Lewis and Clark County Rental Housing Statistics

The American Community Survey (ACS), conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau, publishes detailed estimates about rental housing in Lewis and Clark County each year. Gross rent includes both the contract rent and any additional utility and fuel costs. 

Unlike the Census—which is an exact count of people and households every ten years—ACS statistics are estimated based on a representative survey sample. (The data in this story only considers occupied rental housing with rent payments in Lewis and Clark County.) This report uses ACS 5-year estimates for Lewis and Clark County rental housing data, rather than single-year periods.The 5-year estimates provide greater geographical granularity but a less granular time period. 

How does Lewis and Clark County median rent compare to Montana and the United States?

How does median rent vary within Lewis and Clark County, Montana?

Note: Hover over each census tract in Lewis and Clark County to see its median gross rent.

How does median rent of Lewis and Clark County vary by unit size?

How much occupied rental housing in Lewis and Clark County is unaffordable? 

This chart shows counts of rental housing units in Lewis and Clark County, Montana, broken down by their rent affordability—that is, the gross rent as a percentage of household income. According to longstanding convention (pdf), households that spend 30 percent or more of their income on housing are considered "burdened" by housing costs that they may not be able to afford. While the 30-percent rule of thumb is not a perfect measure of unaffordable housing, it can be a useful indicator for identifying vulnerable households. 

How much do Lewis and Clark County residents spend on rent in aggregate?

The ACS releases estimated rent cost aggregations based on its survey data. These aggregations are further broken down by the size and composition of the rental structure—for example, stand-alone rental homes, multi-unit apartment complexes, and mobile homes. 

About the Data

Data is from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), 5-year estimates. The following tables are used:

• Median Gross Rent trend and map: Table B25064

• Number of Bedrooms: Table B25031

• Rent Affordability: Table B25070

• Aggregate Gross Rent: Table B25065

• Units in Structure: Table B25066

This report uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.