Ronan, Montana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Ronan, Montana had a total population of 2,001, the 55th largest city in Montana, with a median household income of $42,298, which is 42% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 42% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Ronan Quick Facts
How Ronan 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 | 1,962 | 2,001 | +2.0% |
| Median household income | $41,429 | $42,298 | +2.1% |
| Median home value | $201,700 | $225,500 | +11.8% |
How Ronan 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 29 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Ronan Rankings in Montana
Explore Montana Rankings
Other Cities in Lake County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polson | 5,428 | $53,418 | 17.5% | $356,300 |
| 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 Ronan
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eureka | 1,840 | $38,750 | $172,000 | 6.8% | 31.3% |
| Roundup | 2,003 | $57,847 | $166,200 | 13.5% | 16.6% |
| Malta | 2,100 | $54,483 | $160,800 | 30.8% | 9.9% |
| Forsyth | 1,728 | $39,744 | $208,400 | 14.5% | 14.1% |
| West Glendive | 2,121 | $54,922 | $179,400 | 18.9% | 2.6% |
Population Overview
Ronan is a small community located in Montana, within Lake County. The total population is 2,001. It ranks as the 55th most populous out of 475 Census-designated places in Montana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ronan is 37.7 years. This is 7% lower than the state median of 40.4 years. 10.3% 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 Ronan is $42,298. This is 42% lower than the state median of $72,509. It is also 48% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 21.6%. This is 88% 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 4.9%. This is 35% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $225,500. Housing costs are 40% lower than the state median of $375,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.3x. 60.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% lower than the state average of 69.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Ronan is White (non-Hispanic), making up 46.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.5%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (2.5% vs 0.8%).
Education
20.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 43% 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 91.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Ronan, 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 Ronan, Montana?
Ronan, Montana has a population of 2,001 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ronan, MT?
The median household income in Ronan is $42,298, which is 48% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Ronan, MT?
The poverty rate in Ronan is 21.6%. This means approximately 416 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ronan, Montana?
Ronan's population is 46.6% White, 0.0% Black, 4.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ronan, MT?
The median home value in Ronan is $225,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.3x.
How educated is Ronan, Montana?
20.0% of adults (25+) in Ronan hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.