COUNTY · 2000 CENSUS

Lake County

Montana · 26,507 residents · 1,490.467 sq mi

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The short version

Lake County has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $28,740. Population has grown 26% since 1990. Median home value has more than doubled since 1990, reaching $120,900.

At a glance

Lower income

below the US median

US median: $42,589

Older

median age 38.2

US median: 35.2

Average education

22% hold a bachelor's degree

US average: 24%

Less affordable

home values up 48%, inflation adjusted

US median home: $120,530

Section 01

Population & growth

Total population

26,507

+26%since 1990

from 21,041 in 1990

1990 – 2025

Population density

18 / sq mi

+26%since 1990

from 14 / sq mi in 1990

US average: 242

Median age

38.2

+10%since 1990

from 34.7 in 1990

US average: 35.2

Population, 1990 – 2024

202433K

Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income

$28,740

+10%inflation adjusted, since 1990

from $19,755 in 1990

US average: $42,589

1990 – 2024

Per capita income

$15,173

+64%since 1990

from $9,274 in 1990

US average: $21,522

Poverty rate

18.7%

−2.7 ptssince 1990

from 21.4% in 1990

US average: 12.4%

Section 03

Housing

Median home value

$120,900

+48%inflation adjusted, since 1990

from $61,900 in 1990

US average: $120,530

1990 – 2024

Median gross rent

$403

+16%inflation adjusted, since 1990

from $263 in 1990

US average: $602

Owner-occupied

71.4%

+1.2 ptssince 1990

from 70.2% in 1990

28.6% rent

Afford Score

4.2

+34%since 1990

from 3.1 in 1990

1990 – 2024

RELATED:See current rent listings in Lake County on RentDataNow

Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990

White, non-Hispanic78.3%(16,468)

Black0%(6)

Hispanic / Latino1.6%(334)

Asian0.1%(21)

Diversity Score45.1%(9,494)

2000

White, non-Hispanic70.6%(18,704)

Black0.1%(30)

Hispanic / Latino2.5%(668)

Asian0.3%(69)

Diversity Score9.5%(2,519)

Diversity Score

−79%since 1990

from 45 in 1990

1990 – 2024

Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

22.2%

+6.5 ptssince 1990

from 15.7% in 1990

US average: 24.4%

High school or higher

84.2%

+6.9 ptssince 1990

from 77.3% in 1990

US average: 80.3%

Graduate degree

6.6%

+2.2 ptssince 1990

from 4.4% in 1990

US average: 8.8%

Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute

13.2 min

−45%since 1990

from 24.2 min in 1990

US average: 17.6

Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

Drill deeper

Places similar to Lake County

Head to head

Compare Lake County to nearby counties

LAKE COUNTY VS

Missoula County

Income$75,598+163%

Home value$472,100+290%

Population123,513+270%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

LAKE COUNTY VS

Flathead County

Income$73,925+157%

Home value$535,500+343%

Population115,429+246%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

LAKE COUNTY VS

Sanders County

Income$57,476+100%

Home value$359,000+197%

Population14,062−58%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

LAKE COUNTY VS

Mineral County

Income$63,450+121%

Home value$364,300+201%

Population5,185−84%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

Frequently asked

How many people live in Lake County, Montana?

Lake County, Montana has about 26,507 residents according to the 2000 Census.

What is the median household income in Lake County, Montana?

The typical household in Lake County, Montana earns about $28,740 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Lake County, Montana expensive?

In Lake County, Montana, the median home is worth about $120,900, and the typical rent is about $403 a month.

How educated are people in Lake County, Montana?

About 22.2% of adults age 25 and over in Lake County, Montana hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Lake County, Montana?

About 18.7% of people in Lake County, Montana live below the federal poverty line.

Has Lake County, Montana grown since 1990?

Yes, Lake County, Montana has grown since 1990. The population has added about 5,466 residents, a change of about 26 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 →