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COUNTY · 2000 CENSUS

Petroleum County

Montana · 493 residents · 1,655.625 sq mi
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The short version

Petroleum County has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $24,107. Population has declined 5% since 1990. Median home value has roughly tripled since 1990, reaching $51,000. With a median age of 41.1, the population is older than the US median of 35.2. The poverty rate of 23.2% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 27% less than the Montana median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $42,589
Older
median age 41.1
US median: 35.2
Less educated
17% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 24%
Less affordable
home values up 158%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $120,530
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
493
−5%since 1990
from 519 in 1990
1990 – 2025
Median age
41.1
+15%since 1990
from 35.8 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
3844344855355851990201020202024Petroleum County
2024447
1990201020202024
Age distribution, 2000
Under 57.1%(35)
US avg: 6.8%
5 to 97.1%(35)
US avg: 7.3%
10 to 146.9%(34)
US avg: 7.3%
15 to 196.9%(34)
US avg: 7.2%
20 to 244.1%(20)
US avg: 6.7%
25 to 349.9%(49)
US avg: 14.2%
35 to 4412.8%(63)
US avg: 16%
45 to 5416.6%(82)
US avg: 13.4%
55 to 6411.6%(57)
US avg: 8.6%
65 to 749.3%(46)
US avg: 6.5%
75 to 847.3%(36)
US avg: 4.4%
85 and over0.4%(2)
US avg: 1.5%
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$24,107
−5%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $19,219 in 1990
US average: $42,589
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$15,986
+62%since 1990
from $9,876 in 1990
US average: $21,522
Poverty rate
23.2%
−2.4 ptssince 1990
from 25.6% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$51,000
+158%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $14,999 in 1990
US average: $120,530
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$330
−14%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $291 in 1990
US average: $602
Owner-occupied
74.4%
−1.7 ptssince 1990
from 76.1% in 1990
25.6% rent
RELATED:See current rent listings in Petroleum County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990
White, non-Hispanic98.8%(513)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0%(0)
Asian0%(0)
2000
White, non-Hispanic98.2%(484)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino1.2%(6)
Asian0%(0)

No data for the years selected.

Section 04 · Origins

Detailed origins & ancestry

Detailed origin tables are available for 2024; showing 2024 data.

Asian origin
Japanese0.7%(3)
Ancestry
German34.7%(155)
American19.7%(88)
English17.9%(80)
Irish11.2%(50)
Norwegian8.3%(37)
Polish2.2%(10)
French1.3%(6)
Romanian1.3%(6)
Danish0.2%(1)
Finnish0.2%(1)
RANKED:Largest German population · Largest American population · Largest English population · Largest Irish population · Largest Norwegian population
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
17.4%
−0.1 ptssince 1990
from 17.5% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
82.9%
+1.0 ptssince 1990
from 81.9% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
Graduate degree
0.9%
−1.2 ptssince 1990
from 2.1% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
10.6 min
−78%since 1990
from 48.3 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.

Marital status
Men 15+
Never married24.1%(49)
Married61.1%(124)
Widowed3.4%(7)
Divorced11.3%(23)
Women 15+
Never married11.4%(21)
Married67.4%(124)
Widowed11.4%(21)
Divorced9.8%(18)
SHARE WITHIN EACH SEX · POPULATION 15 AND OVER · 2000
Drill deeper

Places similar to Petroleum County

Borden County
Pop 567
Thomas County
Pop 639
Grant County
Pop 561
Loup County
Pop 570
Places similar to Petroleum County
Head to head

Compare Petroleum County to nearby counties

PETROLEUM COUNTY VS
Musselshell County
Income$58,920+144%
Home value$235,000+361%
Population5,582+919%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PETROLEUM COUNTY VS
Fergus County
Income$63,706+164%
Home value$236,100+363%
Population11,825+2058%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PETROLEUM COUNTY VS
Garfield County
Income$69,583+189%
Home value$169,900+233%
Population1,148+109%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PETROLEUM COUNTY VS
Golden Valley County
Income$58,333+142%
Home value$212,200+316%
Population844+54%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Petroleum County, Montana?

Petroleum County, Montana has about 493 residents according to the 2000 Census.

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

The typical household in Petroleum County, Montana earns about $24,107 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Petroleum County, Montana expensive?

In Petroleum County, Montana, the median home is worth about $51,000, and the typical rent is about $330 a month.

How educated are people in Petroleum County, Montana?

About 17.4% of adults age 25 and over in Petroleum County, Montana hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Petroleum County, Montana?

About 23.2% of people in Petroleum County, Montana live below the federal poverty line.

Has Petroleum County, Montana grown since 1990?

Yes, Petroleum County, Montana has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 26 residents, a change of about -5 percent over that period.

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1 census tract
Census Tract 1
1 ZIP code
ZIP 59087
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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