate72.9%
Checkup Rate65.6%
Premature Death9,743/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.8/10
Exercise Access59.2%
Healthcare Facilities63

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)6
FEMA Disasters182

Safety Score

Heron has an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. Annual precipitation is 24.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 26.

Temperature

28°F Jan (-2°C) 68°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average46.8°F
13% below US avg
January Average28°F (-2°C)
July Average68°F (20°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall24.4 inches
36% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median26.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation2,232 ft (680 m)
Area5.1 sq mi (13.2 km²)
Population Density61/sq mi
Coordinates48.0638°N, 115.9802°W
County FIPS30053
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 36.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (7% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 53.4-point margin. 99.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 75.6%
D 22.2%

Winner: Republican by 53.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+36.1%
7% above US avg
High School+97.6%
School Test Score5.68
B+ Education Grade (3.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density61/sq mi
Total Area5.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access99.0%
Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities63
Restaurants70
Retail Stores89

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)6
FEMA Disaster Declarations182

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute21.6 min
Work from Home21.3%

Nearby Cities

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