City profile · Montana · Census ACS 2023

Lewistown, MT

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

6,028
Residents
$44,195
Median income
$159,500
Median home
$1,446
Median rent (state)

Lewistown - the verdict

Nationally, Lewistown sits in the 12th percentile for household income and the 36th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

12th
percentile, household income
30th
percentile, home value
57th
percentile, median rent
36th
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: Lewistown, MT

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 6,028 residents in Lewistown, a small town within Montana. Median household income here is $44,195 per year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 14.8%. Lewistown's housing stock carries a median value of $159,500, and the median resident age is 46.5 years. Educational attainment runs 16.9% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 53.4% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 0 residential building permits were authorized in Lewistown (No Permits), down 100% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: per-100,000 total crime stands at 1851.8 in FBI UCR data, near the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA climate normals record an annual average temperature of 40.6°F with 16.8 inches of precipitation per year.

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. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,446 per month. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Montana's average monthly utility costs around $175 (state average). On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 45.1 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Low).

Population

6,028 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Montana

Median Household Income

$44,195 /yr

Poverty 14.8%

Cost of Living Index (state)

94.6 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Montana average

How does Lewistown compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 12% higher than other cities
Home value 30% pricier than other cities
Median rent 57% pricier than other cities
Safety 36% 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: Lewistown ranks #24 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 Lewistown'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.

12thIncome percentile
36thSafety percentile

12th percentile nationally for median household income · 36th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Lewistown's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Lewistown'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 35 Avg. percentile National median
Lewistown'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 Lewistown's home value compares nationally

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

$159,500 Among the most affordable more affordable than 70% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $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. Lewistown $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 - Lewistown, MT Lewistown, MT's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Lewistown, 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 Lewistown, MT median $44,195/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%
Lewistown, 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 Lewistown, MT. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 16.9%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 14.8%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 53.4%

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

Population
6,028
Median Income
$44,195
Median Home Value
$159,500
Median Age
46.5
Poverty Rate
14.8%
Labor force participation
53.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
16.9%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1851.8
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
644.1
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1207.7
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
40.6°F
Annual Precipitation
16.8"
Annual Snowfall
N/A

Schools

Total Schools
8
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
5,900 residents6,000 residents6,100 residents6,200 residents6,300 residents 202020212022202320242025 5,971 residents 6,179 residents ▲ +3.5%
Lewistown'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 5
2020 6
2021 4
2022 20
2023 3
2024 0

Permit volume decreased 100% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
75.6%
Carpool
6.5%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
11.3%
Work from Home
4.0%
Other
2.6%

Based on 2,570 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 Lewistown sits in

Cost of Living Index
94.6
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,446/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
45.1 / 100
Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Montana

Sidney
6,235 people
Four Corners
5,562 people
Columbia Falls
5,531 people
Polson
5,334 people
Orchard Homes
5,280 people
Bigfork
5,249 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Lewistown's 6,028 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Massanetta Springs, VA
6,028 people
Truth or Consequences, NM
6,026 people
Sheridan, CO
6,031 people
Wilmore, KY
6,031 people
Pauls Valley, OK
6,031 people
Rochester, WA
6,025 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Lewistown's $44,195 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Bluffview, WI
$44,195 median income
Ashland, MS
$44,194 median income
Mitchell, OR
$44,196 median income
Corning, AR
$44,197 median income
Cedar Grove, FL
$44,202 median income
Liberty, TN
$44,205 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Lewistown, 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 Lewistown, MT - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 92.0% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 3.7% White 92.0% Black or African American 1.1% Asian 0.9% American Indian 1.8% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 1.2% 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 Lewistown 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
Lewistown (this city) 6,028 $44,195
Sidney 6,235 $62,992
Four Corners 5,562 $111,474
Columbia Falls 5,531 $65,313
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MT FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Lewistown, MT?

What is the population of Lewistown, MT? +

The population of Lewistown, MT stands at 6,028 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Lewistown households earn a median of $44,195 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Lewistown? +

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

Lewistown has a total crime rate of 1851.8 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 Lewistown, MT? +

Homes in Lewistown carry a median value of $159,500, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Lewistown? +

Climate normals put Lewistown's yearly average temperature at 40.6°F, 16.8 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

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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.