Townsend, Montana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Townsend, Montana had a total population of 1,967, the 57th largest city in Montana, with a median household income of $70,752, which is 2% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Unemployment rate of 13.3% is notably above the national average.
Townsend Quick Facts
How Townsend 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 | 2,232 | 1,967 | -11.9% |
| Median household income | $70,774 | $70,752 | -0.0% |
| Median home value | $212,800 | $227,600 | +7.0% |
How Townsend 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+)
Townsend Rankings in Montana
Explore Montana Rankings
Other Cities in Broadwater County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wheatland | 1,661 | $123,277 | 12.9% | $739,000 |
| Spokane Creek | 740 | $127,250 | 0.0% | $812,500 |
| The Silos | 579 | $60,521 | 19.5% | $367,300 |
| Toston | 368 | $63,206 | 0.0% | $371,800 |
| Winston | 81 | $58,159 | 17.3% | $326,400 |
| Radersburg | 35 | N/A | 51.4% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Townsend
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus | 2,003 | $65,250 | $282,800 | 24.0% | 11.0% |
| Three Forks | 1,919 | $79,784 | $395,800 | 21.0% | 6.2% |
| Roundup | 2,003 | $57,847 | $166,200 | 13.5% | 16.6% |
| Colstrip | 2,101 | $82,500 | $194,900 | 25.9% | 9.4% |
| Stevensville | 2,130 | $60,096 | $377,300 | 25.8% | 13.6% |
Population Overview
Townsend is a small community located in Montana, within Broadwater County. The total population is 1,967. It ranks as the 57th most populous out of 475 Census-designated places in Montana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Townsend is 49.1 years. This is 22% higher than the state median of 40.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Townsend is $70,752. This is 2% lower than the state median of $72,509. It is also 12% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 15.6%. This is 36% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.5%. The unemployment rate is 13.3%. This is 266% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $227,600. Housing costs are 39% lower than the state median of $375,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 73.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% higher than the state average of 69.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Townsend has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 89.3% of all residents. Asian residents account for 0.8%. The Black or African American population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 0.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 4.6%.
Education
21.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 39% 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 Townsend, 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 Townsend, Montana?
Townsend, Montana has a population of 1,967 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Townsend, MT?
The median household income in Townsend is $70,752, which is 12% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Townsend, MT?
The poverty rate in Townsend is 15.6%. This means approximately 300 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Townsend, Montana?
Townsend's population is 89.3% White, 0.1% Black, 0.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Townsend, MT?
The median home value in Townsend is $227,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is Townsend, Montana?
21.5% of adults (25+) in Townsend hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.