County · Montana
Broadwater County, Montana
Broadwater County, Montana. Broadwater County had 8,493 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 25.4% since 2020, faster than Montana (+5.6%). It holds 7 places (1 city, village or borough and 6 census-designated) and 2 census tracts. GEOID 30007.
Broadwater County is one of the 3 counties of the Helena, MT metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
8,493
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 6,774 · ACS 2020-2024: 7,668
Median household income
$70,374
±$6,632 (90% margin)
Montana: $72,509
Median home value
$426,600
±$56,184 (90% margin)
Montana: $375,800
Median gross rent
$955
±$130 (90% margin)
Montana: $1,081
How many people live in Broadwater County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 6,774 residents in Broadwater County. The Census Bureau estimates 8,493 for July 1, 2025, up 25.4% since 2020, faster than Montana (+5.6%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 7,668 over 1,192 square miles of land.
| Measure | Broadwater County | Montana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 7,668 | 1,116,875 | +1,723 |
| Households | 2,822±131 | 458,859 | +458 |
| Average household size | 2.70±0.12 | 2.37 | +0.20 |
| Housing units | 3,178±20 | 528,419 | +442 |
Broadwater County's population since 2000
From 4,385 in 2000 to 8,493 in 2025: up 93.7%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. 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); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Broadwater County?
Broadwater County holds 7 places: 1 city, village or borough (an incorporated place) and 6 census-designated places. The largest is Townsend with 2,272 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Townsend | 1,787 | $70,752 |
|---|---|---|
| WheatlandGEOID 3079695 | 1,103 | $123,277 |
| The SilosGEOID 3073760 | 691 | $60,521 |
| Spokane CreekGEOID 3069900 | 430 | $127,250 |
| WinstonGEOID 3081175 | 169 | $58,159 |
| TostonGEOID 3074500 | 100 | $63,206 |
| RadersburgGEOID 3060475 | 61 | not published |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Broadwater County?
The median resident of Broadwater County is 45.9 years old; 19.9% are under 18 and 23.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 88.9%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 6.7%.
| Measure | Broadwater County | Montana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 45.9±0.9 | 40.4 | −1.4 |
| Under 18 years | 19.9% | 21.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 23.2%±0.4 pts | 20.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.8%±1.7 pts | 4.6% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 88.9%±2.2 pts | 83.6% | −5.5 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.3 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.3 pts | 0.8% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 1.2%±0.7 pts | 5.3% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.4 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 6.7%±2.8 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.4 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 0.8%±0.7 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.1%±1.9 pts | 4.2% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 9.9%±2.8 pts | 9.0% | – |
| With a disability | 15.3%±2.9 pts | 14.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 7.5%±3.8 pts | 8.6% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 91.7%±3.4 pts | 94.6% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 27.3%±6.4 pts | 35.2% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.7%±2.1 pts | 12.0% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 4.3%±3.2 pts | 3.7% | – |
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 Broadwater County earn?
Half of Broadwater County's 2,822 households earn less than $70,374 a year (±$6,632), against $72,509 in Montana. In 2015-2019 it was $74,573 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 12.7% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Broadwater County | Montana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $70,374±$6,632 | $72,509 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $92,049±$9,333 | $98,908 | – |
| Per capita income | $39,058±$3,238 | $41,711 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 12.7%±4.5 pts | 11.5% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 20.3%±12.0 pts | 12.7% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 3.5%±1.8 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 85.5%±5.1 pts | 89.4% | – |
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 Broadwater County?
Owners occupy 87.8% of Broadwater County's occupied homes and renters 12.2%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $426,600 by its owner (±$56,184). The median renter pays $955 a month including utilities, and 54.9% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Broadwater County | Montana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $426,600±$56,184 | $375,800 | +$153,140 |
| Median gross rent | $955±$130 | $1,081 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 54.9%±15.6 pts | 35.5% | +30.5 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,609±$175 | $1,798 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 87.8%±2.9 pts | 69.2% | +5.3 pts |
| Housing units | 3,178±20 | 528,419 | +442 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.1%±0.3 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 8.0%±7.9 pts | 5.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 83.6%±4.5 pts | 68.8% | – |
| Mobile homes | 12.5%±3.8 pts | 9.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 5.3%±3.1 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 11.0%±4.2 pts | 12.8% | – |
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 Broadwater County building?
Builders took permits for 3 new housing units across Broadwater County in 2025 (3 single-family), 0.4 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Broadwater County get to work?
75.3% of Broadwater County's workers drive alone and 10.5% work from home. The average trip to work takes 29.3 minutes.
| Measure | Broadwater County | Montana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 62.5%±4.1 pts | 62.9% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.5%±3.2 pts | 3.6% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 75.3%±5.7 pts | 71.1% | – |
| Carpooled | 12.7%±4.6 pts | 9.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±0.8 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Walked | 0.2%±0.3 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 10.5%±3.9 pts | 12.5% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 29.3 min±3.7 | 19.1 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 are Broadwater County's census tracts?
Broadwater County is divided into 2 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $70,265 (Tract 1) to $71,806 (Tract 2).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Broadwater County compare with Montana's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 28th of 56 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 1st of 56 |
| Residents per square mile | 13th of 56 |
| Median household income | 19th of 56 |
| Median home value | 8th of 56 |
| Median gross rent | 14th of 56 |
| Poverty rate | 27th of 56 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22nd of 56 |
| Median age | 25th of 56 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 Broadwater County 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' school search.