Cardwell, Montana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Cardwell, Montana had a total population of 30, the 420th largest community in Montana. The poverty rate is 13.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- 52.4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Montana.
- Unemployment rate of 10.0% is notably above the national average.
Cardwell Quick Facts
How Cardwell Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 43 | 30 | -30.2% |
How Cardwell Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 29 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Cardwell Rankings in Montana
Explore Montana Rankings
Other Cities in Jefferson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montana City | 3,092 | $129,755 | 1.8% | $571,200 |
| Clancy | 1,874 | $125,000 | 4.8% | $469,300 |
| Boulder | 1,284 | $72,500 | 3.8% | $212,300 |
| Whitehall | 1,156 | $44,844 | 20.6% | $194,100 |
| South Hills | 620 | $168,235 | 1.0% | $703,800 |
| Jefferson City | 533 | $125,682 | 0.0% | N/A |
| Basin | 352 | $46,597 | 14.4% | $227,700 |
| Rader Creek | 310 | $100,691 | 4.8% | $463,200 |
| Elkhorn | 34 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Cardwell
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sage Creek Colony | 30 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 100.0% |
| Wise River | 30 | $55,313 | $381,800 | 10.0% | 20.0% |
| Grant | 31 | $61,719 | $114,100 | 16.1% | 0.0% |
| Loring Colony | 31 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 33.3% |
| Hartland Colony | 29 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 100.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 30, Cardwell's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Cardwell is a small community located in Montana, within Jefferson County. The total population is 30. It ranks as the 420th most populous out of 475 Census-designated places in Montana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Cardwell is 43.8 years. This is 8% higher than the state median of 40.4 years. With 30.0% of the population under 18, Cardwell has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community. 13.3% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 13.3%. This is 16% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.5%. The unemployment rate is 10.0%. This is 176% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. 93.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 35% higher than the state average of 69.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Cardwell has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 90.0% of all residents.
Education
52.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Cardwell in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 49% higher than the state rate of 35.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 95.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Cardwell, Montana is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Montana state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 475 Census-designated places in Montana. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
Free data download: Get all Montana city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Cardwell, Montana?
Cardwell, Montana has a population of 30 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Cardwell, MT?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Cardwell — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Cardwell, MT?
The poverty rate in Cardwell is 13.3%. This means approximately 4 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Cardwell, Montana?
Cardwell's population is 90.0% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Cardwell, MT?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Cardwell — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Cardwell, Montana?
52.4% of adults (25+) in Cardwell hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.