Medicine Lake, MT

Montana

Medicine Lake is a small town in Montana with a population of 190. Residents earn $41,000 per year, which is 45% below the national average.

3.8 /5.0
B+ Good
190 Population 475/sq mi density
$41,000 Median Income $36,117 per capita
$95,000 Home Value $123,008 Zillow
$492 Median Rent 29.4% income on rent
39°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.8 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.8 / 5.0
$41,000 median income, 2.4% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$95,000 home value, $492/mo rent
C+
Education
2.7 / 5.0
21.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $41,000
45% lower than US avg
Home Value $95,000
66% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 21.6%
36% lower than US avg
Median Rent $492
58% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 35.5%
11% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.4%
33% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 4.8%
61% lower than US avg

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

People

Population190
Median Age49.8 yrs
Density475/mi²
Male / Female55% / 45%
Largest GroupWhite 90%
Veterans9.7%

Economy

B+
Median Income$41,000
Per Capita$36,117
Unemployment2.4%
Poverty4.8%
County GDP$241M
Commute23 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$95,000
Rent$492
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$123,008
Rent Burden29.4%

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity35.5%
UninsuredN/A
Depression24.8%
Heart Disease5.4%

Climate

Avg Temp39°F
AQI26 (Good)
Rain14.7 in/yr
Elevation1,963 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+21.6%
High School+92.6%
School Score5.68

Community

2024 VoteR 69% / D 27%
Commute23 min
Broadband87.3%
Libraries1

Is Medicine Lake a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Medicine Lake receives an overall livability score of 3.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. Medicine Lake offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Medicine Lake is $41,000, 45% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.4%. Only 4.8% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Medicine Lake is $95,000, 66% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $492 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

21.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 92.6% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Medicine Lake has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 39°F. Winters average 9°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 14.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 26.

Medicine Lake has a population of 190 with a density of 475 people per square mile. The median age is 49.8 years, 28% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (90%), with 8.4% Hispanic.

Population

190
Total Population
475
People / sq mi
49.8yrs
Median Age
28% above US avg
0.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 55.3%
Female 44.7%

Race & Ethnicity

Medicine Lake vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only100.0%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.0%
100% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Medicine Lake vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Medicine Lake is $41,000, which is 45% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.4% (below the 3.6% US average). 4.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Income: Medicine Lake vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$41,000
45% below US avg
Per Capita Income$36,117
Avg Weekly Wage$935
IRS Avg AGI$70,549

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.4%
33% below US avg
Poverty Rate4.8%
61% below US avg
Establishments (County)224
County GDP$241M

Business (County)

Restaurants16
Healthcare13
Retail19

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,383
3% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.56%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time22.5 min
Drive Alone66.1%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home4.3%

Walkability

The median home value in Medicine Lake is $95,000, 66% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $492 (58% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $123,008.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$95,000
66% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$123,008

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$492
58% below US avg
Rent Burden29.4%

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-Occupied71.8%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,383
3% below US avg
Effective Rate3.56%
In Medicine Lake, 35.5% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 24.8% report depression. 21.3% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Medicine Lake vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity35.5%
11% above US avg
Diabetes8.5%
Heart Disease5.4%
High Blood Pressure29.7%
Asthma11.4%
COPD6.3%
Stroke3.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking23.2%
Physical Inactivity21.3%
Depression24.8%
Mental Distress18.7%
Physical Distress13.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate92.2%
Checkup Rate68.3%
Premature Death8,226/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.9/10
Exercise Access63.2%
Healthcare Facilities13

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Medicine Lake has an average annual temperature of 39°F (4°C). Winters average 9°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. Annual precipitation is 14.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 26.

Temperature

9°F Jan (-13°C) 67°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average39.4°F
27% below US avg
January Average9°F (-13°C)
July Average67°F (20°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall14.7 inches
61% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median26.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,963 ft (598 m)
Area0.4 sq mi (1.0 km²)
Population Density475/sq mi
Coordinates48.5022°N, 104.5017°W
County FIPS30091
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 21.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (36% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 42.5-point margin. 87.3% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 69.1%
D 26.6%

Winner: Republican by 42.5 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+21.6%
36% below US avg
High School+92.6%
School Test Score5.68
C+ Education Grade (2.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density475/sq mi
Total Area0.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access87.3%
Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities13
Restaurants16
Retail Stores19

Safety & Disasters

FEMA Disaster Declarations91

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute22.5 min
Drive Alone66.1%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home4.3%

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