Whitefish city, Montana Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Whitefish city, Montana has a total population of 8,422, the 14th largest city in Montana, with a median household income of $71,110, which is 2% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.9%.
Key Takeaways
- 56.5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Montana.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 9.1x the median household income.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.1%.
Whitefish city Quick Facts
How Whitefish city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 28 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Whitefish city Rankings in Montana
Explore Montana Rankings
Cities Similar to Whitefish city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Livingston city | 8,635 | $65,187 | $348,700 | 35.1% | 15.2% |
| Evergreen CDP | 8,908 | $73,015 | $271,700 | 25.5% | 11.9% |
| Miles City city | 8,412 | $60,732 | $182,700 | 29.7% | 12.7% |
| Helena Valley West Central CDP | 8,224 | $89,040 | $352,800 | 39.7% | 4.9% |
| Lockwood CDP | 7,474 | $74,451 | $250,900 | 14.7% | 14.3% |
Population Overview
Whitefish city is a small city located in Montana. The total population is 8,422. It ranks as the 14th most populous out of 470 cities and towns in Montana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Whitefish city is 43.4 years. This is 8% higher than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Whitefish city is $71,110. This is 2% higher than the state median of $69,922. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 9% lower. The poverty rate stands at 8.9%. This is 26% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 2.1%. This is 45% lower than the state rate of 3.8%. The median home value is $648,200. Housing costs are 92% higher than the state median of $338,100. The home-value-to-income ratio of 9.1x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 60.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% lower than the state average of 69.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
Whitefish city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 95.4% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 4.4%.
Education
56.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Whitefish city in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 63% higher 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 97.8%. Notably, 15.0% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Whitefish city, Montana is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Montana state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 470 Census-designated places in Montana. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Whitefish city, Montana?
Whitefish city, Montana has a population of 8,422 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Whitefish city, MT?
The median household income in Whitefish city is $71,110, which is 9% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Whitefish city, MT?
The poverty rate in Whitefish city is 8.9%. This means approximately 735 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Whitefish city, Montana?
Whitefish city's population is 95.4% White, 0.0% Black, 1.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Whitefish city, MT?
The median home value in Whitefish city is $648,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 9.1x.
How educated is Whitefish city, Montana?
56.5% of adults (25+) in Whitefish city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 15.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.