Lame Deer, Montana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lame Deer, Montana had a total population of 1,872, the 61st largest community in Montana, with a median household income of $23,700, which is 67% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 55.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 67% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (55.9%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 42.2% is notably above the national average.
Lame Deer Quick Facts
How Lame Deer 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 | 1,939 | 1,872 | -3.5% |
| Median household income | $26,364 | $23,700 | -10.1% |
| Median home value | $117,300 | $111,100 | -5.3% |
How Lame Deer 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+)
Lame Deer Rankings in Montana
Explore Montana Rankings
Other Cities in Rosebud County
Cities Similar to Lame Deer
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Browning | 1,538 | N/A | $73,000 | 9.3% | 42.2% |
| Eureka | 1,840 | $38,750 | $172,000 | 6.8% | 31.3% |
| Forsyth | 1,728 | $39,744 | $208,400 | 14.5% | 14.1% |
| Pablo | 1,632 | $36,400 | $256,700 | 8.9% | 34.5% |
| Ronan | 2,001 | $42,298 | $225,500 | 20.0% | 21.6% |
Population Overview
Lame Deer is a small community located in Montana, within Rosebud County. The total population is 1,872. It ranks as the 61st most populous out of 475 Census-designated places in Montana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lame Deer is 22.3 years. This is 45% lower than the state median of 40.4 years. With 40.5% of the population under 18, Lame Deer has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Lame Deer is $23,700. This is 67% lower than the state median of $72,509. It is also 71% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 55.9%. This is 385% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.5%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 42.2%. This is 1067% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $111,100. Housing costs are 70% lower than the state median of $375,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.7x. 56.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 19% lower than the state average of 69.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Lame Deer is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.0%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (2.8%) is well below the state average of 83.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 4.6%.
Education
10.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 69% 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 81.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lame Deer, 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 Lame Deer, Montana?
Lame Deer, Montana has a population of 1,872 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lame Deer, MT?
The median household income in Lame Deer is $23,700, which is 71% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Lame Deer, MT?
The poverty rate in Lame Deer is 55.9%. This means approximately 1,041 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lame Deer, Montana?
Lame Deer's population is 2.8% White, 0.0% Black, 1.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lame Deer, MT?
The median home value in Lame Deer is $111,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.7x.
How educated is Lame Deer, Montana?
10.8% of adults (25+) in Lame Deer hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.