City profile · Montana · Census ACS 2023

Chinook, MT

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

1,460
Residents
$71,500
Median income
$205,900
Median home
$1,184
Median rent (state)

Chinook - the verdict

Chinook ranks in the 52nd percentile for household income and the 66th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

52nd
percentile, household income
44th
percentile, home value
35th
percentile, median rent
66th
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: Chinook, MT

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 1,460 residents in Chinook, a small town within Montana. The typical household in Chinook brings in $71,500 a year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 6.2%. Chinook's housing stock carries a median value of $205,900, and the median resident age is 39.0 years. Educational attainment runs 41.9% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 63.4% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 0 residential units authorized here in 2024 (No Permits). Chinook reports a comparatively low crime rate: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 952.4 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, below the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA climate normals record an annual average temperature of 42.4°F with 13.4 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. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,184 per month statewide. Monthly utility costs average around $175 across Montana, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Natural-hazard exposure scores 45.9 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Low).

Population

1,460 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Montana

Median Household Income

$71,500 /yr

Poverty 6.2%

Cost of Living Index (state)

94.6 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Montana average

How does Chinook compare to other US cities?

Where Chinook sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 52% higher than other cities
Home value 44% pricier than other cities
Median rent 35% pricier than other cities
Safety 66% safer than other cities

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

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at Montana, Chinook ranks #12 of 39 Montana cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Chinook 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 Chinook toward the top of Montana's cities

Among the 317 Montana cities PlainCities tracks with reported bachelor's degree or higher data, Chinook ranks #41 - the 87th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Chinook only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#91 of 282
67th percentile in Montana
Median Gross Rent
#261 of 317
16th percentile in Montana
Median Home Value
#161 of 279
42nd percentile in Montana
Poverty Rate
#160 of 315
49th percentile in Montana
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#41 of 317
87th 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.

52ndIncome percentile
66thSafety percentile

52nd percentile nationally for median household income · 66th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Chinook's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Chinook'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 60 Avg. percentile National median
Chinook'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 Chinook's home value compares nationally

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

$205,900 Among the most affordable more affordable than 56% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Chinook $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 - Chinook, MT Chinook, MT's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Chinook, 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 Chinook, MT median $71,500/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%
Chinook, 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 Chinook, MT. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 41.9%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 6.2%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 63.4%

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

Population
1,460
Median Income
$71,500
Median Home Value
$205,900
Median Age
39.0
Poverty Rate
6.2%
Labor force participation
63.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
41.9%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
952.4
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
519.5
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
432.9
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
42.4°F
Annual Precipitation
13.4"
Annual Snowfall
N/A

Schools

Total Schools
5
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
1,150 residents1,160 residents1,170 residents1,180 residents1,190 residents 202020212022202320242025 1,179 residents 1,155 residents ▼ -2.0%
Chinook'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 0
2020 1
2021 1
2022 0
2023 0
2024 0

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
64.0%
Carpool
11.2%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
15.0%
Work from Home
8.9%
Other
0.9%

Based on 642 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 Chinook sits in

Cost of Living Index
94.6
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,184/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
45.9 / 100
Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Montana

West Yellowstone
1,457 people
Fort Benton
1,470 people
Bonner-West Riverside
1,445 people
Fort Belknap Agency
1,434 people
Sun Prairie
1,514 people
Big Timber
1,530 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Chinook's 1,460 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Fort Loramie, OH
1,460 people
Gallitzin, PA
1,460 people
St. Stephen, SC
1,460 people
Hamshire, TX
1,460 people
Arapahoe, WY
1,460 people
Ocean Ridge, FL
1,461 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Chinook's $71,500 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Pecatonica, IL
$71,500 median income
Brooklyn, IA
$71,500 median income
Jamestown, KS
$71,500 median income
Gilbertsville, NY
$71,500 median income
Glen Rock, PA
$71,500 median income
Wernersville, PA
$71,500 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Chinook, 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 Chinook, MT - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 90.5% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 0.0% White 90.5% Black or African American 0.0% Asian 0.0% American Indian 5.3% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.0% Two or more races 4.2% 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 Chinook 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
Chinook (this city) 1,460 $71,500
West Yellowstone 1,457 $57,167
Fort Benton 1,470 $67,171
Bonner-West Riverside 1,445 $59,609
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MT FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Chinook, MT?

What is the population of Chinook, MT? +

Chinook, MT has a population of 1,460 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

The median household income in Chinook is $71,500 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Chinook? +

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

Chinook has a total crime rate of 952.4 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 Chinook, MT? +

Chinook's median home value sits at $205,900, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Chinook? +

Climate normals put Chinook's yearly average temperature at 42.4°F, 13.4 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

Verify with HUD →

Verify with FBI →

Verify with NOAA →

Verify with U.S. Census Bureau →

Verify with EPA →

Verify with FEMA →

Verify with BEA →

Verify with EIA →

Verify with NCES →

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.