Lewistown, MT

Montana

Lewistown is a small city in Montana with a population of 6,028. Residents earn $44,195 per year, which is 41% below the national average.

2.8 /5.0
C+ Fair
6,028 Population 1,054/sq mi density
$44,195 Median Income $28,830 per capita
$159,500 Home Value $268,126 Zillow
$896 Median Rent
43°F Avg Temperature
390 Violent Crime/100K 1,220 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.8 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.1 / 5.0
$44,195 median income, 3.9% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.7 / 5.0
$159,500 home value, $896/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
390 violent crimes/100K (3% above avg)
C
Education
2.4 / 5.0
16.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $44,195
41% lower than US avg
Home Value $159,500
43% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 390/100K
3% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 16.9%
50% lower than US avg
Median Rent $896
23% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 32.2%
0% lower than US avg
Unemployment 3.9%
8% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 14.8%
19% higher than US avg

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

People

Population6,028
Median Age46.5 yrs
Density1,054/mi²
Male / Female52% / 48%
Largest GroupWhite 92%

Economy

B
Median Income$44,195
Per Capita$28,830
Unemployment3.9%
Poverty14.8%
County GDP$777M
Commute15 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$159,500
Rent$896
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$268,126

Crime

F
Violent390/100K
Property1,220/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault339/100K
Burglary169/100K

Health

Obesity32.2%
UninsuredN/A
Depression25.8%
Heart Disease5.8%

Climate

Avg Temp43°F
AQI26 (Good)
Rain17.2 in/yr
Elevation4,122 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+16.9%
High School+92.4%
School Score5.68

Community

2024 VoteR 74% / D 23%
Commute15 min
Libraries4

Is Lewistown a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Lewistown receives an overall livability score of 2.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. Lewistown has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Lewistown is $44,195, 41% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.9%, indicating a healthy job market. 14.8% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 15 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Lewistown is $159,500, 43% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $896 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.6x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

The violent crime rate of 390 per 100,000 is above the national average of 380 — something for prospective residents to consider. Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,220 per 100,000, 38% below the national average.

Education

16.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 92.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Lewistown has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F. Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 66°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 17.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 26.

Lewistown has a population of 6,028 with a density of 1,054 people per square mile. The median age is 46.5 years, 20% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (92%), with 2.5% Hispanic, 1.1% Black.

Population

6,028
Total Population
1,054
People / sq mi
46.5yrs
Median Age
20% above US avg
5.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 51.9%
Female 48.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Lewistown vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only96.0%
22% above US avg
Spanish4.0%
70% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Lewistown vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Lewistown is $44,195, which is 41% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.9% (above the 3.6% US average). 14.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 15 minutes.

Income: Lewistown vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$44,195
41% below US avg
Per Capita Income$28,830
Avg Weekly Wage$938
IRS Avg AGI$65,867

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.9%
8% above US avg
Poverty Rate14.8%
19% above US avg
Establishments (County)580
County GDP$777M

Business (County)

Restaurants37
Healthcare47
Retail61
Manufacturing23

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,536
1% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.22%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time15.0 min
Work from Home4.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Lewistown is $159,500, 43% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $896 (23% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $268,126.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$159,500
43% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$268,126

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$896
23% 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-Occupied61.5%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,536
1% above US avg
Effective Rate2.22%
In Lewistown, 32.2% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 25.8% report depression. 23.2% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity32.2%
0% below US avg
Diabetes8.9%
Heart Disease5.8%
High Blood Pressure30.5%
Asthma11.8%
COPD7.3%
Stroke3.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking22.0%
Physical Inactivity23.2%
Depression25.8%
Mental Distress19.6%
Physical Distress14.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate86.5%
Checkup Rate68.6%
Premature Death8,198/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.4/10
Exercise Access70.0%
Healthcare Facilities47
Lewistown has a violent crime rate of 390 per 100,000 residents, 3% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,220 per 100,000 (38% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent389.8/100K
3% above US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape50.9/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault339.0/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,220.3/100K
38% below US avg
Burglary169.5/100K
Theft983.1/100K
Vehicle Theft67.8/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Lewistown has an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 66°F in July. Annual precipitation is 17.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 26.

Temperature

24°F Jan (-5°C) 66°F Jul (19°C)
Annual Average43.1°F
20% below US avg
January Average24°F (-5°C)
July Average66°F (19°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall17.2 inches
55% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median26.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation4,122 ft (1,256 m)
Area5.7 sq mi (14.8 km²)
Population Density1,054/sq mi
Coordinates47.0514°N, 109.4524°W
County FIPS30027
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 16.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (50% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 51.3-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 74%
D 22.7%

Winner: Republican by 51.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+16.9%
50% below US avg
High School+92.4%
School Test Score5.68
C Education Grade (2.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density1,054/sq mi
Total Area5.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities47
Restaurants37
Retail Stores61

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2
FEMA Disaster Declarations91
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute15.0 min
Work from Home4.0%

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