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CITY · 2020 ACS

Columbia Falls

Montana · 5,308 residents · 2.281 sq mi
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The short version

Columbia Falls has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $48,427. Population has grown 46% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $218,100.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 38.5
US median: 38.8
Less educated
26% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 46%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
5,308
+46%since 2000
from 3,645 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,327 / sq mi
+46%since 2000
from 1,598 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
38.5
+8%since 2000
from 35.7 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
3K4K4K5K6K1990201020202024Columbia Falls
20246K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$48,427
+4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $31,128 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$27,612
+92%since 2000
from $14,355 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
30.0%
+9.7 ptssince 2009
from 20.3% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
10.3%
−6.8 ptssince 2000
from 17.1% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information15%
US avg: 11.1%
Other services10.4%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration10.2%
US avg: 4.7%
Wholesale trade9%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance7.5%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical7.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Retail trade6.7%
US avg: 10%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.5%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction1.5%
US avg: 1.2%
Arts, entertainment, food0.9%
US avg: 2%
Transportation & warehousing0.4%
US avg: 2.5%
Education & health services0.2%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$218,100
+46%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $99,700 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$785
+13%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $462 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
60.5%
−4.1 ptssince 2000
from 64.6% in 2000
39.5% rent
Afford Score
4.5
+41%since 2000
from 3.2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic87.6%(4,648)
Black0.3%(18)
Hispanic / Latino3.5%(186)
Asian0.4%(19)
Other2.1%(112)
Diversity Score16%(849)
Diversity Score
16
+147%since 2000
from 6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
25.9%
+12.4 ptssince 2000
from 13.5% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
92.7%
+7.8 ptssince 2000
from 84.9% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
5.7%
+4.2 ptssince 2000
from 1.6% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
20.2 min
+97%since 2000
from 10.3 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
86.0%
+13.7 ptssince 2009
from 72.3% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
1.6%
−2.9 ptssince 2009
from 4.6% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.3%
+1.7 ptssince 2011
from 3.7% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
61.8%
−6.6 ptssince 2011
from 68.4% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
39.0%
−18.2 ptssince 2009
from 57.2% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.8%
−2.4 ptssince 2009
from 50.2% in 2009
Female
52.2%
+2.4 ptssince 2009
from 49.8% in 2009
Foreign born
1.9%
+1.7 ptssince 2009
from 0.2% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
9.1%
−76.2 ptssince 2013
from 85.3% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Compare Columbia Falls to nearby cities

COLUMBIA FALLS VS
Whitefish
Income$73,811+52%
Home value$684,300+214%
Population9,358+63%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
COLUMBIA FALLS VS
Evergreen
Income$76,446+58%
Home value$340,800+56%
Population9,611+67%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
COLUMBIA FALLS VS
Kalispell
Income$63,415+31%
Home value$428,000+96%
Population31,851+454%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
COLUMBIA FALLS VS
Missoula
Income$70,392+45%
Home value$473,100+117%
Population78,903+1272%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Columbia Falls, Montana?

Columbia Falls, Montana has about 5,308 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Columbia Falls, Montana earns about $48,427 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 $218,100, and the typical rent is about $785 a month.

How educated are people in Columbia Falls, Montana?

About 25.9% 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 10.3% 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 2,210 residents, a change of about 71 percent over that period.

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

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