Polson, Montana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Polson, Montana had a total population of 5,428, the 25th largest city in Montana, with a median household income of $53,418, which is 26% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Polson Quick Facts
How Polson 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 | 5,334 | 5,428 | +1.8% |
| Median household income | $51,463 | $53,418 | +3.8% |
| Median home value | $321,000 | $356,300 | +11.0% |
How Polson 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 29 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Polson Rankings in Montana
Explore Montana Rankings
Other Cities in Lake County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ronan | 2,001 | $42,298 | 21.6% | $225,500 |
| Pablo | 1,632 | $36,400 | 34.5% | $256,700 |
| St. Ignatius | 977 | $50,000 | 21.8% | $250,000 |
| Woods Bay | 835 | $64,091 | 10.5% | $512,200 |
| Arlee | 812 | $57,500 | 13.3% | $261,400 |
| Lindisfarne | 533 | N/A | 14.3% | $653,800 |
| Finley Point | 479 | $65,972 | 18.8% | $555,100 |
| Kerr | 463 | N/A | 27.9% | $558,200 |
| Charlo | 306 | $40,469 | 17.3% | $210,800 |
| Elmo | 290 | N/A | 11.7% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Polson
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hamilton | 5,101 | $49,204 | $310,000 | 30.8% | 8.8% |
| Orchard Homes | 5,588 | $64,904 | $553,700 | 44.4% | 8.7% |
| Lewistown | 6,087 | $48,750 | $198,400 | 17.7% | 20.9% |
| Sidney | 6,171 | $62,538 | $236,900 | 22.0% | 7.7% |
| Columbia Falls | 5,615 | $75,766 | $384,400 | 32.1% | 15.2% |
Population Overview
Polson is a small city located in Montana, within Lake County. The total population is 5,428. It ranks as the 25th most populous out of 475 Census-designated places in Montana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Polson is 43.0 years. This is 6% higher than the state median of 40.4 years. 10.4% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Polson is $53,418. This is 26% lower than the state median of $72,509. It is also 34% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.5%. This is 52% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.5%. The unemployment rate is 7.9%. This is 118% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $356,300. Housing costs are 5% lower 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. 54.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 21% lower than the state average of 69.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Polson is White (non-Hispanic), making up 67.5% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 7.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (7.6% vs 4.6%). The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 0.8%.
Education
29.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 16% 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 91.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Polson, 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 Polson, Montana?
Polson, Montana has a population of 5,428 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Polson, MT?
The median household income in Polson is $53,418, which is 34% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Polson, MT?
The poverty rate in Polson is 17.5%. This means approximately 932 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Polson, Montana?
Polson's population is 67.5% White, 0.3% Black, 7.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Polson, MT?
The median home value in Polson is $356,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.7x.
How educated is Polson, Montana?
29.6% of adults (25+) in Polson hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 12.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.