Lakeside, Montana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lakeside, Montana had a total population of 2,386, the 45th largest community in Montana, with a median household income of $77,435, which is 7% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 10.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 9.3x the median household income.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.0%.
Lakeside Quick Facts
How Lakeside 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 | 2,730 | 2,386 | -12.6% |
| Median household income | $83,958 | $77,435 | -7.8% |
| Median home value | $589,500 | $720,100 | +22.2% |
How Lakeside 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+)
Lakeside 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 |
| Columbia Falls | 5,615 | $75,766 | 15.2% | $384,400 |
| Bigfork | 5,565 | $85,307 | 5.7% | $674,600 |
| 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 Lakeside
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manhattan | 2,288 | $87,865 | $517,800 | 34.2% | 2.9% |
| Colstrip | 2,101 | $82,500 | $194,900 | 25.9% | 9.4% |
| Red Lodge | 2,502 | $55,750 | $380,700 | 46.3% | 6.7% |
| Three Forks | 1,919 | $79,784 | $395,800 | 21.0% | 6.2% |
| Townsend | 1,967 | $70,752 | $227,600 | 21.5% | 15.6% |
Population Overview
Lakeside is a small community located in Montana, within Flathead County. The total population is 2,386. It ranks as the 45th most populous out of 475 Census-designated places in Montana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lakeside is 52.8 years. This is 31% higher than the state median of 40.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Lakeside is $77,435. This is 7% higher than the state median of $72,509. It is also 4% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 10.9%. This is 5% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.5%. The unemployment rate is 2.0%. This is 44% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $720,100. Housing costs are 92% higher than the state median of $375,800. The home-value-to-income ratio of 9.3x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 72.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% higher than the state average of 69.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Lakeside is White (non-Hispanic), making up 84.4% of the population. Asian residents account for 2.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 4.6%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (2.3% vs 0.8%).
Education
35.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 2% 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 97.4%. Notably, 19.7% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lakeside, 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 Lakeside, Montana?
Lakeside, Montana has a population of 2,386 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lakeside, MT?
The median household income in Lakeside is $77,435, which is 4% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Lakeside, MT?
The poverty rate in Lakeside is 10.9%. This means approximately 258 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lakeside, Montana?
Lakeside's population is 84.4% White, 0.0% Black, 1.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lakeside, MT?
The median home value in Lakeside is $720,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 9.3x.
How educated is Lakeside, Montana?
35.8% of adults (25+) in Lakeside hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 19.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.