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CITY · 2020 ACS

Polson

Montana · 5,148 residents · 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 $39,604. Population has grown 27% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $193,200. With a median age of 43.9, the population is older than the US median of 38.8. Households here earn about 30% less than the Montana median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 43.9
US median: 38.8
Less educated
27% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 49%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
5,148
+27%since 2000
from 4,041 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,146 / sq mi
+27%since 2000
from 900 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
43.9
+14%since 2000
from 38.6 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
3K4K4K5K6K1990201020202024Polson
20245K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$39,604
+20%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $21,870 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$23,880
+73%since 2000
from $13,777 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
22.6%
+11.9 ptssince 2009
from 10.7% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
12.3%
−7.5 ptssince 2000
from 19.8% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information20.4%
US avg: 11.1%
Arts, entertainment, food5.4%
US avg: 2%
Wholesale trade5%
US avg: 6.7%
Retail trade4.9%
US avg: 10%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing3.8%
US avg: 1.7%
Finance & insurance2.9%
US avg: 5.5%
Construction2.6%
US avg: 1.2%
Other services1.9%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration1.9%
US avg: 4.7%
Professional, scientific, technical1.6%
US avg: 4.7%
Education & health services1.2%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing1.2%
US avg: 0.5%
Transportation & warehousing0.6%
US avg: 2.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$193,200
+49%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $86,200 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$765
+27%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $401 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
52.6%
−1.3 ptssince 2000
from 53.9% in 2000
47.4% rent
Afford Score
4.9
+24%since 2000
from 3.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic68.4%(3,520)
Black0.4%(20)
Hispanic / Latino4.4%(225)
Asian0.4%(22)
Other27.1%(1,393)
Diversity Score58%(2,986)
Diversity Score
58
+585%since 2000
from 8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
27.2%
+9.0 ptssince 2000
from 18.2% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
94.7%
+11.2 ptssince 2000
from 83.5% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
10.5%
+5.3 ptssince 2000
from 5.2% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
15.2 min
+57%since 2000
from 9.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
80.7%
+7.0 ptssince 2009
from 73.6% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
7.3%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 8.4% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.6%
−0.8 ptssince 2011
from 5.4% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
58.9%
+4.0 ptssince 2011
from 54.9% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
34.2%
−25.4 ptssince 2009
from 59.6% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.5%
+3.2 ptssince 2009
from 44.3% in 2009
Female
52.5%
−3.2 ptssince 2009
from 55.7% in 2009
Foreign born
3.4%
+2.2 ptssince 2009
from 1.2% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
11.8%
−63.4 ptssince 2013
from 75.2% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
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POLSON VS
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POLSON VS
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POLSON VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Polson, Montana?

Polson, Montana has about 5,148 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Polson, Montana?

The typical household in Polson, Montana earns about $39,604 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 $193,200, and the typical rent is about $765 a month.

How educated are people in Polson, Montana?

About 27.2% 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 12.3% 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 1,894 residents, a change of about 58 percent over that period.

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

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