Census Data Released

Data from the 2020 US Census has been released, with 1681 Powder River County residents counted in the census. When compared to 2010, 62 fewer residents were counted, for a 3.6% drop in population over the last decade. Statewide, 60.4% of the population self-responded to the constitutionally mandated census, with an additional 39.5% enumerated with a follow-up count. The state receives an estimated $2,000 per person, per year in Federal dollars.

Statewide, Montana gained 9.6% in population over the last decade, with 1,084,225 Montanans counted, or an increase in 98,410 residents. The majority of this growth came in Montana’s urban areas. Gallatin County gained over 27,000 residents for a 30% increase in the last decade, now sitting at a population of 116,806. Yellowstone County gained more than 15,000 residents, for a 10% increase, with 162,990 residents in the county. Flathead County, which includes Kalispell and Whitefish, gained nearly 15,000 people, with a 2020 population of 105,851. The increase in population means Montana will gain an additional seat in the US House of Representatives; redistricting will now take place over a 90 day timeframe.

Racial data shows that 84.5% of the Montana population were classified as white. American Indians comprised 6.2% of the state’s population, and 6.6% responded that they belonged to two or more racial groups.

Data from surrounding counties is as follows: Carter County gained 6% in population, with an increase of 75 residents. Custer County lost 407 residents, or 3.5%, for a population of 11,292. Rosebud County lost 397 residents for a population of 8,836, or a 4.3% decrease. The Census Bureau initially had some difficulty in counting populations on Indian Reservations, which may have led to an undercount in tribal populations. Thus Rosebud and Big Horn Counties, with the Northern Cheyenne and Crow tribes, may have been undercounted. Big Horn County saw an increase in 198 residents, for a 1.5% increase, with a 2020 population of 13,063 residents. Complete 2020 population data could not be located for Campbell County, Wyoming at the time of printing.