Missoula County, Montana Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Missoula County is located in Montana with a total population of 119,639. It is the 3rd most populous county out of 56 in Montana.

Age Demographics

The median age in Missoula County is 37.0 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 40.2 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Missoula County is $71,246. This is 2% higher than the state median of $69,922. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 9% lower. The poverty rate stands at 10.9%. This is 9% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 4.5%. This is 19% higher than the state rate of 3.8%. The median home value is $423,100. Housing costs are 25% higher than the state median of $338,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.9x. 59.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% lower than the state average of 69.4%.

Race & Ethnicity

Missoula County has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 85.8% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.9%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (1.6% vs 0.8%).

Education

45.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Missoula County in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 33% 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 96.6%. Notably, 17.4% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.