City profile · Montana · Census ACS 2023

Bozeman, MT

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

55,042
Residents
$79,903
Median income
$614,900
Median home
$2,154
Median rent (state)

Bozeman - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Bozeman lands in the 61st percentile for household income and the 28th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

61st
percentile, household income
90th
percentile, home value
86th
percentile, median rent
28th
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: Bozeman, MT

55,042 people live in Bozeman, Montana - a small city by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $79,903 per year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 4.9%. Home values in Bozeman run a median of $614,900, and the median resident age is 28.6 years. About 65.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 69.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 867 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Stable), up 4% from five years earlier. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 2189.4 incidents per 100,000 residents, near the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Living costs in Montana run below the national norm: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Montana at 94.6 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Below Average). Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $2,154 monthly. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Montana run around $175, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 81.0 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (High).

Population

55,042 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Montana

Median Household Income

$79,903 /yr

Poverty 4.9%

Cost of Living Index (state)

94.6 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Montana average

How does Bozeman compare to other US cities?

Here's how Bozeman stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 61% higher than other cities
Home value 90% pricier than other cities
Median rent 86% pricier than other cities
Safety 28% safer than other cities

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

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Montana alone, Bozeman ranks #28 of 39 Montana cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

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 Bozeman'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
28thSafety percentile

61st percentile nationally for median household income · 28th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Bozeman's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Bozeman'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 34 Avg. percentile National median
Bozeman'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 Bozeman's home value compares nationally

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

$614,900 10th percentile more affordable than 10% 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%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Bozeman $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 - Bozeman, MT Bozeman, MT's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Bozeman, 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 Bozeman, MT median $79,903/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%
Bozeman, 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 Bozeman, MT. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 65.1%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 4.9%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 69.8%

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

Population
55,042
Median Income
$79,903
Median Home Value
$614,900
Median Age
28.6
Poverty Rate
4.9%
Labor force participation
69.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
65.1%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2189.4
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
434.1
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1755.3
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.

Schools

Total Schools
22
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
52,000 residents54,000 residents56,000 residents58,000 residents60,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 53,890 residents 58,814 residents ▲ +9.1%
Bozeman's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

🏗️ Stable
Total Permits (2024)
867
housing units authorized
Single-Family
286
detached homes
Multifamily
581
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
15.8
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 834
2020 945
2021 1,215
2022 1,212
2023 1,024
2024 867

Permit volume increased 4% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
62.6%
Carpool
7.4%
Public Transit
0.9%
Walk
8.9%
Work from Home
15.0%
Other
5.2%

Based on 33,014 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 Bozeman sits in

Cost of Living Index
94.6
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$2,154/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
81.0 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Montana

Great Falls
60,412 people
Butte-Silver Bow (balance)
34,929 people
Missoula
75,600 people
Helena
33,126 people
Kalispell
26,830 people
Belgrade
11,425 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Bozeman's 55,042 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Smyrna, TN
55,066 people
Tinley Park, IL
55,007 people
Hacienda Heights, CA
54,956 people
West Haven, CT
55,147 people
Anderson, IN
54,930 people
South Whittier, CA
55,201 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Bozeman's $79,903 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Mark, IL
$79,911 median income
Four Lakes, WA
$79,913 median income
Apalachin, NY
$79,919 median income
Stowe, PA
$79,875 median income
Fort Lauderdale, FL
$79,935 median income
Mooar, IA
$79,861 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Bozeman, 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 Bozeman, MT - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 87.6% 6.4% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 5.6% White 87.6% Black or African American 0.9% Asian 2.1% American Indian 0.9% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 2.1% Two or more races 6.4% 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 Bozeman 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
Bozeman (this city) 55,042 $79,903
Great Falls 60,412 $63,934
Butte-Silver Bow (balance) 34,929 $57,633
Missoula 75,600 $65,329
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MT FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Bozeman, MT?

What is the population of Bozeman, MT? +

Bozeman, MT counts 55,042 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Median annual household income in Bozeman runs $79,903, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Bozeman? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Bozeman; 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 Bozeman, MT safe? +

Bozeman has a total crime rate of 2189.4 per 100,000 residents, which is near 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 Bozeman, MT? +

Bozeman's median home value sits at $614,900, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, 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.