Lincoln County, Montana Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 10th-largest in Montana
The population of Lincoln County, Montana is 20,656 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 10th-largest county in Montana. The median household income is $47,018, the median home value is $258,700, and the median age is 52.6.
The population of Lincoln County has grown 12.6% since 2010 (19,693 → 22,184), a +0.85% annualized rate.
20,656
Population
+0.85%
Annual growth
6
People / sq mi
$47,018
Median Income
$258,700
Median Home Value
Lincoln County covers 3,613 sq mi of land at 5.7 people per square mile.
About Lincoln County, MT
Age is the most distinctive thing about Lincoln County: a median age of 52.6, older than the national median. With 20,656 residents, Lincoln County is a county in Montana. That makes it one of the ten largest counties in Montana in the country, at #10 by population.
The typical household earns $47,018, below the US median of $78,538. Poverty runs at 9.0%, below the national 12.4%. Home values run above average at $258,700, with typical rent around $810.
18.0% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor’s degree, below the national average of 35.0%. Remote work is widespread — 15.6% of workers stay home, above the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 19 minutes each way.
The age structure shapes everything downstream in Lincoln County — from housing demand to the mix of working-age earners reflected in the income figures above.
Lincoln County Population History (2010-2024)
The county of Lincoln County had a population of 19,693 in 2010 and 22,184 in 2024, a 12.6% growth over 14 years. The peak was 22,184 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 0.87%.
22,184
Population (2024)
19,693
Population (2010)
22,184
Peak (2024)
0.87%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 19,693 |
| 2011 | 19,629 |
| 2012 | 19,494 |
| 2013 | 19,437 |
| 2014 | 19,208 |
| 2015 | 19,085 |
| 2016 | 19,332 |
| 2017 | 19,589 |
| 2018 | 19,862 |
| 2019 | 20,099 |
| 2020 | 19,744 |
| 2021 | 20,597 |
| 2022 | 21,485 |
| 2023 | 21,867 |
| 2024 | 22,184 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 91.6% |
| Black or African American | 0.1% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.8% |
| Two or More Races | 0.1% |
Age & Sex
52.6
Median Age
49.7%
Female
50.3%
Male
29.7%
Age 65+
Age Distribution
Children (under 15): 14.5% · Seniors (65+): 29.7%
Income & Poverty
| Median household income | $47,018$-22,904 vs state |
| Mean household income | $66,504 |
| Per-capita income | $29,864 |
| Poverty rate | 9.0%+1.9% vs state |
| Unemployment rate | 2.5% |
| Employment-to-population | 43.7% |
Top Industries by Employment
The largest employment sector in Lincoln County is professional & business services, accounting for 16.4% of workers.
How residents commute
0.1%
Drive alone
3.8%
Carpool
61.8%
Public transit
15.6%
Work from home
18.9 min
Avg commute
Housing
$258,700$-79,400 vs state
Median home value
$810
Median rent
79.0%
Homeownership rate
10,991
Total housing units
80.6%
Occupied
19.4%
Vacant
21.0%
Renter-occupied
Social & access
85.8%
With health insurance
92.1%
With broadband internet
53.2%
Foreign-born
13.2%
Veterans (18+)
24.3%
With a disability
95.3%
Speak language other than English at home
Education
91.9%
High School+
18.0%
Bachelor's+
Largest cities in Montana
Other counties in Montana
Part of Montana
Metro areas in Montana
County rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Lincoln County, Montana has a population of 20,656 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 10th-largest county in Montana. Population density is 6 people per square mile.
The population of Lincoln County has grown 12.6% since 2010 (19,693 → 22,184), a +0.85% annualized rate.
The median household income in Lincoln County, Montana is $47,018, with mean (average) household income of $66,504 and per-capita income of $29,864. 9.0% of residents live below the federal poverty level.
In Lincoln County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (91.6%), Hispanic or Latino (3.8%), Black or African American (0.1%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.
The median age in Lincoln County, Montana is 52.6 years. Residents are 49.7% female and 50.3% male.
The median home value in Lincoln County is $258,700 and median monthly rent is $810. 79.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 10,991 total housing units, 19.4% of which are vacant.
The largest employment sector in Lincoln County, Montana is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 16.4% of workers. The unemployment rate is 2.5%.
Billings is among the largest cities associated with Lincoln County, Montana, with a population of 118,321.
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Population, race, income, age, and trends across Montana
Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.