Sapphire Ridge, MT

Montana

Sapphire Ridge is a small town in Montana with a population of 17. Residents earn $17,500 per year, which is 77% below the national average.

1.9 /5.0
D Poor
17 Population 31/sq mi density
$17,500 Median Income $31,582 per capita
$191,700 Home Value
N/A Median Rent
41°F Avg Temperature
D
Overall
1.9 / 5.0
Poor overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.2 / 5.0
$17,500 median income, 0.0% unemployment
F
Affordability
1.0 / 5.0
$191,700 home value
C
Education
2.4 / 5.0
17.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $17,500
77% lower than US avg
Home Value $191,700
32% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 17.6%
48% lower than US avg
Unemployment 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 47.1%
280% higher than US avg

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

People

Population17
Median Age69.2 yrs
Density31/mi²
Male / Female94% / 6%
Largest GroupWhite 100%
Veterans17.0%

Economy

C
Median Income$17,500
Per Capita$31,582
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty47.1%
County GDP$90M
Commute4 min

Housing

F
Home Value$191,700
RentN/A
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

ObesityN/A
UninsuredN/A

Climate

Avg Temp41°F
AQI26 (Good)
Rain16.8 in/yr
Elevation4,892 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+17.6%
High School+100.0%
School Score5.68

Community

2024 VoteR 76% / D 22%
Commute4 min
Broadband16.0%
Libraries1

Is Sapphire Ridge a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Sapphire Ridge receives an overall livability score of 1.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of D. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Sapphire Ridge faces significant challenges across several quality-of-life categories.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Sapphire Ridge is $17,500, 77% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. The poverty rate of 47.1% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 4 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Sapphire Ridge is $191,700, 32% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. With a home price-to-income ratio of 11x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.

Education

17.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 100.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Sapphire Ridge has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 41°F. Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 61°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 16.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 26.

Sapphire Ridge has a population of 17 with a density of 31 people per square mile. The median age is 69.2 years, 78% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (100%).

Population

17
Total Population
31
People / sq mi
69.2yrs
Median Age
78% above US avg
0.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 94.1%
Female 5.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Sapphire Ridge vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only90.0%
15% above US avg
Spanish10.0%
25% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Sapphire Ridge vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Sapphire Ridge is $17,500, which is 77% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 47.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 4 minutes.

Income: Sapphire Ridge vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$17,500
77% below US avg
Per Capita Income$31,582
Avg Weekly Wage$823
IRS Avg AGI$60,315

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.0%
100% below US avg
Poverty Rate47.1%
280% above US avg
Establishments (County)138
County GDP$90M

Business (County)

Restaurants16
Healthcare5
Retail12
Manufacturing3

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,333
33% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.22%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time4.3 min
Drive Alone100.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Sapphire Ridge is $191,700, 32% below the national average.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$191,700
32% below US avg

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-Occupied100.0%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,333
33% below US avg
Effective Rate1.22%

Health Metrics: Sapphire Ridge vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Behaviors & Mental Health

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate100.0%
Premature Death8,513/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment4.8/10
Exercise Access77.7%
Healthcare Facilities5

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Safety Score

Sapphire Ridge has an average annual temperature of 41°F (5°C). Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 61°F in July. Annual precipitation is 16.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 26.

Temperature

25°F Jan (-4°C) 61°F Jul (16°C)
Annual Average40.6°F
25% below US avg
January Average25°F (-4°C)
July Average61°F (16°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall16.8 inches
56% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median26.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation4,892 ft (1,491 m)
Area0.5 sq mi (1.4 km²)
Population Density31/sq mi
Coordinates46.8866°N, 110.2522°W
County FIPS30059
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 17.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (48% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 53.9-point margin. 16.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 75.8%
D 21.8%

Winner: Republican by 53.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+17.6%
48% below US avg
High School+100.0%
School Test Score5.68
C Education Grade (2.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density31/sq mi
Total Area0.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access16.0%
Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities5
Restaurants16
Retail Stores12

Safety & Disasters

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute4.3 min
Drive Alone100.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Nearby Cities

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