City profile · Montana · Census ACS 2023

Lima, MT

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

237
Residents
$53,906
Median income
$183,100
Median home
$1,072
Median rent (state)

Lima - the verdict

Lima ranks in the 26th percentile for household income nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS.

26th
percentile, household income
37th
percentile, home value
26th
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: Lima, MT

Lima is a small town in Montana, home to 237 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Lima brings in $53,906 a year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 2.6%. Home values in Lima run a median of $183,100, and the median resident age is 53.0 years. 19.6% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 47.2% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

NOAA climate normals record an annual average temperature of 41.5°F with 10.3 inches of precipitation per year and 52.6 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). A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,072 per month statewide. 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 42.9 out of 100 (Low).

Population

237 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Montana

Median Household Income

$53,906 /yr

Poverty 2.6%

Cost of Living Index (state)

94.6 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Montana average

How does Lima compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 26% higher than other cities
Home value 37% pricier than other cities
Median rent 26% 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

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 Lima'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.

26thIncome percentile

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

How Lima's home value compares nationally

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

$183,100 Among the most affordable more affordable than 63% 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. Lima $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 - Lima, MT Lima, MT's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Lima, 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 Lima, MT median $53,906/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%
Lima, 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 Lima, MT. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 19.6%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 2.6%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 47.2%

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

Population
237
Median Income
$53,906
Median Home Value
$183,100
Median Age
53.0
Poverty Rate
2.6%
Labor force participation
47.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
19.6%

Climate

Avg Temperature
41.5°F
Annual Precipitation
10.3"
Annual Snowfall
52.6"

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 →
205 residents210 residents215 residents220 residents225 residents 202020212022202320242025 209 residents 221 residents ▲ +5.7%
Lima's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
63.4%
Carpool
0.0%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
22.6%
Work from Home
8.6%
Other
5.4%

Based on 93 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 Lima sits in

Cost of Living Index
94.6
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,072/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
42.9 / 100
Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Montana

Belfry
240 people
Forest Hill
234 people
Savage
244 people
Starr School
227 people
McAllister
226 people
Swan Lake
226 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Lima's 237 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Coffeeville, AL
237 people
Westcreek, CO
237 people
Magnolia, DE
237 people
Black Sands, HI
237 people
Taylor Ridge, IL
237 people
Shamrock Lakes, IN
237 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Lima's $53,906 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Marshall, AK
$53,906 median income
Middle Point, OH
$53,906 median income
Cove Creek, NC
$53,898 median income
Orland, IN
$53,897 median income
South Montrose, PA
$53,917 median income
Holland, AR
$53,889 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Lima, 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 Lima, MT - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 100.0% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 0.0% White 100.0% Black or African American 0.0% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.0% Two or more races 0.0% 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 Lima 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
Lima (this city) 237 $53,906
Belfry 240 $45,625
Forest Hill 234 $25,579
Savage 244 $87,083
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MT NOAA Normals NCES CCD OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Lima, MT?

What is the population of Lima, MT? +

Lima, MT counts 237 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

The median household income in Lima is $53,906 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Lima? +

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

Homes in Lima carry a median value of $183,100, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Lima? +

The average annual temperature in Lima runs 41.5°F, 10.3 inches of precipitation, and 52.6 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, 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.