Missoula city, Montana Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Missoula city is a mid-sized community located in Montana. The total population is 75,600. It ranks as the 2nd most populous out of 470 cities and towns in Montana.

Age Demographics

The median age in Missoula city is 34.3 years. This is 15% lower than the state median of 40.2 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Missoula city is $65,329. This is 7% lower than the state median of $69,922. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 17% lower. The poverty rate stands at 12.8%. This is 6% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 4.7%. This is 25% higher than the state rate of 3.8%. The median home value is $427,400. Housing costs are 26% higher than the state median of $338,100. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.5x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 47.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 31% lower than the state average of 69.4%.

Race & Ethnicity

Missoula city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 85.2% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (0.7% vs 0.5%).

Education

51.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Missoula city in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 50% higher than the state rate of 34.5%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 96.8%. Notably, 19.9% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Missoula city, Montana is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Montana state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 470 Census-designated places in Montana. For official data, visit data.census.gov.