Carlton
Exploring Montana's natural beauty in Carlton
The Bitterroot River flows through Carlton and is a popular destination for fly fishing. "The Bitterroot River is a fly fishing mecca. People fly from all over the country and the world to fish that river," says Adair. "There's tons of public fishing spots and boat ramps. The river is something like 80 miles long but averages five feet deep, so it's not a dangerous river. It's a fisherman's paradise." Chief Looking Glass Fishing Access Site is a public fishing area on the river's west bank. The area also has a campground for adventure seekers looking for an extended trip. Hiking is another available activity in and around Carlton, with several trails through the Bitterroot Mountains to the west. The Sweeney Trailhead is about 12 miles south in Florence and offers access to mountain lakes and untouched wilderness. The Lolo Peak trailhead is about 20 miles northwest and is the starting point for a strenuous hike to Carlton Lake, where many hikers set up camp overnight.
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Countryside homes on spacious lots
A mix of housing is available in Carlton for nearly every price point. "There's a little bit of everything. You will find that you get a little more acreage and you get a better price per square foot in that area. But seriously, a little bit of everything for every price point, from luxury homes to starter homes," says Danni Moore, a broker with Engel & Volkers Western Frontier who has sold multiple properties in the area. Ranch-style homes and farmhouses are among the most common in Carlton, often on large lots with horse facilities and outbuildings like small barns. Log cabins are also common, nestled into the mature pine trees on the expansive properties. Most homes cost between $750,000 and $1.3 million. Buyers should be aware that many properties on the neighborhood's east side are in the 100-year floodplain of the Bitterroot River.
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K-12 education at Florence-Carlton schools
Students might attend Florence-Carlton Elementary School, Florence-Carlton Middle School and Florence-Carlton High School. The elementary and high schools receive C-plus ratings from Niche, while the middle school is rated a B-minus. All three schools share a facility in Florence, about 2 miles south of Carlton. The high school serves approximately 250 students and offers clubs like National Honor Society, Business Professionals of America and the Florence Chronicle student newspaper.
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Quick trips to nearby cities for shopping and dining
There is no commercial activity in Carlton, but the communities of Lolo and Florence are just a short drive away on U.S. 93. Lolo Creek Steakhouse is a rustic log cabin-style restaurant in Lolo with a wide-ranging menu that includes several cuts of meat. The restaurant also serves cocktails with spirits made at its own distillery. Lolo Harvest Foods is a local grocery store in Lolo, while Gary & Leo's Fresh Foods is south in Florence. Adair and Moore say most residents will drive north to Missoula for weekly grocery trips to shop at stores like Costco on North Reserve Street. Missoula has chain stores like Target, Walmart, Lowe's and Best Buy, and several chain and local restaurants.
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One way in and out of Carlton
Due to Carlton's rural location, there are no public transit options in the area. U.S. Route 93 is the main route to nearby communities, whether it's the 2-mile drive to Florence or the 7-mile trip to Lolo. Downtown Missoula is about 17 miles north along U.S. 93, and the closest hospital is Community Medical Center, about 15 miles north on Fort Missoula Road.
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Written By
Matthew Atkins
Photography Contributed By
Galina Valean
Video By
Maurice Boone
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Agents Specializing in this Area
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Mike Hyde
Mike Hyde
Real Broker, LLC
(406) 540-0487
146 Total Sales
1 in Carlton
$717,000 Price
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Danni Moore
Danni Moore
Engel & Völkers Western Frontier - Missoula
(406) 540-6760
262 Total Sales
1 in Carlton
$717,000 Price
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June Murray
June Murray
Keller Williams Western MT
(406) 540-6708
101 Total Sales
3 in Carlton
$813K - $965K Price Range
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Robin Rice
Robin Rice
Engel & Völkers Western Frontier - Stevensville
(406) 540-6029
30 Total Sales
2 in Carlton
$460K - $610K Price Range
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CLINT ROGERS
CLINT ROGERS
Ink Realty Group
(406) 540-6370
112 Total Sales
2 in Carlton
$840K - $955K Price Range
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Jim Adair
Jim Adair
EXIT Realty Missoula
(406) 926-7009
27 Total Sales
2 in Carlton
$850K - $965K Price Range
Schools
Source:
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
- 9th to 12th
- Public
- 7th to 8th
- Public
- Pre-K to 6th
- Public
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Transit
Crime and Safety
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Carlton | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 1 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 1 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 1 | 4 |
| Robbery | 1 | 4 |
| Burglary | 2 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 1 | 4 |
| Larceny | 1 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 1 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Carlton Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Carlton, Florence sell after 89 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Carlton, Florence over the last 12 months is $515,000, up 140% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$449,900
Median Sale Price
$515,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$320,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
6%
Last 12 months Home Sales
1
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
140%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$226
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
32
Number of Homes for Sale
2
Median Year Built
1976
Months of Supply
24.00
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,649
Significantly above the national average
1,924
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
54,885
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
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Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
584
Median Age
45
Population under 18
21.9%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
23.6%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$74,454
On par with the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$91,532
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
98.3%
College Graduates
19%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
2.6%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
68.9%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
14''
Average Winter Low Temperature
17°F
Average Summer High Temperature
85°F
Annual Snowfall
30''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
53
/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
2
/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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