Elmo, Montana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Elmo, Montana had a total population of 290, the 206th largest community in Montana. The poverty rate is 11.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Elmo Quick Facts
How Elmo 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 | 183 | 290 | +58.5% |
How Elmo 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+)
Elmo Rankings in Montana
Explore Montana Rankings
Other Cities in Lake County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polson | 5,428 | $53,418 | 17.5% | $356,300 |
| Ronan | 2,001 | $42,298 | 21.6% | $225,500 |
| Pablo | 1,632 | $36,400 | 34.5% | $256,700 |
| St. Ignatius | 977 | $50,000 | 21.8% | $250,000 |
| Woods Bay | 835 | $64,091 | 10.5% | $512,200 |
| Arlee | 812 | $57,500 | 13.3% | $261,400 |
| Lindisfarne | 533 | N/A | 14.3% | $653,800 |
| Finley Point | 479 | $65,972 | 18.8% | $555,100 |
| Kerr | 463 | N/A | 27.9% | $558,200 |
| Charlo | 306 | $40,469 | 17.3% | $210,800 |
Cities Similar to Elmo
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Westby | 290 | $32,500 | $65,800 | 18.0% | 8.3% |
| Yaak | 293 | $60,000 | $380,800 | 17.8% | 19.6% |
| Dixon | 281 | $48,333 | $234,400 | 29.9% | 28.5% |
| Fort Peck | 280 | $90,833 | $273,900 | 45.3% | 0.0% |
| Sunburst | 301 | $65,938 | $139,600 | 29.3% | 14.6% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 290, Elmo'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
Elmo is a small community located in Montana, within Lake County. The total population is 290. It ranks as the 206th most populous out of 475 Census-designated places in Montana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Elmo is 25.5 years. This is 37% lower than the state median of 40.4 years. With 46.6% of the population under 18, Elmo has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community. 10.3% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 11.7%. This is 2% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.5%. The survey records no unemployed residents in Elmo, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. 69.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 1% higher than the state average of 69.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Elmo is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. The White (non-Hispanic) population (9.7%) is well below the state average of 83.6%.
Education
38.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 8% 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 78.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Elmo, 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 Elmo, Montana?
Elmo, Montana has a population of 290 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Elmo, MT?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Elmo — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Elmo, MT?
The poverty rate in Elmo is 11.7%. This means approximately 34 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Elmo, Montana?
Elmo's population is 9.7% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Elmo, MT?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Elmo — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Elmo, Montana?
38.1% of adults (25+) in Elmo hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.