City profile · Montana · Census ACS 2023

Whitefish, MT

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

8,422
Residents
$71,110
Median income
$648,200
Median home
$1,691
Median rent (state)

Whitefish - the verdict

Nationally, Whitefish sits in the 51st percentile for household income and the 55th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

51st
percentile, household income
91st
percentile, home value
67th
percentile, median rent
55th
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: Whitefish, MT

8,422 people live in Whitefish, Montana - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $71,110 per year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 6.6%. Typical homes in Whitefish are valued around $648,200, and the median resident age is 43.4 years. Educational attainment runs 56.5% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 65.9% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 42 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 80% from five years earlier. Whitefish reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 1212.7 incidents per 100,000 residents, below the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA puts Whitefish's yearly average temperature at 42.5°F with 19.9 inches of precipitation per year and 63.1 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 $1,691 monthly. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Montana's average monthly utility costs around $175 (state average). Natural-hazard exposure scores 86.5 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

8,422 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Montana

Median Household Income

$71,110 /yr

Poverty 6.6%

Cost of Living Index (state)

94.6 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Montana average

How does Whitefish compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 51% higher than other cities
Home value 91% pricier than other cities
Median rent 67% pricier than other cities
Safety 55% 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: Whitefish ranks #18 of 39 Montana cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

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

Montana-relative analysis

Median Home Value is Whitefish's strongest outlier among Montana cities

Among the 279 Montana cities PlainCities tracks with reported median home value data, Whitefish ranks #13 - the 95th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Whitefish only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#95 of 282
66th percentile in Montana
Median Gross Rent
#25 of 317
87th percentile in Montana
Median Home Value
#13 of 279
95th percentile in Montana
Poverty Rate
#155 of 315
50th percentile in Montana
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#15 of 317
95th 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.

51stIncome percentile
55thSafety percentile

51st percentile nationally for median household income · 55th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Whitefish's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Whitefish'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 42 Avg. percentile National median
Whitefish'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 Whitefish's home value compares nationally

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

$648,200 9th percentile more affordable than 9% 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%). Below this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Whitefish $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 - Whitefish, MT Whitefish, MT's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Whitefish, 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 Whitefish, MT median $71,110/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%
Whitefish, 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 Whitefish, MT. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 56.5%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 6.6%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 65.9%

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

Population
8,422
Median Income
$71,110
Median Home Value
$648,200
Median Age
43.4
Poverty Rate
6.6%
Labor force participation
65.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
56.5%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1212.7
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
124.4
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1088.3
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
42.5°F
Annual Precipitation
19.9"
Annual Snowfall
63.1"

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 →
7,500 residents8,000 residents8,500 residents9,000 residents9,500 residents10,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 7,886 residents 9,358 residents ▲ +18.7%
Whitefish's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
42
housing units authorized
Single-Family
38
detached homes
Multifamily
4
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
5
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 208
2020 295
2021 213
2022 128
2023 70
2024 42

Permit volume decreased 80% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
66.0%
Carpool
2.0%
Public Transit
0.2%
Walk
7.0%
Work from Home
22.0%
Other
2.8%

Based on 4,600 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 Whitefish sits in

Cost of Living Index
94.6
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,691/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
86.5 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Montana

Miles City
8,412 people
Helena Valley West Central
8,224 people
Livingston
8,635 people
Evergreen
8,908 people
Havre
9,333 people
Lockwood
7,474 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Whitefish's 8,422 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Guadalupe, CA
8,422 people
Grandview Heights, OH
8,422 people
Plumas Lake, CA
8,424 people
Kronenwetter, WI
8,420 people
Pleasant Hills, PA
8,418 people
Northfield, NJ
8,427 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Whitefish's $71,110 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Fargo, GA
$71,105 median income
Guyton, GA
$71,115 median income
Lloydsville, OH
$71,118 median income
Tullytown, PA
$71,118 median income
Long Beach, MS
$71,121 median income
Delavan, WI
$71,121 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Whitefish, 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 Whitefish, MT - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 95.6% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 1.0% White 95.6% Black or African American 0.0% Asian 0.0% American Indian 1.2% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.4% Two or more races 2.8% 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 Whitefish 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
Whitefish (this city) 8,422 $71,110
Miles City 8,412 $60,732
Helena Valley West Central 8,224 $89,040
Livingston 8,635 $65,187
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MT FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Whitefish, MT?

What is the population of Whitefish, MT? +

8,422 people live in Whitefish, MT according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

The median household income in Whitefish is $71,110 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Whitefish? +

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

Whitefish has a total crime rate of 1212.7 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 Whitefish, MT? +

The median home value in Whitefish is $648,200, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Whitefish? +

Whitefish has an average annual temperature of 42.5°F, 19.9 inches of precipitation, and 63.1 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.