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CITY

Columbia Falls

Montana · 5,753 residents (2025 est.) · 2.281 sq mi
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The short version

Columbia Falls has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $75,766. The city has grown rapidly, with population up 54% since 2000. Median home value has more than tripled since 2000, reaching $384,400.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 36.6
US median: 38.9
Average education
32% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 112%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
5,615
+54%since 2000
from 3,645 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,462 / sq mi
+54%since 2000
from 1,598 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
36.6
+3%since 2000
from 35.7 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:5,753 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
3K4K4K5K6K1990201020202024Columbia Falls
20246K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$75,766
+34%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $31,128 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$32,981
+130%since 2000
from $14,355 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
50.4%
+30.1 ptssince 2009
from 20.3% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
15.2%
−1.9 ptssince 2000
from 17.1% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.402
−2%since 2010
from 0.409 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Wholesale trade12.8%
US avg: 6.9%
Information10.1%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade6.7%
US avg: 9.9%
Other services5.1%
US avg: 6.7%
Transportation & warehousing4%
US avg: 2.2%
Arts, entertainment, food2.9%
US avg: 1.9%
Finance & insurance2.7%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical2.7%
US avg: 5.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2%
US avg: 1.6%
Public administration2%
US avg: 4.8%
Construction1.3%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0.8%
US avg: 0.4%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$384,400
+112%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $99,700 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,016
+21%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $462 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
56.0%
−8.6 ptssince 2000
from 64.6% in 2000
44.0% rent
Vacancy rate
10.6%
+3.8 ptssince 2009
from 6.8% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
12.9%
−7.0 ptssince 2009
from 19.9% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
46.8%
−16.3 ptssince 2009
from 63.1% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
5.1
+58%since 2000
from 3.2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
75
RELATED:See current rent listings in Columbia Falls on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic94.8%(3,454)
Black0.2%(9)
Hispanic / Latino1.8%(67)
Asian0.5%(18)
Other0%
Diversity Score6.5%(236)
2024
White, non-Hispanic93.6%(5,258)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino2.9%(165)
Asian0.7%(37)
Other2.8%(155)
Diversity Score15.2%(852)
Diversity Score
15
+134%since 2000
from 6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
32.1%
+18.6 ptssince 2000
from 13.5% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
91.2%
+6.3 ptssince 2000
from 84.9% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
10.4%
+8.8 ptssince 2000
from 1.6% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
19.8 min
+92%since 2000
from 10.3 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
78.6%
+6.3 ptssince 2009
from 72.3% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
4.4%
−13.2 ptssince 2009
from 17.6% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.3% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
14.8%
+8.7 ptssince 2009
from 6.1% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
2.2%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 3.0% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 0.7% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
4.3%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 4.6% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.6%
+1.9 ptssince 2011
from 3.7% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
67.6%
−0.8 ptssince 2011
from 68.4% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
13.3%
+4.4 ptssince 2009
from 8.9% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
36.6%
−20.6 ptssince 2009
from 57.2% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.4%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 50.2% in 2009
Female
50.6%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 49.8% in 2009
Foreign born
1.5%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.2% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
9.2%
−39.8 ptssince 2009
from 49.0% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
7.9%
+0.5 ptssince 2012
from 7.4% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
17.9%
−67.4 ptssince 2013
from 85.3% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
91.2%
+18.5 ptssince 2017
from 72.7% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
95.1%
−1.9 ptssince 2016
from 97.0% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.7%
−1.2 ptssince 2016
from 1.9% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Compare Columbia Falls to nearby cities

COLUMBIA FALLS VS
Whitefish
Income$73,811−3%
Home value$684,300+78%
Population9,358+63%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
COLUMBIA FALLS VS
Evergreen
Income$76,446+1%
Home value$340,800−11%
Population9,611+67%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
COLUMBIA FALLS VS
Kalispell
Income$63,415−16%
Home value$428,000+11%
Population31,851+454%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
COLUMBIA FALLS VS
Missoula
Income$70,392−7%
Home value$473,100+23%
Population78,903+1272%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Columbia Falls, Montana?

Columbia Falls, Montana has about 5,615 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Columbia Falls, Montana?

The typical household in Columbia Falls, Montana earns about $75,766 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Columbia Falls, Montana expensive?

In Columbia Falls, Montana, the median home is worth about $384,400, and the typical rent is about $1,016 a month.

How educated are people in Columbia Falls, Montana?

About 32.1% of adults age 25 and over in Columbia Falls, Montana hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Columbia Falls, Montana?

About 15.2% of people in Columbia Falls, Montana live below the federal poverty line.

Has Columbia Falls, Montana grown since 1990?

Yes, Columbia Falls, Montana has grown since 1990. The population has added about 2,517 residents, a change of about 81 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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