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Population Review

Powder River County, Montana Population 2026

Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 48th-largest in Montana

The population of Powder River County, Montana is 1,762 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 48th-largest county in Montana. The median household income is $68,009, the median home value is $149,400, and the median age is 48.6.

The population of Powder River County has declined 0.3% since 2010 (1,739 → 1,734), a -0.02% annualized rate.

Powder River County within Montana · Source: US Census TIGER/Line via us-atlas

1,762

Population

-0.02%

Annual growth

1

People / sq mi

$68,009

Median Income

$149,400

Median Home Value

Powder River County covers 3,298 sq mi of land at 0.5 people per square mile.

About Powder River County, MT

Powder River County is a county in Montana with a population of 1,762. It ranks #48 among counties in Montana by population. The median age is 48.6, older than the national median. The population is 50.0% male and 50.0% female.

The median household income in Powder River County is $68,009, below the US median of $74,580. 6.1% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $149,400, with monthly rent averaging $609. The homeownership rate of 77.6% is higher than the national rate of 64.8%.

Educational attainment in Powder River County reflects 25.2% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 14.9% of workers primarily work from home, similar to the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 20.1 minutes each way.

Powder River County Population History (2010-2024)

The county of Powder River County had a population of 1,739 in 2010 and 1,734 in 2024, a -0.3% growth over 14 years. The peak was 1,777 in 2014. Average annual growth rate: -0.02%.

2014 · 2K20102024

1,734

Population (2024)

1,739

Population (2010)

1,777

Peak (2014)

-0.02%

Avg Annual Growth

YearPopulation
20101,739
20111,739
20121,754
20131,754
20141,777
20151,768
20161,747
20171,748
20181,729
20191,688
20201,693
20211,707
20221,725
20231,731
20241,734

Race & Ethnicity

White88.5%
Black or African American0.0%
Asian0.0%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)3.4%
Two or More Races0.0%

Age & Sex

48.6

Median Age

50.0%

Female

50.0%

Male

31.7%

Age 65+

Age Distribution

Under 5
5.2%
5–9
6.1%
10–14
5.8%
15–19
2.3%
20–24
4.3%
25–34
10.9%
35–44
11.6%
45–54
9.7%
55–59
6.4%
60–64
6.1%
65–74
16.9%
75–84
9.2%
85+
5.6%

Children (under 15): 17.1% · Seniors (65+): 31.7%

Income & Poverty

Median household income$68,009$-1,913 vs state
Mean household income$96,304
Per-capita income$41,750
Poverty rate6.1%-1.0% vs state
Unemployment rate0.7%
Employment-to-population57.9%

Top Industries by Employment

Agriculture
28.0%
Professional & business services
21.1%
Construction
9.2%
Public administration
7.6%
Arts, entertainment & food
5.6%
Finance & real estate
5.6%
Retail trade
4.9%
Education & health care
4.5%

The largest employment sector in Powder River County is agriculture, accounting for 28.0% of workers.

How residents commute

0.5%

Drive alone

11.3%

Carpool

48.2%

Public transit

14.9%

Work from home

20.1 min

Avg commute

Housing

$149,400$-188,700 vs state

Median home value

$609

Median rent

77.6%

Homeownership rate

997

Total housing units

71.5%

Occupied

28.5%

Vacant

22.4%

Renter-occupied

Social & access

94.4%

With health insurance

93.0%

With broadband internet

44.6%

Foreign-born

8.5%

Veterans (18+)

15.8%

With a disability

98.4%

Speak language other than English at home

Education

89.5%

High School+

25.2%

Bachelor's+

Largest cities in Montana

Other counties in Montana

Part of Montana

Metro areas in Montana

County rankings

Frequently Asked Questions

Powder River County, Montana has a population of 1,762 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 48th-largest county in Montana. Population density is 1 people per square mile.

The population of Powder River County has declined 0.3% since 2010 (1,739 → 1,734), a -0.02% annualized rate.

The median household income in Powder River County, Montana is $68,009, with mean (average) household income of $96,304 and per-capita income of $41,750. 6.1% of residents live below the federal poverty level.

In Powder River County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (88.5%), Hispanic or Latino (3.4%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.

The median age in Powder River County, Montana is 48.6 years. Residents are 50.0% female and 50.0% male.

The median home value in Powder River County is $149,400 and median monthly rent is $609. 77.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 997 total housing units, 28.5% of which are vacant.

The largest employment sector in Powder River County, Montana is agriculture, forestry, fishing, and mining, employing 28.0% of workers. The unemployment rate is 0.7%.

Billings is among the largest cities associated with Powder River County, Montana, with a population of 118,321.

Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.