City profile · Montana · Census ACS 2023

Bridger, MT

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

850
Residents
$35,893
Median income
$232,900
Median home
$1,417
Median rent (state)

Bridger - the verdict

Bridger ranks in the 5th percentile for household income and the 97th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

5th
percentile, household income
52nd
percentile, home value
56th
percentile, median rent
97th
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: Bridger, MT

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 850 residents in Bridger, a small town within Montana. The typical household in Bridger brings in $35,893 a year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 5.5%. Bridger's housing stock carries a median value of $232,900, and the median resident age is 40.6 years. Educational attainment runs 10.6% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 57.9% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 0 residential units were authorized in 2024 (No Permits), down 100% from five years earlier. Bridger reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR figures show 136.6 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). The annual average temperature per NOAA climate normals runs 45.7°F with 11.5 inches of precipitation per year and 30.3 inches of snowfall.

Living costs in Montana run below the national norm: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Montana scores 94.6 (Below Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,417 per month statewide. Monthly utility costs average around $175 across Montana, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Natural-hazard exposure scores 59.8 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Moderate).

Population

850 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Montana

Median Household Income

$35,893 /yr

Poverty 5.5%

Cost of Living Index (state)

94.6 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Montana average

How does Bridger compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 5% higher than other cities
Home value 52% pricier than other cities
Median rent 56% pricier than other cities
Safety 97% 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, Bridger ranks #2 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

Each percentile compares Bridger against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Montana only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Montana-relative analysis

Bachelor's Degree or Higher places Bridger toward the bottom of Montana's cities

Among the 317 Montana cities PlainCities tracks with reported bachelor's degree or higher data, Bridger ranks #274 - the 13th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Bridger only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#260 of 282
8th percentile in Montana
Median Gross Rent
#120 of 317
57th percentile in Montana
Median Home Value
#135 of 279
52nd percentile in Montana
Poverty Rate
#172 of 315
44th percentile in Montana
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#274 of 317
13th percentile in Montana

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Montana only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

5thIncome percentile
97thSafety percentile

5th percentile nationally for median household income · 97th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Bridger's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Bridger'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 49 Avg. percentile National median
Bridger'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 Bridger's home value compares nationally

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

$232,900 48th percentile more affordable than 48% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Bridger $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 - Bridger, MT Bridger, MT's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Bridger, 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 Bridger, MT median $35,893/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%
Bridger, 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 Bridger, MT. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 10.6%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 5.5%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 57.9%

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

Population
850
Median Income
$35,893
Median Home Value
$232,900
Median Age
40.6
Poverty Rate
5.5%
Labor force participation
57.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
10.6%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
136.6
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
0.0
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
136.6
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
45.7°F
Annual Precipitation
11.5"
Annual Snowfall
30.3"

Schools

Total Schools
3
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
640 residents660 residents680 residents700 residents720 residents740 residents 202020212022202320242025 664 residents 709 residents ▲ +6.8%
Bridger'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 1
2020 1
2021 1
2022 0
2023 1
2024 0

Permit volume decreased 100% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
76.3%
Carpool
13.7%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
5.2%
Work from Home
4.7%

Based on 401 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 Bridger sits in

Cost of Living Index
94.6
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,417/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
59.8 / 100
Moderate
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Montana

Pinesdale
847 people
Big Sandy
844 people
Trego
856 people
Lincoln
868 people
Ulm
868 people
Scobey
824 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Bridger's 850 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Floyd Hill, CO
850 people
Anna Maria, FL
850 people
Winslow, IN
850 people
Kenesaw, NE
850 people
Prospect, NC
850 people
Moscow, TN
850 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Bridger's $35,893 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Cypress Quarters, FL
$35,893 median income
Summerton, SC
$35,893 median income
Ware Shoals, SC
$35,896 median income
Adel, GA
$35,897 median income
Forest City, NC
$35,897 median income
Cannelton, IN
$35,900 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Bridger, 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 Bridger, MT - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 93.3% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 2.7% White 93.3% Black or African American 0.0% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 1.3% Two or more races 5.4% 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 Bridger 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
Bridger (this city) 850 $35,893
Pinesdale 847 $70,694
Big Sandy 844 $58,083
Trego 856 $91,667
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MT FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Bridger, MT?

What is the population of Bridger, MT? +

Bridger, MT has a population of 850 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

The median household income in Bridger is $35,893 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Bridger? +

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

Bridger has a total crime rate of 136.6 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 Bridger, MT? +

A typical home in Bridger is worth $232,900, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Bridger? +

Bridger has an average annual temperature of 45.7°F, 11.5 inches of precipitation, and 30.3 inches of snowfall per year. 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

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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.