Wheatland County, Montana Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Wheatland County is located in Montana with a total population of 2,049. It is the 44th most populous county out of 56 in Montana.

Age Demographics

The median age in Wheatland County is 47.3 years. This is 18% higher than the state median of 40.2 years. 11.5% 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 Wheatland County is $47,054. This is 33% lower than the state median of $69,922. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 40% lower. The poverty rate stands at 23.7%. This is 97% 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 0.9%. This is 75% lower than the state rate of 3.8%. The median home value is $172,700. Housing costs are 49% lower than the state median of $338,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x. 76.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% higher than the state average of 69.4%.

Race & Ethnicity

Wheatland County has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.6% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.7%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (1.3% vs 0.5%).

Education

17.8% 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 48% 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 92.6%.