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CITY

Whitefish

Montana · 9,358 residents (2025 est.) · 7.18 sq mi
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The short version

Whitefish has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $73,811. The city has grown rapidly, with population up 74% since 2000. 57% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than tripled since 2000, reaching $684,300. With a median age of 44.4, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. 57% of adults hold a bachelor's degree, well above the US average, yet household income trails the national figure — a profile common to graduate-student tracts and academic hubs.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 44.4
US median: 38.9
More educated
57% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 212%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
8,749
+74%since 2000
from 5,032 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,219 / sq mi
+74%since 2000
from 701 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
44.4
+19%since 2000
from 37.3 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:9,358 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
4K5K7K8K9K1990201020202024Whitefish
20249K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$73,811
+23%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $33,038 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$56,782
+136%since 2000
from $24,098 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
48.2%
+22.1 ptssince 2009
from 26.1% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
9.4%
−8.9 ptssince 2000
from 18.2% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.499
+12%since 2010
from 0.447 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information15.8%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade10.3%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services7.9%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration5.5%
US avg: 4.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing4.5%
US avg: 1.6%
Retail trade4.5%
US avg: 9.9%
Construction4.2%
US avg: 1.2%
Finance & insurance2.6%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical2.6%
US avg: 5.1%
Arts, entertainment, food2%
US avg: 1.9%
Manufacturing0.3%
US avg: 0.4%
Transportation & warehousing0.3%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$684,300
+212%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $120,400 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,354
+48%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $502 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
61.7%
+6.5 ptssince 2000
from 55.1% in 2000
38.3% rent
Vacancy rate
22.3%
+3.1 ptssince 2009
from 19.2% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
22.2%
−8.4 ptssince 2009
from 30.6% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
58.6%
+16.3 ptssince 2009
from 42.3% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
9.3
+154%since 2000
from 3.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
82
RELATED:See current rent listings in Whitefish on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic95.3%(4,796)
Black0.1%(7)
Hispanic / Latino1.9%(97)
Asian0.6%(28)
Other0%
Diversity Score6.6%(330)
2024
White, non-Hispanic93.6%(8,192)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino2.2%(192)
Asian0%(0)
Other4.2%(365)
Diversity Score15.1%(1,324)
Diversity Score
15
+131%since 2000
from 7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
56.8%
+17.7 ptssince 2000
from 39.0% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
97.2%
+6.5 ptssince 2000
from 90.7% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
16.7%
+4.7 ptssince 2000
from 12.1% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
16.6 min
+64%since 2000
from 10.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
62.2%
−15.9 ptssince 2009
from 78.1% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
4.2%
−4.0 ptssince 2009
from 8.2% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.3%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.2% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
24.4%
+17.7 ptssince 2009
from 6.7% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
6.9%
+2.6 ptssince 2009
from 4.3% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
1.9%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 2.5% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
9.1%
+6.2 ptssince 2009
from 2.9% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
2.4%
−2.5 ptssince 2011
from 4.8% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
66.5%
+0.7 ptssince 2011
from 65.8% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
7.5%
+1.5 ptssince 2009
from 6.0% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
51.2%
−10.0 ptssince 2009
from 61.3% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.4%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 51.4% in 2009
Female
49.6%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 48.6% in 2009
Foreign born
3.5%
+2.9 ptssince 2009
from 0.6% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
5.8%
−44.5 ptssince 2009
from 50.3% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
10.3%
−1.4 ptssince 2012
from 11.7% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
5.3%
−72.9 ptssince 2013
from 78.2% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
91.7%
+5.0 ptssince 2017
from 86.7% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
98.4%
Unchangedsince 2016
from 98.4% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.8%
+0.4 ptssince 2016
from 0.4% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Compare Whitefish to nearby cities

WHITEFISH VS
Evergreen
Income$76,446+4%
Home value$340,800−50%
Population9,611+3%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WHITEFISH VS
Kalispell
Income$63,415−14%
Home value$428,000−37%
Population31,851+240%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WHITEFISH VS
Missoula
Income$70,392−5%
Home value$473,100−31%
Population78,903+743%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Whitefish, Montana?

Whitefish, Montana has about 8,749 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Whitefish, Montana?

The typical household in Whitefish, Montana earns about $73,811 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Whitefish, Montana expensive?

In Whitefish, Montana, the median home is worth about $684,300, and the typical rent is about $1,354 a month.

How educated are people in Whitefish, Montana?

About 56.8% of adults age 25 and over in Whitefish, Montana hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Whitefish, Montana?

About 9.4% of people in Whitefish, Montana live below the federal poverty line.

Has Whitefish, Montana grown since 1990?

Yes, Whitefish, Montana has grown since 1990. The population has added about 4,381 residents, a change of about 100 percent over that period.

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

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