Everything You Should Know Before Moving to Big Arm, MT
Thinking about moving to Big Arm, MT? This small lakeside community of 218 residents offers affordable living with a median home price of $342,000 and average rents around $1,050. Enjoy a peaceful lifestyle, short 19-minute commutes, and beautiful outdoor surroundings near Flathead Lake. While the area has modest crime rates and strong high school graduation rates, higher education levels are lower than average. With four distinct seasons and 54% sunny days, Big Arm is ideal for those seeking quiet, scenic Montana living.
Demographics - Big Arm, MT
Demographics - Big Arm, MT
Big Arm is a small, close-knit community of 218 residents with a median age of 53, reflecting a mature population. The town has a predominantly White and Native American demographic and a slightly higher number of males than females. Most residents speak English, and the population density is low, offering a quiet, spacious living environment.
Population:
218
Density:
44 per sq mi
Median Age:
53.0
Gender Ratio:
104 males per 100 females
Non-English Speakers Percentage:
6.5%
Ethnic Composition
White:
75.0%
Asian:
0.5%
Others:
4.5%
Cost Of Living
What is the average cost of living in Big Arm, MT?
The cost of living in Big Arm is slightly below the national average, with a median home value of $342,000 and average rents around $1,050. Utility, grocery, and transportation costs are also reasonable, making it an affordable choice for many. State taxes range from 1.0% to 6.75%, further supporting financial stability for residents.
Median House Value:
$342,000
Gross Rent:
$1,050
Monthly Electricity Charges:
$125
Auto Insurance:
$1,120
House Owner Cost With Mortgage:
$1,320
House Owner Cost Without Mortgage:
$430
State Taxes:
Low:
1.0%
|
High:
6.75%
Cost Of Living Index:
97.8
Grocery:
99.0
Housing:
92.5
Utilities:
98.6
Transportation:
93.2
Health Care:
97.5
Miscellaneous:
95.1
Crime
Is Big Arm, MT a safe place to live?
Big Arm experiences modest crime rates, with violent crime at 248 incidents per 100,000 people and property crime at 1,566 per 100,000. Residents have a low risk of violent crime, with odds of about 1 in 400. Overall, the community offers a relatively safe environment by Montana standards.
Violent Crimes Per 100k:
248
Property Crimes Per 100k:
1,566
Crime Index:
1,814
Chance Of Violent Crime:
1 in 403
Chance Of Property Crime:
1 in 64
Weather
What is the weather like in Big Arm, MT year-round?
Big Arm enjoys four distinct seasons, with warm summers reaching up to 81°F and chilly winters dipping to 16°F. The area receives about 15.5 inches of rainfall annually and sees sunshine 54% of the year. This climate supports a variety of outdoor activities throughout the year.
Winter
Min:
16°F
Max:
32°F
Spring
Min:
34°F
Max:
59°F
Summer
Min:
48°F
Max:
81°F
Fall
Min:
34°F
Max:
62°F
Average Rainfall Inches:
15.5 inches
Sunny Days Percentage:
54%
Neighbors
Residents in Big Arm benefit from a relaxed rural lifestyle, with median household incomes around $45,200 and a poverty rate of 15.6%. The community is well-educated at the high school level, and most commutes are short, averaging about 19 minutes. Public transportation use is minimal, highlighting the area’s small-town character.
Median Income:
$29,000
Household Income:
$45,200
Family Income:
$52,400
Per Capita Income:
$24,700
Income Male:
$33,000
Income Female:
$24,000
Poverty Rate:
15.6%
Non English Speakers:
6.5%
Rent:
$1,050
Unemployment Rate:
4.7%
Public Transport Usage:
0.3%
Commute Time:
19.4 minutes
Education
High School or Higher:
92.8%
Bachelors or More:
17.5%
Education
How are the schools in Big Arm, MT?
Big Arm is served by nearby public schools in Polson, offering reasonable student-to-teacher ratios for personalized attention. The area also provides access to higher education at Salish Kootenai College, located just 15 miles away. While high school graduation rates are strong, college attainment among residents is below the national average.
Public Schools
Name:
Cherry Valley Elementary School
Street:
107 8th Ave W, Polson, MT 59860
Phone:
406-883-2248
Students:
300
Student Teacher Ratio:
13.5
Name:
Polson Middle School
Street:
1602 2nd St W, Polson, MT 59860
Phone:
406-883-6355
Students:
375
Student Teacher Ratio:
14.2
Colleges
Name:
Salish Kootenai College
City:
Pablo
State:
MT
Distance:
15 miles
Students:
750
Healthcare
Big Arm residents have access to quality healthcare nearby, with two major hospitals offering emergency services within easy driving distance. About 89% of locals have health insurance, and there are 1.3 physicians per 1,000 people. The area’s healthcare index reflects solid medical support for a community of its size.
Major Hospitals
Name:
Providence St. Joseph Medical Center
Address:
6 13th Ave E, Polson, MT 59860
Phone:
(406) 883-5377
Type:
General & Surgical
Emergency Services:
Yes
Name:
St. Luke Community Healthcare
Address:
107 6th Ave SW, Ronan, MT 59864
Phone:
(406) 676-4441
Type:
General & Surgical
Emergency Services:
Yes
Physicians Per 1000:
1.3
Health Insurance Coverage:
89.4%
Health Care Index:
72.2
Housing Market
What is the housing market like in Big Arm, MT?
The housing market in Big Arm is stable, with a median home price of $342,000 and owner-occupied homes making up over three-quarters of the market. Rental vacancies are moderate, and home values have appreciated by 3.2% over the past year. New construction and foreclosure rates remain low, indicating steady demand.
Median Home Price:
$342,000
Average Rent For 2 Bedroom:
$1,050
Owner Occupied Rate:
76.2%
Rental Vacancy Rate:
6.1%
Home Appreciation Rate (1yr):
3.2%
New Construction Rate:
0.7%
Foreclosure Rate:
0.8%
DMV Information
Big Arm residents are served by the Montana Motor Vehicle Division, headquartered in Helena and accessible online or by phone. The DMV offers services such as licensing and vehicle registration for the state of Montana. Local drivers benefit from straightforward access to essential transportation services.
State:
Montana
Department:
Montana Motor Vehicle Division
Address:
302 N Roberts, Helena, MT 59620
Phone:
1-406-444-3933
Website:
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is based on publicly available sources including AccuWeather, U.S. Census Bureau, local government data, and third-party partners such as Neustar. While we strive to ensure accuracy, all data is provided “as is” and should be independently verified before making any decisions. Movers.com makes no guarantees regarding the completeness or reliability of the information.