About 75 miles southwest of Billings and 3 miles from the nearest paved road, Luther is a ranching community at the base of the Beartooth Mountains. “It’s spectacularly beautiful,” says Marcella Manuel, a luxury real estate professional with Coldwell Banker who’s sold homes in the area for 24 years. “You get the whole panorama of the Beartooth Mountains, and you feel like you’re in absolute God’s country.” Homes here are spread far apart, allowing for views of miles of pasture with mountains in the distance. While neighbors in Luther don't live close together, Manuel says, “People who move here find it very easy to find their group. No matter what it is you like to do — art, outdoor recreation, volunteering — people find a group with common interests really easy and can be integrated into the community.”
Luther's only non-residential properties are a school and the Luther Community Church, and the overall CAP Index crime score is 1 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4. Groceries, gas, restaurants, retail and holiday events require a 16-mile trip into Red Lodge, a ski town popular with tourists for its winter slopes and summer access to Yellowstone National Park.
At the foot of Custer Gallatin National Forest
The over 3 million-acre Custer Gallatin National Forest stretches across the Beartooth Mountains nearby. Here, residents can hike or ride their horses along trails that wind pass wildflower meadows, rocky creeks and alpine lakes. “There are lots of little streams that come out of the mountains,” says Manuel, so fishing is popular here. From around Memorial Day to mid-October, the Beartooth Highway opens south of Red Lodge, providing a scenic route through the mountains to Yellowstone National Park, 83 miles away. Luther receives heavy snowfall in winter, and locals will take out their snowmobiles and cross-country skis, or head to Red Lodge Mountain for a day of skiing down 70 runs of snowy slopes. Skijoring, a sport where a horse pulls a skier through an obstacle course, is another way locals like to get outside in winter; Red Lodge hosts the National Finals Skijoring Races each March.
Go for a walk with your dog through downtown Red Lodge.
Luther is a ranching community in Montana.
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Ranch-style homes on working ranches
Luther’s hilly pastures are dotted with round hay bales and grazing cattle, and the mountains in the distance are snowcapped for much of the year. The narrow gravel roads here wind around the gentle hills, passing through small patches of trees. “There are so few properties because it’s mostly big ranches,” Manuel says. “There are a couple of ranches that own 200,000 to 300,000 acres.” Homes usually sit far back from the road and include ranch-style houses, cottages and manufactured homes. “Nothing sells here because the opportunities are limited,” Manuel says. No homes came on the market in 2024. According to a Homes.com calculation, which uses a combination of estimate data, the average home value here was around $770,000 in late 2024.
Tall trees provide shade and extra privacy for homes in Luther.
Homes in Luther are surrounded by the natural beauty of Montana.
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The Red Lodge Christmas Stroll
Each December, the stores in Red Lodge stay open late for the Christmas Stroll. Fire pits are set up along the street, where residents can listen to live music and watch the Blade Parade, where the city’s snowplows roll down Broadway Avenue decked out in holiday lights.
Red Lodge stores and restaurants
With no shopping or dining options in Luther, residents have to head 16 miles to Red Lodge for amenities, a trip that Manuel says takes around 15 minutes. Here, local businesses and restaurants line Broadway Avenue. Many of these cater to tourists, but Bogart’s is a local favorite, known for margaritas and Mexican food. At Carbon County Steakhouse, diners can chow down on local beef. The shops here include antique, clothing and gift stores, though residents can shop for tools at Ace Hardware and groceries at Beartooth Market. The nearest national retailers, like Walmart and Tractor Supply Company, are 60 miles away in Laurel.
Beartooth Market is a popular grocery store nearby Luther.
Friends and family gather for a delicious meal at Bogart's.
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Future of Montana Volunteer Corps at Red Lodge High
Local kids can attend Luther School, a rural school serving pre-kindergarten through Grade 8; it’s unrated by Niche. Red Lodge High earns an A-minus and is 16 miles away. Students here can join the Future of Montana Volunteer Corps, where they are connected to local volunteer organizations based on their interests.
Red Lodge High School is a highly rated school in Carbon County, Montana.
Luther School serves students in grade K-12.
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Route 78 to Red Lodge
Route 78, the nearest paved road, is about 3 miles away, leading 16 miles to Red Lodge. From Red Lodge, Highway 212 leads about 75 miles to Billings. Luther residents rely on their cars to get around, which need to be able to handle dirt roads and winter snowfall. For healthcare, Beartooth Billings Clinic is about 17 miles away. Red Lodge Airport, a general aviation airport with no commercial flights, is 15 miles away; Billings-Logan International Airport is a roughly 77-mile trip.
Summer wildfires and winter snows
Luther’s location near the national forest puts it at high risk for wildfire. The area is served by the Red Lodge Fire Department, located roughly 15 miles away. The community is also prone to heavy snowfall. The county can take a while to plow the main roads, and they don’t serve the entire area. “You need to plan ahead,” says Linda Nygard, a Realtor with PureWest Christie’s who’s sold homes here for 8 years. “Have someone ready to plow you out or have your own means.”
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
Interested in learning more about homes in this neighborhood?
Reach out to
Jason Leininger,
an experienced agent in this area.
Parks in this Area
Red Lodge Lions Club Park
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Luther
US
Homicide
1
4
Sexual Assault
1
4
Assault with Weapon
1
4
Robbery
1
4
Burglary
1
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
1
4
Larceny
1
4
Crime Score
1
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Home Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
2
Median Year Built
2007
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,440
Significantly below the national average
1,937
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
74,923
Distribution of Home Values
Source: Public Records
Interested in learning more about homes in this neighborhood?
Reach out to
Jason Leininger,
an experienced agent in this area.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
49
Median Age
54
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
14.3%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
30.6%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$63,750
Below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$101,714
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
90%
College Graduates
52.5%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
32.5%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
59.5%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
6''
Average Winter Low Temperature
8°F
Average Summer High Temperature
85°F
Annual Snowfall
14''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
24/ 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.
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.
