City profile · Montana · Census ACS 2023

Choteau, MT

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

1,719
Residents
$53,929
Median income
$194,900
Median home
$1,360
Median rent (state)

Choteau - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Choteau places in the 26th percentile for household income. Source: Census ACS.

26th
percentile, household income
41st
percentile, home value
52nd
percentile, median rent
📝 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: Choteau, MT

1,719 people live in Choteau, Montana - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Choteau households earn a median of $53,929 annually, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 5.4%. Typical homes in Choteau are valued around $194,900, and the median resident age is 43.0 years. 25.4% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 53.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 7 residential building permits were authorized in Choteau (Building Boom), up 250% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. NOAA puts Choteau's yearly average temperature at 43.8°F with 11.9 inches of precipitation per year and 47.5 inches of snowfall.

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). HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,360 per month. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Montana's average monthly utility costs around $175 (state average). FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 19.0 out of 100 (Very Low).

Population

1,719 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Montana

Median Household Income

$53,929 /yr

Poverty 5.4%

Cost of Living Index (state)

94.6 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Montana average

How does Choteau compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 26% higher than other cities
Home value 41% pricier than other cities
Median rent 52% pricier than other cities

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

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

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

Montana-relative analysis

Median Home Value sits close to the middle of Montana's city distribution

Among the 279 Montana cities PlainCities tracks with reported median home value data, Choteau ranks #170 - the 39th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Choteau only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#173 of 282
39th percentile in Montana
Median Gross Rent
#161 of 317
48th percentile in Montana
Median Home Value
#170 of 279
39th percentile in Montana
Poverty Rate
#176 of 315
44th percentile in Montana
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#133 of 317
58th 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.

26thIncome percentile

26th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Choteau's home value compares nationally

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

$194,900 Among the most affordable more affordable than 59% 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. Choteau $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 - Choteau, MT Choteau, MT's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Choteau, 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 Choteau, MT median $53,929/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%
Choteau, 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 Choteau, MT. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 25.4%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 5.4%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 53.8%

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

Population
1,719
Median Income
$53,929
Median Home Value
$194,900
Median Age
43.0
Poverty Rate
5.4%
Labor force participation
53.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
25.4%

Climate

Avg Temperature
43.8°F
Annual Precipitation
11.9"
Annual Snowfall
47.5"

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 →
1,700 residents1,750 residents1,800 residents1,850 residents 202020212022202320242025 1,737 residents 1,825 residents ▲ +5.1%
Choteau's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
7
housing units authorized
Single-Family
5
detached homes
Multifamily
2
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
4.1
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 2
2020 0
2021 4
2022 0
2023 3
2024 7

Permit volume increased 250% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
66.4%
Carpool
11.5%
Public Transit
1.8%
Walk
5.9%
Work from Home
11.0%
Other
3.4%

Based on 706 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 Choteau sits in

Cost of Living Index
94.6
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,360/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
19.0 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Montana

Clancy
1,729 people
Forsyth
1,682 people
Plentywood
1,677 people
Pablo
1,808 people
Frenchtown
1,629 people
South Browning
1,852 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Choteau's 1,719 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Doe Valley, KY
1,719 people
Shannon, MS
1,719 people
Campbell, MO
1,719 people
Kenvil, NJ
1,719 people
Luis M. Cintrón comunidad, PR
1,719 people
Ordway, CO
1,718 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Choteau's $53,929 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Goodland, KS
$53,929 median income
East Jordan, MI
$53,929 median income
Milledgeville, OH
$53,929 median income
Priddy, TX
$53,929 median income
Belle Haven, VA
$53,929 median income
Marlow, OK
$53,932 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Choteau, 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 Choteau, MT - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 94.0% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 0.2% White 94.0% Black or African American 0.2% Asian 0.0% American Indian 2.4% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.2% Two or more races 3.1% 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 Choteau 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
Choteau (this city) 1,719 $53,929
Clancy 1,729 $116,800
Forsyth 1,682 $58,375
Plentywood 1,677 $62,163
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MT NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Choteau, MT?

What is the population of Choteau, MT? +

1,719 people live in Choteau, MT according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

In Choteau, the typical household earns $53,929 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Choteau? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Choteau; 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.

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

Homes in Choteau carry a median value of $194,900, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Choteau? +

Choteau has an average annual temperature of 43.8°F, 11.9 inches of precipitation, and 47.5 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

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