Missoula, Montana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Missoula, Montana had a total population of 76,514, the 2nd largest city in Montana, with a median household income of $70,392, which is 3% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Missoula is the 2nd largest city in Montana with a population of 76,514.
- 53.0% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Montana.
Missoula Quick Facts
How Missoula 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 | 75,600 | 76,514 | +1.2% |
| Median household income | $65,329 | $70,392 | +7.8% |
| Median home value | $427,400 | $473,100 | +10.7% |
How Missoula 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+)
Missoula Rankings in Montana
Explore Montana Rankings
Other Cities in Missoula County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orchard Homes | 5,588 | $64,904 | 8.7% | $553,700 |
| Lolo | 4,314 | $86,065 | 5.3% | $431,800 |
| East Missoula | 2,099 | $57,500 | 7.3% | $358,500 |
| Frenchtown | 1,927 | $94,500 | 9.9% | $475,500 |
| Bonner-West Riverside | 1,563 | $62,039 | 14.5% | $210,900 |
| Seeley Lake | 1,496 | $49,574 | 9.8% | $361,100 |
| Wye | 1,055 | $109,625 | 2.8% | $569,100 |
| Clinton | 1,040 | $103,750 | 3.8% | $386,600 |
| Carlton | 682 | $107,155 | 7.3% | $712,500 |
| Turah | 543 | $130,417 | 3.5% | $470,400 |
Cities Similar to Missoula
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great Falls | 60,329 | $63,373 | $257,000 | 27.8% | 14.5% |
| Bozeman | 56,114 | $85,747 | $687,900 | 65.1% | 13.7% |
| Billings | 119,434 | $73,712 | $343,400 | 36.9% | 9.8% |
| Helena | 33,639 | $71,036 | $387,300 | 50.6% | 8.8% |
| Butte-Silver Bow | 35,052 | $61,857 | $257,800 | 28.1% | 14.8% |
Population Overview
Missoula is a mid-sized community located in Montana, within Missoula County. The total population is 76,514. It ranks as the 2nd most populous out of 475 Census-designated places in Montana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Missoula is 34.7 years. This is 14% lower than the state median of 40.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Missoula is $70,392. This is 3% lower than the state median of $72,509. It is also 13% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.8%. This is 2% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.5%. The unemployment rate is 3.8%. This is 4% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $473,100. Housing costs are 26% higher than the state median of $375,800. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.7x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 47.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 32% lower than the state average of 69.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Missoula is White (non-Hispanic), making up 84.7% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.7%.
Education
53.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Missoula in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 51% 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 97.0%. Notably, 20.7% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Missoula, 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 Missoula, Montana?
Missoula, Montana has a population of 76,514 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Missoula, MT?
The median household income in Missoula is $70,392, which is 13% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Missoula, MT?
The poverty rate in Missoula is 11.8%. This means approximately 8,728 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Missoula, Montana?
Missoula's population is 84.7% White, 0.4% Black, 5.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Missoula, MT?
The median home value in Missoula is $473,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.7x.
How educated is Missoula, Montana?
53.0% of adults (25+) in Missoula hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 20.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.