Columbia Falls, Montana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Columbia Falls, Montana had a total population of 5,615, the 22nd largest city in Montana, with a median household income of $75,766, which is 4% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Columbia Falls Quick Facts
How Columbia Falls 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 | 5,531 | 5,615 | +1.5% |
| Median household income | $65,313 | $75,766 | +16.0% |
| Median home value | $346,700 | $384,400 | +10.9% |
How Columbia Falls 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+)
Columbia Falls Rankings in Montana
Explore Montana Rankings
Other Cities in Flathead County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kalispell | 28,504 | $63,415 | 10.0% | $428,000 |
| Evergreen | 9,611 | $76,446 | 12.1% | $340,800 |
| Whitefish | 8,749 | $73,811 | 9.4% | $684,300 |
| Bigfork | 5,565 | $85,307 | 5.7% | $674,600 |
| Lakeside | 2,386 | $77,435 | 10.9% | $720,100 |
| Somers | 1,280 | $56,917 | 8.0% | $465,400 |
| Marion | 1,037 | $65,250 | 5.9% | $431,500 |
| Helena Flats | 857 | $93,625 | 2.3% | $582,400 |
| Batavia | 690 | $46,995 | 20.1% | $369,400 |
| Hungry Horse | 679 | $53,056 | 11.5% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Columbia Falls
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bigfork | 5,565 | $85,307 | $674,600 | 50.4% | 5.7% |
| Orchard Homes | 5,588 | $64,904 | $553,700 | 44.4% | 8.7% |
| Four Corners | 5,791 | $100,917 | $648,400 | 60.9% | 6.3% |
| Glendive | 4,810 | $72,670 | $182,600 | 23.5% | 13.5% |
| Sidney | 6,171 | $62,538 | $236,900 | 22.0% | 7.7% |
Population Overview
Columbia Falls is a small city located in Montana, within Flathead County. The total population is 5,615. It ranks as the 22nd most populous out of 475 Census-designated places in Montana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Columbia Falls is 36.6 years. This is 9% lower than the state median of 40.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Columbia Falls is $75,766. This is 4% higher than the state median of $72,509. It is also 6% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 15.2%. This is 32% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.5%. The unemployment rate is 5.6%. This is 55% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $384,400. Housing costs are 2% higher than the state median of $375,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.1x. 56.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 19% lower than the state average of 69.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Columbia Falls has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 93.6% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.9%.
Education
32.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 9% 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 91.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Columbia Falls, 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 Columbia Falls, Montana?
Columbia Falls, Montana has a population of 5,615 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Columbia Falls, MT?
The median household income in Columbia Falls is $75,766, which is 6% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Columbia Falls, MT?
The poverty rate in Columbia Falls is 15.2%. This means approximately 830 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Columbia Falls, Montana?
Columbia Falls's population is 93.6% White, 0.0% Black, 2.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Columbia Falls, MT?
The median home value in Columbia Falls is $384,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.1x.
How educated is Columbia Falls, Montana?
32.1% of adults (25+) in Columbia Falls hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.