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Deer Lodge, Montana Demographics & Population 2026

During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Deer Lodge, Montana had a total population of 3,021, the 40th largest city in Montana, with a median household income of $60,302, which is 17% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.2%.

Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes

Deer Lodge Quick Facts

Population 3,021
Median Household Income $60,302
Median Home Value $247,600
Poverty Rate 7.2%
Unemployment Rate 3.3%
Median Age 49.8 years
Homeownership Rate 68.1%
Affordability Ratio 4.1x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 23.8%
High School Graduation Rate 95.7%
Diversity Index 18/100
Population 3,021 40th of 475
Median Income $60,302 average
Poverty Rate 7.2% 42% lower than national
Median Home Value $247,600 average

How Deer Lodge Changed

Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.

Metric2019–20232020–2024Change
Population3,0353,021-0.5%
Median household income$53,676$60,302+12.3%
Median home value$196,400$247,600+26.1%

How Deer Lodge Compares

Economy & Housing

Household Income Distribution

Under $25K 15.4%
$25K-$50K 29.3%
$50K-$100K 30.6%
$100K+ 24.7%
Detailed income brackets
Under $10K
4.1%
$10K-$15K
3.5%
$15K-$20K
4.3%
$20K-$25K
3.5%
$25K-$30K
2.8%
$30K-$35K
2.7%
$35K-$40K
12.7%
$40K-$45K
4.8%
$45K-$50K
6.3%
$50K-$60K
5.0%
$60K-$75K
10.8%
$75K-$100K
14.8%
$100K-$125K
9.4%
$125K-$150K
8.3%
$150K-$200K
5.5%
$200K+
1.5%

Employment

3.3% Unemployment Rate State: 3.6%|National: 5.2%
52.0% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 68.1%
Renter 31.9%
Affordability Index Moderate
4.1x home value to income ratio
Median gross rent $852/mo 17.0% of median household income annually

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

18out of 100
Very Low Diversity

A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.

State average: 29 | National average: 61

Education

Deer Lodge Rankings in Montana

#40 Population of 475
#195 Median Income of 341
#212 Education of 473
#161 Home Value of 320

Other Cities in Powell County

CityPopulationMedian IncomePovertyHome Value
Elliston 182 $53,125 6.6% $300,000
Avon 173 $100,250 1.2% $179,200
Garrison 106 $93,625 7.5% $583,300
Helmville 55 $152,969 3.6% $262,500
Ovando 49 $52,679 6.1% N/A
Goldcreek 3 N/A 0.0% N/A

Cities Similar to Deer Lodge

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Shelby3,216$58,413$232,70019.5%13.8%
Cut Bank3,028$49,432$164,10016.6%18.9%
Hardin3,742$60,423$147,10020.5%7.2%
Wolf Point2,602$52,868$118,60011.9%23.3%
Red Lodge2,502$55,750$380,70046.3%6.7%

Population Overview

Deer Lodge is a small community located in Montana, within Powell County. The total population is 3,021. It ranks as the 40th most populous out of 475 Census-designated places in Montana.

Age Demographics

The median age in Deer Lodge is 49.8 years. This is 23% higher than the state median of 40.4 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Deer Lodge is $60,302. This is 17% lower than the state median of $72,509. It is also 25% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.2%. This is 38% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.5%. The unemployment rate is 3.3%. This is 10% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $247,600. Housing costs are 34% lower than the state median of $375,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x. 68.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% lower than the state average of 69.2%.

Race & Ethnicity

Deer Lodge has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 90.3% of all residents. Asian residents account for 2.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 4.6%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (2.9% vs 0.8%).

Education

23.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 32% 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 95.7%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Deer Lodge, 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 Deer Lodge, Montana?

Deer Lodge, Montana has a population of 3,021 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Deer Lodge, MT?

The median household income in Deer Lodge is $60,302, which is 25% lower than the national median of $80,734.

What is the poverty rate in Deer Lodge, MT?

The poverty rate in Deer Lodge is 7.2%. This means approximately 203 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Deer Lodge, Montana?

Deer Lodge's population is 90.3% White, 0.0% Black, 0.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.9% Asian.

What is the median home value in Deer Lodge, MT?

The median home value in Deer Lodge is $247,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x.

How educated is Deer Lodge, Montana?

23.8% of adults (25+) in Deer Lodge hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.