Colstrip, Montana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Colstrip, Montana had a total population of 2,101, the 50th largest city in Montana, with a median household income of $82,500, which is 14% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 9.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x.
- Unemployment rate of 8.2% is notably above the national average.
Colstrip Quick Facts
How Colstrip 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 | 2,156 | 2,101 | -2.6% |
| Median household income | $86,000 | $82,500 | -4.1% |
| Median home value | $193,700 | $194,900 | +0.6% |
How Colstrip 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 29 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Colstrip Rankings in Montana
Explore Montana Rankings
Other Cities in Rosebud County
Cities Similar to Colstrip
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Three Forks | 1,919 | $79,784 | $395,800 | 21.0% | 6.2% |
| Manhattan | 2,288 | $87,865 | $517,800 | 34.2% | 2.9% |
| Townsend | 1,967 | $70,752 | $227,600 | 21.5% | 15.6% |
| Frenchtown | 1,927 | $94,500 | $475,500 | 32.2% | 9.9% |
| Lakeside | 2,386 | $77,435 | $720,100 | 35.8% | 10.9% |
Population Overview
Colstrip is a small community located in Montana, within Rosebud County. The total population is 2,101. It ranks as the 50th most populous out of 475 Census-designated places in Montana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Colstrip is 44.2 years. This is 9% higher than the state median of 40.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Colstrip is $82,500. This is 14% higher than the state median of $72,509. It is also 2% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 9.4%. This is 18% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.5%. The unemployment rate is 8.2%. This is 126% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $194,900. Housing costs are 48% lower than the state median of $375,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Colstrip is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 82.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 20% higher than the state average of 69.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Colstrip is White (non-Hispanic), making up 67.7% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 7.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (7.2% vs 4.6%).
Education
25.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 26% 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 95.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Colstrip, 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 Colstrip, Montana?
Colstrip, Montana has a population of 2,101 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Colstrip, MT?
The median household income in Colstrip is $82,500, which is 2% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Colstrip, MT?
The poverty rate in Colstrip is 9.4%. This means approximately 197 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Colstrip, Montana?
Colstrip's population is 67.7% White, 0.0% Black, 7.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Colstrip, MT?
The median home value in Colstrip is $194,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.
How educated is Colstrip, Montana?
25.9% of adults (25+) in Colstrip hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.