Prairie County, Montana Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 51st-largest in Montana
The population of Prairie County, Montana is 1,251 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 51st-largest county in Montana. The median household income is $45,192, the median home value is $167,100, and the median age is 49.1.
The population of Prairie County has declined 6.0% since 2010 (1,183 → 1,112), a -0.44% annualized rate.
1,251
Population
-0.44%
Annual growth
1
People / sq mi
$45,192
Median Income
$167,100
Median Home Value
Prairie County covers 1,737 sq mi of land at 0.7 people per square mile.
About Prairie County, MT
Remote work is unusually prominent in Prairie County: 31.8% of workers primarily work from home, above the 14.0% national rate. Prairie County is a county in Montana with a population of 1,251.
Incomes are among the lowest of comparable places, with a median household income of $45,192, below the US median of $78,538. The poverty rate, 21.2%, is among the steepest of comparable US counties and above the national 12.4%. Median home value is $167,100, with typical rent around $827.
Roughly 20.0% of adults have a bachelor’s, below the national 35.0%. Remote work is widespread — 31.8% of workers stay home, above the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 16 minutes each way.
The remote-work concentration is telling in Prairie County — it skews toward higher-income, college-educated workers and reshapes both commute patterns and housing demand.
Prairie County Population History (2010-2024)
The county of Prairie County had a population of 1,183 in 2010 and 1,112 in 2024, a -6.0% growth over 14 years. The peak was 1,183 in 2010. Average annual growth rate: -0.41%.
1,112
Population (2024)
1,183
Population (2010)
1,183
Peak (2010)
-0.41%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 1,183 |
| 2011 | 1,141 |
| 2012 | 1,141 |
| 2013 | 1,163 |
| 2014 | 1,125 |
| 2015 | 1,140 |
| 2016 | 1,159 |
| 2017 | 1,097 |
| 2018 | 1,056 |
| 2019 | 1,064 |
| 2020 | 1,090 |
| 2021 | 1,096 |
| 2022 | 1,114 |
| 2023 | 1,115 |
| 2024 | 1,112 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 89.8% |
| Black or African American | 0.0% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.4% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Age & Sex
49.1
Median Age
46.0%
Female
54.0%
Male
34.0%
Age 65+
Age Distribution
Children (under 15): 19.0% · Seniors (65+): 34.0%
Income & Poverty
| Median household income | $45,192$-24,730 vs state |
| Mean household income | $67,490 |
| Per-capita income | $29,068 |
| Poverty rate | 21.2%+14.1% vs state |
| Unemployment rate | 0.6% |
| Employment-to-population | 51.8% |
Top Industries by Employment
The largest employment sector in Prairie County is agriculture, accounting for 36.7% of workers.
How residents commute
0.2%
Drive alone
8.0%
Carpool
52.4%
Public transit
31.8%
Work from home
15.7 min
Avg commute
Housing
$167,100$-171,000 vs state
Median home value
$827
Median rent
76.3%
Homeownership rate
667
Total housing units
78.0%
Occupied
22.0%
Vacant
23.7%
Renter-occupied
Social & access
94.3%
With health insurance
85.8%
With broadband internet
21.3%
Foreign-born
9.0%
Veterans (18+)
16.6%
With a disability
98.3%
Speak language other than English at home
Education
88.5%
High School+
20.0%
Bachelor's+
Largest cities in Montana
Other counties in Montana
Part of Montana
Metro areas in Montana
County rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Prairie County, Montana has a population of 1,251 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 51st-largest county in Montana. Population density is 1 people per square mile.
The population of Prairie County has declined 6.0% since 2010 (1,183 → 1,112), a -0.44% annualized rate.
The median household income in Prairie County, Montana is $45,192, with mean (average) household income of $67,490 and per-capita income of $29,068. 21.2% of residents live below the federal poverty level.
In Prairie County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (89.8%), Hispanic or Latino (1.4%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.
The median age in Prairie County, Montana is 49.1 years. Residents are 46.0% female and 54.0% male.
The median home value in Prairie County is $167,100 and median monthly rent is $827. 76.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 667 total housing units, 22.0% of which are vacant.
The largest employment sector in Prairie County, Montana is agriculture, forestry, fishing, and mining, employing 36.7% of workers. The unemployment rate is 0.6%.
Billings is among the largest cities associated with Prairie County, Montana, with a population of 118,321.
Prairie County, MT Climate
Prairie County, MT has an average annual temperature of 7.1°C (45°F) and receives about 299 mm of precipitation per year. The warmest month is July and the coldest is January. Figures are 1970–2000 climate normals.
7.1°C
Avg Temp
299
Precip (mm/yr)
Jul
Hottest Month
Jan
Coldest Month
| Month | Avg (°C/°F) | Precip |
|---|---|---|
| January | -9° / 16° | 9 mm |
| February | -5° / 23° | 6 mm |
| March | 1° / 33° | 9 mm |
| April | 7° / 45° | 26 mm |
| May | 13° / 56° | 51 mm |
| June | 19° / 66° | 63 mm |
| July | 23° / 73° | 37 mm |
| August | 22° / 71° | 29 mm |
| September | 15° / 59° | 32 mm |
| October | 8° / 47° | 19 mm |
| November | -1° / 30° | 9 mm |
| December | -7° / 19° | 9 mm |
1970–2000 normals from WorldClim 2.1 (~9 km grid). Precipitation can be less precise near mountains or coastlines, where rainfall varies sharply over short distances.
Best time to visit Prairie County, MT
The most comfortable months to visit Prairie County, MT are typically August, July and June, when temperatures are mildest and rainfall is relatively low. The hottest month is July (around 31°C high). The coldest is January (near -15°C low). June is usually the wettest month.
Where to stay near Prairie County
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Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.