St. Ignatius, Montana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, St. Ignatius, Montana had a total population of 977, the 96th largest town in Montana, with a median household income of $50,000, which is 31% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 31% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 9.9% is notably above the national average.
St. Ignatius Quick Facts
How St. Ignatius 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 | 1,053 | 977 | -7.2% |
| Median household income | $50,781 | $50,000 | -1.5% |
| Median home value | $194,200 | $250,000 | +28.7% |
How St. Ignatius 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+)
St. Ignatius 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 |
| Ronan | 2,001 | $42,298 | 21.6% | $225,500 |
| Pablo | 1,632 | $36,400 | 34.5% | $256,700 |
| 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 St. Ignatius
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hays | 1,009 | $52,250 | $59,200 | 15.6% | 23.7% |
| Ashland | 959 | $45,607 | $85,000 | 26.9% | 29.7% |
| Vaughn | 1,002 | $56,250 | $175,300 | 16.4% | 8.7% |
| White Haven | 978 | $41,154 | $205,300 | 9.8% | 25.2% |
| White Sulphur Springs | 957 | $62,159 | $247,900 | 20.6% | 6.1% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 977, St. Ignatius's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
St. Ignatius is a small community located in Montana, within Lake County. The total population is 977. It ranks as the 96th most populous out of 475 Census-designated places in Montana.
Age Demographics
The median age in St. Ignatius is 31.0 years. This is 23% lower than the state median of 40.4 years. With 32.3% of the population under 18, St. Ignatius has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in St. Ignatius is $50,000. This is 31% lower than the state median of $72,509. It is also 38% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 21.8%. This is 89% 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 9.9%. This is 175% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $250,000. Housing costs are 33% lower than the state median of $375,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.0x. 70.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% higher than the state average of 69.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in St. Ignatius is White (non-Hispanic), making up 53.9% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.5%. The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 0.8%.
Education
25.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 29% 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 89.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for St. Ignatius, 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 St. Ignatius, Montana?
St. Ignatius, Montana has a population of 977 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in St. Ignatius, MT?
The median household income in St. Ignatius is $50,000, which is 38% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in St. Ignatius, MT?
The poverty rate in St. Ignatius is 21.8%. This means approximately 204 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of St. Ignatius, Montana?
St. Ignatius's population is 53.9% White, 0.0% Black, 3.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in St. Ignatius, MT?
The median home value in St. Ignatius is $250,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.0x.
How educated is St. Ignatius, Montana?
25.0% of adults (25+) in St. Ignatius hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.