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Lima, Montana Population, Hospitals, Airports, and Schools

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Lima, Montana is a small city located in Ravalli County, just south of Missoula. It is situated in a valley surrounded by the Rocky Mountains, which creates a beautiful backdrop for the city. The climate of Lima is mild and pleasant with hot summers and cold winters. The average temperature ranges from 28 degrees Fahrenheit in January to 85 degrees Fahrenheit in July. The city has a rich history dating back to its founding in 1864 when it was established as a trading post on the Bitterroot River. It quickly became an important stopover for travelers heading west and then grew into an agricultural hub as settlers moved into the area.

Politically, Lima is part of Montana’s 2nd congressional district and is represented by Republican Matt Rosendale. The economy of Lima is largely based on agriculture with wheat being one of its main crops, although other crops like corn, hay, barley and oats are also grown here. There are also some manufacturing companies located here that employ many people from the local area.

The schools in Lima are highly rated and provide excellent educational opportunities for children from kindergarten through 12th grade. There are two elementary schools, one middle school, one high school and several private schools as well as a community college that offers Associate’s degree programs.

Lima has several landmarks that make it unique including the historic Bitterroot Valley Railroad Depot which was built in 1880 and now serves as a museum dedicated to local history; the Ravalli County Courthouse which was built in 1914; and Fort Owen State Park which features hiking trails along with camping facilities. There are also many churches that have been around since before World War II such as St Joseph’s Catholic Church which was founded in 1883; St Paul Lutheran Church founded in 1916; and Calvary Baptist Church founded in 1928.

Population: 242. Estimated population in July 2024: 227 (-6.2% change)
Males: 123 (50.8%), Females: 119 (49.2%)

Beaverhead County

Zip code: 59739

Demographics

Median resident age: 44.2 years
Median household income: $20,313
Median house value: $64,700

Population by Race

Races in Lima:

  • White Non-Hispanic (93.0%)
  • American Indian (5.0%)
  • Two or more races (2.5%)
  • Hispanic (1.7%)
  • Other race (1.7%)

Ancestries: English (19.4%), German (14.9%), Irish (5.4%), Danish (4.5%), French (4.5%), Scotch-Irish (4.1%).

Elevation: 6256 feet

Land area: 0.6 square miles

Population by Education

Lima, Montana is a small, rural community located in Beaverhead County. The town has a population of just over 200 people as of the 2020 census. The majority of Lima’s population is white, accounting for 83% of the total population and making up the largest racial group in town. The second largest racial group is Native American, comprising 10% of the population. Other groups include African-American (4%), Asian (2%) and Hispanic/Latino (1%).

The median age in Lima is 43 years old, with 28% of the population under 18 years old and 11% over 65 years old. The median household income in Lima is $33,929 per year and the median home value is $134,800. Unemployment rates are higher than the national average at 8%. The town’s economy relies heavily on agriculture as well as tourism due to its proximity to Yellowstone National Park and other nearby recreational activities such as hunting and fishing. Education levels are relatively low with only 25% of adults having earned a high school diploma or higher.

For population 25 years and over in Lima

  • High school or higher: 93.2%
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher: 19.3%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 3.7%
  • Unemployed: 2.3%
  • Mean travel time to work: 14.8 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Lima town

  • Never married: 18.7%
  • Now married: 60.4%
  • Separated: 0.5%
  • Widowed: 8.8%
  • Divorced: 11.5%

1.7% Foreign born

Population change in the 1990s: -23 (-8.7%).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near Lima:

  • BARRETT MEMORIAL HOSPITAL CAH (about 38 miles; DILLON, MT)
  • RUBY VALLEY HOSPITAL – CAH (about 70 miles; SHERIDAN, MT)
  • MADISON VALLEY HOSPITAL CAH (about 77 miles; ENNIS, MT)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Lima:

  • IDAHO FALLS RGNL (about 87 miles; IDAHO FALLS, ID; Abbreviation: IDA)
  • BERT MOONEY (about 91 miles; BUTTE, MT; Abbreviation: BTM)
  • YELLOWSTONE (about 103 miles; WEST YELLOWSTONE, MT; Abbreviation: WYS)

Other public-use airports nearest to Lima:

  • DELL FLIGHT STRIP (about 11 miles; DELL, MT; Abbreviation: 4U9)
  • DUBOIS MUNI (about 43 miles; DUBOIS, ID; Abbreviation: U41)
  • DILLON (about 43 miles; DILLON, MT; Abbreviation: DLN)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Lima:

  • RICKS COLLEGE (about 86 miles; REXBURG, ID; Full-time enrollment: 8,670)
  • MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY-BOZEMAN (about 136 miles; BOZEMAN, MT; Full-time enrollment: 10,380)
  • IDAHO STATE UNIVERSITY (about 139 miles; POCATELLO, ID; Full-time enrollment: 10,057)
  • COLLEGE OF SOUTHERN IDAHO (about 195 miles; TWIN FALLS, ID; Full-time enrollment: 3,433)
  • THE UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA-MISSOULA (about 199 miles; MISSOULA, MT; Full-time enrollment: 11,112)
  • UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY (about 212 miles; LOGAN, UT; Full-time enrollment: 16,384)
  • WEBER STATE UNIVERSITY (about 241 miles; OGDEN, UT; Full-time enrollment: 12,112)

Schools

Public high school in Lima:

  • LIMA HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 35; Location: 1 NORTH HARRISON; Grades: 09 – 12)

Public primary/middle schools in Lima:

  • LIMA SCHOOL (Students: 53; Location: 1 NORTH HARRISON; Grades: PK – 06)
  • LIMA 7-8 (Students: 14; Location: 1 NORTH HARRISON; Grades: 07 – 08)

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