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CITY

Plains

Montana · 1,261 residents (2025 est.) · 0.615 sq mi
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The short version

Plains has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $25,491. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than tripled since 2000, reaching $248,300. The poverty rate of 31.2% is well above the national figure. It falls in the bottom 10% of US cities for household income.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 43.3
US median: 38.9
Less educated
13% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 101%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,195
+6%since 2000
from 1,126 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,943 / sq mi
+6%since 2000
from 1,831 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
43.3
+3%since 2000
from 42.1 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:1,261 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
7148459771K1K1990201020202024Plains
20241K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$25,491
−47%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $26,331 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$41,283
+217%since 2000
from $13,010 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
23.5%
+15.3 ptssince 2009
from 8.1% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
31.2%
+10.9 ptssince 2000
from 20.3% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.634
+52%since 2010
from 0.418 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information22.3%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade19.4%
US avg: 6.9%
Retail trade10.9%
US avg: 9.9%
Other services3.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.9%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction1.9%
US avg: 1.2%
Finance & insurance1.4%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical1.4%
US avg: 5.1%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
Public administration0%
US avg: 4.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$248,300
+101%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $67,700 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$843
+29%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $358 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
53.1%
−17.5 ptssince 2000
from 70.6% in 2000
46.9% rent
Vacancy rate
10.7%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 10.3% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
24.8%
−13.8 ptssince 2009
from 38.6% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
74.7%
+20.7 ptssince 2009
from 54.0% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
9.7
+279%since 2000
from 2.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
31
RELATED:See current rent listings in Plains on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic93.5%(1,053)
Black0.1%(1)
Hispanic / Latino2.9%(33)
Asian0.4%(4)
Other0%
Diversity Score8.4%(95)
2024
White, non-Hispanic82.7%(988)
Black1.8%(21)
Hispanic / Latino7.1%(85)
Asian0.4%(5)
Other8%(96)
Diversity Score38.1%(455)
Diversity Score
38
+351%since 2000
from 8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
13.4%
−1.8 ptssince 2000
from 15.2% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
92.6%
+11.4 ptssince 2000
from 81.2% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
3.3%
−0.5 ptssince 2000
from 3.7% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
15.0 min
+2%since 2000
from 14.7 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
51.8%
−18.5 ptssince 2009
from 70.3% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
15.9%
+12.0 ptssince 2009
from 3.9% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
1.4%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
15.9%
+12.0 ptssince 2009
from 3.9% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
15.1%
−6.9 ptssince 2009
from 22.0% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
14.1%
+10.0 ptssince 2009
from 4.1% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
19.2%
+5.9 ptssince 2011
from 13.3% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
59.8%
+8.8 ptssince 2011
from 51.1% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
11.1%
+4.0 ptssince 2009
from 7.1% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
21.9%
−34.3 ptssince 2009
from 56.2% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.4%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 47.4% in 2009
Female
51.6%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 52.6% in 2009
Foreign born
1.9%
+1.9 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
8.6%
−36.6 ptssince 2009
from 45.1% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
20.6%
−10.9 ptssince 2012
from 31.5% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
8.4%
−70.7 ptssince 2013
from 79.1% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
81.9%
+32.5 ptssince 2017
from 49.4% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
97.1%
−2.3 ptssince 2016
from 99.3% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
2.4%
+2.4 ptssince 2016
from 0.0% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Compare Plains to nearby cities

PLAINS VS
Missoula
Income$70,392+176%
Home value$473,100+91%
Population78,903+6157%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PLAINS VS
Kalispell
Income$63,415+149%
Home value$428,000+72%
Population31,851+2426%
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PLAINS VS
Evergreen
Income$76,446+200%
Home value$340,800+37%
Population9,611+662%
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PLAINS VS
Whitefish
Income$73,811+190%
Home value$684,300+176%
Population9,358+642%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Plains, Montana?

Plains, Montana has about 1,195 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Plains, Montana?

The typical household in Plains, Montana earns about $25,491 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Plains, Montana expensive?

In Plains, Montana, the median home is worth about $248,300, and the typical rent is about $843 a month.

How educated are people in Plains, Montana?

About 13.4% of adults age 25 and over in Plains, Montana hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Plains, Montana?

About 31.2% of people in Plains, Montana live below the federal poverty line.

Has Plains, Montana grown since 1990?

Yes, Plains, Montana has grown since 1990. The population has added about 155 residents, a change of about 15 percent over that period.

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

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