City · Montana
Lewistown, Montana
Lewistown, city, in Fergus County, Montana. Lewistown had 6,179 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 3.7% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 5,952 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 6,087 (±41). GEOID 3043375.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
6,179
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 5,952 · ACS 2020-2024: 6,087 ±41
Median household income
$48,750
±$4,314 (90% margin)
Montana: $72,509
Median home value
$198,400
±$26,404 (90% margin)
Montana: $375,800
Median gross rent
$1,007
±$100 (90% margin)
Montana: $1,081
Where is Lewistown and what county is it in?
Lewistown is a city in Fergus County, Montana. It covers 5.7 square miles of land, 1,040 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 Lewistown, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 6,179 people lived in Lewistown on July 1, 2025, up 3.7% since 2020, slower than Montana (+5.6%). The 2020 Census counted 5,952 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 6,087 (±41).
| Measure | Lewistown | Fergus County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 6,087 ±41 | 11,687 | +202 |
| Households | 2,880 ±152 | 5,303 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.03 ±0.11 | 2.12 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 3,101 ±151 | 6,012 | no clear change |
Lewistown's population since 2000
From 5,813 in 2000 to 6,179 in 2025: up 6.3%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Lewistown 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 Lewistown?
The median resident of Lewistown is 44.7 years old; 21.3% are under 18 and 25.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 90.0%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 3.9%.
| Measure | Lewistown | Fergus County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 44.7 ±3.3 | 44.4 | +6.3 |
| Under 18 years | 21.3% ±2.1 pts | 21.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 25.1% ±2.3 pts | 25.1% | – |
| Male | 52.9% ±2.4 pts | 51.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.9% ±0.6 pts | 2.4% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 90.0% ±1.5 pts | 92.4% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.0% ±0.9 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.7% ±0.6 pts | 0.7% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 2.6% ±1.7 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.5 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 1.8% ±0.9 pts | 1.9% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.5 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 3.4% ±2.3 pts | 2.2% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 4.3% ±2.2 pts | 4.5% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 16.0% ±3.0 pts | 11.9% | – |
| With a disability | 19.4% ±4.2 pts | 14.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 14.1% ±3.8 pts | 16.2% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 94.1% ±3.0 pts | 95.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 17.7% ±4.9 pts | 24.0% | −9.4 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 4.4% ±2.2 pts | 5.7% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 86.5% ±4.0 pts | 88.1% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.9% ±0.9 pts | 1.5% | – |
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 Lewistown earn?
Half of Lewistown's 2,880 households earn less than $48,750 a year (±$4,314), against $63,706 in Fergus County and $72,509 in Montana. In 2015-2019 it was $47,474 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 20.9% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Lewistown | Fergus County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $48,750 ±$4,314 | $63,706 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $62,413 ±$6,405 | $77,592 | – |
| Per capita income | $30,049 ±$2,738 | $35,574 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 20.9% ±6.6 pts | 15.1% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 41.2% ±20.6 pts | 27.8% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 10.4% ±3.6 pts | 7.3% | – |
| Households with a computer | 89.8% ±3.8 pts | 91.3% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 82.6% ±4.5 pts | 85.6% | – |
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 Lewistown?
Owners occupy 56.1% of Lewistown's occupied homes and renters 43.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $198,400 by its owner (±$26,404). The median renter pays $1,007 a month including utilities, and 34.6% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Lewistown | Fergus County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $198,400 ±$26,404 | $236,100 | +$66,593 |
| Median gross rent | $1,007 ±$100 | $954 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 34.6% ±11.4 pts | 29.9% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,189 ±$84 | $1,299 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 56.1% ±7.4 pts | 63.4% | −11.2 pts |
| Renter-occupied homes | 43.9% ±7.4 pts | 36.6% | – |
| Housing units | 3,101 ±151 | 6,012 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 4.5% ±5.1 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 2.1% ±3.2 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 63.8% ±6.5 pts | 73.7% | – |
| Mobile homes | 13.0% ±4.6 pts | 13.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.6% ±0.9 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 3.6% ±2.6 pts | 6.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 36.5% ±6.4 pts | 29.1% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 14.5% ±5.3 pts | 9.4% | – |
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 Lewistown building?
Builders took permits for 2 new housing units in Lewistown in 2025 (2 in single-family houses), 0.3 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 Lewistown work and get to work?
73.3% of Lewistown's workers drive alone and 7.2% work from home. The average trip to work takes 12.7 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 7.0%.
| Measure | Lewistown | Fergus County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 62.5% ±4.4 pts | 64.2% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 7.0% ±3.1 pts | 4.2% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 73.3% ±6.5 pts | 63.9% | – |
| Carpooled | 3.8% ±3.1 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0% ±1.1 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Walked | 13.8% ±6.3 pts | 10.2% | – |
| Worked from home | 7.2% ±3.1 pts | 16.8% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 12.7 min ±2.8 | 18.3 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 Lewistown?
2 census tracts lie mostly in Lewistown, and 1 more reaches into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $51,964 (Tract 302.01) to $53,194 (Tract 302.02).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 302.02Fergus County | 3,595 | $53,194 |
| Tract 302.01Fergus County | 3,168 | $51,964 |
| Tract 301Fergus County | 4,924 | $78,427 |
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 Lewistown) · Census block assignment files
How does Lewistown compare with other places in Montana?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Lewistown is the 4,350th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 16th-most populous of 127 in Montana.
Lewistown ranks 78th 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 | 16th | 127 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 27th | 53 |
| Residents per square mile | 50th | 93 |
| Median household income | 78th | 90 |
| Per capita income | 72nd | 93 |
| Median home value | 70th | 89 |
| Median gross rent | 35th | 82 |
| Poverty rate | 14th | 65 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 72nd | 90 |
| Median age | 20th | 93 |
| Owner-occupied share | 75th | 92 |
| Work from home | 37th | 46 |
| Travel time to work | 75th | 93 |
Lewistown's figures with every place in Montana (CSV)
Every place in Montana, sortable · Compare Lewistown 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 Lewistown?
12 of the 57 figures for Lewistown 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 Lewistown 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 Lewistown.