Yellowstone County, Montana Population 2026

Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 1st-largest in Montana

The population of Yellowstone County, Montana is 167,340 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 1st-largest county in Montana. The median household income is $74,400, the median home value is $317,600, and the median age is 38.7.

The population of Yellowstone County has grown 15.6% since 2010 (148,405 → 171,583), a +1.04% annualized rate.

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

167,340

Population

+1.04%

Annual growth

People / sq mi

$74,400

Median Income

$317,600

Median Home Value

Yellowstone County covers 2,633 sq mi of land at 63.5 people per square mile.

About Yellowstone County, MT

Housing cost is the defining feature of Yellowstone County: the median home is valued at $317,600. With 167,340 residents, Yellowstone County is a county in Montana. That makes it one of the ten largest counties in Montana in the country, at #1 by population.

Households take in a median $74,400, comfortably below the US median of $78,538. Poverty runs at 7.3%, below the national 12.4%. Home values run above average at $317,600, with typical rent around $1,084.

Educational attainment is on the higher side for US counties — 33.9% of adults hold a four-year degree, near the national 35.0%. About 8.0% of the workforce is home-based, below the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 19 minutes each way.

High housing values reframe the income picture in Yellowstone County — even solid earnings stretch less against home prices and rents at this level.

Yellowstone County Population History (2010-2024)

The county of Yellowstone County had a population of 148,405 in 2010 and 171,583 in 2024, a 15.6% growth over 14 years. The peak was 171,583 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 1.04%.

Yellowstone County population, 2010–2024 · Source: U.S. Census Bureau — decennial census & Population Estimates

171,583

Population (2024)

148,405

Population (2010)

171,583

Peak (2024)

1.04%

Avg Annual Growth

Year	Population	Change	Annual %	Source
2010	148,405	-	-	estimate
2011	149,805	+1,400	+0.94%	estimate
2012	151,690	+1,885	+1.26%	estimate
2013	153,857	+2,167	+1.43%	estimate
2014	155,379	+1,522	+0.99%	estimate
2015	156,658	+1,279	+0.82%	estimate
2016	158,066	+1,408	+0.90%	estimate
2017	159,425	+1,359	+0.86%	estimate
2018	160,118	+693	+0.43%	estimate
2019	161,349	+1,231	+0.77%	estimate
2020	165,210	+3,861	+2.39%	estimate
2021	167,448	+2,238	+1.35%	estimate
2022	169,817	+2,369	+1.41%	estimate
2023	170,727	+910	+0.54%	estimate
2024	171,583	+856	+0.50%	estimate

Race & Ethnicity

White	86.8%
Black or African American	0.9%
Asian	0.2%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	6.1%
Two or More Races	0.0%

Age & Sex

38.7

Median Age

50.5%

Female

49.5%

Male

17.8%

Age 65+

Age Distribution

Under 5

5.7%

5–9

6.8%

10–14

6.6%

15–19

6.2%

20–24

5.8%

25–34

13.8%

35–44

13.4%

45–54

11.3%

55–59

6.2%

60–64

6.4%

65–74

10.6%

75–84

4.9%

85+

2.3%

Children (under 15): 19.1% · Seniors (65+): 17.8%

Income & Poverty

Median household income	$74,400+$4,478 vs state
Mean household income	$102,308
Per-capita income	$42,894
Poverty rate	7.3%+0.2% vs state
Unemployment rate	2.3%
Employment-to-population	63.8%

Top Industries by Employment

Professional & business services

24.7%

Education & health care

10.3%

Finance & real estate

9.9%

Construction

8.5%

Retail trade

6.2%

Information

6.2%

Arts, entertainment & food

5.7%

Manufacturing

4.7%

The largest employment sector in Yellowstone County is professional & business services, accounting for 24.7% of workers.

How residents commute

0.9%

Drive alone

2.0%

Carpool

77.9%

Public transit

8.0%

Work from home

18.6 min

Avg commute

Housing

$317,600$-20,500 vs state

Median home value

$1,084

Median rent

69.3%

Homeownership rate

73,363

Total housing units

94.4%

Occupied

5.6%

Vacant

30.7%

Renter-occupied

Social & access

93.1%

With health insurance

95.4%

With broadband internet

38.8%

Foreign-born

9.4%

Veterans (18+)

13.9%

With a disability

96.5%

Speak language other than English at home

Education

95.3%

High School+

33.9%

Bachelor's+

Largest cities in Montana

Billings (118,321)Missoula (75,600)Great Falls (60,412)Bozeman (55,042)Butte-Silver Bow (34,929)Helena (33,126)Kalispell (26,830)Belgrade (11,425)All Montana cities →

Other counties in Montana

Gallatin County (122,194)Missoula County (119,639)Flathead County (108,445)Cascade County (84,601)Lewis and Clark County (72,580)Ravalli County (45,807)Silver Bow County (35,589)Lake County (32,073)Lincoln County (20,656)Park County (17,484)All Montana counties →

Part of Montana

Montana demographic profile All Montana data →

Metro areas in Montana

Billings (187,269)Missoula (124,435)Bozeman (122,194)Helena (92,391)Great Falls (84,601)All US metros →

County rankings

US Counties by Population Richest US Counties by Median Household Income Expensive US Counties by Home Value Educated US Counties Counties With Highest Poverty Rates Youngest US Counties by Median Age Oldest US Counties by Median Age Cheapest US Counties by Median Home Value Racially Diverse US Counties Counties With Largest Hispanic Population All rankings →

Frequently Asked Questions

Yellowstone County, Montana has a population of 167,340 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 1st-largest county in Montana. Population density is 64 people per square mile.

The population of Yellowstone County has grown 15.6% since 2010 (148,405 → 171,583), a +1.04% annualized rate.

The median household income in Yellowstone County, Montana is $74,400, with mean (average) household income of $102,308 and per-capita income of $42,894. 7.3% of residents live below the federal poverty level.

In Yellowstone County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (86.8%), Hispanic or Latino (6.1%), Black or African American (0.9%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.

The median age in Yellowstone County, Montana is 38.7 years. Residents are 50.5% female and 49.5% male.

The median home value in Yellowstone County is $317,600 and median monthly rent is $1,084. 69.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 73,363 total housing units, 5.6% of which are vacant.

The largest employment sector in Yellowstone County, Montana is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 24.7% of workers. The unemployment rate is 2.3%.

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