Poplar, MT

Montana

Poplar is a small town in Montana with a population of 655. Residents earn $45,104 per year, which is 40% below the national average.

3.2 /5.0
B Good
655 Population 2,339/sq mi density
$45,104 Median Income $18,211 per capita
$91,700 Home Value
$680 Median Rent
41°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.2 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.6 / 5.0
$45,104 median income, 3.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$91,700 home value, $680/mo rent
C
Education
2.1 / 5.0
13.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $45,104
40% lower than US avg
Home Value $91,700
67% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 13.8%
59% lower than US avg
Median Rent $680
42% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 45.0%
40% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.0%
17% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 34.1%
175% higher than US avg

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

People

Population655
Median Age28.7 yrs
Density2,339/mi²
Male / Female52% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 17%

Economy

C+
Median Income$45,104
Per Capita$18,211
Unemployment3.0%
Poverty34.1%
County GDP$123M
Commute12 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$91,700
Rent$680
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity45.0%
UninsuredN/A
Depression27.8%
Heart Disease9.2%

Climate

Avg Temp41°F
AQI26 (Good)
Rain14.2 in/yr
Elevation1,987 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+13.8%
High School+94.4%
School Score5.68

Community

2024 VoteR 82% / D 16%
Commute12 min
Libraries1

Is Poplar a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Poplar receives an overall livability score of 3.2 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Poplar offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Poplar is $45,104, 40% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.0%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 34.1% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 12 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Poplar is $91,700, 67% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $680 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

13.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 94.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Poplar has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 41°F. Winters average 12°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 14.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 26.

Poplar has a population of 655 with a density of 2,339 people per square mile. The median age is 28.7 years, 26% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly Hispanic (77.4%), with 16.8% White.

Population

655
Total Population
2,339
People / sq mi
28.7yrs
Median Age
26% below US avg
0.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 51.5%
Female 48.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Poplar vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.3%
25% above US avg
Spanish1.7%
87% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Poplar vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Poplar is $45,104, which is 40% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 34.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 12 minutes.

Income: Poplar vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$45,104
40% below US avg
Per Capita Income$18,211
Avg Weekly Wage$956
IRS Avg AGI$70,091

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.0%
17% below US avg
Poverty Rate34.1%
175% above US avg
Establishments (County)100
County GDP$123M

Business (County)

Restaurants8
Healthcare8
Retail12

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,533
28% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.76%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time11.9 min
Work from Home4.3%

Walkability

The median home value in Poplar is $91,700, 67% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $680 (42% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$91,700
67% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$680
42% 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-Occupied78.4%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,533
28% below US avg
Effective Rate2.76%
In Poplar, 45.0% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 27.8% report depression. 35.3% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity45.0%
40% above US avg
Diabetes17.3%
Heart Disease9.2%
High Blood Pressure39.1%
Asthma15.4%
COPD12.2%
Stroke5.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking17.0%
Physical Inactivity35.3%
Depression27.8%
Mental Distress24.9%
Physical Distress22.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate56.7%
Checkup Rate68.5%
Premature Death6,489/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.4/10
Exercise Access67.0%
Healthcare Facilities8

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

FEMA Disasters182

Safety Score

Poplar has an average annual temperature of 41°F (5°C). Winters average 12°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. Annual precipitation is 14.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 26.

Temperature

12°F Jan (-11°C) 68°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average40.5°F
25% below US avg
January Average12°F (-11°C)
July Average68°F (20°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall14.2 inches
63% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median26.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,987 ft (606 m)
Area0.3 sq mi (0.7 km²)
Population Density2,339/sq mi
Coordinates48.1105°N, 105.1969°W
County FIPS30019
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 13.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (59% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 65.6-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 81.8%
D 16.2%

Winner: Republican by 65.6 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+13.8%
59% below US avg
High School+94.4%
School Test Score5.68
C Education Grade (2.1/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density2,339/sq mi
Total Area0.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities8
Restaurants8
Retail Stores12

Safety & Disasters

FEMA Disaster Declarations182

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute11.9 min
Work from Home4.3%

Nearby Cities

Compare Poplar with another city: