Montana

Montana by the Numbers:
Key Statistical Data and Facts

Key Details

• As of 2023, Montana has an estimated population of 1,122,867, with an almost even gender balance. 
• Between 2017 to 2021, there were 529,152 housing units in the state with a person per-household average of 2.41. 
• 85.5% of the population are non-Hispanic whites and 24,703 foreign-born residents. 
• As of 2023, the Republican Party holds a trifecta control in Montana, with Governor Greg Gianforte from the party residing in office. 
• 94.4% of the population aged 25 years upwards have a high school degree or higher, and 33.7% have Bachelor’s degree or higher qualifications. 
• In 2021, the median household income was $60,560. 
• In 2019, Montana had a crime rate of 4,711 crimes per 100,000 residents. 

Montana Population Demographics

Montana shares its borders with South Dakota and North Dakota to the east, Canada to the north, and Idaho to the west. According to 2022 census estimates, the Treasure State has a population of 1,122,867. Residents aged 65 and above made up 49.4%  of the population, while residents below five years of age were 5.3% of the population. The adolescent population under 18 makes up 21.3% of Montana’s population. The gender balance is almost equal, with females making up 49.4% and males making up 50.6% of the population. 

Montana Housing

529,152 housing

According to US Census data, in 2022,  Montana had 529,152 housing units with a person per-household average of 2.41.

69.1%

Between 2017 to 2021, 69.1% of housing units were owner-occupied, and 84.9% of the residents lived in the same house from a year ago.

$263,700

During the same period, Montana had a median owner-occupied unit value of $263,700.

$1,538

The state also had a median monthly owner average cost of $476 without a mortgage or $1,538 with a mortgage.

$1,309

Montana’s average monthly rate ranges between $542 to above $1,309, depending on the property.

Montana Racial Demographics

Less than 700,000 residents, or roughly 6.9% of the population by race, are foreign-born in Michigan. White people who are non-Hispanic make up the majority—more than 74.2%.

Elections in Montana

Montana shows a trend of leaning toward both Republican and Democratic candidates, as both parties have won the governorship elections equally within the past six years. Between 1981 and 2022, three out of six governors were Democrats, Gov. Steve Bullock (2013 to 2021), Gov. Brian Schweitzer (2005 to 2013), and Gov. Ted Schwinden (1981 to 1989). The Republican governors include Gov. Judy Martz (2001 to 2005), Gov. Marc Racicot (1993 to 2001), and Gov. Stan Stephens (1989 to 1993). 

As of 2023, the governor of Montana is Greg Gianforte, who is from the Republican Party. Gianforte began his administration on the 4th of January, 2021, serving as the 25th governor of the state. 

In 2023, representatives to Congress from Montana included Matt Rosendale and Ryan Zinke, both Republicans. Matt Rosendale got into office on the 3rd of January, 2021, while Ryan Zinke resumed office on the 3rd of January, 2023. 

2020 Presidential Election 

The 2020 presidential election showed the Republican Party claiming victory in Montana, with Donald Trump getting 56.9% of the votes and the Democratic Party candidate Joe Biden getting 40.5%. From the 603,695 total votes, Donald Trump got 343,602 votes while Joe Biden got 244,786 votes, with the other candidates sharing the rest. 

Donald Trump

Joe Biden

Montana Voting Statistics

Montana’s voter statistics are available to the public through the Montana Secretary of State platform. The data shows that there are 739,850 total registered voters in Montana as of 2023, with Yellowstone County having the largest contribution of 103,462 voters.  

Out of approximately 752,540 voters registered in Montana, 612,075 cast their votes. It indicates an 81.33% voter turnout for the 2020 presidential elections, which is higher than in 2014, 2016, and 2018. The voter turnout for these three years was 55.44%,74.44%, and 71.53%, respectively. 

General and Gubernatorial Election

How Educated is Montana

According to census data, 94.4% of residents aged 25 years upwards have a high school degree or higher, while 33.7% hold Bachelor's or higher degrees 10.5% have a graduate or professional degree. The Montana University System recognizes 16 colleges and universities and accommodates more than 40,444 students. The popular universities in Montana include the University of Montana, Montana Technological University, Montana State University, Carroll College, and Rocky Mountain College. Montana State University is the state's largest. 

Montana Employment Rate

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate in Montana as of 2023 is 2.4% which is lower than the national rate of 3.6%. This figure has been within the range of a few decimal points between 2022 and 2023, with many counties reporting a drop in the unemployment rate.  

The counties with the highest labor force include Gallatin County (79,399 with 77,900 employed), Yellowstone County (86,290 with 84,180 employed), and Missoula County (68,405 with 66,486 employed). Golden Valley County and Treasure County have the least contribution to the state’s labor force, with less than 400 employed residents each.

Montana’s Bureau of Labor Statistics data for 2023 shows that there is a civilian labor force of 572,300 residents, with about 559,100 employed and 13,200 unemployed. The Government provides a decent level of employment, with 89,900 employed under the government. In contrast, the Information sector and the Mining and Logging sector have the least employment contribution, with about 5,600 and 6,800 residents employed, respectively. T

Other industries with the most job contribution include the Education & Health Services and the Trade, Transportation, and Utilities industries. These industries employ about 82,600 and 100,500 residents, respectively.

Average Income in Montana

The median household income in Montana between 2017 to 2021 was $60,560, according to the UC Census data. However, the income level varied depending on the location, job description, and educational qualifications of residents. For example, Gallatin County had a household income of $76,208, while Yellowstone County had $65,656 within the same period.

In 2021, the median household income for one-earner homes in Montana was $57,448, while the median household income for a two-earner home was $71,836. The median household income for three and 4-earner households in Montana was $79,652 and $86,867, respectively. Statistics also show that residents aged between 25 and 44 have a median household income of $69,192, while a typical householder below 25 years old will have a median income of $32,413. The older population of 65 years and above in Montana has a median income of $47,015.

Families in Montana

Montana Marriage Rates

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Montana has a marriage rate of 11 marriages per 1,000 persons.  The average marriage age for men in Montana is 28.6 years, while women have an average marriage age of 26.3 years.

Montana’s marriage rate is slightly lower than the national marriage rate of 6 persons per 1,000. Montana marriage statistics show a sudden rise from about seven marriages per 1,00 persons to 10.4 in 2020 and 11 in 2021.  52% of male residents in Montana are married, while 51% of female residents are married. Montana has a divorce rate of 2.5 divorces per 1,000 residents. The average marriage age for men in Montana is 28.6 years, while women have an average marriage age of 26.3 years.

Montana Divorce Rates

Montana has a divorce rate of 2.5 divorces per 1,000 residents in 2021 which is lower than the national rate of 2.5 divorces per 1,000 residents. The state’s highest-ever divorce rate was 5.1 in 1990, which has gradually reduced. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data shows that Montana’s divorce rate has changed from 3.4 to 2.3 persons per 1,000 since 2013. 

Life Expectancy in Montana

Per the National Vital Statistics System, Montana’s life expectancy is 76.8 years at birth. The state ranks 23rd for its life expectancy among other states. It means residents of Montana will likely live up to 76 years.  

Further review of the statistics shows that men in Montana have a life expectancy of 74.2 years which holds a rank of 23rd among other states. The female life expectancy in the state is 79.6 years, ranking 26th among other states as of 2020.  

The fertility rate in Montana is 54.8 births per 1,000 women aged between 15 to 44 years. The state has a teen birth rate of 13.6 births per 1,000 females aged between 15 to 19 years, marking a 72% decline between 1991 and 2020. Montana’s leading cause of death is heart disease, cancer, Covid-19, and accidents. The firearm injury and drug overdose death rates are 25.1 and 19.5 per 100,000, respectively. 

Montana Crime Rates

The Uniform Crime Reporting Program of the Federal Bureau of Investigation has data on Montana's crime rate for 2019 based on counties. The state’s crime rate is also available through the Disaster Center database, which reveals that the state has a crime rate of 4,711 crimes per 100,000 residents. Statistics show that there were 27,768 reported crimes in Montana in 2019, with 4,328 violent crimes and 23,440 property crimes. Murder cases reported in 2019 were 27, while 205 robbery incidents were recorded. The state has 3,472 aggravated assault incidents, 2,887 burglary incidents, 18,176 larceny-theft, and 2,377 vehicle theft incidents. 

Montana Incarceration Rate

362 per 100,000 residents

As of 2020, Montana’s incarceration rate is 362 per 100,000 residents, per the National Institute of Correction.

37 jails

The state maintains 37 jails across 56 counties.

3,929 inmates

In 2020, the state had a prison population of 3,929 inmates.

1,683

It also had 2,520 persons in jail, 1,683 out on parole, and 9,524 on probation.

$225,257,000

With a staff of approximately 1,400 employees, the correction system ran with a budget of $225,257,000.

Montana Bankruptcy Rate

2022

591 bankruptcy filings

Data published by the American Bankruptcy Institute reveals that there were 591 total bankruptcy filings in Montana for 2022. It included nine filed cases for Chapter 11, 82 Chapter 13 filings, and 486 Chapter 7 filings. The state also recorded 32 business bankruptcy cases, including 20 cases for Chapter 8, nine for Chapter 11, and one for Chapter 13. Montana’s Bankruptcy rate in 2022 marked a 22-year low. The state recorded 50% fewer cases compared to cases filed in 2020 and almost 80% fewer cases compared to 2010.

Weird Laws in Montana

Every state has laws that will sound strange to residents of other regions. These laws are tailored to address specific issues in the state, issues that are not present in other states. Here are some weird laws in Montana