Population Statistics

Updated: February 2, 2026

Montana is home to a little over 1.1 million people. That may sound like a lot, but it's still one of the least crowded states in the country. Most people there are adults, and about 1 out of every 5 people is 65 or older, so the population is a bit older than in many other states.

Most Montanans identify as white, but there are also important Native American communities and smaller groups of people with many different backgrounds. Education levels are high: almost everyone has finished high school, and about one-third of adults have a college degree.

Many adults in Montana work, and the unemployment rate is fairly low, which means most people who want jobs can find them. In recent years, families have been earning more money on average, and fewer people are living in poverty than in the past, although some families still struggle.

General

• 2020 resident population (Census): 1,122,867.
• 2010 resident population (Census): 989,415.
• 2023 estimated population: about 1.11-1.13 million, with continued slow growth.

Gender

• Male: about 50.6% of the population.
• Female: about 49.4% of the population.

Age

• Under 5 years: about 5.0%.
• Under 18 years: about 21-22%.
• 65 years and over: about 19-20% (median age about 41.3 years).

Housing

• Total housing units: about 549,000.
• Total households: about 473,000.
• Average household size: about 2.34 persons.
• Average family size: about 2.95 persons.

Race and Ethnicity

• White alone, non-Hispanic: about 84%.
• American Indian & Alaska Native alone, non-Hispanic: about 5-6%.
• Black or African American alone: about 0.6-0.7%.
• Asian alone: about 0.8-0.9%.
• Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander: about 0.1%.
• Some other race alone: about 2%.
• Two or more races (non-Hispanic): about 5-6%.
• Hispanic or Latino (of any race): about 4-4.5% (up from 2.9% in 2010).

Ancestry breakdowns like 'German,' 'Irish,' 'English,' 'Norwegian,' and 'American Indian' are still common in survey data, but are not as consistently reported as in 2010; the overall pattern remains similar.

Education

• High school graduate or higher: about 94-95%.
• Bachelor's degree or higher: about 34-35%.

Labor Force

• Civilian labor force participation (age 16+): about 62-63% of adults.
• Unemployment rate in recent years: generally around 3-4%, after a peak during COVID-19.

Economic

• Per capita income: around $39,000-$41,000.
• Median household income (2023): about $69,900-$70,000.
• Poverty rate (all people, 2024): about 10.2%, down from about 16.5% in 2013.

All data compiled by the Montana Department of Commerce, Census and Economic Information Center, and Census Bureau .

Updated: February 2, 2026