City profile · Montana · Census ACS 2023

Red Lodge, MT

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

2,399
Residents
$43,857
Median income
$374,900
Median home
$1,417
Median rent (state)

Red Lodge - the verdict

Red Lodge ranks in the 12th percentile for household income and the 82nd percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

12th
percentile, household income
75th
percentile, home value
56th
percentile, median rent
82nd
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: Red Lodge, MT

Red Lodge is a small town in Montana, home to 2,399 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Red Lodge households earn a median of $43,857 annually, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 3.0%. Home values in Red Lodge run a median of $374,900, and the median resident age is 57.9 years. About 44.7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 60.2% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 48 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Building Boom), up 243% from five years earlier. Red Lodge reports a comparatively low crime rate: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 584.7 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, below the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). The annual average temperature per NOAA climate normals runs 43.4°F with 22.7 inches of precipitation per year and 141.9 inches of snowfall.

Living costs in Montana run below the national norm: the state registers 94.6 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Below Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,417 monthly. 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 59.8 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Moderate).

Population

2,399 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Montana

Median Household Income

$43,857 /yr

Poverty 3.0%

Cost of Living Index (state)

94.6 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Montana average

How does Red Lodge compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 12% higher than other cities
Home value 75% pricier than other cities
Median rent 56% pricier than other cities
Safety 82% safer than other cities

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

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at Montana, Red Lodge ranks #5 of 39 Montana cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

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

Montana-relative analysis

Bachelor's Degree or Higher places Red Lodge toward the top of Montana's cities

Among the 317 Montana cities PlainCities tracks with reported bachelor's degree or higher data, Red Lodge ranks #37 - the 88th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Red Lodge only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#231 of 282
18th percentile in Montana
Median Gross Rent
#120 of 317
57th percentile in Montana
Median Home Value
#68 of 279
76th percentile in Montana
Poverty Rate
#205 of 315
35th percentile in Montana
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#37 of 317
88th 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.

12thIncome percentile
82ndSafety percentile

12th percentile nationally for median household income · 82nd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Red Lodge's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Red Lodge'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 43 Avg. percentile National median
Red Lodge'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 Red Lodge's home value compares nationally

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

$374,900 25th percentile more affordable than 25% 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%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Red Lodge $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 - Red Lodge, MT Red Lodge, MT's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Red Lodge, 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 Red Lodge, MT median $43,857/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%
Red Lodge, 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 Red Lodge, MT. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 44.7%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 3.0%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 60.2%

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

Population
2,399
Median Income
$43,857
Median Home Value
$374,900
Median Age
57.9
Poverty Rate
3.0%
Labor force participation
60.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
44.7%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
584.7
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
182.7
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
402.0
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
43.4°F
Annual Precipitation
22.7"
Annual Snowfall
141.9"

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 →
2,200 residents2,400 residents2,600 residents2,800 residents 202020212022202320242025 2,271 residents 2,723 residents ▲ +19.9%
Red Lodge's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
48
housing units authorized
Single-Family
42
detached homes
Multifamily
6
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
20
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 14
2020 36
2021 60
2022 48
2023 55
2024 48

Permit volume increased 243% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
61.2%
Carpool
8.7%
Public Transit
1.0%
Walk
8.6%
Work from Home
14.9%
Other
5.6%

Based on 1,229 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 Red Lodge sits in

Cost of Living Index
94.6
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,417/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
59.8 / 100
Moderate
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Montana

Big Sky
2,388 people
King Arthur Park
2,343 people
Conrad
2,553 people
Townsend
2,232 people
Wolf Point
2,604 people
Stevensville
2,172 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Red Lodge's 2,399 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Flora, MS
2,399 people
Nanty-Glo, PA
2,399 people
Tool, TX
2,399 people
Delcambre, LA
2,400 people
Jamestown West, NY
2,398 people
Maxton, NC
2,398 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Red Lodge's $43,857 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Ste. Genevieve, MO
$43,856 median income
Tellico Plains, TN
$43,859 median income
Hackleburg, AL
$43,854 median income
Smith Corner, CA
$43,854 median income
Augusta, KY
$43,854 median income
Mahnomen, MN
$43,854 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Red Lodge, 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 Red Lodge, MT - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 92.2% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 3.2% White 92.2% Black or African American 1.5% Asian 2.0% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 1.4% Two or more races 2.9% 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 Red Lodge 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
Red Lodge (this city) 2,399 $43,857
Big Sky 2,388 $103,625
King Arthur Park 2,343 $107,341
Conrad 2,553 $47,348
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MT FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Red Lodge, MT?

What is the population of Red Lodge, MT? +

2,399 people live in Red Lodge, MT according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Red Lodge, MT? +

Red Lodge households earn a median of $43,857 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Red Lodge? +

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

Red Lodge has a total crime rate of 584.7 per 100,000 residents, which is below 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 Red Lodge, MT? +

The median home value in Red Lodge is $374,900, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Red Lodge? +

Climate normals put Red Lodge's yearly average temperature at 43.4°F, 22.7 inches of precipitation, and 141.9 inches of snowfall per year. 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.