City · Montana
Hamilton, Montana
Hamilton, city, in Ravalli County, Montana. Hamilton had 5,451 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 16.3% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 4,659 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 5,101 (±18). GEOID 3033775.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
5,451
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 4,659 · ACS 2020-2024: 5,101 ±18
Median household income
$49,204
±$9,323 (90% margin)
Montana: $72,509
Median home value
$310,000
±$51,682 (90% margin)
Montana: $375,800
Median gross rent
$947
±$113 (90% margin)
Montana: $1,081
Where is Hamilton and what county is it in?
Hamilton is a city in Ravalli County, Montana. It covers 2.5 square miles of land, 1,831 residents per square mile in 2020.
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Hamilton, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 5,451 people lived in Hamilton on July 1, 2025, up 16.3% since 2020, faster than Montana (+5.6%). The 2020 Census counted 4,659 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 5,101 (±18).
| Measure | Hamilton | Ravalli County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 5,101 ±18 | 46,727 | +378 |
| Households | 2,748 ±268 | 18,661 | +567 |
| Average household size | 1.74 ±0.17 | 2.48 | −0.34 |
| Housing units | 3,101 ±324 | 21,179 | +869 |
Hamilton's population since 2000
From 3,705 in 2000 to 5,451 in 2025: up 47.1%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Hamilton as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Hamilton?
The median resident of Hamilton is 51.8 years old; 13.9% are under 18 and 34.3% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 93.0%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 2.9%.
| Measure | Hamilton | Ravalli County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 51.8 ±6.5 | 48.7 | +11.8 |
| Under 18 years | 13.9% ±4.3 pts | 18.6% | – |
| 65 years and over | 34.3% ±6.9 pts | 27.0% | – |
| Male | 42.4% ±5.6 pts | 50.2% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.7% ±1.9 pts | 4.1% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 93.0% ±4.1 pts | 88.6% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.6 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.6 pts | 0.7% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 2.3% ±2.9 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.6 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.9% ±2.8 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.6 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 5.1% ±3.8 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 1.4% ±1.3 pts | 3.3% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 10.1% ±3.7 pts | 11.0% | – |
| With a disability | 25.9% ±6.8 pts | 18.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 10.6% ±4.9 pts | 10.5% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 92.5% ±4.9 pts | 93.4% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 30.8% ±6.7 pts | 28.7% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 16.8% ±6.0 pts | 10.9% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 78.3% ±7.8 pts | 89.8% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 4.4% ±4.8 pts | 3.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Hamilton earn?
Half of Hamilton's 2,748 households earn less than $49,204 a year (±$9,323), against $71,283 in Ravalli County and $72,509 in Montana. In 2015-2019 it was $39,390 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 8.8% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Hamilton | Ravalli County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $49,204 ±$9,323 | $71,283 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $68,104 ±$9,439 | $93,389 | – |
| Per capita income | $38,231 ±$5,212 | $39,624 | +$11,919 |
| People below the poverty line | 8.8% ±3.7 pts | 8.8% | −10.4 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 0.0% ±4.2 pts | 10.3% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 10.6% ±5.7 pts | 6.5% | – |
| Households with a computer | 87.9% ±5.6 pts | 94.0% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 84.2% ±6.1 pts | 87.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Hamilton?
Owners occupy 55.7% of Hamilton's occupied homes and renters 44.3%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $310,000 by its owner (±$51,682). The median renter pays $947 a month including utilities, and 31.4% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Hamilton | Ravalli County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $310,000 ±$51,682 | $476,600 | +$91,429 |
| Median gross rent | $947 ±$113 | $1,054 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 31.4% ±11.2 pts | 32.0% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,400 ±$83 | $1,656 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 55.7% ±8.5 pts | 79.4% | +14.0 pts |
| Renter-occupied homes | 44.3% ±8.5 pts | 20.6% | – |
| Housing units | 3,101 ±324 | 21,179 | +869 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0% ±1.9 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 14.2% ±11.1 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 51.8% ±8.4 pts | 79.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 7.5% ±4.2 pts | 8.6% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.8% ±2.8 pts | 2.5% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 9.5% ±5.1 pts | 10.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 32.8% ±7.9 pts | 11.1% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 12.6% ±5.7 pts | 4.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Hamilton building?
Builders took permits for 46 new housing units in Hamilton in 2025 (29 in single-family houses), 8.4 per 1,000 residents against 4.6 across Montana.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Hamilton work and get to work?
77.0% of Hamilton's workers drive alone. The average trip to work takes 12.2 minutes.
| Measure | Hamilton | Ravalli County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 60.0% ±7.7 pts | 55.1% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 2.0% ±2.7 pts | 3.2% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 77.0% ±9.3 pts | 72.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 14.0% ±8.8 pts | 8.9% | – |
| Public transportation | 1.1% ±1.7 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Walked | 3.3% ±3.5 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Worked from home | 3.4% ±2.9 pts | 14.2% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 12.2 min ±2.3 | 24.4 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Hamilton?
1 census tract lies mostly in Hamilton, and 2 more reach into it (2020 census blocks).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 5.02Ravalli County | 4,887 | $55,500 |
| Tract 6.02Ravalli County | 5,828 | $58,125 |
| Tract 4.02Ravalli County | 5,794 | $82,896 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Hamilton) · Census block assignment files
How does Hamilton compare with other places in Montana?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Hamilton is the 4,664th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 19th-most populous of 127 in Montana.
Hamilton ranks 77th of 90 places in Montana with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 19th | 127 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 9th | 53 |
| Residents per square mile | 23rd | 93 |
| Median household income | 77th | 90 |
| Per capita income | 37th | 93 |
| Median home value | 39th | 89 |
| Median gross rent | 42nd | 82 |
| Poverty rate | 48th | 65 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33rd | 90 |
| Median age | 6th | 93 |
| Owner-occupied share | 78th | 92 |
| Travel time to work | 81st | 93 |
Hamilton's figures with every place in Montana (CSV)
Every place in Montana, sortable · Compare Hamilton with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Hamilton?
18 of the 57 figures for Hamilton on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Hamilton are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Hamilton.