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CITY · 2020 ACS

Whitefish

Montana · 7,751 residents · 7.18 sq mi
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The short version

Whitefish has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $51,821. The city has grown rapidly, with population up 54% since 2000. 55% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than tripled since 2000, reaching $425,000. Poverty is rare here, at 6.2% of residents. 55% 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: $66,278
Older
median age 43.0
US median: 38.8
More educated
55% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 135%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
7,751
+54%since 2000
from 5,032 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,080 / sq mi
+54%since 2000
from 701 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
43.0
+15%since 2000
from 37.3 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
4K5K7K8K9K1990201020202024Whitefish
20249K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$51,821
+4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $33,038 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$45,597
+89%since 2000
from $24,098 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
35.7%
+9.6 ptssince 2009
from 26.1% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
6.2%
−12.0 ptssince 2000
from 18.2% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information17.3%
US avg: 11.1%
Other services8.9%
US avg: 6.6%
Wholesale trade6.6%
US avg: 6.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing6.4%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction5.8%
US avg: 1.2%
Public administration5.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Retail trade4%
US avg: 10%
Finance & insurance1.3%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical1.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food1.2%
US avg: 2%
Manufacturing0.6%
US avg: 0.5%
Transportation & warehousing0.3%
US avg: 2.5%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$425,000
+135%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $120,400 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,034
+37%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $502 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
57.5%
+2.4 ptssince 2000
from 55.1% in 2000
42.5% rent
Afford Score
8.2
+125%since 2000
from 3.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic90.7%(7,033)
Black0.3%(23)
Hispanic / Latino2.9%(221)
Asian0.7%(55)
Other1.8%(141)
Diversity Score14.1%(1,095)
Diversity Score
14
+115%since 2000
from 7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
55.0%
+15.9 ptssince 2000
from 39.0% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
97.2%
+6.5 ptssince 2000
from 90.7% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
17.1%
+5.0 ptssince 2000
from 12.1% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
16.4 min
+61%since 2000
from 10.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
71.8%
−6.2 ptssince 2009
from 78.1% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
8.1%
+5.2 ptssince 2009
from 2.9% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.1%
−0.7 ptssince 2011
from 4.8% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
70.0%
+4.2 ptssince 2011
from 65.8% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
40.3%
−20.9 ptssince 2009
from 61.3% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.2%
−2.2 ptssince 2009
from 51.4% in 2009
Female
50.8%
+2.2 ptssince 2009
from 48.6% in 2009
Foreign born
2.2%
+1.6 ptssince 2009
from 0.6% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
6.7%
−71.5 ptssince 2013
from 78.2% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Whitefish

Memphis
Pop 9,185
Claymont
Pop 8,786
Lake Park
Pop 9,125
Green Cove Springs
Pop 10,079
Places similar to Whitefish
Head to head

Compare Whitefish to nearby cities

WHITEFISH VS
Evergreen
Income$76,446+48%
Home value$340,800−20%
Population9,611+3%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WHITEFISH VS
Kalispell
Income$63,415+22%
Home value$428,000+1%
Population31,851+240%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WHITEFISH VS
Missoula
Income$70,392+36%
Home value$473,100+11%
Population78,903+743%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Whitefish, Montana?

Whitefish, Montana has about 7,751 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Whitefish, Montana?

The typical household in Whitefish, Montana earns about $51,821 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 $425,000, and the typical rent is about $1,034 a month.

How educated are people in Whitefish, Montana?

About 55.0% 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 6.2% 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 3,383 residents, a change of about 77 percent over that period.

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

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