City profile · Montana · Census ACS 2023

Baker, MT

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Baker - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

1,535
Residents
$78,971
Median income
$198,800
Median home
$1,401
Median rent (state)

Baker - the verdict

Nationally, Baker sits in the 61st percentile for household income and the 90th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

61st
percentile, household income
43rd
percentile, home value
54th
percentile, median rent
90th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Baker, MT

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 1,535 residents in Baker, a small town within Montana. Baker households earn a median of $78,971 annually, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 6.4%. Baker's housing stock carries a median value of $198,800, and the median resident age is 37.0 years. Educational attainment runs 13.9% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 60.3% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 0 residential building permits were authorized in Baker (No Permits), down 100% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Baker reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR figures show 388.5 crimes per 100,000 residents, below the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score). NOAA puts Baker's yearly average temperature at 44.4°F with 14.7 inches of precipitation per year.

Living costs in Montana run below the national norm: the state registers 94.6 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Below Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,401 per month. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Montana's average monthly utility costs around $175 (state average). Natural-hazard exposure scores 5.4 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very Low).

Population

1,535 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Montana

Median Household Income

$78,971 /yr

Poverty 6.4%

Cost of Living Index (state)

94.6 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Montana average

How does Baker compare to other US cities?

Baker measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 61% higher than other cities
Home value 43% pricier than other cities
Median rent 54% pricier than other cities
Safety 90% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

Zoom in to just Montana and the picture shifts: Baker ranks #2 of 39 Montana cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Baker's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Montana, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

61stIncome percentile
90thSafety percentile

61st percentile nationally for median household income · 90th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Baker's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Baker's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 68 Avg. percentile National median
Baker's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Baker's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$198,800 Among the most affordable more affordable than 57% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Baker $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Baker, MT Baker, MT's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Baker, MT-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Baker, MT median $78,971/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Baker, MT's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Baker, MT. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 13.9%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 6.4%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 60.3%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
1,535
Median Income
$78,971
Median Home Value
$198,800
Median Age
37.0
Poverty Rate
6.4%
Labor force participation
60.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
13.9%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
388.5
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
222.0
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
166.5
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
44.4°F
Annual Precipitation
14.7"
Annual Snowfall
N/A

Schools

Total Schools
4
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
1,760 residents1,780 residents1,800 residents1,820 residents1,840 residents 202020212022202320242025 1,792 residents 1,776 residents ▼ -0.9%
Baker's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

Total Permits (2024)
0
housing units authorized
Single-Family
0
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 33
2020 35
2021 2
2022 1
2023 0
2024 0

Permit volume decreased 100% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
77.4%
Carpool
12.4%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
2.0%
Work from Home
6.4%
Other
1.8%

Based on 760 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Montana - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$80
avg/month
Natural Gas
$55
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$40
avg/month
Total Utilities
$175
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Montana state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Montana state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Baker sits in

Cost of Living Index
94.6
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,401/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
5.4 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Montana

Big Timber
1,530 people
Sun Prairie
1,514 people
Thompson Falls
1,568 people
Helena West Side
1,584 people
Fort Benton
1,470 people
Chinook
1,460 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Baker's 1,535 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Benld, IL
1,535 people
Yutan, NE
1,535 people
Scotland, PA
1,535 people
Chatham, VA
1,535 people
East Palatka, FL
1,536 people
Pocahontas, IA
1,536 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Baker's $78,971 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Boutte, LA
$78,971 median income
Cusseta, AL
$78,977 median income
Leshara, NE
$78,977 median income
Bethlehem, NC
$78,963 median income
Lattimore, NC
$78,958 median income
Hazel Dell, WA
$78,958 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Baker, MT Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Baker, MT - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 94.0% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 1.0% White 94.0% Black or African American 0.1% Asian 0.0% American Indian 4.3% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.9% Two or more races 0.8% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Baker compares to nearby Montana cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Baker (this city) 1,535 $78,971
Big Timber 1,530 $63,514
Sun Prairie 1,514 $61,004
Thompson Falls 1,568 $53,203
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MT FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Baker, MT?

What is the population of Baker, MT? +

1,535 people live in Baker, MT according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Baker, MT? +

The median household income in Baker is $78,971 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Baker? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Baker; the closest available measure is the Montana state average, a cost of living index of 94.6 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Montana vary by metro area.

Is Baker, MT safe? +

Baker has a total crime rate of 388.5 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Baker, MT? +

Homes in Baker carry a median value of $198,800, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Baker? +

The average annual temperature in Baker runs 44.4°F, 14.7 inches of precipitation. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.