Wise RiverMT
A town of 30, settled in 1913.
Is Wise River a good place to live?
Wise River’s median age is 67.2 years, against 38.9 years in Montana’s towns and 40.5 years across U.S. towns. Of the 43 Montana towns we compare, none has a lower share of adults with a bachelor’s degree than Wise River. Wise River Ranger Station is on the National Register of Historic Places. Wise River has fewer than 1,000 residents, too few for fair grades; the figures below are still real.
30 people, and everyone knows the way
In a town this size, neighbors are the best guide. Ask them anything.
Moving to Wise River: who provides what
Wise River is unincorporated, so Beaverhead County and regional agencies provide most services.
EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Nov 18, 2024.
The data
Ordered by what stands out in Wise River.
Wise River’s typical home value is about $618K
The typical Wise River home is worth about $618,000, up 3.6% in a year, 32% above the Montana typical home. 90% of Wise River households own their home, above both the Montana town median (64%) and the median of U.S. towns (73%).
Typical home value
Census ACS, 2020–24 · Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data Center
The schools Wise River’s kids attend
Its public schools are run by the Wise River Elementary District. Its one school is below.
| School | Level | Students | Letter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wise River SchoolLargest public elementary schoolGrades PK–8 | Grades PK–8 | 7 | – |
NCES · EDFacts
High risk in Wise River, with avalanches at the top
Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 75% of U.S. communities.
FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
In Wise River, expect four seasons and pleasant summers
Wise River has cold winters and pleasant summers, with very little rain. The July high in Wise River is 77°F.
Typical low → high °F
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
Wise River stands out in Montana and nationally, with more of its adults who have high blood pressure
43% of Wise River adults have high blood pressure. Among 42 Montana towns, just 3 have a higher share of adults who have diabetes than Wise River. 30% of Wise River adults have obesity.
| Wise River | Montana towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| High blood pressure (CDC PLACES) | 43% | 32% | 35% |
| Feel lonely (CDC PLACES) | 27% | 31% | 33% |
| Diabetes (CDC PLACES) | 14% | 10% | 12% |
| Binge drink (CDC PLACES) | 16% | 20% | 16% |
| What stands out | Wise River | MT |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer binge drinkers | 15.6% | 20.3% |
| Fewer adults facing a utility shut-off | 5.6% | 6.5% |
| More adults with heart disease | 10.1% | 6.6% |
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
Everything we know about Wise River
Colleges nearby
None within 15 miles of Wise River; the nearest are
About 0 of every 100 Wise River residents are enrolled in college, against 5 across Montana.
Questions about Wise River
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Is Wise River, MT a good place to live?
Wise River has fewer than 1,000 residents, too few for fair grades; the figures below are still real.