County · Montana
Carbon County, Montana
Carbon County, Montana. Carbon County had 11,466 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 9.5% since 2020, faster than Montana (+5.6%). It holds 15 places (5 cities, villages and boroughs and 10 census-designated) and 5 census tracts. GEOID 30009.
Carbon County is one of the 3 counties of the Billings, MT metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
11,466
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 10,473 · ACS 2020-2024: 11,116
Median household income
$80,261
±$9,036 (90% margin)
Montana: $72,509
Median home value
$420,800
±$24,845 (90% margin)
Montana: $375,800
Median gross rent
$844
±$113 (90% margin)
Montana: $1,081
How many people live in Carbon County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 10,473 residents in Carbon County. The Census Bureau estimates 11,466 for July 1, 2025, up 9.5% since 2020, faster than Montana (+5.6%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 11,116 over 2,048 square miles of land.
| Measure | Carbon County | Montana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 11,116 | 1,116,875 | +519 |
| Households | 4,664±3,324 | 458,859 | – |
| Average household size | 2.36±0.59 | 2.37 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 6,455±3,312 | 528,419 | no clear change |
Carbon County's population since 2000
From 9,552 in 2000 to 11,466 in 2025: up 20.0%. 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 Carbon County?
Carbon County holds 15 places: 5 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 10 census-designated places. The largest is Red Lodge with 2,723 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Red LodgeGEOID 3061525 | 2,257 | $55,750 |
|---|---|---|
| Bridger, Carbon County | 662 | $42,891 |
| Joliet | 577 | $77,396 |
| Fromberg | 392 | $64,500 |
| RobertsGEOID 3063400 | 304 | $95,917 |
| RockvaleGEOID 3063700 | 193 | not published |
| BelfryGEOID 3004900 | 193 | $102,823 |
| MontaquaGEOID 3051475 | 120 | $124,250 |
| EdgarGEOID 3023500 | 110 | not published |
| SilesiaGEOID 3068050 | 103 | not published |
| FoxGEOID 3029050 | 100 | not published |
| BearcreekGEOID 3004300 | 91 | $115,000 |
| LutherGEOID 3046150 | 30 | $131,250 |
| BoydGEOID 3008800 | 19 | not published |
| RoscoeGEOID 3064300 | 16 | 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 Carbon County?
The median resident of Carbon County is 50.4 years old; 17.2% are under 18 and 28.0% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 90.1%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 4.5%.
| Measure | Carbon County | Montana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 50.4±0.4 | 40.4 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 17.2%±0.4 pts | 21.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 28.0%±0.4 pts | 20.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.0% | 4.6% | +0.5 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 90.1%±1.1 pts | 83.6% | −4.2 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.5 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.8% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 5.3% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.3 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.5%±1.0 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 1.6%±1.0 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 0.6%±0.4 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.2%±0.9 pts | 4.2% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 8.5%±1.8 pts | 9.0% | – |
| With a disability | 17.4%±2.8 pts | 14.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 8.2%±2.4 pts | 8.6% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 96.6%±1.1 pts | 94.6% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 34.6%±2.9 pts | 35.2% | +4.2 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 12.0%±2.8 pts | 12.0% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 5.0%±1.8 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 Carbon County earn?
Half of Carbon County's 4,664 households earn less than $80,261 a year (±$9,036), against $72,509 in Montana. In 2015-2019 it was $72,250 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 7.8% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Carbon County | Montana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $80,261±$9,036 | $72,509 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $104,457±$9,264 | $98,908 | – |
| Per capita income | $45,872±$4,165 | $41,711 | +$5,177 |
| People below the poverty line | 7.8%±1.9 pts | 11.5% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 7.0%±4.3 pts | 12.7% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 6.1%±1.8 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 86.4%±2.3 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 Carbon County?
Owners occupy 78.0% of Carbon County's occupied homes and renters 22.0%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $420,800 by its owner (±$24,845). The median renter pays $844 a month including utilities, and 25.4% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Carbon County | Montana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $420,800±$24,845 | $375,800 | +$116,080 |
| Median gross rent | $844±$113 | $1,081 | −$129 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 25.4%±12.0 pts | 35.5% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,753±$86 | $1,798 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 78.0%±4.4 pts | 69.2% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 6,455±3,312 | 528,419 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.4%±0.4 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 8.1%±8.5 pts | 5.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 81.1%±3.1 pts | 68.8% | – |
| Mobile homes | 7.8%±2.7 pts | 9.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.3%±0.9 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 24.1%±4.9 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 Carbon County building?
Builders took permits for 32 new housing units across Carbon County in 2025 (24 single-family), 2.8 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 Carbon County get to work?
61.4% of Carbon County's workers drive alone and 11.0% work from home. The average trip to work takes 29.6 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.5%.
| Measure | Carbon County | Montana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 59.6%±3.0 pts | 62.9% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.5%±1.7 pts | 3.6% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 61.4%±4.2 pts | 71.1% | – |
| Carpooled | 14.0%±3.3 pts | 9.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 2.7%±1.1 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Walked | 7.6%±2.2 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 11.0%±2.3 pts | 12.5% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 29.6 min±5.3 | 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 Carbon County's census tracts?
Carbon County is divided into 5 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $56,761 (Tract 2) to $102,039 (Tract 4).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Carbon County compare with Montana's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 20th of 56 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 13th of 56 |
| Residents per square mile | 17th of 56 |
| Median household income | 4th of 56 |
| Median home value | 10th of 56 |
| Median gross rent | 23rd of 56 |
| Poverty rate | 51st of 56 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 8th of 56 |
| Median age | 14th 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 Carbon 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.