Charlo, Montana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Charlo, Montana had a total population of 306, the 202nd largest community in Montana, with a median household income of $40,469, which is 44% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 44% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Charlo Quick Facts
How Charlo 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 | 344 | 306 | -11.0% |
| Median household income | $39,107 | $40,469 | +3.5% |
| Median home value | $162,500 | $210,800 | +29.7% |
How Charlo 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+)
Charlo Rankings in Montana
Explore Montana Rankings
Other Cities in Lake County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polson | 5,428 | $53,418 | 17.5% | $356,300 |
| Ronan | 2,001 | $42,298 | 21.6% | $225,500 |
| Pablo | 1,632 | $36,400 | 34.5% | $256,700 |
| St. Ignatius | 977 | $50,000 | 21.8% | $250,000 |
| Woods Bay | 835 | $64,091 | 10.5% | $512,200 |
| Arlee | 812 | $57,500 | 13.3% | $261,400 |
| Lindisfarne | 533 | N/A | 14.3% | $653,800 |
| Finley Point | 479 | $65,972 | 18.8% | $555,100 |
| Kerr | 463 | N/A | 27.9% | $558,200 |
| Elmo | 290 | N/A | 11.7% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Charlo
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parker School | 307 | N/A | $93,700 | 49.5% | 12.7% |
| St. Marie | 306 | $38,971 | $18,800 | 23.1% | 23.9% |
| Forest Hill Village | 315 | N/A | $608,500 | 14.2% | 49.2% |
| Elmo | 290 | N/A | N/A | 38.1% | 11.7% |
| Condon | 320 | $41,625 | $410,000 | 37.2% | 11.9% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 306, Charlo'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
Charlo is a small community located in Montana, within Lake County. The total population is 306. It ranks as the 202nd most populous out of 475 Census-designated places in Montana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Charlo is 55.5 years. This is 37% higher than the state median of 40.4 years. Only 13.4% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Charlo is $40,469. This is 44% lower than the state median of $72,509. It is also 50% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.3%. This is 50% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.5%. The unemployment rate is 4.0%. This is 10% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $210,800. Housing costs are 44% lower than the state median of $375,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.2x. 67.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% lower than the state average of 69.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Charlo is White (non-Hispanic), making up 84.0% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 6.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (6.9% vs 4.6%).
Education
15.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 56% lower 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 93.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Charlo, 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Charlo, Montana?
Charlo, Montana has a population of 306 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Charlo, MT?
The median household income in Charlo is $40,469, which is 50% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Charlo, MT?
The poverty rate in Charlo is 17.3%. This means approximately 53 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Charlo, Montana?
Charlo's population is 84.0% White, 0.0% Black, 6.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Charlo, MT?
The median home value in Charlo is $210,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.2x.
How educated is Charlo, Montana?
15.6% of adults (25+) in Charlo hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.