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CITY

Polson

Montana · 5,653 residents (2025 est.) · 4.492 sq mi
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The short version

Polson has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $53,418. Population has grown 34% since 2000. Median home value has more than tripled since 2000, reaching $356,300. Households here earn about 26% less than the Montana median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 43.0
US median: 38.9
Less educated
30% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 127%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
5,428
+34%since 2000
from 4,041 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,208 / sq mi
+34%since 2000
from 900 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
43.0
+11%since 2000
from 38.6 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:5,653 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
3K4K4K5K6K1990201020202024Polson
20245K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$53,418
+34%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $21,870 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$31,661
+130%since 2000
from $13,777 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
35.7%
+25.0 ptssince 2009
from 10.7% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
17.5%
−2.3 ptssince 2000
from 19.8% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.455
+11%since 2010
from 0.410 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information17.7%
US avg: 10.8%
Other services5.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Retail trade4.9%
US avg: 9.9%
Arts, entertainment, food4.6%
US avg: 1.9%
Public administration4.6%
US avg: 4.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing3.2%
US avg: 1.6%
Wholesale trade2.3%
US avg: 6.9%
Manufacturing2.1%
US avg: 0.4%
Construction1.1%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing1.1%
US avg: 2.2%
Finance & insurance0.4%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical0.4%
US avg: 5.1%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$356,300
+127%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $86,200 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$912
+25%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $401 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
54.6%
+0.6 ptssince 2000
from 53.9% in 2000
45.4% rent
Vacancy rate
17.5%
+3.5 ptssince 2009
from 14.0% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
29.0%
−2.5 ptssince 2009
from 31.5% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
45.3%
+8.7 ptssince 2009
from 36.6% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
6.7
+69%since 2000
from 3.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
69
RELATED:See current rent listings in Polson on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic77.3%(3,125)
Black0.1%(5)
Hispanic / Latino2.3%(91)
Asian0.4%(17)
Other0%
Diversity Score8.5%(342)
2024
White, non-Hispanic67.4%(3,661)
Black0.3%(17)
Hispanic / Latino7.6%(415)
Asian0.3%(17)
Other24.3%(1,318)
Diversity Score60%(3,259)
Diversity Score
60
+609%since 2000
from 8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
29.6%
+11.3 ptssince 2000
from 18.2% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
91.5%
+8.1 ptssince 2000
from 83.5% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
12.2%
+7.0 ptssince 2000
from 5.2% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
19.7 min
+104%since 2000
from 9.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
82.0%
+8.4 ptssince 2009
from 73.6% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
6.6%
−1.3 ptssince 2009
from 7.9% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
4.9%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 5.1% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
3.3%
−6.0 ptssince 2009
from 9.3% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
2.4%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 3.5% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
6.1%
−2.2 ptssince 2009
from 8.4% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
7.9%
+2.5 ptssince 2011
from 5.4% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
54.8%
Unchangedsince 2011
from 54.9% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
17.5%
+6.8 ptssince 2009
from 10.7% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
43.7%
−15.9 ptssince 2009
from 59.6% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
44.3%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 44.3% in 2009
Female
55.7%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 55.7% in 2009
Foreign born
2.4%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 1.2% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
10.8%
−33.5 ptssince 2009
from 44.3% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
16.2%
−2.2 ptssince 2012
from 18.4% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
10.5%
−64.7 ptssince 2013
from 75.2% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
85.0%
+17.6 ptssince 2017
from 67.4% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
96.7%
+0.6 ptssince 2016
from 96.2% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
2.1%
+1.5 ptssince 2016
from 0.6% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Polson, Montana?

Polson, Montana has about 5,428 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Polson, Montana?

The typical household in Polson, Montana earns about $53,418 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Polson, Montana expensive?

In Polson, Montana, the median home is worth about $356,300, and the typical rent is about $912 a month.

How educated are people in Polson, Montana?

About 29.6% of adults age 25 and over in Polson, Montana hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Polson, Montana?

About 17.5% of people in Polson, Montana live below the federal poverty line.

Has Polson, Montana grown since 1990?

Yes, Polson, Montana has grown since 1990. The population has added about 2,174 residents, a change of about 67 percent over that period.

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

How we source and harmonize this data →

Polson, Montana: demographics, income & housing data · CensusEasy