Chinook, Montana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Chinook, Montana had a total population of 1,353, the 78th largest city in Montana, with a median household income of $61,750, which is 15% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Chinook Quick Facts
How Chinook 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 | 1,460 | 1,353 | -7.3% |
| Median household income | $71,500 | $61,750 | -13.6% |
| Median home value | $205,900 | $214,700 | +4.3% |
How Chinook 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+)
Chinook Rankings in Montana
Explore Montana Rankings
Other Cities in Blaine County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Belknap Agency | 1,227 | $46,071 | 29.4% | $72,700 |
| Hays | 1,009 | $52,250 | 23.7% | $59,200 |
| Harlem | 822 | $82,596 | 11.7% | $100,800 |
| Lodge Pole | 170 | N/A | 32.9% | N/A |
| Turner Colony | 157 | $133,125 | 40.1% | N/A |
| Turner | 69 | $55,179 | 0.0% | $97,500 |
| North Harlem Colony | 67 | $127,000 | 22.4% | N/A |
| Zurich | 38 | $81,250 | 2.6% | $131,300 |
| Hartland Colony | 29 | N/A | 100.0% | N/A |
| Hogeland | 5 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Chinook
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Helena West Side | 1,417 | $66,921 | $402,300 | 44.8% | 5.9% |
| Somers | 1,280 | $56,917 | $465,400 | 32.0% | 8.0% |
| West Yellowstone | 1,474 | $58,839 | $504,300 | 25.1% | 13.1% |
| Fort Benton | 1,474 | $67,188 | $247,600 | 30.2% | 3.0% |
| South Browning | 1,538 | N/A | $73,000 | 9.3% | 42.2% |
Population Overview
Chinook is a small community located in Montana, within Blaine County. The total population is 1,353. It ranks as the 78th most populous out of 475 Census-designated places in Montana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Chinook is 44.8 years. This is 11% higher than the state median of 40.4 years. With 30.2% of the population under 18, Chinook has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Chinook is $61,750. This is 15% lower than the state median of $72,509. It is also 24% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.4%. This is 27% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.5%. The unemployment rate is 6.2%. This is 72% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $214,700. Housing costs are 43% lower than the state median of $375,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x. 79.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 15% higher than the state average of 69.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Chinook has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 85.8% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 0.7%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (0.7% vs 0.4%).
Education
35.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 2% 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 96.0%. Notably, 15.3% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Chinook, 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 Chinook, Montana?
Chinook, Montana has a population of 1,353 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Chinook, MT?
The median household income in Chinook is $61,750, which is 24% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Chinook, MT?
The poverty rate in Chinook is 8.4%. This means approximately 113 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Chinook, Montana?
Chinook's population is 85.8% White, 0.7% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Chinook, MT?
The median home value in Chinook is $214,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x.
How educated is Chinook, Montana?
35.8% of adults (25+) in Chinook hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 15.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.