City profile · Montana · Census ACS 2023

Plentywood, MT

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

1,677
Residents
$62,163
Median income
$148,800
Median home
$1,211
Median rent (state)

Plentywood - the verdict

Plentywood ranks in the 39th percentile for household income nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS.

39th
percentile, household income
27th
percentile, home value
37th
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: Plentywood, MT

Montana's Plentywood is a small town, with 1,677 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. Median household income here is $62,163 per year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 7.3%. Home values in Plentywood run a median of $148,800, and the median resident age is 49.5 years. About 21.3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 56.3% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 0 residential units authorized here in 2024 (No Permits). NOAA puts Plentywood's yearly average temperature at 39.4°F with 14.7 inches of precipitation per year.

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). Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,211 monthly. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Montana's average monthly utility costs around $175 (state average). Workers in Plentywood report an average commute of 9.0 minutes, with 72.2% driving alone and 0.4% working from home. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 15.1 out of 100 (Very Low).

Population

1,677 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Montana

Median Household Income

$62,163 /yr

Poverty 7.3%

Cost of Living Index (state)

94.6 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Montana average

How does Plentywood compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 39% higher than other cities
Home value 27% pricier than other cities
Median rent 37% 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 Plentywood against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Montana only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Montana-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent places Plentywood toward the bottom of Montana's cities

Among the 317 Montana cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Plentywood ranks #244 - the 22nd percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Plentywood only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#134 of 282
52nd percentile in Montana
Median Gross Rent
#244 of 317
22nd percentile in Montana
Median Home Value
#213 of 279
23rd percentile in Montana
Poverty Rate
#144 of 315
54th percentile in Montana
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#167 of 317
47th 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.

39thIncome percentile

39th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Plentywood's home value compares nationally

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

$148,800 Among the most affordable more affordable than 73% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $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. Plentywood $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 - Plentywood, MT Plentywood, MT's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Plentywood, 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 Plentywood, MT median $62,163/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%
Plentywood, 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 Plentywood, MT. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 21.3%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 7.3%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 56.3%

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

Population
1,677
Median Income
$62,163
Median Home Value
$148,800
Median Age
49.5
Poverty Rate
7.3%
Labor force participation
56.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
21.3%

Climate

Avg Temperature
39.4°F
Annual Precipitation
14.7"
Annual Snowfall
N/A

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 →
1,600 residents1,650 residents1,700 residents 202020212022202320242025 1,670 residents 1,619 residents ▼ -3.1%
Plentywood'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 0
2021 0
2022 0
2023 2
2024 0

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
9.0 minutes
Drive Alone
72.2%
Carpool
10.6%
Public Transit
1.5%
Walk
11.2%
Work from Home
0.4%
Other
4.1%

Based on 784 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 Plentywood sits in

Cost of Living Index
94.6
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,211/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
15.1 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Montana

Forsyth
1,682 people
Choteau
1,719 people
Frenchtown
1,629 people
Clancy
1,729 people
Helena West Side
1,584 people
Thompson Falls
1,568 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Plentywood's 1,677 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Elizabeth Lake, CA
1,677 people
Ko Olina, HI
1,677 people
Gower, MO
1,677 people
Greenup, IL
1,678 people
Bryson City, NC
1,676 people
Bremen, OH
1,676 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Plentywood's $62,163 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Fort Myers, FL
$62,160 median income
Searsport, ME
$62,159 median income
Keystone, SD
$62,159 median income
Elk Mound, WI
$62,167 median income
Hephzibah, GA
$62,155 median income
Oskaloosa, IA
$62,172 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Plentywood, 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 Plentywood, MT - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 88.7% 6.6% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 3.9% White 88.7% Black or African American 0.0% Asian 0.9% American Indian 2.7% Native Hawaiian 0.7% Some other race 0.4% Two or more races 6.6% 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 Plentywood 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
Plentywood (this city) 1,677 $62,163
Forsyth 1,682 $58,375
Choteau 1,719 $53,929
Frenchtown 1,629 $90,767
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MT NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Plentywood, MT?

What is the population of Plentywood, MT? +

The population of Plentywood, MT stands at 1,677 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Plentywood households earn a median of $62,163 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Plentywood? +

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

The median home value in Plentywood is $148,800, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Plentywood? +

The average annual temperature in Plentywood runs 39.4°F, 14.7 inches of precipitation. 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.