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Lolo

Lolo

$563,797 Average Value
$319 Average Price per Sq Ft
11 Homes For Sale

Lolo blends small-town living with history and nature

About 11 miles south of Missoula, Lolo is a small residential community located along the Bitterroot River. A wide selection of homes are found within tree-lined neighborhoods, and outdoor recreation is abundant. Residents enjoy a strong sense of community and rich history, with multiple cultural attractions that explore the area’s frontier heritage. While Lolo does have a small commercial area along U.S. Highway 93, people prefer commuting to Missoula for work and essentials.

The housing market and cost of living in Lolo

The median sales price for a home in Lolo is about $550,000, which is on par with Missoula’s, giving both areas a similar cost of living. Housing prices range between the mid $300,000s to the lower $700,000s, depending on the home’s age, size and features. “Lolo is a big community in volume, and more condensed,” says Mike Hyde, a licensed Realtor with Real Broker, who has about 10 years of experience. “It has its own community water and septic system, so it does have apartments and townhouses and condos.” Lolo’s housing styles come in a wide range, including:

  • Ranchers, raised ranches and split levels from the 1970s to the 1990s
  • Traditional multistory homes from the 1980s to the 2010s
  • Contemporary single-story homes from the 2000s
  • Multistory townhouses from the 2000s to 2010s
  • Postmodern multistory homes from the 2020s

A handful of manufactured home communities are also found in the area, with properties costing under $100,000. Multiple apartment complexes have units available for rent.

Public school districts serving Lolo

Young children can attend schools within the Lolo Elementary School District, which serves kindergarten through eighth grade. According to Hyde, the district doesn’t have a bus system, so you’re required to pick up and drop your kids off. From there, students are served by the highly rated Missoula High School District and are specifically zoned to Sentinel High School. Sentinel’s curriculum is career-minded, offering 20 Advanced Placement courses and an Industrial & Trades program.

Commuting to Missoula and other major cities

Lolo sits at the crossroads of U.S. Highway 93 and U.S. Highway 12, making it easy to travel throughout the area. Commuters can take U.S. 93 north about 11 miles to reach Missoula, which is a 20-to-35- minute drive, depending on the time of day. Most residents make the trip daily for work or play. “If you work on the Southside of Missoula, then getting to Lolo is very convenient,” Hyde says. In Missoula, the highway connects to Interstate 90. Heading south on U.S. 93 takes drivers into Hamilton, roughly 36 miles away. U.S. 12 travels west, past the Idaho state line and on to Lewiston.

Lolo’s outdoor activities and attractions

Travelers’ Rest State Park is Lolo’s claim to fame. The park contains one of the only archeologically confirmed campsites used by Lewis and Clark. The campsite itself is a designated National Historic Landmark, and the Visitor’s Center shares its history and cultural impact with exhibits and artifacts. You can also explore the park for its natural recreation. Activities in Travelers’ Rest State Park include:

  • Hiking and biking along multiple trails
  • Fishing along Lolo Creek
  • Wildlife watching for over a hundred different bird species

Additional recreation is found along the Bitterroot River, which flows east of the community. “It’s more of a fishing river,” Hyde says. “It’s a slower-moving river, not one where you’re going to go white water rafting.” Lolo Hot Springs Resort is another popular attraction, about 27 miles west. It features two natural hot springs – one inside and one outside. The resort also has a hotel and a restaurant for those planning to stay long. Lolo National Forest surrounds the entire area, expanding throughout Northwestern Montana. The 2.3-million-acre forest offers opportunities for hiking, skiing and camping.

Celebrating community and heritage

Lolo’s community is rooted in its shared history, rural charm and togetherness. The Holt Heritage Center showcases a collection of art and artifacts on both western and Native American culture. This includes everything from clothing and tools to cowboy equipment. As for celebrating the current population, the Lolo Community Center hosts a handful of events throughout the year, including seasonal craft fairs and a trunk or treat for Halloween. The Lolo Food Bank is located at the center, providing essentials to neighbors in need.

Seasonal weather and changing temperatures

Lolo’s weather depends on the season, with a large gap in temperatures. Summers can get as high as 85 degrees, while winters can drop to the low teens. The average annual snowfall for Lolo is around 30 inches, which is on par with Missoula and the Northwestern Montana area. “Missoula is in a valley, so elevation-wise it’s comparable,” Hyde says. “If we get some weather, it’ll be about six to eight inches.” These averages are low compared to Montana’s state average of 161 inches.

Brittany Bell
Written By
Brittany Bell

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Schools

Source:
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Transit

Airport

Missoula Montana

23 min drive

Reviews

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Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Lolo US
Homicide 2 4
Sexual Assault 3 4
Assault with Weapon 2 4
Robbery 2 4
Burglary 3 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 4 4
Larceny 3 4
Crime Score 3 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Lolo Demographics and Home Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$586,500
Median Sale Price
$545,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$645,000
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$950,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
2%
Last 12 months Home Sales
54
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
0%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$319

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes
263
Number of Homes for Sale
11
Median Year Built
2011
Months of Supply
2.40
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,246
Above the national average
1,929
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,322
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,229
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
538
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
9,583

Open Houses

  • Sunday, Jan 4
    1 - 3pm

    5702 Lonesome Dove Ln, Lolo, MT 59847

    $549,999

    • 3 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 1,192 Sq Ft
    • 5702 Lonesome Dove Ln

    Welcome to 5702 Lonesome Dove — a charming, like-new home perfectly situated right across from the park. Why wait to build when you can move into this beautifully maintained, one-owner property that feels brand new? This thoughtfully designed 3-bedroom, 2-bath home offers the ease of one-level living with an open, airy floor plan. The living, dining, and kitchen areas flow seamlessly together,

    Paula Crews Keller Williams Western MT

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Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
3,765
Median Age
40
Population under 18
24.4%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
19.3%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$68,029
Below the national average
$79,601
Average Household Income
$85,465

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
93.6%
College Graduates
39.9%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
16%
% Population in Labor Force
70.4%
Above the national average
64.9%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
14''
Average Winter Low Temperature
17°F
Average Summer High Temperature
85°F
Annual Snowfall
30''

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®

2 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®

0 / 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.

Nearby Neighborhoods

Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Lolo