Population
Montana has a population of 1,122,000 as of 2026, making it the #44 most populous state in the United States.
Montana Rankings
Where Montana places in every state-level dataset StatsPanda tracks. Each row opens the full ranking.
Montana Population Clock
These statistics show the estimated changes to Montana's population based on birth rates, death rates, and migration patterns from US Census Bureau data.
One birth every — seconds
One death every — seconds
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| Montana Population (as of 7/14/2026) | 1,122,000 |
| Births per day | 32 |
| Deaths per day | 28 |
| Net migrations per day | 15 |
| Net population change per day | +19 |
| Population change since Jan 1st | — |
Demographics
The racial composition of Montana includes 86.44% White, 0.55% Black or African American, 0.84% Asian, 1.06% other race, and smaller percentages for Native American, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander and multiracial populations.
Population by Race
Why is Hispanic separate? Following U.S. Census methodology, Hispanic or Latino origin is an ethnicity, not a race — people of Hispanic origin may be of any race. “All” shows the racial breakdown; the Hispanic and Non-Hispanic views show ethnicity, so the two groupings overlap rather than adding up to 100%.
| Race | Population ↓ | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White | 969,898 | 86.44% |
| Native American | 65,247 | 5.82% |
| Two or more races | 58,585 | 5.22% |
| Other race | 11,912 | 1.06% |
| Asian | 9,465 | 0.84% |
| Black or African American | 6,192 | 0.55% |
| Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander | 700 | 0.06% |
Montana Marital Status
Population by Age and Gender
Median Age
Geography
Montana has seen steady population growth in recent years. According to the latest census data from 2020, Montana had a population of 1,084,225 people, representing a 9.7% increase from the 2010 census figure of 989,415 residents. This growth rate is higher than the national average and ranks Montana as the 7th fastest growing state by percentage change. Key factors driving Montana's population expansion include a strong economy with job growth in industries like tech and healthcare, as well as an influx of new residents attracted to the state's natural beauty and recreational opportunities. With scenic public lands and vibrant small cities like Bozeman and Missoula drawing new residents, Montana seems poised for continued population gains in the years ahead.
Economics and Income Statistics
Montana's average per capita income is $37,837. Household income levels show a median of $66,341. The poverty rate stands at 12.41%.
Families: A family includes the owner or renter of the home along with everyone related to them - whether through birth, marriage, or adoption. This includes relatives like spouses, children, parents, siblings, grandparents, and any other family members.
Households: A household includes all the people who occupy a housing unit (such as a house or apartment) as their usual place of residence.
Non Families: A nonfamily household is either someone living alone or when the owner/renter lives with people they aren't related to, like roommates.
| Name | Median ↓ | Mean |
|---|---|---|
| Married Families | $84,027 | $107,555 |
| Families | $84,027 | $110,916 |
| Households | $66,341 | — |
| Non Families | $39,863 | $56,605 |
Income & Poverty
Largest Cities in Montana
The largest city in Montana is Billings with a population of 120,697.
| Rank | City | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Billings | 120,697 |
| 2 | Missoula | 73,489 |
| 3 | Great Falls | 58,505 |
| 4 | Bozeman | 53,293 |
| 5 | Butte | 34,494 |
| 6 | Helena | 32,091 |
| 7 | Kalispell | 24,558 |
| 8 | Havre | 9,715 |
| 9 | Anaconda | 9,139 |
| 10 | Miles City | 8,410 |
Population by County
Montana's population shows distinct regional patterns, with the most populous counties concentrated in metropolitan areas. The most dramatic growth is occurring in suburban areas, while rural and some urban areas show more mixed trends.
Counties in Montana →Population by County
Population Growth by County
Population Density by County
Research Papers Related to Montana
Sources
Most recent state estimates from the Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program.
Detailed demographic and economic data for Montana.
Quick access to state-level statistics and comparisons.
Data Methodology
Population totals are sourced from the latest available US Census Bureau data. Totals for the current year are projected using each state's USCB data and previous year population growth rate. Growth rates are calculated based on births, deaths, and net migration estimates.