Dodson, Montana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Dodson, Montana had a total population of 153, the 280th largest town in Montana, with a median household income of $40,804, which is 44% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.5%.
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.
- Only 1.8% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.1x.
- Unemployment rate of 28.6% is notably above the national average.
Dodson Quick Facts
How Dodson 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 | 156 | 153 | -1.9% |
| Median household income | $41,172 | $40,804 | -0.9% |
| Median home value | $44,700 | $45,200 | +1.1% |
How Dodson 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 29 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Dodson Rankings in Montana
Explore Montana Rankings
Other Cities in Phillips County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malta | 2,100 | $54,483 | 9.9% | $160,800 |
| Saco | 140 | $48,500 | 27.1% | $75,000 |
| Whitewater | 105 | $34,583 | 25.7% | N/A |
| Zortman | 52 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
| Loring Colony | 31 | N/A | 33.3% | N/A |
| Landusky | 21 | N/A | 0.0% | $56,700 |
| Sleeping Buffalo | 9 | N/A | 44.4% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Dodson
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rocky Point | 151 | N/A | $643,800 | 54.3% | 0.0% |
| Little Bitterroot Lake | 156 | N/A | $611,100 | 19.7% | 17.3% |
| Gibson Flats | 158 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 74.1% |
| Conner | 147 | N/A | N/A | 3.4% | 11.6% |
| Reed Point | 147 | N/A | $164,300 | 16.8% | 9.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 153, Dodson'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
Dodson is a small community located in Montana, within Phillips County. The total population is 153. It ranks as the 280th most populous out of 475 Census-designated places in Montana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Dodson is 77.3 years. This is 91% higher than the state median of 40.4 years. 56.9% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Dodson is $40,804. This is 44% lower than the state median of $72,509. It is also 49% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.5%. This is 26% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.5%. The unemployment rate is 28.6%. This is 689% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $45,200. Housing costs are 88% lower than the state median of $375,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.1x, Dodson is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 92.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 34% higher than the state average of 69.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Dodson is White (non-Hispanic), making up 52.9% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.3%.
Education
1.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 95% 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 93.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Dodson, 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 Dodson, Montana?
Dodson, Montana has a population of 153 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Dodson, MT?
The median household income in Dodson is $40,804, which is 49% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Dodson, MT?
The poverty rate in Dodson is 8.5%. This means approximately 13 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Dodson, Montana?
Dodson's population is 52.9% White, 0.0% Black, 3.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Dodson, MT?
The median home value in Dodson is $45,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.1x.
How educated is Dodson, Montana?
1.8% of adults (25+) in Dodson hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.