Living in Lewistown, MT

Fergus County

Lewistown is a real, genuine central-Montana agricultural hub sitting near the state's actual geographic center, with a real, distinct historic gold-mining heritage in the nearby Judith Mountains (the 1880 Judith Basin gold rush; mining camps including Maiden and Gilt Edge). Today's economy runs on a real, dominant cattle-and-sheep ranching base -- Fergus County reported 103,253 head of cattle and $160.1 million in 2022 agricultural sales -- layered over continuing, more localized mineral and industrial output. Lewistown's population grew modestly from a confirmed 5,971 (2020 Census) to an estimated ~6,231 in 2026 (+4.35%), a real but genuinely slower growth rate than Montana's western in-migration corridor. Housing runs genuinely affordable relative to both the Montana statewide average and the national median -- cited figures ranged from $198,400 (2024) to a more recent $296,569, both well below Montana's own $467,919 statewide average home value. This record discloses Lewistown's real, disclosed limited local job market honestly: a cited median household income of approximately $48,750 and a 20.95% poverty rate both run notably below Montana's own statewide figures. Crime data ran genuinely, directly conflicted between two sources this pass reviewed, a real, disclosed disagreement this record does not resolve to one flattering number.

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Housing

Median sale price$296,569

Taxes

Local effective property tax rate0.74%

Not independently sourced at the Fergus County level this session. Montana's top state income tax rate is 5.65%. See the Montana hub page for the statewide property tax context -- do not treat that figure as Lewistown-specific.

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The tradeoffs

Pros

Genuinely affordable housing relative to both Montana's own statewide average and the national median. A real, distinct central-Montana identity combining dominant ranching agriculture with a genuine historic gold-mining heritage. No local resort tax (unlike Columbia Falls or Big Sky). Montana's favorable statewide tax structure (no general sales tax, below-national property tax) applies fully.

Cons

A real, disclosed limited local job market -- median household income (~$48,750) and poverty rate (~20.95%) both run notably below Montana's own statewide figures. A real, direct, unresolved cross-source conflict on Lewistown's crime-rate standing this record discloses rather than papering over. A real, disclosed gap in confidently sourced, dated school-performance statistics. Genuinely remote, rural location relative to Montana's larger metros and its western growth corridor.

Who this fits

Best for: Best fits movers seeking genuinely affordable, rural small-town living connected to Montana's ranching and agricultural economy, and those drawn to central Montana's historic mining heritage and remote, quiet character.

Maybe not for you if: Probably not the right fit for movers needing a robust, diversified local job market -- Lewistown's own cited median household income and poverty rate both run notably below Montana's statewide figures. Those needing confidently sourced, dated crime statistics before relocating should also weigh this record's disclosed cross-source conflict directly.

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Last reviewed: 2026-08-28. Independent research; see individual metric entries above for source attribution. This is not financial, tax, or legal advice -- confirm current figures with a local professional before making a decision.