Rosebud County, Montana Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Rosebud County is located in Montana with a total population of 8,236. It is the 27th most populous county out of 56 in Montana.

Age Demographics

The median age in Rosebud County is 36.7 years. This is 9% lower than the state median of 40.2 years. With 28.9% of the population under 18, Rosebud County has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Rosebud County is $56,430. This is 19% lower than the state median of $69,922. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 28% lower. The poverty rate stands at 21.6%. This is 79% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. 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 9.0%. This is 138% higher than the state rate of 3.8%. The median home value is $188,900. Housing costs are 44% lower than the state median of $338,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x. 66.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% lower than the state average of 69.4%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Rosebud County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 52.7% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.5%. The Black or African American population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 0.5%.

Education

18.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 45% lower 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 91.4%.