Silver Bow County, Montana Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 8th-largest in Montana
The population of Silver Bow County, Montana is 35,589 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 8th-largest county in Montana. The median household income is $57,504, the median home value is $223,500, and the median age is 40.3.
The population of Silver Bow County has grown 5.5% since 2010 (34,235 → 36,134), a +0.39% annualized rate.
35,589
Population
+0.39%
Annual growth
50
People / sq mi
$57,504
Median Income
$223,500
Median Home Value
Silver Bow County covers 718 sq mi of land at 49.6 people per square mile.
About Silver Bow County, MT
Educational attainment is the headline number in Silver Bow County: 27.7% of adults 25 and older have a four-year degree. Silver Bow County is a county in Montana with a population of 35,589. That makes it one of the ten largest counties in Montana in the country, at #8 by population.
The typical household here earns about $57,504, below the US median of $78,538. About 9.0% of residents live below the federal poverty level, below the national 12.4%. The typical home is valued at $223,500, with typical rent around $810.
College attainment is above the local norm at 27.7%, below the national 35.0%. Around 7.1% of workers work from home, below the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 16 minutes each way.
The education numbers are the throughline: a college-heavy population in Silver Bow County usually coincides with higher incomes and a workforce concentrated in professional and information industries.
Silver Bow County Population History (2010-2024)
The county of Silver Bow County had a population of 34,235 in 2010 and 36,134 in 2024, a 5.5% growth over 14 years. The peak was 36,193 in 2023. Average annual growth rate: 0.39%.
36,134
Population (2024)
34,235
Population (2010)
36,193
Peak (2023)
0.39%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 34,235 |
| 2011 | 34,420 |
| 2012 | 34,496 |
| 2013 | 34,610 |
| 2014 | 34,801 |
| 2015 | 34,746 |
| 2016 | 34,768 |
| 2017 | 34,859 |
| 2018 | 34,768 |
| 2019 | 34,901 |
| 2020 | 35,210 |
| 2021 | 35,510 |
| 2022 | 35,876 |
| 2023 | 36,193 |
| 2024 | 36,134 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 90.9% |
| Black or African American | 0.1% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 4.7% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Age & Sex
40.3
Median Age
48.3%
Female
51.7%
Male
19.2%
Age 65+
Age Distribution
Children (under 15): 17.3% · Seniors (65+): 19.2%
Income & Poverty
| Median household income | $57,504$-12,418 vs state |
| Mean household income | $77,994 |
| Per-capita income | $34,925 |
| Poverty rate | 9.0%+1.9% vs state |
| Unemployment rate | 2.5% |
| Employment-to-population | 55.5% |
Top Industries by Employment
The largest employment sector in Silver Bow County is professional & business services, accounting for 23.5% of workers.
How residents commute
0.9%
Drive alone
2.7%
Carpool
77.4%
Public transit
7.1%
Work from home
16.2 min
Avg commute
Housing
$223,500$-114,600 vs state
Median home value
$810
Median rent
70.5%
Homeownership rate
17,396
Total housing units
88.2%
Occupied
11.8%
Vacant
29.5%
Renter-occupied
Social & access
93.4%
With health insurance
92.4%
With broadband internet
28.6%
Foreign-born
9.7%
Veterans (18+)
19.4%
With a disability
97.3%
Speak language other than English at home
Education
94.0%
High School+
27.7%
Bachelor's+
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Part of Montana
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County rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Silver Bow County, Montana has a population of 35,589 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 8th-largest county in Montana. Population density is 50 people per square mile.
The population of Silver Bow County has grown 5.5% since 2010 (34,235 → 36,134), a +0.39% annualized rate.
The median household income in Silver Bow County, Montana is $57,504, with mean (average) household income of $77,994 and per-capita income of $34,925. 9.0% of residents live below the federal poverty level.
In Silver Bow County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (90.9%), Hispanic or Latino (4.7%), 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 Silver Bow County, Montana is 40.3 years. Residents are 48.3% female and 51.7% male.
The median home value in Silver Bow County is $223,500 and median monthly rent is $810. 70.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 17,396 total housing units, 11.8% of which are vacant.
The largest employment sector in Silver Bow County, Montana is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 23.5% of workers. The unemployment rate is 2.5%.
Billings is among the largest cities associated with Silver Bow County, Montana, with a population of 118,321.
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Statewide data for Montana
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.