City · Montana
Missoula, Montana
Missoula, city, in Missoula County, Montana. Missoula had 78,903 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 6.4% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 73,489 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 76,514 (±45). GEOID 3050200.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
78,903
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 73,489 · ACS 2020-2024: 76,514 ±45
Median household income
$70,392
±$3,565 (90% margin)
Montana: $72,509
Median home value
$473,100
±$13,041 (90% margin)
Montana: $375,800
Median gross rent
$1,189
±$36 (90% margin)
Montana: $1,081
Where is Missoula and what county is it in?
Missoula is a city in Missoula County, Montana. It covers 35.0 square miles of land, 2,098 residents per square mile in 2020.
Missoula is in the Missoula, MT metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 2 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Missoula, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 78,903 people lived in Missoula on July 1, 2025, up 6.4% since 2020, faster than Montana (+5.6%). The 2020 Census counted 73,489 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 76,514 (±45).
| Measure | Missoula | Missoula County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 76,514±45 | 120,672 | +2,804 |
| Households | 34,941±654 | 52,679 | +2,628 |
| Average household size | 2.10±0.04 | 2.23 | −0.08 |
| Housing units | 37,317±514 | 56,930 | +3,151 |
Missoula's population since 2000
From 57,053 in 2000 to 78,903 in 2025: up 38.3%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Missoula 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 Missoula?
The median resident of Missoula is 34.7 years old; 16.6% are under 18 and 15.0% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 84.7%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 5.7%. 2.9% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Missoula | Missoula County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 34.7±0.5 | 37.1 | +1.9 |
| Under 18 years | 16.6%±0.7 pts | 18.2% | – |
| 65 years and over | 15.0%±0.7 pts | 17.1% | – |
| Male | 48.9%±0.7 pts | 50.2% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 5.7%±0.5 pts | 5.1% | +2.0 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 84.7%±1.1 pts | 85.5% | −3.8 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.2 pts | 0.4% | −0.4 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.1%±0.3 pts | 1.6% | −1.0 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 1.9%±0.7 pts | 1.9% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 5.5%±0.8 pts | 5.0% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.5 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.9%±0.6 pts | 2.9% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 4.7%±0.8 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.6%±0.8 pts | 8.6% | – |
| With a disability | 12.2%±1.0 pts | 12.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.1%±1.0 pts | 6.1% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 97.0%±0.6 pts | 96.6% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 53.0%±1.9 pts | 47.4% | +5.1 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 20.7%±1.6 pts | 18.6% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 79.1%±1.5 pts | 82.7% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 5.1%±1.0 pts | 4.3% | – |
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 Missoula earn?
Half of Missoula's 34,941 households earn less than $70,392 a year (±$3,565), against $75,598 in Missoula County and $72,509 in Montana. In 2015-2019 the median was $58,367 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $12,025 after inflation. 11.8% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Missoula | Missoula County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $70,392±$3,565 | $75,598 | +$12,025 |
| Mean household income | $95,106±$4,068 | $103,306 | – |
| Per capita income | $44,227±$1,766 | $45,868 | +$6,309 |
| People below the poverty line | 11.8%±1.4 pts | 10.1% | −5.7 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 8.3%±2.8 pts | 7.5% | −7.6 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 8.2%±1.3 pts | 7.5% | – |
| Households with a computer | 96.7%±0.9 pts | 96.4% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 93.2%±1.1 pts | 93.0% | – |
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 Missoula?
Owners occupy 47.0% of Missoula's occupied homes and renters 53.0%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $473,100 by its owner (±$13,041). The median renter pays $1,189 a month including utilities, and 41.3% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Missoula | Missoula County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $473,100±$13,041 | $472,100 | +$128,875 |
| Median gross rent | $1,189±$36 | $1,190 | +$132 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 41.3%±3.4 pts | 39.5% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,958±$60 | $1,968 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 47.0%±2.1 pts | 58.8% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 53.0%±2.1 pts | 41.2% | – |
| Housing units | 37,317±514 | 56,930 | +3,151 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.8%±0.7 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.0%±1.7 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 48.7%±2.1 pts | 57.7% | – |
| Mobile homes | 4.1%±0.9 pts | 8.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.8%±0.7 pts | 2.5% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 15.0%±1.3 pts | 13.2% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 13.1%±1.6 pts | 10.2% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 6.7%±1.2 pts | 5.2% | – |
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 Missoula building?
Builders took permits for 556 new housing units in Missoula in 2025 (145 in single-family houses), 7.0 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 Missoula work and get to work?
67.0% of Missoula's workers drive alone and 15.2% work from home. The average trip to work takes 15.8 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.8%.
| Measure | Missoula | Missoula County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 72.0%±1.2 pts | 69.6% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.8%±0.7 pts | 3.7% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 67.0%±2.1 pts | 69.1% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.7%±1.1 pts | 8.3% | – |
| Public transportation | 1.5%±0.6 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Walked | 4.2%±0.7 pts | 3.2% | – |
| Worked from home | 15.2%±1.4 pts | 14.6% | +10.7 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 15.8 min±0.8 | 18.1 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 Missoula?
18 census tracts lie mostly in Missoula, and 5 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $26,619 (Tract 3) to $122,438 (Tract 13.04).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 2.05Missoula County | 8,231 | $82,863 |
| Tract 1Missoula County | 6,578 | $96,553 |
| Tract 12Missoula County | 5,323 | $52,700 |
| Tract 13.04Missoula County | 7,978 | $122,438 |
| Tract 13.03Missoula County | 4,912 | $73,343 |
| Tract 2.03Missoula County | 4,884 | $63,564 |
| Tract 13.02Missoula County | 6,493 | $113,995 |
| Tract 2.06Missoula County | 7,592 | $86,701 |
| Tract 8.02Missoula County | 3,640 | $63,701 |
| Tract 5.01Missoula County | 3,466 | $66,179 |
| Tract 10.01Missoula County | 3,255 | $49,779 |
| Tract 5.02Missoula County | 3,059 | $75,139 |
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 Missoula) · Census block assignment files
How does Missoula compare with other places in Montana?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Missoula is the 474th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 2nd-most populous of 127 in Montana.
Missoula ranks 36th 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 | 2nd | 127 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 23rd | 53 |
| Residents per square mile | 15th | 93 |
| Median household income | 36th | 90 |
| Per capita income | 19th | 93 |
| Median home value | 17th | 89 |
| Median gross rent | 16th | 82 |
| Poverty rate | 38th | 65 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 5th | 90 |
| Median age | 71st | 93 |
| Owner-occupied share | 87th | 92 |
| Work from home | 13th | 46 |
| Travel time to work | 56th | 93 |
Missoula's figures with every place in Montana (CSV)
Every place in Montana, sortable · Compare Missoula 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 Missoula?
3 of the 57 figures for Missoula 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 Missoula 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 Missoula.