City profile · Montana · Census ACS 2023

Polson, MT

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

5,334
Residents
$51,463
Median income
$321,000
Median home
$1,444
Median rent (state)

Polson - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Polson lands in the 22nd percentile for household income and the 7th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

22nd
percentile, household income
68th
percentile, home value
57th
percentile, median rent
7th
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: Polson, MT

5,334 people live in Polson, Montana - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Polson brings in $51,463 a year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 14.9%. Home values in Polson run a median of $321,000, and the median resident age is 42.9 years. About 28.3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 52.3% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 10 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Slowing), down 9% from five years earlier. Polson's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: FBI UCR figures show 4107.5 crimes per 100,000 residents, above the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score). NOAA puts Polson's yearly average temperature at 46.2°F with 15.0 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. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,444 per month statewide. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Montana run around $175, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Commute times here average 18.3 minutes, with 82.9% driving alone and 2.5% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 67.7 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Moderate).

Population

5,334 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Montana

Median Household Income

$51,463 /yr

Poverty 14.9%

Cost of Living Index (state)

94.6 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Montana average

How does Polson compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 22% higher than other cities
Home value 68% pricier than other cities
Median rent 57% pricier than other cities
Safety 7% 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: Polson ranks #35 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 Polson'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.

22ndIncome percentile
7thSafety percentile

22nd percentile nationally for median household income · 7th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Polson's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Polson'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 22 Avg. percentile National median
Polson'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 Polson's home value compares nationally

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

$321,000 32nd percentile more affordable than 32% 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%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Polson $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 - Polson, MT Polson, MT's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Polson, 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 Polson, MT median $51,463/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%
Polson, 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 Polson, MT. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 28.3%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 14.9%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 52.3%

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

Population
5,334
Median Income
$51,463
Median Home Value
$321,000
Median Age
42.9
Poverty Rate
14.9%
Labor force participation
52.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
28.3%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
4107.5
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
987.9
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
3119.6
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
46.2°F
Annual Precipitation
15.0"
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 →
5,000 residents5,200 residents5,400 residents5,600 residents5,800 residents 202020212022202320242025 5,177 residents 5,653 residents ▲ +9.2%
Polson's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

🏗️ Slowing
Total Permits (2024)
10
housing units authorized
Single-Family
6
detached homes
Multifamily
4
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.9
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 11
2020 13
2021 29
2022 36
2023 8
2024 10

Permit volume decreased 9% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
18.3 minutes
Drive Alone
82.9%
Carpool
7.8%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
3.9%
Work from Home
2.5%
Other
2.9%

Based on 2,274 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 Polson sits in

Cost of Living Index
94.6
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,444/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
67.7 / 100
Moderate
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Montana

Orchard Homes
5,280 people
Bigfork
5,249 people
Columbia Falls
5,531 people
Four Corners
5,562 people
Helena Valley Northwest
5,070 people
Hamilton
4,949 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Polson's 5,334 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Guánica zona urbana, PR
5,333 people
Roanoke, AL
5,332 people
Rusk, TX
5,332 people
Benson, AZ
5,331 people
Posen, IL
5,331 people
Keyes, CA
5,330 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Polson's $51,463 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Royal Palm Estates, FL
$51,461 median income
Penn Yan, NY
$51,466 median income
Silver Plume, CO
$51,458 median income
Sumner, IL
$51,458 median income
Defiance, IA
$51,458 median income
Eckhart Mines, MD
$51,458 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Polson, 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 Polson, MT - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 61.9% 18.0% 16.4% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 7.3% White 61.9% Black or African American 0.5% Asian 0.4% American Indian 18.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 2.9% Two or more races 16.4% 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 Polson 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
Polson (this city) 5,334 $51,463
Orchard Homes 5,280 $68,649
Bigfork 5,249 $82,648
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 Polson, MT?

What is the population of Polson, MT? +

5,334 people live in Polson, MT according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Polson households earn a median of $51,463 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Polson? +

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

Polson has a total crime rate of 4107.5 per 100,000 residents, which is above 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 Polson, MT? +

Polson's median home value sits at $321,000, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Polson? +

Climate normals put Polson's yearly average temperature at 46.2°F, 15.0 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 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.